Air Marshal SB Deo (Retd), Col Abhay Patwardhan (Retd) and Avtar Krishna Raina were the members of the panel discussion speaking upon the common topic, ‘Changing Dimensions of Jammu & Kashmir’ organised jointly by Bhartiya Vichar Manch and Forum for Integrated National Security (FINS) at Sevasadan High School.
“Social media was a buzz with number of claims after the Pulwama attack and later when Indian Air Force carried out air strikes at Balakot, which was believed to be home to the terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed. Negative things about the government and the armed forces were being said on various platforms, however it is true that an honest government makes everyone uncomfortable,” said Air Marshal SB Deo while speaking on the ‘Role of Indian Air Force in Jammu and Kashmir’ during the panel discussion on Sunday.
Deo during the interaction also mentioned that during earlier terror attacks on the country, the armed forces offered their help however, no government gave them a free hand. He also added that if the IAF claims that they shot an F-16 or did the air strikes they should be believed, instead of questioning them on the basis of negative reports.
Col Abhay Patwardhan (Retd), spoke on the topic, ‘Role of Army in J&K- its changes, challenges and possible solutions’. Patwardhan opined that radical belief defies integration and helps create ‘us’ Vs ‘them’ syndrome. Explaining how radical extremism works he said that it is that moment when a persons ideological belief has no room for any other belief and is willing to employ violence to promote his own cause.
Patwardhan also informed about Article 370 and 35 A. He also spoke upon new age terrorism, women and children indulging in stone pelting and inhuman treatment given to policemen in Jammu and Kashmir.
Vice president of Jammu and Kashmir Study Centre, Dr Avtar Raina spoke on the topic ‘Social journey of Jammu & Kashmir so far and role of articles 370 and 35 A’. He informed about geographical status of Jammu and Kashmir and about ‘Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Securities Interest Act, 2002, also known as the SARFAESI Act.
He opined that there has been regional discrimination with Jammu and Ladakh. Raina also informed about Valmiki Samaj, discrimination with women, seven exoduses of Kashmiri Pandits, use of the word ‘migrant’, Pakistan occupied J&K and China occupied J&K.
Earlier in the programme, Capt Smita Gaikwad of FINS informed about the organisation through a video while Sunil Kitkaru informed about Bharatiya Vichar Manch. The programme was conducted by Capt Smita Gaikwad. An interactive session was also organised at the end.
