He said referendum is the first step which will followed by demands for a separate Jammu and Kashmir.
“The separatists are making such demands with a ‘jehadi' mindset, but the same thing is being said with a ‘gentle face' by AAP,” he said.
Naqvi added that Army is “not on a picnic' in Kashmir and is there to protect the honour of the country and to negate the nefarious designs of terrorists. “Questioning their integrity is not in national interest.”
Jaitley also slammed the AAP for initial “soft and weak” position on national security and said, “symbolism rather than substance has been displayed in the last ten days.”
The BJP leader said after much difficulty the issue of plebiscite which was internationalised by Pakistan was linked to the territory wrongfully occupied by Pakistan and today it is no longer a part of either the international agenda, a United Nations process or even the Indo-Pak bilateral talks.
Jaitley said BJP is committed to Atal Bihari Vajpayee's declaration that all issues would be resolved within the framework of “Insaniyat” (humanity), which entails elimination of terrorism, dismantling of terrorist infrastructure, comfort, peace and a high quality of life to the people of Jammu & Kashmir.
“The de-militarisation of the Valley can take place only after this object is achieved. The army presence till then is necessary to protect both the territory and the people of Jammu & Kashmir,” he said.
The BJP leader said defence of India is a subject exclusively in the central government's domain, as it is neither a state subject nor a subject to be handled at the municipal level.
“The prime concern of the Indian state is to protect its own sovereignty and integrity. Kashmir has been a part of unfinished agenda of Pakistan emanating from partition,” he said.
