On the occasion of Accession Day, Department of Policy Research of BJP organised a seminar titled “Accession of J&K to India is full and final”. The event began with lighting of the traditional lamp by BJP National Vice-President Avinash Rai Khanna, State President & MLA Sat Sharma, Deputy Chief Minister Dr. Nirmal Singh, Speaker J&K Assembly Kavinder Gupta, Lok Sabha MP Jugal Kishore Sharma and MLC Ashok Khajuria followed by recitation of Vande Matram at Vaid Vishnu Dutt Auditorium, Trikute Nagar Office.
The seminar had five sub-themes, on which the experts in these fields expressed their views.
Sat Sharma in his welcome address, laid emphasis on the constitutional aspects of the accession and exhorted upon the audience to negate the misinformation campaign launched by the separatists, their sympathizers, soft- separatists and a handful of valley- based politicians. He further emphasized that J&K was, is and will always remain an integral part of India.
Dr. Nirmal Singh, while delivering the presidential address, spoke on historical facts related to accession. He also made mention of Shimla Agreement vide which all previous treaties/accords stood cancelled and it was resolved to mutually solve the Kashmir issue. He reiterated the stand of the Narendra Modi government to honour the 1994 unanimous resolution of Parliament and work towards reuniting POJK and Gilgit-Baltistan with India.
Avinash Rai Khanna, in his valedictory address, highlighted the role of Maharaja in keeping J&K united. He however, regretted the partial treatment meted to the different regions of the state by the previous government of NC and Congress in the past accession period.
Among the panelists, Brigadier Anil Gupta highlighted certain less known facts of accession, including the notorious role played by Anglo-Muslim Alliance formed at behest of the Britishers.
Retired bureaucrat Kulbhushan Jandial gave a detailed representation on the finality of the accession quoting various references from the constitution of J&K and that of India. He emphasized that the accession is a settled fact and should be celebrated by the entire state and not by a particular region only.
Prominent educationist Prof. Virender Gupta listed certain “Unfinished Agenda of Accession” namely Article 370, 35A, liberation of POJK, Citizenship rights to West Pakistan refugees, recapture of territory illegally occupied by China. He narrated the atrocities committed on the hapless people by the tribal raiders.
Eminent Law Scholar Prof. (Dr.) K.L. Bhatia examined forcefully the external and internal dimensions of the legality of accession. He criticized that Abdullahs have been giving a different twist to accession for their personal sake ignoring the interests of the people of the state. He also clarified the confusion being created by the vested interests between accession and merger.
Eminent Lawyer Sunil Sethi, in his key note address, laid emphasis on the fact that the accession of J&K is legal, voluntary, constitutional and non-negotiable. He explained the finer aspects of Instrument of Accession and India Independence Act of 1947. He criticized Nehru for going to UN at behast of Mountbatten where in the issue of “Aggression ”was confused with “Accession” . He also appreciated Maharaja Hari Singh for being a great nationalist and referred to him as “first India of J&K”.
All the panelists unanimously appealed the government for declaring 26th October as state holiday and also called upon the people to celebrate the day as a festival.
Jugal Kishore Sharma and Ashok Khajuria presented mementoes to the panelists. Kavinder Gupta presented mementoes to the dignitaries. BJP State Additional Treasurer Arun Gupta proposed vote of thanks.
Similar seminar was organised at Rajouri which was addressed by State General Secretary Dr. Narinder Singh, Pahari Board Vice-Chairperson Kuldeep Raj Gupta, MLC Vibodh Gupta and District President Dinesh Sharma.
Kashmir Displaced District organised seminar at Roop Nagar under Chand Ji Bhat with MLC Surrinder Ambardar as main speaker.
At Doda, thousands of people assembled at the seminar which was addressed by State Vice-President Parmod Kapahi, State General Secretary (Organisation) Ashok Kaul, MLAs- Shakti Parihar and Dalip Parihar, District President Manjeet Razdan ad local leader Tariq Keen and Gulam Qadir Wani.
Similar Seminars were held in Kashmir, Ram Nagar, Bhaderwah.
