The BJP is an Opposition party but it does not mean it should oppose everything and everyone in power. Why are its leaders and cadres adamant on hoisting the national flag in Lal Chowk, Srinagar? Every issue cannot be solved by aggression, that too when it pertains to the sensitive State of Jammu and Kashmir.
Who will be responsible for the consequences of the BJP's action? If the State descends into chaos, will it bring pride to our national flag? Not hoisting the flag in Lal Chowk does not amount to surrendering to separatists. It is about protecting all members of the big family called India.
Shweta Singh,
Garhwal
The BJP's plan is a political gimmick and will only deepen the polarisation in Kashmir. A group of BJP leaders led by Murli Manohar Joshi hoisted the national flag on Republic Day in 1992 amid tight security. What did the party gain from it? Can the Kashmir issue be resolved by hoisting the flag? Its youth wing's insistence on hoisting the tricolour at Lal Chowk has left the entire country worried.
S.K. Khosla,
Chandigarh
The BJP leaders should ponder over the Babri Masjid demolition, when the frenzied mob at Ayodhya went out of their control. The country is still suffering from its effect. Instigating is easy but restraining is impossible. Kashmir is peaceful now and nothing should be done to vitiate the atmosphere. We all hope good sense will prevail on BJP leaders and its cadres.
S. Viswanathan,
Chennai
Is the BJP short of venues to hoist the national flag? Why should its cadres go all the way to Lal Chowk in Srinagar? Why not do some constructive work instead of embarking on a move which is of no importance to the common man?
Arja Sri Radha,
New Delhi
The provocative yatra will serve no purpose other than disturbing peace. The BJP will be squarely responsible for any disturbance that follows. The media should rise in unison to thwart its design.
M.V.S. Murthy,
Mysore
There is nothing wrong in hoisting the national flag on Republic Day. But, is it necessary to do it in a highly sensitive place where security is a challenge for our security forces? The BJP would do well to bear in mind that Kashmir is returning to normalcy only now. Political leaders are expected to be more responsible in such situations.
Ruby Arya,
Bhopal
It appears that the BJP is keen on undoing the damage done by the arrest of some Hindutva leaders in connection with terror. Unfortunately, the national flag has been forced to carry the burden of its latest divisive move. It is our duty to ensure that our flag does not become an instrument in the party's hands.
P.P. Saidali,
New Delhi
It was the BJP that lambasted the UPA government for its inability to control the violence in Kashmir last year, in which over a 100 youths were killed. Now, it is the same party that is bent on destroying the tranquillity in the State.
The BJP's insistence on going ahead, notwithstanding the appeals by the Centre and the Kashmir government, should be seen as undermining the values enshrined in the Constitution. In the name of freedom to hoist the national flag anywhere in the country, the party is trying to incite the separatist elements.
Vibhanshu Shekhar,
New Delhi
The so-called Ekta Yatra is nothing but the real face of ultra-nationalism donned by the BJP. It is true that every citizen has a right to unfurl the national flag anywhere in the country. But we have to keep in mind the difficult situation and the fragile peace in the strife-torn Valley. The provocative sloganeering by the saffron brigade will only terrorise the people of the Valley and give the separatists a new agenda.
Harinder Singh,
Puducherry
The contention that “… Kashmir will be an integral part of India in a meaningful sense only when the residents of Srinagar themselves throng to Lal Chowk and hoist the tricolour …” (“The fabric of belonging,” Jan. 24) reflects an understanding of the deep-rooted problem in Kashmir. A ray of hope was visible when stone-pelters lined up for police recruitment in J&K ( The Hindu , Jan. 13), thanks to the all-out efforts by interlocutors to assuage the feelings of the aggrieved masses. The BJP's move to politicise a sensitive issue at this crucial juncture will only aggravate the unrest in the State.
Ranjit Kumar Paul,
New Delhi
The patriotism of Kashmiris or the BJP need not be put to test through such a provocative action. The party's move will boomerang and it will end up losing whatever support it has in Kashmir.
V. Anand Rao,
Chennai
Everyone knows that life in Kashmir has returned to normality after prolonged unrest. The interlocutors are making headway in their difficult mission to restore peace in the Valley. The BJP's decision to hoist the national flag at Lal Chowk at this juncture will only jeopardise the ongoing efforts to restore peace.
Shambhu Soman,
Kollam
