Dr. Jitender Singh lauds role of Indian Army in Jammu and Kashmir

By Jaibans Singh New Delhi [India], Oct.26 (ANI): On the occasion of Accession Day, celebrated in commemoration of signing of the Instrument of Accession of his state to the Union of India by Maharaja Hari Singh of Jammu and Kashmir, a symposium was held at the at the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, Teen Murti Bhawan, New Delhi. The main speaker in the symposium was Dr. Jitender Singh, Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), who also hails from the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The other speakers were Maroof Raza, a defence and strategic expert and Jawaharlal Kaul, President of the Jammu and Kashmir Study Centre (JKSC). Dr. Jitender Singh, hailed Maharaja Hari Singh, the last ruler of the state as a patriot who has been misunderstood and misrepresented for his role in the accession process simply because he chose to maintain a dignified silence. Instead of creating political ripples he chose to lead a quiet life in Bombay after having acceded his state to the Indian Union. Dr, Jitender Singh, said that separatist and divisive elements in Jammu and Kashmir pursue a self-centred agenda based on personal ambitions. He said that if the separatists are so concerned about the future of Jammu and Kashmir they should make at least dedicate one member of their family as a stone pelter so as to identify with the cause. While showering wholesome praise upon the Indian Army and the Indian soldier for maintaining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the nation against tremendous odds and at great risk to their lives, Dr. Jitender Singh said that due thought needs to be given to the gross human rights violation that they suffer in the hands of the terrorists. He rued the fact that certain section of media and so-called intellectuals speak of human rights of terrorists and disruptive forces who are, by themselves, perpetrators of human rights violations. Finally, Dr. Jitender Singh said that there was no dispoute in Jammu and Kashmir other the challenge of getting back such areas of the state that are under illegal occupation by Pakistan. The Indian Army landed in Srinagar on 27 October, post the signing of the instrument of Accession by Maharaj Hari Singh and, against great odds, saved the people of Jammu and Kashmir from large scale massacre, rape, loot and arson in the hands of the mercenary hordes of Tribal's of the North West Frontier province of Pakistan under the leadership of officers from the Pakistan Army to annex the state. The resultant action is known as the Indo-Pakistan war of 1947-48. (ANI)