JAMMU, Jan 24: Questioning the silence of National Conference-Congress coalition Government on the raging controversy over Kashmir's Islamic Sharia court issuing communal decrees and 'Fatwas', BJP national executive member and State chief spokesperson Dr. Jitendra Singh has accused the NC-led Jammu and Kashmir government of a total sell-out to religious fundamentalists in the Valley in a blatant bid to keep the extremists and separatist elements in good humour so as to ensure its own survival in power.

Dr Singh said the BJP is opposed to forced religious conversions in any form anywhere, whether it is from Islam to Christianity or from Hinduism to Christianity but asked whether the Kashmir-centric ruling polity would have maintained a similar silence if, for example, a certain Hindu group had protested against Christian missionaries over alleged forcible conversions of Hindus in Jammu region. He expressed surprise that while the NC and Congress leaders are never tired of accusing the BJP of being devisive, it is actually the coalition government which is playing devisive politics based on religion.

Dr Singh said it is the duty of the State Government, under oath of constitution, to check fanaticism that violates the spirit of secularism. It is a dangerous trend that the NC-Congress coalition Government has surrendered its authority in this matter and thus yielded space to Islamic "Sharia" court which has no Constitutional or legal locus standi to pass self-styled judgements in a democratic setup, he added. It is obnoxious that the State Government is a mute witness while Sharia court in Kashmir is passing extradiction orders against other communities, conducting unauthorized court trials and summoning alleged accused to appear before it, thus tresspassing on the jurisdiction of constitutionally established courts of law, he said.

Dr. Jitendra Singh warned against the vicious campaign of communal politics which had earlier led to forced exodus of Kashmiri Pandit community from the Valley.

He also questioned the studied silence of Congress party which is a coalition partner in the State Government and which professes itself to be the custodian of secularism in the country. He alleged that the State unit of Congress party is under instructions from its Central High Command to toe the line of NC even if it is at the cost of communal tension in the State. He warned against long-term repurcussions across the country of what he described as unchecked activism by certain communal zealots in the Valley.

KHC’s concern over running of parallel courts in Kashmir

JAMMU, Jan 24: Kashmiri Hindu Conference (KHC) working body which met here today under the chairmanship of M L Thusoo discussed various demands of displaced Kashmiri Pandits.

Mr Thusoo regretted the decision of Sharie Court expelling four Christian fathers from Valley of Kashmir and holding of parallel courts by it. In a statement issued here today he said that such acts of Jehadis and separatists are dangerous for mutual brotherhood and Kashmiri culture.

He further said that a new culture is being thrusted on Kashmiris by hardliners which will prove counter productive.

The meeting also criticized the statement of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah that Kashmiri Pandits are leaderless and undisciplined community. It is dismay of the community that Abdullahs' are biased against the Pandit community. ``Among four KPs three are leaders such comment of Chief Minister is totally condemnable'' said P L Badgami convener KHC.

Krishan Lal Ganjoo, senior vice president said that the inefficiency and corruption in the state administration has put common masses to a lot of trouble.

M L Daftri, S N Raina, A K Sadhoo, G L Koul, A K Bhat M L Koul were among others present in the meeting.