Addressing a press conference in Srinagar on the occasion of Mookerjee's death anniversary, Chugh said Mookerjee had fought for the complete integration of Jammu and Kashmir with India and had opposed what he termed restrictions that separated the erstwhile state from the rest of the country.

 

Referring to the abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A on August 5, 2019, Chugh said the move completed the process of integration and fulfilled Mookerjee's vision. He said the decision extended constitutional rights to all sections of society, including women, Gujjars and Bakerwals, and provided greater opportunities to youth in Jammu and Kashmir.

 

He alleged that successive governments in Jammu and Kashmir had failed to explain the circumstances under which Mookerjee was arrested and died in custody in 1953.

 

Chugh questioned under which law Mookerjee had been detained and said an independent investigation into his death was never conducted. He demanded that all facts related to the case be made public and asked who was responsible for his death.

 

He said the current National Conference government headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah should clarify why information related to the case had not been placed before the public.

 

Describing Mookerjee's death as a sacrifice for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, Chugh said the BJP would continue to seek answers regarding the matter.

 

The BJP leader also referred to the 1947 tribal invasion of Jammu and Kashmir and alleged that armed tribesmen backed by Pakistan carried out killings and destruction across parts of the region after entering from Pakistan.

 

He claimed that massacres continued for several days and alleged that thousands of residents, including Hindus, Kashmiri Pandits and Christians, were killed during the violence.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

 

Chugh further alleged that women were subjected to atrocities and said governments had failed to adequately document and publicise details of the events.

 

He urged authorities to make public archival records related to the invasion and said documents preserved in government archives should be released so that people could understand the history of the conflict.

 

Drawing a comparison with the remembrance of the Holocaust in Europe, Chugh said the country should also document and publicise events related to the 1947 invasion of Jammu and Kashmir.

 

Paying tribute to Mookerjee and those killed during the conflict, Chugh reiterated the BJP's position that the entire territory of Jammu and Kashmir belongs to India.

 

Responding to allegations of corruption raised by opposition leaders, Chugh said the BJP remained committed to a policy of zero tolerance towards corruption.

 

Without naming specific leaders, he said opposition parties had levelled allegations against the government despite ongoing efforts to curb corruption.

 

He also referred to the G20 meeting held in Srinagar in 2023 and said international events in Jammu and Kashmir reflected changing perceptions about the region.

 

Appealing to tourists and visitors from across the country and abroad, Chugh said people should not be influenced by attempts to portray Jammu and Kashmir negatively.

 

He said Jammu and Kashmir was witnessing peace and development and pointed to infrastructure projects, including the world's highest railway bridge, as examples of progress in the Union Territory.

 

Chugh said the region had a long tradition of coexistence and urged people to visit Jammu and Kashmir and witness the changes taking place on the ground.(KNS).