Jammu, Apr 1: Asserting that Jammu and Kashmir is a disputed issue despite being ‘mini India’, Law and Parliamentary Affair Minster Ali Muhammad Sagar on Thursday charged BJP legislators of trying to divide the state on communal lines by creating confusion in the minds of people and suggested that the party leadership should give up ostrich-like approach viz a viz Kashmir and accept the reality that it was and continues to remain an ‘issue’.
  Rejecting the Private member bill moved by BJP member Jugal Kishore in the House, seeking abolishment of Jammu and Kashmir’s state flag, Sagar said the flag was a component of the special status of the state and was recognized by the Indian Parliament when both of its Houses ratified the historical Delhi Agreement.
 “The state flag was bestowed by the constitution and none can challenge its sanctity,” Sagar said and accused the BJP of playing divisive politics.
 Terming Kashmir a disputed issue, Sagar said had it not been so, Indian leadership, from Atal Behari Vajpayee to present day would not have favoured a dialogue to settle it. He said, knowing this fact, former prime minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee was ready to talk, with the involved parties off the ‘beaten track’.
 Virtually irked, minister told the BJP members; “Jammu and Kashmir Ek Masla Tha, Hai, Aur Rahe Ga, Aur Aap Hamesha Loogon Ke Zakhmon Ko Kuredte Raho Ge (Jammu and Kashmir was, is an will remain an issue and you people are only trying to rub salt into the wounds of common masses”.
 Sagar also accused BJP of harming the secular fabric of the country and said that today their national party leadership was seeking apology for the demolition of the Babri Masjid.
 While the BJP members registered their strong protests about the statement of the minister, Sagar continued saying, “Read the section 144 of Jammu and Kashmir constitution and you will come to know about the importance of the state flag”.
 With the intervention of Speaker Muhammad Akbar Lone, agitating BJP legislators took their seats. However, Jugal Kishore pressed the bill for voting on the floor of the house but was rejected by voice vote.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 1 Apr 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 1 Apr 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 2 Apr 2010 00:00:00 IST