Amidst huge criticism over his remarks on J&K referendum, Senior AAP leader Prashant Bhushan defended himself on Monday by saying he thinks Kashmir is an integral part of India.
“The AAP (Aam Aadmi Party) is of the view that Kashmir is an integral part of India. Needless to say that I share this view,” he said.
“Any reference to a referendum shouldn’t be misconstrued to mean plebiscite on Kashmir’s relationship with India,” he added.
Earlier Aam Aadmi Party has distanced itself from Prashant Bhushan’s comment by saying it was his ‘personal view’.
Delhi Chief Minister and AAP Chief Arvind Kejriwal said he is not agreed with Prashant Bhushan’s suggestion of a referendum.
“We don’t agree with what Prashant Bhushan said about Kashmir, it’s his personal view. Whatever the army wants to do regarding deployment, there is no question of a referendum on it. We do not support Prashant Bhushan’s statement,” Kejriwal told reporters.
The controversy broke after Prashant Bhushan told a television channel that local Kashmiris should decide whether they want the army or not for security.
“It is very important to take the wishes of the people into consideration about their own security,” he said adding, “among the people of Kashmir which is primarily because of the human rights excesses by the security forces.”
Under pressure Mr. Bhushan later said his statements was “distorted.”
BJP leader Arun Jaitley slammed Mr Bhushan for his statement.
“It is regrettable that a party like the Aam Aadmi Party which nourishes national ambitions, should adopt a position hostile to India’s interests. The issues of national security cannot be decided by populism or referendum. They can only be decided on security considerations” Arun Jaitley said in his blog.
Tags: Aam Aadmi Party AAP Arun Jaitley Arvind Kejriwal BJP india Jammu and Kashmir Kashmir Prashant Bhushan referendum
