J&K Assembly witnesses uproar over Sadhvi Prachi's statement

The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly today witnessed uproar over the controversial statement of VHP leader Sadhvi Prachi, calling for "Muslim-Free India" even as opposition members sought a condemnation from the PDP-BJP government.

The issue was raised during the Question Hour by Independent MLA Sheikh Abdul Rasheed, who asked the government to explain what she meant by her controversial "Muslim-Mukt Bharat" statement.

"Is this what you mean by 'Desh Badal Raha Hai' (the nation is changing)?" Rasheed said.

He was supported by Congress members who also condemned the statement made by Sadhvi Prachi.

"What is this Muslim-Mukt Bharat? Do they want to repeat Gujarat (2002 riots)?" Congress MLA G M Saroori said.

Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh (BJP) said the statement has appeared in newspapers and it is not right to make such comments.

"India is a secular country where people of all faiths and communities live including the atheists. The statement (Muslim-Mukt Bharat), which appeared in the newspapers, is not right," Singh said but stopped short of condemning the VHP leader's remark.

Yesterday, Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council, the Upper House, had witnessed a ruckus over the statement made by Sadhvi Prachi in Roorkee.

Known for courting controversies, Sadhvi Prachi had claimed the mission of a "Congress-free India" has already been "accomplished" and it is now time to "rid the country of Muslims".

The Legislative Council witnessed uproar over Sadhvi Prachi's statement for a second consecutive day.

Soon after the House met, National Conference (NC) and Congress legislators demanded that a resolution be passed condemning the statement.

"We want the House to adopt the resolution and condemn the statement," NC MLC Shehnaz Ganai said.

Council Chairman Anayat Ali said the government had yesterday replied to the matter and tried to pacify the opposition members.

The legislators refused to budge and started raising slogans against the VHP leader and RSS.

"We do not want reply, but condemnation," Congress MLC Ghulam Nabi Monga said.
To this, BJP MLCs too started raising slogans against terrorist organisation Hizbul Mujahideen.

Minister for Law and Justice Abdul Haq, who was present in the House, tried to pacify the opposition members, saying the Leader of the House and Education Minister Naeem Akhtar had made a statement on the issue yesterday and so there was no need to raise it again.

Monga said if the government condemns the statement, then the resolution by the opposition should be moved in the House.

The Chairman said he would consider it according to the rules.
Even after the Chairman's assurance, NC members continued sloganeering and then staged a walkout.