Detention of few prevents problems for millions: BJP’s Sunil Sharma

Jammu, Mar 06: Terming the special status of Jammu and Kashmir an extension of the two-nation theory, BJP legislator and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Sunil Sharma on Thursday said that Article 370 is now history.

"Some people are trying to keep the two-nation theory alive, which is why they continue to rake up the issue of Article 370," Sharma said while speaking on the Motion of Thanks to the LG's address.

Sharma defended the Public Safety Act (PSA), saying that it was introduced by Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and then used against those creating disturbances.

"If 400 or 500 people are detained under PSA, it is because they were creating problems for 70 lakh people," he said, adding that the BJP government invoked PSA to curb civilian killings.

"And we have apologized for the deaths of two civilians" Sharma said.

Criticizing former Chief Minister and PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti, Sharma accused her of avoiding the use of PSA against youth disturbing peace in 2016.

"Instead, she chose to let 100 people die rather than detaining a few," he alleged.

"She did this to avoid upsetting separatist leaders."

Taking a swipe at legislators advocating dialogue with Pakistan, Sharma said that such matters were beyond the mandate of the House.

"It is the domain of Parliament, and they have pursued it in the past. Atal Bihari Vajpayee made an effort," he said.

Slamming former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for drawing parallels between Vajpayee’s era and the current BJP, Sharma said, "BJP is an ideological party. We had the same ideology then as we do today."

Highlighting BJP's sacrifices, Sharma claimed that 18 activists of Praja Parishad, the precursor to BJP, were killed during Sheikh Abdullah's rule.

"We have been making sacrifices since 1953," he said, adding that BJP leader Tika Lal Taploo was the first to sacrifice his life in Kashmir.

Sharma also detailed various development projects undertaken during the Modi-led BJP government.