By Raqib Hameed Naik, TwoCircles.net,
Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir legislator from Langate, MLA Engineer Rashid on Sunday said that he would not allow anyone to turn Kashmir into another Palestine while reacting to the proposal of Mufti Sayeed government to build satellite townships for Kashmiri Pandits.
“The Homeland demand is aimed at making Kashmir another Palestine which won’t be allowed to happen. Kashmiri Pandits are part and parcel of Kashmiri society and they need to win the trust of majority community and fight alongside them for the just resolution of Kashmir issue,” said Rashid during a discussion in assembly.
He advised Pandits to stop making what he termed as “absurd” demands of “packages, perks and privileges”.
“Kashmiri Pandits should live among their Muslim brethren in Kashmir valley. Setting separate townships or colonies is surrendering to demands of communal groups like Panun Kashmir, specially their demand of separate homeland,” said Rashid.
Vowing to fight the move with full vigour and zest, Rashid alleged that Mufti-led government is acting as a facilitator in fulfilling “fascist demands of New Delhi”. Right minded people and sane voices, he said, would not allow conversion of Kashmir into a “jungle of fascism” and that the “originality of this land will be protected at all costs”.
“If they (BJP) claim 80 per cent people have shown their faith in democratic process and peace has returned to valley than how come should not Kashmiri pundits go back to their respective destinations,” asked Rashid.
Enraged over his statements, BJP members called Rashid as an “agent of Pakistan” and demanded that he be thrown out of the assembly.
However, MLA Langate condemned them for using un-parliamentary language for Pakistan. “Raising abusive slogans against Pakistan is highly condemnable. By doing so, you (BJP) can’t achieve anything,” said Rashid.
He urged the center to “shun its rigidity, accept the ground realities of Kashmir and think seriously about the much-needed resolution of (Kashmir) dispute.”