Vikrant Shekhawat : Aug 31, 2024, 05:00 PM
J&K Election 2024: NDA's key ally JDU has taken a soft stand on stone pelters in its manifesto for the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections, while the BJP's stand is tough on the issue. JDU has appealed to the Union Home Ministry to release stone pelters and political prisoners, claiming that 840 stone pelters are lodged in jails. The party has accused previous governments of arresting youth in fake cases. JDU's soft policy has made the differences within the NDA clear, especially when the BJP has talked about depriving stone pelters of government jobs. JDU has also announced its candidates for the polling to be held on September 18 and 25. JDU has claimed in its manifesto that it has written a letter to the Union Home Ministry to review the cases of hundreds of stone pelters and ensure their release from jails. According to the information, JDU's manifesto says - Review the cases and facilitate the release of political prisoners and stone pelters to promote peace and reconciliation.840 stone pelters are lodged in jailsJDU state president GM Shaheen has said - We have received information that 840 stone pelters from many parts of the valley are lodged in jails. Cases were registered against them when the National Conference or People's Democratic Party was in power.He said that we have promised the release of our people and the party is actively working on this with the Center. We have also sought intervention from the government for political prisoners.JDU targets previous governmentsThe JDU state president alleges that the previous governments were involved in this nexus and were arresting youth for money. And this is the reason why a review of the cases had to be demanded from the Home Ministry for the release of all of them.It is worth noting that JDU has fielded two candidates for the first phase of voting on September 18. The party claims that many candidates who were angry with the system are now participating in the second phase of the elections. The second phase of voting will be held on September 25.Different stand from BJP on stone peltersIt is clear that two different tones are being seen in the NDA regarding stone pelters in Jammu and Kashmir. BJP's clear stand is that the families of terrorists and stone pelters will not be given government jobs in the valley, but JDU has played a big gamble by taking a soft stand on stone pelters in its manifesto.