Irfan A Mir
Srinagar, July 16 (KNS): All is not well in BJP as activists from J&K Unit are continuously turned up with resignations in one pretext or other. A senior party leader admitted that the repeated delay from the administration in providing adequate security cover is the main reason of fear among party cadres which led distances by members while another admitted that efforts are on in this regard.
According to Kashmir News Service (KNS), several BJP activists have give up the party either after receiving life threat by militants or having indifferences with party higher ups. At least three party activists including District President Baramulla have so far parted ways from the party after the killing of BJP youth leader Wasim Bari, his father and younger brother outside his residence by militants in Bandipora district on July 8.
Party insiders told KNS that providing adequate security cover to BJP activists was long pending demand of BJP Unit of Kashmir but due to situation emerged post-abrogation of Article 370 and subsequently followed by Covid-19 pandemic, it could not materialise and the process was delayed as Government of UT J&K remained engaged with other timely issues.
They said the prominent faces in BJP in several parts of Kashmir Valley are repeatedly facing life threats due to which they are unable to carry out their political activities in public.
“All is not well in BJP Unit of J&K as back to back resignations have caused ripples in party cadres after the killing of BJP leader in Bandipora district”, sources said.
On Thursday a lady activist from north Kashmir’s Handwara town tendered her resignation and parted her ways from the party.
Mubeena Bano, who had joined BJP few months ago distanced herself from the party and said, “I joined BJP for easing the hardships of common people but as far as ground situation is concerned, party is doing nothing on the ground so I opted resignation”.
She is the third leader of the BJP from north Kashmir who resigned from the party in less than a week.
Earlier two youth leaders of the party also distanced and tendered their resignation to party higher ups.
On July 11, Bhartiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJMYM) president from Baramulla, Maroof Bhat also resigned from the party. “I hereby resign from the BJYM as a member and any post I held as part of it. I thank you for giving me the opportunity to work for the party,” Bhat had said.
He further said, “We can sacrifice our lives for the nation, but not of our children. I have been attacked twice in the past, yet nothing has been done about it. I have not been given even a single personal security officer.”
Sources said that resigned party activists are not elaborating the facts while tendering resignations. “They are repeatedly being threatened and closely being watched, their activities are being monitored, their children and family members are always on militant’s radar, so they feel danger while mentioning actual reasons in their resignation letters”, a BJP insider told.
On July 14, party’s vice-president for Kupwara Asif Ahmad also quit the party. Without mentioning the scare, he said “I have joined BJP to work for the betterment of people but officials often used to put hurdles on our way due to which party has lost its value in administration. Officials are not ready to listen our pleas”.
Besides distancing of party activists in north Kashmir parts, a BJP leader Mehraj-ud-din Malla of Marazigund, Watergam of Rafiabad Baramulla was reportedly “abducted” on Wednesday, July 15 by some unknown persons, however he was released by evening. The incident caused ripples among party cadres in north Kashmir parts who are scared to represent BJP in public.
On July 8, 2020 militants fired upon BJP leader of Bandipora Wasim Bari, his father and younger brother outside his residence and fled from the spot. Though trio had been shifted to nearby health centre but they succumbed their injuries later on.
Police termed the killings “pre-planned” attack and accused proscribed militant outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT). It added the killers have been identified.
“Two militants involved in the attack have been identified. They are Abid, a local, and a foreigner from Pakistan. It was a pre-planned attack by the LeT,” Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir, Vijay Kumar told media.
Manzur Bhat, senior party leader in J&K told KNS that associates of BJP in Valley are facing huge crisis particularly after August 5, 2019. He said despite taking up the security issue with higher officials, they didn’t bother to act upon.
He said party leaders and workers are on the first target of militants as it is only BJP who carried political activities across Valley after abrogation of Article 370 and worked for strengthening of democracy in UT. “Be it Panchayat polls or ULLB polls, only BJP took part and organized public meetings which irked militant groups.”, Bhat said.
Vibodh Gupta, General Secretary of the party while talking to KNS said that BJP workers are not terrified in Valley as entire country and BJP leadership stands with them. He said those party leaders who are without security cover, should be taken care of by the concerned Government.
“Those having no security cover should be given adequate security and moved to security zone accommodations”, Gupta said and added, “Efforts are on to provide them good security cover”.
He termed the BJP associates as “ambassadors” of peace and said their morale is always high as they are strengthening the roots of democracy in J&K. (KNS)