Even though both the sides are in denial mode, sharp differences have arisen between coalition partners PDP and BJP in J&K. The two parties have recently publicly differed on few crucial issues, including the setting up clusters for former soldiers and officers of the Army and their families in Srinagar.
While chief minister Mehbooba Mufti announced in the Assembly that no land had been or would be allotted to set up the Sainik Colony in Srinagar or elsewhere in the Valley, the BJP was quick to say that it was committed to the same.
The latest issue on which the two sides have contradicted each other publicly is on a proposed pilgrimage to a Hindu place of worship in the Valley. The Mehbooba Mufti-led government earlier this week had announced that it would not allow a New Delhi-based organization, Acharaya Abhinav Gupt Sheshadri Samroh Samiti, to undertake a yatra to a cave in Beeru area of Kashmir’s Budgam district later this month. The BJP meanwhile has termed the government’s decision as “interference in religious matters” and “a violation of right to practice religion” guaranteed by the Constitution.
On Friday, BJP members in the J&K Legislative Council created a ruckus in the House over the issue alleging the ban on the pilgrimage to be a direct interference in (Hindu) religion. As soon as Question Hour began, BJP legislators Mr Ramesh Arora, Mr Ashok Khajuria and Mr Vibodh Gupta started to protest.
“In a secular state you cannot ban religious activities. Government should immediately revoke the ban and allow the yatra,” said Mr Khajuria. He and his party colleagues asserted that the Abhinav Gupt cave was a “sacred place” for Hindus and the government could not stop devotees from visiting it.
Earlier the BJP had asked the government “not to toe the line of separatists” on the issue. BJP spokesman Khalid Jehangir said, “Those who are opposing the yatra to the Abhinav Gupt cave are unaware of the history.” He added, “A few people with vested interest are hell bent upon opposing any move aimed at promoting communal harmony in Kashmir.”
