While hailing the VHP for holding its first ever meet headed by its International General Secretary, Milind Parande in Jammu in the 55 year history of the organization, Mr. Harsh Dev Singh today appealed its leadership to support and strengthen Hindus in the state rather than patronizing opportunist leaders and political parties which were using the Hindus only for promotion of their vested political interests. He said VHP was supposed to be non – political organization of Hindus and it needed to prove its credentials by standing behind those who were real well – wishers of the Hindus community rather than promoting a particular political party which was working solely for achieving power by hook or crook and had repeatedly played with the sentiments of Hindus. He said that the state BJP had inflicted the biggest dent upon Hindu pride by making successive compromises during its 3 ½ year rule in the state only to remain glued to power. He reminisced that it was during BJP rule that service tax on Helicopter services to Mata Vasishno Devi was enhanced with none of the BJP Ministers or MLAs daring to raise their voice inside the Assembly. He said that it was in BJP rule that a Beef Party was organized in MLA Hostel Srinagar by a valley based legislator in the presence of BJP MLAs and still no action was initiated against the delinquent MLA despite the gravest act of sacrilege. He further recalled the raising of Pro-Pak slogans in Legislative Assembly by a Kashmir based NC MLA during BJP regime with no action having been taken against the offender who was granted immunity. He further recalled the registration of FIR against youth of Rajouri in BJP rule who raised the slogan of “Vande Matram” during the course of an agitation. Again it was in BJP rule in the state that 11,000 stone pelters of Kashmir owing allegiance to Pakistan were released and FIRs registered against Army personnel while acting in the line of their duty.
Apprising the visiting VHP leadership about the double standards of BJP over the issue of Article 35 A, Mr. Harsh Dev Singh said that the erstwhile state government of which BJP was an equal partner had engaged five top lawyers of the country in the Supreme Court to defend the said Article in the court by taking the plea that it had become a permanent feature of the Constitution. On Article 370, Mr. Singh recalled the cowardly posturing of BJP inside the Assembly and their future to confront the then CM Mehbooba Mufti who dubbed all those opposing the said Article as the “greatest traitors”.
Mr. Harsh Dev Singh further lambasted the BJP for its double dealing over the issue of deportation of Rohingyas saying that never did they raise their voice against the illegal immigrants while in power. He said that it was Panthers Party alone which had raked up the issue of eviction of Rohingyas and Bangladeshis and launched a vigorous campaign for their deportation.
Urging upon the VHP to sever connections with the opportunist BJP leadership in the state, Mr. Singh said that it should rather provide help and patronize those who were truly promoting its ideals in conformity with its a political agenda.
