New Delhi: Supporting the statutory resolution to revoke Article 370, which grants special status to Jammu & Kashmir, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Tuesday stated in the Lok Sabha that former Odisha Chief Minister Biju Patnaik flew fighter plane to protect Kashmir from Pakistani forces.
While speaking on the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, 2019, the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Second Amendment) Bill, 2019 and statutory resolution, BJD parliamentary party leader in the Lower House, Pinaki Misra, said his party unequivocally supports the Union government’s decision of scrapping Article 370. He said it was former Odisha CM Biju Patnaik who flew several sorties to save Kashmir and also demanded Bharat Ratna to Biju Patnaik.
“Several soldiers landed in Srinagar to save it from Pakistani invaders. The man who flew the plane to Srinagar was Biju Patnaik from Odisha. Patnaik flew several sorties to Kashmir to save it from Pakistani invaders. We demanded the government to reward Biju Babu with Bharat Ratna. Since that has not happened we hope in future it will happen,” said Misra.
He said the Article 370 widens the gap between Kashmir and the rest of the country.
“When you meet local people in Kashmir they say, “aap India se kab aaye?” (When did you come from India?). This has been happening due to Article 370,” he said.
Misra further said there is no breach of faith and people of Kashmir have been treated as members of family in the Union.
“You (J&K people) are an integral part of this country. Like Muslims in other states, you are also our family. Trust us, you will not face any discrimination in the country,” said Misra.
The Puri MP said that there must be one voice within the country on this issue. People across the country should maintain unanimity.
“I congratulate the government and I assure them that we are with you. Please resolve this issue with Insaniyat, Jamhuriyat and Kashmiriyat as said by former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee,” Misra added.