Dr Jitendra takes dig at Cong leadership on Agusta Westland deal

Avtar Bhat

page1-3JAMMU, Apr 30: Taking a dig at Congress on Agusta Westland deal, Union Minister in PMO with independent charge of North Eastern States, Dr Jitendra Singh today said that they (Congress) are not afraid of CBI and law of the land but “we (Modi Government) are afraid of CBI, public propriety and law of the land.”
Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a function organized by Pt Prem Nath Shastri Sanskritik Shodh Sansthan on the 50th death anniversary of Jyotshi Aftab Ram Sharma, a legendry scholar from Kashmir here this evening, Dr Singh said they (Congress) say that they are ready for the probe as they have nothing to hide. But the more they make noise on the issue it appears that they have something to hide about the deal.
Dr Singh asked “why the Congress is afraid of probe”? and suggested that there should be an impartial probe into the issue so that truth comes before the nation.
When asked about the statement of former Defence Minister, A K Antony that the Government has CBI why they are not expediting the probe, Dr Singh said that former Defence Minister is speaking from 10 years UPA rule mindset. “We believe in independence of CBI and they are speaking of their own mindset as they have been interfering in the functioning of CBI during their rule CBI is working independently without the interference of Government this time and it has a set procedures and rules to Govern its functioning”, he added.
The Union Minister, while accusing the Congress of playing martyr card said that people of the country have now become wiser as well as intelligent and there are no takers for that at this time. This strategy of Congress is not going to work any longer, he added.
Criticizing Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad’s statement on the Agusta issue, Dr Singh asked that why are they (Congress) looking worried. “If they have nothing to hide and they are not guilty they should wait and support free and fair probe”, he added.
Earlier, addressing the function, the Union Minister criticized the Congress for detracting from the path of their own leaders.
He said a controversy has been created in varsities and NIT over nationalism and the struggle started by Kashmiri Pandits in late eighties for nationalism has not now remained confined to them but has become a struggle of entire nation. The community fought this struggle for decades and nowadays there is a question mark before the nation that what is nationalism and what is Hinduism. The Pandits deserve credit for starting this struggle some decades back, he added.
While expressing concern over the recent controversies in universities and NIT, he said that it was none other than former Prime Minister Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru who had said that Hinduism is the way of life and he further had said that “when I die my ashes should be immersed in Ganga”. The BJP and present Government sticks by that stand only and it is a matter of pride for us but these are the followers of Nehru who are now detracting from these principles, he added.
He said last time there was a controversy over the duration and time of Amarnath yatra when some said that it should be for one month others for one and half moth and some for entire year. “But again I quote Nehru who had visited the holy cave in the month of ending February or early March soon after his marriage around Basant Panchmi”, he added.
Those who accuse us of creating controversies are not following the footsteps of their leaders, he said.
Paying rich tributes to Jyotshi Aftab Ram Sharma, Dr Singh regretted that the Sansthan has not been given the possession of the community hall at Muthi till date and assured that he will take up the issue with Health and Medical Education Minister Bali Bhagat soon in this regard.
Maintaining that the Pandits are gifted to make virtues out of adversaries also, he said that despite facing pangs of migration and sufferings of turmoil many youth of the community have managed to seek prominent positions in various organizations in India and abroad and we should feel proud of them.
Dr Singh said that the Government is duty bound to understand the losses suffered by the society and stressed on rebuilding the Samaj also.
“The time has come when we have to draw the bottom lines in this regard”, he added. Maintaining that India is becoming the part of global world, he said, “at the same time we have not to forget our roots”.
He said India is at the cross roads of history as country is going to emerge as global power. Highlighting the achievements of two year rule of Modi Government, he said historians will definitely mention the same and those who don’t agree with us have to accept the pre Modi and Modi era.
Addressing the function, chairman of the Shodh Sansthan Pt Omkar Nath Shastri highlighted the role of the organization and regretted that he Government till date has failed to allot the community hall to Sansthan for teaching of Sharda and Sanskrit.
He also recalled the services of Jyotshi Aftab Ram Sharma and role of Sharda Peeth and Vijeshwar.
A paper on life and contribution of Jyotshi Aftab Ram Sharma was read by Dr M K Bharat who along with president Peer Panchal and Director Sharda Radio Ramesh Hangloo were presented during this year’s Prem Nath Shastri Memorial award by the Sansthan.
Swami Kumar Ji presided over the function and highlighted various problems of the displaced Pandits especially failure of Government in bringing the Shrines and Temples Bill. He said the condition of many shrines and temples is worst in Kashmir and entire community is concerned for the same.
Kailash Mehra Sadhoo a renowned and melodious singer mesmerized the gathering with her Kashmiri, Hindi and Dogri Bhajans on the occasion along with her party. The students of SOS School performed Sarswati Vandana while the programme was compered by P K Raina. Kamal Peshin , Meenal Peer and Master Abhimanu played a skit on sanaskars.
On the occasion second edition of Sharda Primer was also released.

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