Talks drifting away: BJP

The main Opposition BJP on Tuesday submitted the note of dissent at the third round-table on Kashmir, saying the meeting was deviating from the original agenda. "It is drifting away from its original agenda of strengthening Centre-State relations, rule of law, secularism, pluralism, justice and equity," BJP spokesman Prakash Javadekar told reporters at a Press briefing.

"The round table conference does not address the long pending problems of refugees from West Pakistan and PoK. It also does not speak about human rights of Kashmiri Pandits but assuages the feelings of militants. The RTC does not even chalk out an action plan to have balanced regional development of all the regions of the State," Javadekar said.

"The recent actions of J&K Assembly also confirm this trend. Four Bills aiming to include secularism and socialism into State constitution, to protect Hindu temples, to put only national flag on Government buildings, and brining down Assembly tenure from six to five years all were shot down by the Congress, the PDP and the NC. On the other hand the Bill, which was passed by these parties, was about implementing Shariat Laws in the State," he said.

"All these developments have to be viewed in the face of growing clamour for soft borders, autonomy, self-governance, demilitarisation, and withdrawal of anti-terror laws, economic independence and joint management of State's natural resources," Javadekar said.

"The BJP is of the view that unless a holistic approach is taken and due importance is given to original terms and reference of the RTC, the effort will fall flat and produce no tangible results and will promote secessionism," he claimed.

He said his party leaders Ashok Khajuria, Hari Om and Nirmal Singh, who attended the round-table, gave a written note of dissent.

"The note spoke about the long-pending problems facing refugees from west Pakistan and PoK and human rights of Kashmiri Pandits. The round-table does not address these issues but assuages the feelings only of militants,"Javadekar said.