With the BJP threatening to hoist the National Flag on Republic Day at Lal Chowk in Srinagar in troubled J&K, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh issued a statement on Saturday evening calling for “maximum restraint” in the “sensitive state”.
Without naming the BJP, the PM also said: “It is my hope that all our citizens and political parties will heed this call and will do nothing that will disturb the peace and harmony, or detract in any way from the dignity of Republic Day.”
The BJP, however, expressed “shock and disappointment” over Prime Minister’s statement and alleged that he has “let down the nation”. The party claimed instead of supporting a “nationalist” cause, Dr Singh has “sadly preferred to disapprove of it”.
The BJP’s “Ekta Yatra” is already on its way to Srinagar — it reached Himachal Pradesh on Saturday — to hoist the national flag at the historic Lal Chowk. J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah has already declared that the flag hoisting won’t be allowed, the BJP has said it will not call off the yatra. The Centre has thrown its weight behind Mr Abdullah.
As the PM’s statement said: “It is up to the states to ensure that public traditions are honoured and they would be well within their rights to insist upon punctilious adherence. The government of India will support them in this endeavour.” In this context, the Centre has already readied paramilitary support for the state police.
The PM’s statement also noted that: “It is not an occasion to scroe political points, to embarrass state and local administration, to create situations that could lead to entirely avoidable problems or to promote divisive agendas.”
Stating that the Republic Day is “a solemn occasion”, the PM further drew attention to the fact that over the years, “States have devised their own, time-tested and publicly accepted procedures for Republic Day celebrations within a national frame-work.” He added, “The significance and solemnity of the occasion demand that these continue to be followed.” The BJP’s plans to hoist the national flag at Lal Chowk threatens to shatter a fragile peace in the Valley.