Author: Express News Service
Publication: The Indian Express
Date: April 30, 2011
Introduction: Revocation of Dogra certificate
exposes communal approach of the NC-led government.
While the BJP on Friday blamed the Omar Abdullah
government for revoking issuance of Dogra certificates in Jammu, calling it
"communal and divisive policies", both factions of the Hurriyat
Conference hailed the decision of the government, terming it a' "victory'"
of the people of Kashmir.
"We lash out at the ruling coalition
for its communal and divisive policies. We take a strong exception to the
government decision to revoke Dogra certificate order," BJP chief spokesperson
and national executive member Dr Jitendra Singh told reporters in Jammu. "Revocation
of Dogra certificate exposes communal approach of the NC-led government."
He said while the NC-led government always
took pleasure in referring to the BJP as a party that plays communal and divisive
politics, the fact was that it was the National Conference-led government
which was constantly working to divide the state on the basis of religion
and caste.
Describing the revocation order as a total
sell-out by the state government to the diktats of Syed Ali Shah Geelani and
other separatist leaders, Singh said, "This is a dangerous tendency on
the part of government."
However, the hardline Hurriyat Conference
termed the revocation of the Dogra certificate a "victory" of the
people of Kashmir and said it would be a morale booster for Kashmiris. "It
(revocation of the order) is the victory of the people of Kashmir, it is the
victory of principles," said
Hurriyat spokesman Ayaz Akbar, adding that
the revocation of the order had proved that nothing was "unachievable"
if "we stand determined and resolute", The hardline Hurriyat headed
by Syed Ali Shah Geelani had threatened to call for protests if the government
did not rescind the order.
The moderate Hurriyat Conference chairman
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said rescinding the orders on Dogra certificate had exposed
how mainstream politicians were using the Legislative Assembly to "devise"
strategies" against the majority population in the state. "This
(rescinding) is what we wanted. By issuing such orders, the Jammu and Kashmir
government wants to divide and subdivide the state," Mirwaiz said, adding
that there was a need to" remain", vigilant against such orders
in the future.
However, opposition PDP president Mehbooba
Mufti said rescinding of the Dogra certificate order had "exposed"
the state government's "callous approach" in dealing with issues.
"It is unfortunate to see the way the state government is taking so casually
the issues which have the potential of vitiating the atmosphere in the state,"
she added.
