Subramanian Swamy
Subramanium Sawami is arguably one of the most vocal political figures in India’s current political scenario. He always makes newsy remarks on almost every issue ranging from political economy to religious politics. But throughout his career, Kashmir has retained top priority in his mind.
An RSS ideologue and leader of BJP, off late, Sawamy is having his say on the matters related to Kashmir at a time when governments in Delhi and Jammu are exhibiting worrying signs. Despite the situation in Kashmir being grave, no matter from which angle you approach it, Sawamy does not shy away from making remarks which goes in tandem with his traditional rightist image.
This week his twitter feed remained abuzz with Kashmir related activities. His solution to Kashmir crises which he terms as ‘revolt’ is “depopulation” of Kashmir. He said that Kashmiri’s should be sent to refugee camps in Tamil Nadu.
“Solution to (the) Kashmir Valley revolt is to depopulate as was done to Kashmir Valley Hindus. For a few years keep them in refugee camps in TN (Tamil Nadu),” Swamy tweeted in the aftermath of massive student protests that rocked Kashmir last week.
The controversial statement was widely covered by the press in Kashmir as well as in Delhi. It evoked mixed responses. While many pro Hindutva groups hailed the suggestions, Kashmiris see the remark as outrageous.
Before the controversy would die down, Swamy Friday tweeted again in which he blamed BJP’s general secretary Ram Madav, and India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
While Madav handles Kashmir affairs for BJP, Doval is believed to be the main architect of current Government’s hard-line policy towards Pakistan and Kashmir.
Sawmy’s tweet came in response to the confession Madav made in an interview to private TV channel that they (PDP-BJP government) take the responsibility for crises in Kashmir. Sawamy sees it as an admission of failure.
“Ram Madhav admits to CNN News18 that PDP-BJP has failed. Then who is accountable but him and Doval? Did they bother to check before leaping?,” Swamy tweeted on April 21. “Kashmir alliance is the first admitted policy failure on TV. Soon shall we on TV hear corporates after corporates selling off family silver?”
Swamy’s ‘depopulation plan’ may not see many takers, but demographic shift in Kashmir has remained central to the Sangh’s thought process on Kashmir for a very long time. During the militancy’s formative years, when the Israel leaders came visiting Delhi, the only receptive to his demographic change idea was the Sangh. Then BJP top leader L K Advani spent half a day with the visiting leader from Tel Aviv which triggered a protracted debate in media, mostly in its condemnation.
The right wing thought process in the state and centre might not take him seriously but Swamy’s assertions are important because it adds to the insecurity in Kashmir. Demography is perhaps the last thing that Kashmir sees its identity is reduced to.
– Zafar Aafaq
