Amarnath row to be handled `step by step`: Patil

New Delhi, Aug 08:

The government today said it will go "step by step" in finding an amicable solution to the Amarnath land row but refused to be drawn into the controversial debate whether Jammu and Kashmir should be divided. "We will go step by step," Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil today said when asked if the all-party delegation visiting Jammu will hold direct talks with leaders of Shri Amarnath Sangharsh Samiti, spearheading the ongoing agitation. Asked if the government would offer a proposal to resolve the land transfer dispute, he told media that "this time we want to hear what they have to say. We will hear first and cull out common points and do something in such a manner to give satisfaction to all concerned". He parried a direct reply to a question whether bifurcation or trifucation of the state could be a solution, saying it was a "very big issue" and not proper for a minister to comment. It should be left to the government, he said. On BJP's threat to launch a nation-wide stir to demand restoration of the forsest land to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), he appealed to political parties to refrain from agitations. Patil said the situation in Jammu and Kashmir had to be handled very carefully to ensure that any step taken to defuse the tension did not hurt the feelings of any section of the society. He expressed satisfaction that there were no blockades on roads in the state. "We will do best to see that roads are not blocked by agitators," he added. Bureau Report

The Amarnath movement is no longer about 100 acres of land for pilgrim facilities. It is about separatists’ writ running in a part of India. It is about that part of India being recaptured for India. It is about nationals and anti-nationals. It is about patriots and traitors. The 'step by step' approach of Shivraj Patil sounds like a 'divide and rule' approach. The approach must be a direct, immediate and nationalistic approach. Integrate Kashmir with the rest of India. Abolish Article 370. Make Kashmir HQ of Indian Army's Northern command. Declare Amarnath a national pilgrimage centre and provide direct accessibility to Amarnath by road, train and air from all parts of India. The Hindu approach of freedom of religion should be declared as India’s national approach and the Muslim approach of ‘only Islam’ should be declared an anti national approach and Muslims must be dissuaded from such an approach through appropriate class-room education.