Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah
Asserting that Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir is an “integral” part of India, the Shiv Sena on Sunday sought reaction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh on National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah’s statement that the territory is part of Pakistan.
“PoK is India’s integral part according to the concept of Akhand Bharat (undivided India). Shiv Sena demands that the Prime Minister and the Home Minister should comment on Abdullah’s statement over PoK,” Sena spokesman Sanjay Raut told reporters on the sidelines of his party’s function here.
Abdullah had said, “PoK is part of Pakistan and will remain with it while India will continue to control its part of Jammu and Kashmir”.
Raut said that Army should get all powers to deal with terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Our military can march ahead to Pakistan and is capable to demonstrate its strength,” the Sena leader said. About possible cricket Test series with Pakistan in Sri Lanka, Raut said the Centre should take “sentiments” of people into consideration before deciding on the matter. “This decision shouldn’t be based on Pakistan Premier Nawaz Sharif’s will,” he added.
Raut reacted with sarcasm when asked about the debate on ‘intolerance’.
“Indians are always tolerant. We were tolerant to the country’s divide in 1947. We, due to opposition of a few people, couldn’t build temple of Lord Ram at Ayodhya. We are sitting and waiting for the Opposition to build the temple. This speaks of tolerance,” he said.
On Bollywood actor Aamir Khan’s remarks on growing disquiet in the country, the Sena leader said, “the country’s destiny is not decided by actors Aamir Khan or Shahrukh Khan, but by the common people and political parties. Shahrukh and Aamir are not authorised by people (to speak on their behalf)”.
Aamir had kicked up a political storm with his remarks that his wife had asked him whether they can settle abroad due to current atmosphere in the country.
Raut said the Sena, which is in alliance with the BJP at Centre and in Maharashtra government, will field its candidates in more than 200 seats (out of 230 constituencies in) in next Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections.
Asked whether his party is forced to expand its base in other parts of the country given the strained ties with BJP in Maharashtra, Raut said, “Our ties with BJP remains unaffected, but we being a political party have the right to expand”.