BJP questions Swami Agnivesh's commitment to nation

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday lashed out at social activist Swami Agnivesh for leading a protest march along with JKLF chairman Yaseen Malik in Jammu and Kashmir and questioned his commitment to the nation's integrity.

"If any famous personality shares anything with those who are separatists and seems to be boosting up their morale, it definitely puts a question marks on both his reputation and his commitment to the integrity of nation. ," said BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi.

Another BJP spokesperson Sanjay Kaul echoing similar sentiments welcomed the detention of Malik and Swami Agnivesh when they tried to lead a march toward Narbal in central Kashmir's Budgam district where a youth was killed in firing by security forces during a protest.

"I think that decision is correct. What surprises is that people, who have no relationship and no locus standi with regard to the issue at hand, are intending to add more complexity to the issue and are landing up and participating in such demonstrations. I think this needs to be looked at very carefully and if the state has moved to detain these two people then I think that it has done the right thing," he said.

The police took the duo into preventive custody at Maisuma as they attempted to take out a march toward Narbal.

Earlier in the day, the social activist had joined Malik in the 30-hour hunger strike against the proposal to create separate settlements for Kashmiri migrant Pandits.

The separatist leaders have been vehemently opposed to separate townships for Kashmiri Pandits and had even called for a complete shutdown across the valley over the issue.