Srinagar, Aug 17 Jammu and Kashmir Congress president Tariq Karra on Monday accused the BJP of using its protest over Vande Mataram as a “diversionary tactic” to deflect attention from growing public anger over issues concerning the youth and students.
Karra said there was a wave of anger against the BJP across the country over issues including alleged irregularities in examinations and other matters affecting students and young people.
“There are two or three backgrounds to the BJP protest. The first background is that there is a wave of anger against them across the country,” Karra said.
He alleged that the BJP was attempting to divert public attention from the issues facing the youth.
“As you can see, there is no state in the country where the youth, students and the future of this country is not in a state of anger. So, this is one of the diversions,” he said.
Karra also rejected the BJP’s allegation that the Congress had disrespected Vande Mataram, saying the party did not accept the version of the song that was used.
“There is nothing to be disrespected. However, by mistake, they used a version that the Congress did not accept,” he said.
The J&K Congress chief said the party had already made its position clear and described the version as a “twisted” rendition.
“The Congress Party has clearly stated that it is a twisted version. They are presenting a wrong version. We do not accept that,” he said.
Karra further alleged that the BJP’s protest reflected its frustration and said the Congress had lodged a complaint over the manner in which the party had attacked it.
“There can be a procession or a protest. But we have lodged a complaint against the way they have attacked,” he said.
His remarks came amid a political row over Vande Mataram and competing protests by the BJP and Congress.
