Jammu, July 6:BhartiyaJanta Party (BJP) president Nitin Nabin Monday said Jammu and Kashmir got its “real freedom” in 2019 when the Modi government revoked Article 370, fulfilling the vision of party founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee.
“Only those with blinkered vision fail to see what has changed,” Nabin as per Kashmir Convener said at a rally in Jammu’s Mishriwala, organised to mark Mookerjee’s 125th birth anniversary. “The tricolour flying high at Lal Chowk today is proof.”
In a blistering attack on the Congress, Nabin said the party had denied permission to hoist the national flag in Kashmir during its tenure. “Before 2014, hoisting the tricolour was not allowed on the pretext that it would disturb peace. When we were returning from Srinagar in 2011, we saw Pakistani flags flying at Lal Chowk — and the Congress government in Delhi remained silent,” he said.
Nabin was referring to the Rashtriya Ekta Yatra in 2011, which was stopped by the then Congress-led government. He said curfew was imposed to prevent the march from entering Kashmir.
“Had Congress been in power, J&K youth would still be known as stone-pelters, not Ranji Trophy winners,” he added.
The BJP chief described Mookerjee as a leader who “laid down his life for integrating J&K with one flag and one Constitution.” He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for realising that dream.
“My heart swells with pride that as we observe his 125th birth anniversary, the BJP flag is also flying high in West Bengal — his birthplace,” Nabin said.
Earlier, Nabin was given a rousing reception at Jammu airport. He was received by J&K BJP chief Sat Sharma, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh, Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma, and MP Jugal Kishore Sharma.
Party workers lined the streets showering flower petals as his convoy moved from the airport to the rally venue. Nabin lit a lamp and offered floral tributes to Mookerjee’s portrait before addressing the gathering.
BJP MP Gulam Ali Khatana, former deputy CM Dr Nirmal Singh, and former J&K BJP chief Ravinder Raina were also present.
During his two-day visit, Nabin will hold an office-bearers’ meeting at the party headquarters in Trikuta Nagar and visit Shri Raghunath temple later Monday. On Tuesday, he will offer prayers at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, interact with party MPs and MLAs, and address a youth gathering — “Yuva Samvad” — at the Convention Centre.
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