Lower diplomatic ties with Pak till it mends ways: Rajnath

BJP President Rajnath Singh today slammed PM Manmohan Singh for deciding to engage Pakistan across the talks table, saying India should lower the status of its diplomatic relations with the neighbouring country in light of recent ceasefire violations by it.

"Government of India should lower the status of its diplomatic relations with Pakistan till it mends its ways and stops ceasefire violations, cross-border firing and attacks on forward posts along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir," Singh said here at a party convention.

Lashing out at Pakistan for cross-border terrorism and violations of the border truce between the two countries, Singh said, "The UPA government has failed to give a befitting reply to Pakistan."

He condemned the PM's decision to go for a dialogue with Pakistan in the wake of recent cases of killing and decapitation of Indian soldiers by Pakistan forces.

Expressing concern over communal clashes early this month in Kishtwar, Singh said it was important to ensure the security of the minorities living there.

He called for compensation to be paid to traders in Kishtwar for losses suffered by them during the clashes.

The BJP stands solidly behind the minorities in J-K and will continuously struggle to strengthen nationalist forces in the state, Singh said.

He hit out at the Omar Abdullah government for allegedly encouraging anti-national forces and failing to deliver good governance to the people of the state.

He also called for nomination of candidates from amongst the refugees from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to the 24 seats in the state Assembly which have been reserved for them but are lying vacant.

"If BJP comes to power, it will grant citizenship rights to the refugees," he said.