Togadia opposes talks with separatists
Jammu: Right-wing Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) Chief Praveen Togadia on Saturday took on the Union government for initiating moves to hold dialogue with the separatist leaders in the Valley.
“As far as Pakistani agents are concerned, a dialogue with them will not help as they would not understand. They only understand the language of AK 47,” said Togadia.
“Those demanding ‘Azadi’ or self-rule should go to Pakistan as those talking against the constitution are traitors. They have no right to live in this country,” he said.
Togadia said that the “factors coming in the way of complete integration of Jammu and Kashmir with India, like Article 35A and Article 370, be removed to bring back prosperity to the state”.
Notably, Article 35A and Article 370 accord special rights and privileges to the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
The VHP leader known for his controversial remarks advocated carpet bombing of areas where people pelt stones on government forces.
“We should strive to make Jammu and Kashmir terrorism free and those who indulge in stone pelting against soldiers should be carpet bombed,” he said.
Urging the Centre’s special representative on Jammu and Kashmir, Dineshwar Sharma to give priority to resettlement of Kashmiri Pandits within a time frame, Togadia demanded that Article 370 and Article 35A of the Indian Constitution should be abrogated.
“Unless Kashmiri Pandits are not settled in their homeland, no dialogue is worth its meaning. The fact that they cannot come back to their homes is not only painful, but insulting as well,” Togadia told reporters.
“Therefore, I ask Sharma to give priority to the issue and ensure their settlement within a time frame,” he said.
In reply to a question about Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti’s “warning” in July that there would be no one in the state to hold the tricolour, if special rights and privileges to the state will be tinkered with, the VHP chief said, “Praveen Togadia and crores of my associates across the country will come to shoulder the flag”.
KV Correspondent
