Srinagar
BJP general secretary Ram Madhav on Thursday said broadband internet facilities were being restored in Kashmir in a phased manner.
Internet facilities were snapped on August 5 ahead of Union Home Minister Amit Shah announcing the repeal of Article 370 and bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir state into two union territories.
“The broadband internet services are being restored in phased manner. The facilities have been restored to the hotels,” Madhav said.
The BJP leader said the local administration will restore the broadband services in more sectors after a security review.
“The release of detained political leaders is a continuous process. Some leaders have already been released and local administration will take a call on those who are still under detention.”
On the reports that the Center was mulling to implement Article 371 to Jammu and Kashmir to compensate the revocation of Article 370, he feigned ignorance. “I have no information about this,” he said.
He said the aim to address a press conference in Srinagar was to clear the misunderstandings which have been created regarding the recently passed Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). “The opposition is making false propaganda regarding the CAA. The Act was implemented only after the consent from the Parliament and the President of India was received,” the BJP leader said.
“This Act is not against Muslims. Lot of refugees from the neighbouring countries have entered into India and to give them citizenship rights this Act was passed,” he said.
Quoting famous Pakistani singer Adnan Sami’s example, Madhav said, “He (Sami) was given citizenship of India under proper procedure. So saying that CAA is anti-Muslim is wrong. People who had right to get Indian citizenship were deprived of the same so-far and this Act was brought for them.”
He alleged that the opposition and communal forces were trying to create unrest in the country by “terming the Act as anti-Muslim.” “NRC and NPR are two different things. Under NPR after every 10 years, census is conducted in the country while under NRC the database regarding the residence and area of people is created,” he said.
“For example lot of people from Kashmir have migrated to Jammu and Delhi and are permanently residing there. So it is essential to update the NRC,” the BJP leader added.
“We will also press the local administration to ensure maximum power supply in Jammu and Kashmir as the indications are there that the winter is going to be very harsh,” said BJP leader.
He said he had come to Kashmir to watch the match between Real Kashmir Football Club and Chennai City. Real Kashmir FC defeated defending champions Chennai City FC 2-1.
