‘We initiate peace, they fire guns’

In Srinagar, Raina slams Pakistan

SRINAGAR: The newly appointed BJP’s state president Ravinder Raina today lashed out at Pakistan for “reciprocating with violence to the peace overtures” of India and said that the state unit supports all those efforts which will help in the progress and peace of the Jammu and Kashmir.

“We will work on all those matters which will help in progress and peace, strength of Jammu and Kashmir. We will further strengthen the values, ethos and democratic values which will make Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh stronger,” Raina said here at a party function.

Raina made his first appearance in Kashmir at the BJP’s Jawahar Nagar Estate office where scores of BJP workers welcomed him with garlands. The BJP’s Kashmir functionaries had hired a local DJ band which sang Kashmiri and Bollywood songs in jazz style to welcome the new president.

The BJP leader, who is known for his firebrand speeches, said that gun and violence should stop in Kashmir for progress and harmony of the state.

Raina evaded direct reply to the ceasefire sought by PDP, BJP’s alliance partner in the state, and later today accepted by the BJP-led government of India. Raina said that India is a biggest democratic country “which always believes in and values dialogue”.

“Atal Bihari Vajpayee went to Pakistan on Lahore bus with a big gesture for peace. Since then many steps were taken forward with Pakistan for peace and dialogue, PM Narendra Modi went to Pakistan from Kabul on the wedding of Pakistan Prime Minister’s relative’s wedding but Pakistan reciprocated with violence and attacks on our country,” he said when asked by the PDP’s demand of announcing ceasefire in Kashmir.

“Any government in our country has been a votary of dialogue with Pakistan. We have shown to the world that dialogue and democracy is the resolution of all issues,” he said.

“Live and let live should be our principle. Keep your house safe and don’t destroy the house of others. Gun and violence will not bring anything except destruction in Jammu and Kashmir.

“The whole country is our family and all members of the family should live together, happily and in brotherhood. We will not tolerate any members of our family bleeds in any corner of the country,” he said.

Raina evaded questions on Dr Nirmal Singh’s statement against army over construction of his house near Army depot in Jammu. He also evaded questions on BJP leader Lal Singh’s rallies in support of CBI

inquiry in Rasana rape and murder of minor nomad girl.

“As a law student I know that the Kathua rape and murder case is sub-judice and we need not comment on it, yet I know that the most powerful institution in our country is the judiciary.

"Those guilty of this heinous crime would get exemplary punishment and no innocent person would suffer.

“We have complete trust on judiciary of our country. Truth and justice always triumphs in our country. Our country is the land of Gautam, Gandhi, Nanak and sufis where truth has always defeated lies,” he said.

Raina was flanked by BJP General Secretary (Organisation) Ashok Koul, former state president Sat Sharma, BJP spokesperson Khalid Jahangir, and MLC Sofi Yousuf.

Later, Raina addressed the party workers and told them that he believed peace is the only viable option for the people of Kashmir and he would leave no stone unturned to ensure there is a peaceful atmosphere across the region.

Raina, who represents Nowshehra constituency in the Assembly, paid tributes to all the “martyrs of Kashmir region, who sacrifices their lives for keeping the head of Indian nation high”.

“Martyrs including Maqbool Sherwani, Lt Umar Fayaz, deputy superintendent of police, Muhammad Ayoub Pandit, Gowhar Bhat, and dozens of others kept the Indian flag high always,” he said.

Raina said as BJP president his mission will be to ensure communal harmony and brotherhood within various segments of the society.

Raina said that Prime Minister Narendera Modi is coming on May 19, with a message of hope and peace.

He said that BJP will follow the footsteps of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who wrote a new chapter in the history of India and Pakistan by starting the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad Bus.

Taking a dig at the Congress for ruining India after ruling for 60 years, Raina said BJP is the only party that has managed to keep the flock together. He said every Muslim feels secure under the BJP’s rule and more steps will be taken for the safety and security of Muslims across India.

Raina said time is not far when every house in Kashmir will see a “Lotus bloom” and BJP would be the only reliable party in the state