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BJP minister should change poisonous mindset: PDP

KT NEWS SERVICE. Dated: 4/20/2017 11:14:23 PM

JAMMU, Apr 20: Fresh controversy has erupted between PDP and BJP after a remark by BJP minister against youth in Kashmir, with PDP condemning his statement saying that such “mindset” needs to be changed.
Industries and Commerce minister Chandra Prakash Ganga, who is BJP’s MLA from Vijaypur in Jammu region, has said on Wednesday said the youth throwing stones in Kashmir should be dealt with bullets.
“They are traitors. Bullet is only remedy for them. And if not bullets, they should be handed over such a punishment like the youth who are beaten with sticks by forces. Take my word that next time they (the youth) won’t throw stones,” Ganga was see saying in a video clip that has gone viral on social networking sites.
However, the PDP said that the minister (Chandra Prakash Ganga) should change such “poisonous mindset” towards youth of Kashmir.
Talking to reporters , PDP chief spokesman Mehboob Beg said that late Mufti Sayeed with the support of Atal Behari Vajpayee tried to change such mindset and attitude.
“This mindset and attitude of the minister needs is to a large extent responsible for unfortunate and painful situation in Kashmir,” Beg told.
“Mufti Sahab with support from Vajpayee had created at atmosphere which, unfortunately, was not followed by Manmohan Sing-led Congress government in 12 years,” he said.
However, PDP’s coalition partner BJP tried to tone down the controversy, saying that to run the government “our coalition partner should not go into these remarks”.
“BJP always wants development and progress of the Jammu and Kashmir. We want youth of Kashmir not be provoked by Pak-sponsored agitations. Instead, youth should utilize their energy in positive direction and for development of the state,” Ashok Kaul, BJP’s General Secretary (Organisation), told.
“The minister statement may have been twisted by the media, or it is slip of tongue. Our coalition partner should brush aside such remarks. And these statements won’t make any difference in running the government,” Koul said.
Meanwhile, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Vice-President, Mohammad Sartaj Madni has said that such "disgusting utterances" are not only unjustifiable but perilous as well.
“It is unbecoming of a senior minister in the government to dish out such a sweeping, sickening and intimidating statement against the Kashmiri youth,” Madni said in a statement issued here today.
Vice-Chairman Khadi and Village Industries Board, Peerzada Mansoor Hussain Suharwardy today said that such provocative utterances smack of a larger conspiracy to keep the pot boiling in Kashmir.
He said the BJP leaders should understand that any devious effort to flare up the passions in Kashmir, would end up in spreading the poison of hatred across the length and breadth of the State and putting the whole Jammu and Kashmir on fire.