In connection with the party’s ongoing fortnight programmes as part of celebrations of 70th Independence Day, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, along with Union MoS Dr. Jitendra Singh, BJP State President & MLA Sat Sharma, Lok Sabha MP Jugal Kishore Sharma, Rajya Sabha MP Shamsher Singh Manhas, PHE Minister Chander Prakash Ganga, State Secretary Vikram Randhawa addressed a massive public gathering at village Smailpur in Samba district. This public rally was organised, wherein every Union Minister has been visiting the birth places of such leaders who have played important role in the freedom struggle or different agitations held after 1947.
Arun Jaitley and other leaders were offered Dogra Pagri on their arrival at the venue.
Arun Jaitley, while addressing the gathering, said that visiting the birth places of the leaders who wrote history is a very rare moment and it is indeed also a matter of pride that we are becoming a part of the campaign to educate the public about the freedom struggle and induce patriotic feelings among the people. He said that a small village called Smailpur might not have ever thought that a man born on its soil Pt. Prem Nath Dogra would lead the historic agitation of 1953. He said that Pt. Prem Nath Dorga was an institution in himself and united the people of Jammu against the discriminatory policies of the Kashmir centric ruling elite. The contribution of Pt. Prem Nath Dogra had been splendid and the nation cannot forget it. He also spoke on incidents of Bangalore and JNU, which indicated that the Congress and others parties have been soft towards anti-national elements. Speaking on the present turmoil in Kashmir, Jaitley held Pakistan responsible for it and said that stone pelters need to be dealt under law of the land. He said that after Independence, India had positive agenda of progress and fight against poverty, while Pakistan worked on sole negative agenda of Kashmir. Pak attacked J&K in 1947, 1965 and 1971 but was always defeated. It tried to internationalize Kashmir issue. From 1990 it engaged itself in importing terrorism. He declared that there will be no compromise on nation’s security and integrity.
Dr. Jitendra Singh spoke on two noble qualities of Pt. Prem Nath Dogra which earned him the distinction of being a totally different leader who also came to be called Sher-e-Duggar. He said that although Smailpur is a small which even may not be visible on the state’s map but it has given a number of outstanding personalities in various fields and we are feeling honoured today to be attending a programme to remember Pt. Prem Nath Dorga and martyrs at their birth place. He also spoke on Nehruvian model of economics and politics and said that J&K state is the best example where both these have failed.
Sat Sharma said that like other states, the BJP activists in J&K also have been organizing different events to celebrate the 70th Independence Day. He said that the day should not be confined to just hoisting national flag but the people should take it as their duty to reach the masses and make them aware about the need to strengthen the nationalist forces. We have to tell the people the difference between the nationalism and separatism and take pledge to follow the path of great leader like Pt. Prem Nath Dogra and warrior like Brigdier Rajinder Singh. We should also induce patriotic feeling among the young generation. He also applauded the role of Pt. Prem Nath Dogra during Ek Vidhaan- Ek Nishan- Ek Pradhan agitation.
Dr. Nirmal Singh said that on the 70th Independence Day, the decision to organise fortnight programmes will obviously will sent a positive message of once’s responsibility towards the nation. He said that in the present situation in the state, it becomes all the more important to educate the people about the freedom struggle, unite them against the anti national forces in order to give a befitting reply to the elements who are trying to create problems and erecting obstacles in the smooth functioning of the coalition government. “Today we should also remember the brave soldiers and martyrs of 1953 agitation who laid down their lives for the honour of the Tiranga, he said and added that the sacrifice of Pt. Prem Nath should always remain in our minds so that we get inspiration and strength to agitate and fight.
Jugal Kishore Sharma said that the Tiranga Yatra being undertaken in the Parliamentary Constituency is receiving overwhelming response which itself proves the enthusiasm among the people who are seen excited when someone reaches them are pass by them with tricolour in hands. He said that the party has succeeded in conveying its message of Independence Day celebrations, which has happened for the first time in Independent India .
Shamsher Singh Manhas said that Pt. Prem Nath Dogra was very much concerned about the developments which had been obstacles in the free flow of Indian Constitutions and respect for the national symbols. Pt. Prem Nath Dogra as well as Dr. Shame Prashad Mookherjee were of the view that there could not be two constitutions, two flags and separate post of Prime Minister and hence Praja Parishad agitations was launched which succeeded to some extent but the mission is still incomplete and we have to work towards achieving it.
Chander Prakash Ganga, on this occasion urged upon the Union Finance Minister to help in developing the stadium at Smailpur on the pattern of International stadium. He also assured that the village will be develop as model and the work for the purpose will be undertaken during this year.
Vote of thanks was presented by MLA Samba Dr. Davinder Manyal and proceedings were conducted by Sanjeev Sharma.
Speaker, J&K Assembly, Kavinder Gupta, Cabinet Ministers- Sham Choudhary and Abdul Ghani Kohli, MoS Sunil Sharma, MLC Ashok Khajuria, OBC Board Vice-Chairman Rashpal Verma, Kissan Board Vice- Chairman Daljeet Singh, State Vice-President and Samba Disrtict Prabhari Smt. Mamta Singh, State General Secretary Dr. Narinder Singh, MLA Dr. Davinder Manyal, R.S. Pura Prabhari Vikram Randhawa, Samba District Seh-Parbhari Rakesh Mahajan, also shared the dais with the Union Minister.
