Demands for J&K should be under Constitutional Framework: BJP

Pune: Calling Jammu and Kashmir an integral part of India, BJP general secretary Ram Madhav on Saturday said that people of the state have every right to press for their demands, but it should be done within the framework of the Constitution.

"When we say Jammu & Kashmir, we not only have to accept the land, but the people of the state. Kashmir is an integral part of India and there can be no discussion on it.

People there have every right to press for their demands, but it should be done within the framework of the Indian Constitution," he said.

"There are some people who are pro-Pakistan in Kashmir but their number is very low. We have to win over the hearts of the Kashmiri people to strengthen the nationalist forces there," Madhav said while speaking at Devarshi Narad Journalism Awards distribution ceremony held in Fergusson

College here.

On the alleged clampdown on media in Jammu & Kashmir in the wake of widespread protests in the Valley, Madhav claimed there was no ban on newspapers.

"But due to the curfew situation, the distribution of newspapers was difficult." "Some people cried foul about the freedom of expression being suppressed. Freedom of expression is important, but freedom of life is absolute," he said.

Talking about journalism, he said, "Journalism was once a mission, but today it has crossed the limit even of professionalism."

"Arrogance has entered journalism. Journalists need to be more humble. Journalism can succeed only when it acquires humility," said Madhav.

He added that there is an urgent need to bring back the "missionary zeal" of yesteryears.

"Newspapers have become views-papers. There is distortion of news everywhere. We have to look for what the news is in stories. Journalists should understand one thing that with the advent of social media, readers have become smarter and they are well-informed," he said.

Devarshi Narad journalism awards are given jointly by the Vishwa Samwad Kendra, RSS' media arm (Paschim Maharashtra Prant), and Deccan Education Society, which runs Fergusson College, to senior as well as young journalists, photographers, cartoonists working in mainstream and social media.