Rajya Sabha discussion on J&K Budget turns into debate on ‘Kashmir Files’, opposition slams BJP

New Delhi: What was supposed to be a discussion about the Jammu and Kashmir Budget in the Rajya Sabha Tuesday turned into a debate on Vivek Agnihotri’s film The Kashmir Files, with Opposition members accusing the BJP government of failing to make way for the return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley despite having had more than seven years to do so.

The debate started when Congress MP Vivek Tankha raised the issue of the Budget being discussed without there being any legislature in J&K to represent local interests. He then changed the subject to the plight of Kashmiri Pandits and said he would introduce a Private Member’s Bill for the rehabilitation of the community.

“I want to know how many Kashmiri Pandits returned to Kashmir after abrogation of Article 370,” Tankha said. “I am bringing a Private Member’s Bill for rehabilitation of Pandits.” He also said that “restoration of democracy” should be initiated in Kashmir as soon as possible.

Leaders from other parties, including Ram Gopal Yadav of the Samajwadi Party and Manoj Kumar Jha of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), also spoke along similar lines. BJP MPs, however, also had counters at the ready, and some also defended against criticism of the film.