New Delhi: The Shiv Sena (UBT) on Monday criticised the government of India for showing minimal interest in resolving issues in Jammu and Kashmir, suggesting that its focus is on winning the upcoming elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand.
This statement, published in an editorial in the Sena (UBT) publication ‘Saamana,’ followed a grenade attack in Srinagar, injuring at least 11 civilians.
The attack occurred near a well-protected area housing All India Radio and Doordarshan Kendra by the Tourist Reception Centre (TRC) and came shortly after a senior Pakistani commander of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and two other militants were killed in separate military operations in Srinagar and Anantnag on Saturday.
The ‘Saamana’ editorial argued that the government of India appears “disinterested in stabilising” Jammu and Kashmir. Instead, it alleged, the government is prioritising meetings focused on winning elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand.
The editorial claimed that following recent elections in Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and Home Minister Home Minister Amit Shah have shifted to “election mode,” seemingly more invested in securing victories in upcoming polls than addressing Jammu and Kashmir’s challenges now that elections there have concluded.
It highlighted recent incidents in the region, noting five attacks in October alone, which the editorial described as a test for the government of India. Jammu and Kashmir’s Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, has raised concerns about the increase in attacks, especially after the National Conference formed a government with Congress support. The editorial urged the government of India to respond to these developments.
