Flag hoisting row: BJP accuses Centre, J-K Govt. of surrendering to separatists

New Delhi, Jan 23 (ANI): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday accused the Centre and the Jammu and Kashmir Government of surrendering to separatists in response to opposition to its flag-hoisting plans in Srinagar on January 26.

"The government has arrested the members of Bharatiya Yuva Morcha. They have sealed all border points in Jammu and Kashmir to prevent their entry. This is unacceptable and undemocratic," said senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley.

"By doing so they have surrendered to the separatists," he added, asserting that the arty activists have already travelled through 11 states and will hoist the national flag in Jammu and Kashmir.

Referring to Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh's statement on the issue, Jailtley said the Prime Minister's statement that Republic Day celebrations should not be used as political agenda is regrettable.

"How can the prime minister think that hoisting a flag will divide the nation?" he asked.

The Prime Minister has called upon political parties to exercise maximum restraint in a sensitive state like Jammu and Kashmir.

In a statement, Dr. Manmohan Singh urged them to desist from promoting divisive agendas for scoring points at the cost of peace in the State.

Observing that the Republic Day is a solemn occasion, he said it is not an occasion to create situations that could lead to entirely avoidable problems.

Dr. Singh expressed hope that citizens and political parties will heed his call and will do nothing that will disturb peace and harmony, or detract in any way from the dignity of Republic Day.

He further observed that over the years, the states have devised their own time-tested and publicly accepted procedures for the Republic Day celebrations within a common national framework.

Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha national president Anurag Thakur is leading the Rashtriya Ekta Yatra - flagged off on January 12 at Kolkata and scheduled to reach Srinagar on January 26.

The yatra will cover 3,037 km and enter the State on the afternoon of January 24 at Pathankot. (ANI)