On Anti-Kashmir Rage, BJP Allies Draw Caution: Akali Dal Wants Meghalaya Governor Sacked, JD(U) Warns Against Alienating Kashmiris
Meghalaya Governor Tathagata Roy, who was earlier associated with the BJP and its ideological parent RSS, said the time has come for India to boycott Kashmiri products, artisans and tourism.
New Delhi, February 22: Allies of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have drawn a line of caution against the anti-Kashmir rage across the nation in the aftermath of Pulwama terror attack. At least two parties in the NDA camp have called for a crackdown on elements promoting hysteria against the Kashmiri students.
The former Punjab-ruling party, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) - which boasts of its secular ethos - has asked the Centre to act against Meghalaya Governor Tathagata Roy, who has appealed for a total boycott of everything which pertains to Kashmir. Supreme Court Intervenes as Kashmiri Students Turn Victim to Pulwama Rage, Issues Notice to Centre and 10 States.
Akali Dal MP Naresh Gujral, while speaking to a news channel, said President Ram Nath Kovind must take cognizance of the provocative statements issued by Roy and take "immediate action" against him.
"That people like him (Tathagata Roy) hold constitutional positions is a disgrace to our secular democratic ethos," Gujral was reported as saying.
Roy, who was earlier associated with the BJP and its ideological parent RSS, said the time has come for India to boycott Kashmiri products, artisans and tourism.
Here's what the Meghalaya Governor had tweeted:
Gujral said he would send a letter to the President, drawing his attention to the attacks on Kashmiri students across the nation. The SAD lawmaker compared the treatment meted out towards Kashmiris with the manner in which members of the Sikh community were targeted following Indira Gandhi's assassination in 1984.
Apart from the Akali Dal, Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United) has also warned against the ostracisation of Kashmiris. "We should not judge Kashmiris based on the Pulwama attack. One should not boycott Kashmir and Kashmiris," the Bihar CM said, adding that Article 370 remains an inseparable part of the Indian Constitution.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 22, 2019 12:18 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).