The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has issued a strong demand for an unconditional apology from Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, accusing him of insulting the former Dogra rulers of Jammu and Kashmir and promoting the ‘Two Nation Theory.’ The party has warned of potential agitation if their demands are not met.
Press Conference Highlights
At a press conference held this evening, BJP national spokesperson Shazia Ilmi and J&K BJP vice-president Sham Lal Sharma addressed the media, criticizing Gandhi’s recent comments. Sharma accused Gandhi of defaming the Dogra rulers and the Dogra community, asserting that his remarks are unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
“Rahul Gandhi has insulted the Dogra rulers of Jammu and Kashmir, which is a serious offense to the Dogra community,” Sharma stated. He highlighted the historical significance of the Dogra rulers, noting their role in integrating Jammu and Kashmir into India and maintaining communal harmony despite the region’s Muslim majority.
Shazia Ilmi criticized Gandhi for his claim that the Congress-National Conference (NC) alliance would restore the Statehood of Jammu and Kashmir, arguing that only the Central Government has the authority to grant Statehood. “Rahul Gandhi is misleading the people. The Government of India has already committed to restoring Statehood to J&K,” Ilmi said.
Questioning Congress-NC Alliance
The BJP leaders also questioned Rahul Gandhi’s stance on the NC manifesto, particularly its proposal to rename historic sites. Sharma condemned Gandhi for aligning with Congress and allegedly endorsing changes to significant cultural sites, such as renaming Hari Parbat and Shankaracharya Parbat.
Ilmi further criticized Gandhi’s comments on reservation policies, accusing his family of opposing such measures historically. “Rahul should be aware that his father and grandfather were opposed to reservations. Rajeev Gandhi neglected the Mandal Commission for ten years, and his grandmother ensured Jagjeevan Ram did not become Prime Minister,” Ilmi pointed out.
Calls for Apology and Response
Lt Gen (retd) Rakesh Sharma, another BJP spokesperson, echoed the demand for an apology, stating, “Rahul Gandhi consistently attacks our culture and identity whenever he visits Jammu and Kashmir. His comments are an insult to the Dogra rulers and the Dogra community as a whole.”
The BJP has made it clear that if Rahul Gandhi does not issue an unconditional apology, they will take further action and intensify their response against the Congress-NC alliance.
Conclusion
The BJP’s condemnation of Rahul Gandhi’s remarks underscores the ongoing political tensions in Jammu and Kashmir. The party’s demands for an apology reflect the broader contest over regional identity and historical narratives in the context of current political alliances and electoral strategies.
