BJP responsible for violence in Jammu: Cong

Congress accused the BJP of being responsible for the continued violence in Jammu.

Ahead of the all-party meeting convened by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday, Congress on Tuesday accused the BJP of being responsible for the continued violence in Jammu on the Amarnath land transfer row.

“RSS, VHP, Bajrang Dal and Hindu Mahasabha leaders form the core of the Sangharsh Samiti (spearheading the agitation in Jammu against revocation of land to Amarnath shrine Board) and are backing the agitation. They have the support of BJP,” party spokesman Manish Tewari told reporters in New Delhi.

Asked if he was specifically blaming BJP for the row, Tewari said “yes”, adding, “if the BJP is a responsible national party, they should try and understand what the implications are for India”.

Story continues below this ad

“National parties do not realise that J&K is a sensitive state… This is like playing into the hands of those forces who want to weaken India,” he said.

Querried on the agenda of the all-party meeting, Tewari said the main purpose was to evolve a consensus to end the violence and start movement of goods and people.

“Negotiations cannot be held in a vitiated atmosphere. We are looking for an amicable solution acceptable to all,” he added.

Tewari sought to defend the former government led by Ghulam Nabi Azad for land transfer to the shrine board saying it hardly mattered if one agency was providing facilities for the pilgrims or the other.