Congress Veteran T.S. Singh Deo Advocates for Return of PoK, Critiques Azami’s Suspension Over Aurangzeb Remarks
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Synopsis
T.S. Singh Deo, a prominent Congress leader, asserts that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir must be returned to India and criticizes the suspension of Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi for his comments on Aurangzeb. He emphasizes the importance of historical discourse and the principles of democracy.
Key Takeaways
- Singh Deo insists that POK should be returned to India.
- He disagrees with the suspension of Abu Azmi for his remarks.
- Jaishankar's statements highlight India's progress in Kashmir.
- Singh Deo advocates for open discussions about historical figures.
- Democratic principles should allow diverse opinions without punitive measures.
Ambikapur, March 6 (NationPress) In response to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's comments regarding Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK), T.S. Singh Deo, a veteran Congress leader and former Deputy Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, emphasized on Thursday that a segment of Kashmir was forcibly taken from India by the Pakistani army, and it must definitely be reclaimed.
In an interview with IANS, the seasoned Congress politician expressed disapproval of the decision to suspend Samajwadi Party MLA from the Maharashtra assembly for his comments lauding Aurangzeb.
Jaishankar remarked, "When it comes to Kashmir, I believe we've made significant progress. The abrogation of Article 370 was the first crucial step. Following that, the revival of economic activity and social justice in Kashmir was the second step, with elections completed successfully for the third step. The final step we await is the recovery of the unlawfully occupied part of Kashmir, which is under Pakistani control. Once that happens, I assure you, Kashmir will be resolved."
Singh Deo stated, "During the partition of the country, a portion of Kashmir was seized by the Pakistani army and remains under their occupation. Therefore, it must certainly be returned. At that time, the Maharaja of the region had agreed to integrate the whole state with India. Consequently, POK rightfully belongs to India, and there is no question about it."
On the topic of the suspension of Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi from the Maharashtra assembly after his praise for Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, Singh Deo remarked: "Aurangzeb was a significant historical figure in India. While we might not endorse all of his actions, I also do not concur with every deed, but that does not imply his name cannot be mentioned. There is no law that forbids discussing someone who has committed such errors. Aurangzeb is often criticized for his orthodox beliefs and for the destruction of certain Hindu religious sites, as noted by some historians. Even within other religions, there exist individuals who target others' faiths, so can we not mention their names? Will individuals mentioning such figures be suspended from the assembly?"
"In a democracy, one can hold differing views regarding someone's actions. You can evaluate whether a specific action was good or bad. However, it is not acceptable to remove someone from the assembly or legislative body," Singh Deo concluded.
