Lucknow: A booklet on three years of BJP-led NDA government released by the UP Congress here has labelled Kashmir as “Indian occupied”, a media report said on Saturday.
The major gaffe came to light during a conference of the opposition party here to highlight the shortcomings of the Narendra Modi government during its three years of rule.
Page 12 of the 16-page booklet titled 'Rashtriya Suraksha par Aanch', which was distributed by the Congress, showed the entire state of J-K labelled as "Indian Occupied Kashmir" in the context of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), PTI reported.
The booklet was released by UP Congress in Lucknow today.
Asked about the incident, party's state chief actor-turned politician Raj Babbar said, “Those who have printed it have already given their statement, it makes no sense to comment on the matter again and again.”
Terming the incident as "highly objectionable", the BJP said the Congress must make its stand clear whether it is with India or Pakistan.
"Congress which has created the Kashmir crisis must answer and make its stand clear that whether it is with India or Pakistan. The question arises, as today the Congress came out with a booklet, which mentions Jammu and Kashmir as India occupied Kashmir.
"This is highly objectionable, and it goes on to prove that on one hand the Indian Army is eliminating the terrorists, while the Congress is refusing to believe that Kashmir is an integral part of India," UP BJP spokesperson Shalabh Mani Tripathi said.
This categorically makes it clear that the language of the Congress and Pakistan is the same. The Congress party should tender an unconditional apology to the country, he said.
"Border dispute with Pakistan and terrorism in Kashmir is a gift of the Congress. It is quite surprising to see that Congress which has virtually failed on all fronts in the last 60 years, is today giving a certificate to the BJP on terrorism and Kashmir dispute," Tripathi said.
UP BJP leader Rakesh Tripathi said, "While the Congress was registering its opposition for Bha Ja Pa (BJP), it has now started opposing Bharat (India) too."
The Congress and other Opposition parties such as the National Conference have been criticising the government over its handling of the Kashmir issue.
(With PTI inputs)
