Srinagar/New Delhi:
The BJP plans to hoist the national flag at Srinagar's Lal Chowk, and the government is doing all it can to maintain peace in the city. At Lal Chowk, security has been stepped up after BJP workers tried to put up posters on Saturday night. Police arrested six BJP activists and a crackdown has also been launched against the separatists for their proposed counter march to Lal Chowk.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh too stepped into the raging controversy. In a hard-hitting statement on Saturday, the PM said, "The Republic Day is not an occasion to score political points or promote divisive agendas. I call upon all concerned to observe maximum restraint in a sensitive state like Jammu and Kashmir." (
Read: Prime Minister calls for restraint ahead of Republic Day)
But the BJP reacted sharply to the Prime Minister's statement, saying it will encourage separatist forces in the state.
"Such a statement will definitely impact the people of the country where the Prime Minister of our country is showing disappointment on hoisting the national flag. This has never happened in the history of any other country before. The Prime Minister's statements will encourage the separatist forces who do not want the Indian flag to be hoisted in Srinagar or Jammu," BJP spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy said. (
Read: Don't use Republic Day to score points - PM to BJP)
There is now a proposal within the government to allow the BJP marchers to cross the Lakhanpur entry point into the state. The idea now is to allow them beyond Jammu too, and stop them before the freezing cold of Patnitop and the Banihal pass.
"We have to maintain law and order and it is applicable to all groups. No matter which group they come from, implication will be on law and order," Jammu and Kashmir DGP Kuldeep Khoda said. (
Read: Omar warns BJP against Ekta Yatra to J&K)
The BJP's youth workers are on their way from West Bengal to Jammu and Kashmir. They plan to end their march at Lal Chowk, where, in 1948, Jawaharlal Nehru promised Kashmir a plebiscite. That speech forms the basis of separatist discourse. The BJP says hoisting the tricolour here will prove Kashmir is an integral part of India.
Although there is support for separatist call in Srinagar, there is a fear that the political tug of war over flag hoisting may precipitate instability once again.
"No disrespect to the Indian flag, but there is a sentiment of Kashmiri nationalism. And when uber jingoist nationalism is thrusted down their throats by the BJP, the separatists are bound to respond," said Junaid Matoo, a local resident.
Meanwhile, in New Delhi, the Congress and the BJP continued to duel and posture. "It is a nationalistic movement to build the pride of the country. The way the state government has succumbed to the separatists' pressure and has been trying to stop the
yatra is sad but the BJP will not accept this," BJP spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy said.
Frisking, checking and surveillance through CCTV cameras - police are not leaving anything to chance. While a major crackdown is being launched against separatists, the arrest of BJP workers with posters is a clear indication that the government is firm not to allow BJP to hoist the flag at Lal Chowk.