Hariprasad’s Weblog

The UPA government and the Jammu & Kashmir government are hell bent on preventing BJP workers from hoisting the Indian National Flag at Lal Chowk, Srinagar. Lal Chowk is a public place and Kashmir is very much a part of India. Hoisting the flag there is neither illegal nor unnecessary. 

The argument about peace being shattered is also bogus. There are many places in Srinagar where flags will be hoisted on the 26th of January. So why will an exercise at Lal Chowk trigger unrest?

A Pakistani flag was earlier hoisted at the same place under full media glare. No action was taken by the state or central government. On the other hand, BJP workers are being detained in advance. A train of BJP supporters were tricked and made to return back in Maharashtra. Combing operations are underway in Srinagar to “flush out” BJP workers.

Are we under an emergency rule?

Symbolism is very important, especially for a nation as it serve as an important tool to stir nationalistic and patriotic fervor. By denying the right to hoist a flag in Lal Chowk, Srinagar, the Central government is playing into the hands of the separatists in Kashmir. We need to remember that both houses of Parliament have passed a unanimous resolution that Kashmir is an integral part of India and that Occupied Kashmir will also be wrested back. The current action of the Union Government smacks of utter disregard to that resolution.

We have already seen in the past year that UPA2 is mocking at democratic & parliamentary institutions. A demand for a JPC to look into the 2G scam has been consistently refused. A tainted and corrupt individual has been appointed as head of the CVC. In the same vein, an action which shakes the foundation of the resolution passed by Parliament is being undertaken now by denying flag hoisting rights to us.

Article 370 is already a monster law. Such actions will only act as tentacles to that law.

Kashmir is a part of India just like any other state in India. It’s time we start treating it as such.