JAMMU, Jul 2: The Jammu & Kashmir unit of Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) has strongly condemned the joint open letter addressed to the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan by 117 self-styled intellectuals, former diplomats and politicians advocating the restoration of dialogue, visas and bilateral ties between the two countries.
State President Manish Sahni said that “no lasting peace can ever be built on the foundations of terrorism and betrayal.” He asserted that India has repeatedly extended the hand of friendship, only to receive terrorism in return.
Recalling past events, Sahni said that Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s historic Lahore Bus Initiative in 1999 was followed by the Kargil War. Thereafter came the Parliament attack, the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, the Pathankot Air Base attack, the Pulwama terror attack, and most recently the Pahalgam terrorist attack on innocent tourists. “History clearly shows that Pakistan has consistently responded to India’s peace initiatives with violence and bloodshed,” he said.
Sahni also expressed disappointment that some leaders from Jammu & Kashmir had reportedly associated themselves with the open letter. He remarked that the same unity is rarely seen when the demand is for the restoration of Jammu & Kashmir’s statehood, democratic rights, employment for youth, or addressing discrimination against Jammu. Yet, when it comes to advocating normalisation with Pakistan, many suddenly find a common platform. The people are watching this double standard.
He asserted that if any talks are to take place, they must have only one agenda—the vacation of Pakistan’s illegal occupation of Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK).
Shiv Sena (UBT) urged the Government of India not to be influenced by what it described as a misplaced “peace narrative” and maintained that until Pakistan completely dismantles its terror infrastructure and vacates PoJK, there should be no consideration of restoring trade, visas or normal bilateral relations.
On this occasion Sanjay Bhatt (Gen Secretary (org.)) , Raju Kapoor ( Co-Charman) , Aditya Mahajan (Vice president) were present.