Opposition targets govt on release of Masarat Alam
New Delhi:Prime Minis-ter Narendra Modi on Monday denounced the release of hardline separatist leader Masarat Alam by the Jammu and Kashmir govern-ment of which BJP is a partner, saying he shared the “outrage” over the unac-ceptable decision and would take whatever action is required.
Modi spoke in Lok Sabha as members from various political parties created an uproar over the develop-ment, terming it as “anti-national” and dangerous to the country’s integrity, and dared BJP to pull out of the Mufti Mohammad Sayeed-led government.
Asserting that the relea-se of the separatist leader was not acceptable, he said his government won’t tolerate any compromise with the nation’s integrity.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh said the Centre had already sought clarifica-tions from the state but was not satisfied with part of the reply. Further clarification has been sought, he said.
“I want to assure the House that we will not refrain from issuing stron-gest advisory to the state government if required,” Singh said.As opposition protested, Modi made an intervention, saying he shares the “outrage” of the country as well as the House over the development.
“Parliament, in one voice, has condemned this type of action. I assure the country and the House that what-ever is happening there (in J and K), the Union govern-ment was neither consulted not informed… Government does not accept such action.
“In one voice, we express our anger against those supporting separatists and misusing the law. In the coming days, we will take whatever action is required and we are committed to the nation’s integrity,” Modi said. As opposition members took a dig at him as BJP is a part of the state’s coalition government headed by PDP leader Sayeed, Modi said, “BJP had no reason to keep silent as we are the people who sacrificed Shyama Prasad Mukherjee.”
To questions raised by opposition members, the Prime Minister said, “Don’t teach us patriotism. As the Home Minister has said, we have sought more clarification from the state. We will inform Parliament on the action taken.”
Singh said the state government has informed the Centre that 27 criminal cases, including attempt to murder and sedition, are pending against Alam and he was detained under the Public Safety Act after he got bail in all the cases.
The release of Alam, leader of Muslim League, has created strains between the coalition partners with BJP insisting that such an action was not a part of the Common Minimum Pro-gramme on the basis of which the government was formed. Opposition parties, including Congress, TMC, RJD, walked out expressing their dissatisfaction with Modi’s reply.
Congress leader Malli-karjun Kharge attacked Modi over his assertion that the Centre was not told about the development and said BJP then should either pull out of the alliance government in J and K or put Alam should be put behind bars again.
Kalyan Banerjee (TMC) accused BJP of having given “tacit support” to the release of the “traitor” and said it cannot escape the responsibility for the state government’s action as it is a partner in it.
He said the opposition had thought the state government would refrain from taking any such action after the Home Minister had denounced Sayeed’s statement which gave credit to Pakistan, militants and separatists for smooth polls in the state.
P Venugopal (AIAD-MK), whose party has supported the treasury benches on many issues, also deplored Alam’s release and said BJP should pull out of the government.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said “as far as our government is concerned, there will be no compromise on national security” and Home Ministry has sought a report on the issue from the state government.
“Some preliminary facts have come and Home Minis-ter will make a statement on issue,” he said. Deputy Chairman P J Kurien disal-lowed the motion but Congress members conti-nued to press for a statement from Prime Minister and stormed into the well of the House, forcing adjournment of proceedings for 15 minutes.
Raising the issue Anand Sharma (Cong) alleged that the Jammu and Kashmir government was “encou-raging separatists and anti-national activities. … We cannot accept this… this country is not ready to accept this.”
Mayawati (BSP) said after the controversial statement by Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed crediting Pakistan and separatists for the conduct of free and fair elections in the state, the release of separatist leader “is not in national interest. In one way it is anti-national.”
Sharad Yadav (JD-U) said it was BJP’s responsibility to clarify on the issue as it had been having parleys with PDP for two months before forming the government in J and K.(PTI)