Jammu, July 1 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday criticised the writing of a joint letter by more than 100 prominent citizens from India and Pakistan to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Shehbaz Sharif, urging an end to continued hostility between the two countries, terming it as “hypocrisy”.

The BJP leaders also added that the those urging to resume dialogue between the two nations should instead write to the United Nations on the alleged human right violations in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) after dozens of people were reportedly killed in police action on protesters in several parts of the region.

Speaking to IANS, BJP leader Nirmal Singh said: “There is no doubt that good relations are desirable. We are neighbours, and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had said that while we can change our friends, we cannot change our neighbours. However, there is a proper time and way to improve relations.”

Referring to the Pahalgam terror attack and Uri incident, Singh noted: “If our people are killed, and if terrorists come into the Jammu region and take innocent lives, then talks cannot take place in such an environment. Until Pakistan stops supporting terrorism and steps away from it, dialogue is not possible.”

The Indian signatories, include National Conference Chief Farooq Abdullah, separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Mehbooba Mufti, Rashtriya Janata Dal MP Manoj Jha and Aam Janata Unnayan Party leader and former Bengal Minister Humayun Kabir.

Nirmal Singh, who was also the former Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister, called it a “hypocrisy” of the Indian signatory leaders.

“On one hand, they say that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is ours and an integral part of Jammu and Kashmir. Yet, when firing takes place there, when people are allegedly being killed by the forces there, they do not utter a single word about it because indirectly they support Pakistan’s stand,” he remarked.

Echoing similar view, BJP leader Ravinder Raina said: “If they want to write a letter then it should instead be addressed to the United Nations highlighting the alleged human rights violations in Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.”

Questioning PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti and National Conference President Farooq Abdullah’s silence on the atrocities in PoK, Raina reiterated: “If they want to write a letter, they should address it to the United Nations Security Council and the Human Rights Commission, raising the issue of the alleged human rights violations in Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.”

However, National Conference leader Tanvir Sadiq defended the move, saying: “If we want to defeat those who have always created unrest and promoted an atmosphere of conflict between India and Pakistan, then we must empower those who have consistently stood for a better and stronger India. I believe this letter is a step in that direction.”

“It is a good thing if a dialogue can start (between the two nations),” he added.

Sadiq also cited former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s remark that “We can change friends but not neighbours”, while maintaining that the onus to create a “conducive” atmosphere is not only on India, but also on Pakistan.

–IANS

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