M A I N   N E W S

Parliament snubs Pak for supporting Guru
Adopts resolution asserting J&K integral part of India
Ashok Tuteja/TNS

New Delhi, March 15
Firmly rejecting the resolution passed by Pakistan’s National Assembly yesterday on Afzal Guru’s hanging, Parliament today unanimously adopted a resolution, asserting that Jammu and Kashmir, including territory under the illegal occupation of Pakistan, was and shall always be an integral part of India.

“Any attempt from any quarter to interfere in the internal affairs of India will be met resolutely and with complete unity by our nation,” the strongly-worded resolution adopted by both Houses of Parliament said. Speaker Meira Kumar moved the resolution in the Lok Sabha while Chairman Hamid Ansari moved it in the Upper House.

Pakistan's National Assembly (Lower House) had yesterday, just two days before the expiry of its five-year term, adopted a resolution condemning the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru and demanded that his mortal remains be returned to his family.

Tough stance Speaker Meira Kumar moved the resolution in the Lok Sabha while Chairman Hamid Ansari moved it in the Upper House The resolution asked the Pakistani legislature to desist from such acts of supporting terror elements The resolution noted that Pakistan had committed itself to not allow its territory to be used for terrorism against India and made it firmly clear that only the fulfilment of this commitment could be the basis for peaceful bilateral ties Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath drafted the resolution in consultation with senior Opposition members

Describing the action of Pakistan Parliament as interference in the internal affairs of India, the resolution adopted by the Indian Parliament told the Pakistani legislature to desist from such acts of support for extremist and terrorist elements.

The resolution noted that Pakistan had committed itself to not allow its territory to be used for terrorism against India and made it firmly clear that only the fulfilment of this commitment could be the basis for peaceful bilateral relations.

Earlier, Opposition members in both Houses raised a storm over the issue with BJP members demanding that the government suspend any dialogue with Pakistan at any level.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath drafted the resolution in consultations with senior Opposition members before it was adopted first by the Lok Sabha and then by the Rajya Sabha.

A somewhat similar resolution had been adopted by the Indian Parliament in February 1994 during the time of the Narasimha Rao Government following an increase in militancy in J&K and Pakistan’s attempts to highlight the issue. That particular resolution had even demanded that Pakistan vacate the areas of J&K, which it has occupied through aggression.

Official sources, meanwhile, said New Delhi apprehended an increase in provocative anti-India propaganda from Pakistan in the run up to the elections in the neighbouring country in May.

With the political situation being so fragile in Pakistan, political parties would be vying with each other to indulge in provocative speeches against India. There could also be an upsurge in terrorist activities in Pakistan, which might also have implications for India. Admitting that the dialogue process with Pakistan had already suffered a setback following the beheading of Indian soldiers in January, the sources said there appeared hardly any possibility of a meaningful interaction with the Pakistani leadership.