The intriguing silence of Nirmala Sitharaman on J&K Police to register FIR against Indian Army

Did Nirmala give approval?

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is yet to utter a word to clarify whether she approved filing a First Information Report (FIR) against the Army in Jammu and Kashmir, as claimed by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti. The Chief Minister had said this on Monday in the Assembly. In the Assembly or in the Parliament, one is expected to speak the truth. According to Mehbooba, she got clearance from Nirmala.

If Nirmala approved the filing of the FIR, then she has committed a grave error as a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

As per Section 7 of the Armed Forces Special Act (AFSPA) implemented areas, for registering an FIR against Army personnel, the Centre’s clearance is needed. Mehbooba categorically said that she got the clearance.

“After the killings, I immediately spoke to the Defence Minister and she was very positive. She told me that I should take action if any carelessness or anything wrong has happened[1]. It’s after that that we registered an FIR and ordered a magisterial inquiry,” said Mehbooba on the floor of the Assembly.

If Nirmala approved the filing of the FIR, then she has committed a grave error as a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).  Beyond that, it was unfair on her part as a Defence  Minister. She should have told the State Government that, any action could be taken only after the Army’s internal probe about the matter. It was evident from all visuals that Army was forced to shoot the violent jehadi mob in Shopian district.

“You see according to media reports & social media J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba at the floor of the House said, ‘I had brought the Shopian army firing issue to notice of the Defence Minister and she said that if you feel that a crime has been committed, go ahead and take an action’. Wondering why even today Defence Minister has not given a clarification. Do we take her silence to mean yes? If it is, then it’s totally against party policies, sentiments of Indians and patriotism. If she doesn’t give a clarification by February 2, I will ask it in the House,” said BJP leader Subramanian Swamy to ANI on Wednesday.

In Wednesday morning he tweeted: “Time for Ms. Sitharaman Defence Minister to clarify: was she accurately quoted by JK CM in the Assembly on giving Ok to file FIR. Patriots are enraged and aghast at Mehbooba CM directing FIR filed against Army. But in J&K Assembly she says Def Minister okayed it!! True?”

Patriots are enraged and aghast at Mehbooba CM directing FIR filed against Army. But in J&K Assembly she says Def Minister okayed it!! True?

— Subramanian Swamy (@Swamy39) January 31, 2018

Nirmala owes an answer to the Nation on Mehbooba’s statement in the Assembly. But she is keeping a stony silence. Normally in such situations, we would see the eloquent side of Nirmala, giving multi lingual bytes to all channels to clarify her position. No Defence Minister in this country has back stabbed their forces like this by leaving them to the state police probes. Nirmala must clarify.

References:

[1] Filed FIR against Army after consulting Nirmala Sitharaman: Mehbooba Mufti – Jan 29, 2018, DNAIndia.com

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