New Delhi, September 7: Bharatiya Janata Party general secretary Ram Madhav today rebuffed demands for a “political solution” to the Kashmir issue, suggesting that it was a mere “slogan” raised by “romantic” people and asserted that those who did not believe in the Indian Constitution would be dealt with firmly.
Taking a tough stand on separatists, the party's point-man on Jammu and Kashmir claimed they were not interested in finding a solution to the ongoing unrest in the Valley and “enjoy fuelling violence and getting innocents killed”.
Addressing a convention on homeland security organised by FICCI, Madhav said the government is taking all necessary steps in states like Jammu and Kashmir and stressed that, “It's not just security infrastructure, we need a security culture in the country.”
“We need a particular security culture in this country. This we terribly lack. As a nation we are a romantic people. We are very happy with slogans. We do not know what we mean when we make statements. Every leader tirelessly makes this statement that we have to have a political solution. Political solution is simple and final that J&K is an integral part of India,” he said at an event on “homeland security”.
Amid demands by a number of parties that the government should hold talks with all stakeholders, he said, “There is no alternative to talks. In strategic discourse, it is sometimes said while talking is a part of strategy, not talking is also a part of strategy. As part of a strategy, you don't always talk. As part of romance, you have to talk always.
Even if the doors are not open, still you have to go. You need two people for talks. We need a particular strategic culture to be nurtured in this country.”
Madhav was apparently referring to separatists' refusal to meet some MPs who had gone to them as members of an all-party delegation.
“Our government's policy is clear. Militants and terror will be dealt with sternly and those who do not believe in the Constitution of India will be treated firmly,” he later told reporters.
Asked about reports that the Centre was considering the withdrawal of security given to the Hurriyat leaders, he said: “It will do what it has to do.”
Lashing out at separatists, he said, “They want violence and get innocents killed. They do not want a solution. Solution is possible only if they talk. They are not ready for it. They are not ready to open even their doors. They enjoy fuelling violence and getting innocents killed.” —
In this context he was critical of political parties and others who have “only tried to draw political mileage” out of slogans like “political solution” and suggested that mere demand for talks without any purpose may not help either.
He maintained that people living in border areas are “big strength” for the border management strategy and said, “We have to find better ways to manage our people living on the borders”.
During the deliberations he agreed to suggestions made by many speakers during the last two days that India needs to develop its own national security doctrine.
