Balochistan was a strategic retreat: RSS Chief

Jammu, Aug 21 (PTI) Rashtriya Seva Sangh (RSS) chief
Mohan Bhagwat Friday said allowing a reference to Balochistan
in the joint Indo-Pak statement at Sharm-el-Sheikh signified a
"weak step" by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, calling it a "
blunder and strategic retreat".

"Till now various governments ruled the country. But
for the first time, Balochistan reference was a blunder by
this government. It was a strategic retreat. It was weak
step", Bhagwat told reporters here in India's northernmost
state Jammu and Kashmir Friday.

When asked whether Singh was weak, he said,"
Strategically, India has gone on backfoot."

Referring to terrorism and future of talks with
Pakistan, Bhagwat said "gooli say boli nahi hoo saktee.
Pahlay gooli band karvoo to pir boli kee bat karoo. (no talks
can be held in the face of terror. First ensure bloodshed is
stopped then only talks can be held".

In reply to a question on China's expansionist strategy,
the RSS chief said there is a need for a strict vigil to
thwart any evil designs by Beijing.

Referring to Jammu and Kashmir, he strongly favoured
scrapping of Article 370 (Special Status) as it only fuelled
separatism and was being exploited by anti-national elements
in the valley.

With regard to the controversial Armed Forces Special
Powers Act (AFSPA) and demand by the PDP for its withdrawal
along with security forces, he said, "security forces should
have special powers till the problem for which the Act was
imposed in Jammu and Kashmir is resolved". PTI AB
DDC
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