Navjot Sidhu’s adviser Malwinder Singh Mali courts controversy over Kashmir

Sanjeev Singh Bariana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 18

Malwinder Singh Mali, adviser to PCC president Navjot Singh Sidhu, has courted a political controversy with his recent Facebook posts against revocation of the special status and autonomy granted under Article 370 of the Constitution to Jammu and Kashmir.

“Kashmir belongs to Kashmiris. Going against the tenets of the UNO resolutions, India and Pakistan have illegally usurped the Kashmir territory. If Kashmir was a part of India then what was the need to have Articles 370 and 35-A. What was the special agreement with King Hari Singh? Tell people what were the terms of the agreement,” Mali said in his recent posts on Facebook.

Oppn targets PCC chief

• Opposition parties have asked PCC president Navjot Singh Sidhu to clarify his stand on Mali’s controversial remarks on Kashmir
• While state AAP in-charge and MLA Jarnail Singh termed the remarks unfortunate, BJP general secretary Dr Subhash Sharma sought immediate removal of Mali from the PCC post

Talking to The Tribune, Mali stood by his statement and said: “How can Articles 370 and 35A be repealed when the matter is still pending in the Supreme Court?”

Reacting to Mali’s controversial post, SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal said: “Does he stand with forces which are working against the nation? Kashmir is an integral part of India. The police should, in fact, register an FIR against him”. In response, Mali posted a newspaper clipping that showed Akalis in the past supported Kashmir’s right to self-determination.

Meanwhile, BJP general secretary Dr Subhash Sharma has written to Sidhu, asking him whether he agreed with the Mali’s statement on Kashmir. “We ask for immediate action against the adviser,” he said. The PPCC chief could not be contacted despite repeated efforts.

Sidhu appoints media advisers

Chandigarh: Close on the heels of appointing his political advisers, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee chief Navjot Singh Sidhu on Wednesday appointed his media advisers. In a tweet, he said he had appointed senior journalist Jagtar Sidhu and Surinder Dalla as his media advisers. — TNS

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