By Amin Masoodi, Agence India Press,
Srinagar:Eager to know the developments taking place in run-up to the Republic-Day, people in Kashmir valley are glued to TV sets for news and analysis on different channels. In view of the BJP’s and JKLF’s threats to upstage each other on the flag hoisting issue at Lal chowk, the Republic-Day this year has drawn much attention all over the valley and even at the national level.
The issue has also generated a heated debate among people from different shades of life on the commonly used social networking site–Facebook. Comments, arguments, assumptions, discussions and developments in run up to the event dominate the Facebook. Unmindful of state government’s decision not to allow BJP to hoist flag at Lal chowk in Srinagar, the BJP has decided to go ahead with its ‘Ekta Yatra’ and the plan to hoist tricolor at Lal Chowk on Republic Day.
Apart from news channels beaming live images and comments about the taking place developments in run-up to the occasion, R-Day related news fetching prominent space in local newspapers is widely read. Even the much-hyped issue is discussed almost everywhere at public places across the valley. These issues dominate discussions and arguments at bus stops, streets, markets, passenger buses, shops, tuition centers, government and private offices
“Anywhere in the world, government has enough powers to stop even a worst-storm from happening on the ground. If government wishes, it can foil the BJP’s plans aimed at disrupting peace in the valley. The valley is gradually recovering from the recently concluded over four months unrest and any disruption at this stage can create serious law and order problems,” Ishfaq Ahmad, post graduate told Agence India Press.
“If the BJP somehow managed to hoist flag at Lal chowk, it will get enough courage to dictate in state’s internal affairs both at state and union ministry level,” Ahmad further said.
The BJP’s plans to hoist tricolor has however evoked a barrage of criticism from one and all. Mainstream politicians, separatists, students and people form all shades of life have denounced BJP’s plans aimed at disrupting peace in the valley.
The BJP rally which travelled through Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana would culminate on January 26 with the unfurling of the national flag at Lal Chowk in Srinagar. At least 15000 BJP workers from Himachal Pradesh are participating in this rally.