Stop promoting RSS at the cost of Chenab Valley's peace: NC

Jammu, Oct 5: National Conference provincial president Devender Singh Rana today lashed out at the PDP-BJP government in Jammu and Kashmir for "promoting the RSS" in the sensitive region of Chenab Valley by "permitting lathi-wielding swayamsevaks to march on the streets of Doda".

"This is for the first time that such an activity has been allowed in the town by the administration, ignoring the sensitivities involved," he alleged at a meeting of NC functionaries while winding up his three-day visit to Chenab Valley, along with senior party leaders.

Rana alleged that the administration had become "a tool in the hands of the BJP", which was "furthering the agenda of the RSS openly and brazenly". The permission for the march by lathi-wielding swayamsevaks in Khaki shorts was bereft of "administrative wisdom" and this kind of a "provocation" could have serious ramifications across the region, he warned.

The NC leader hoped that the government would understand its "folly" and take appropriate corrective measures so that peace and tranquility was maintained during the festive season.

Rana reminded the BJP of its responsibilities towards maintaining peace, being partners in the state government, and advised its ministers to get rid of the "opposition syndrome" and act as per the tenets of the Constitution.

"While the BJP has a proven record of being perfect agitationists, they are yet to make a mark as responsible administrators," he said, adding that with the "willing" support of the PDP, the two were out to "vitiate the atmosphere to divert the attention of the people from the mess created in the state".

The NC leader appealed to the people of Chenab Valley in general, and the NC cadre in particular, to "see through" the PDP-BJP gameplan and foil the "attempts of dividing the society" by maintaining "time-tested" unity.

He said his party had been pleading all along to the political class to rise above party politics when it came to maintaining tranquility and sustaining peace.

"In fact, the entire political discourse of National Conference president Farooq Abdullah and working president Omar Abdullah has been to strengthen, consolidate and sustain regional amity and religious harmony in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh," Rana said.

PTI