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THE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI L.K. ADVANI): Hon. Speaker Sir, Members are well aware that terrorist groups in J&K have continuously showed total disregard for the yearning for peace and normalcy on the part of people of J&K, and did not respond positively to the Government"s unilateral Ramzan peace initiative.

Following the withdrawal of Non Initiation of Combat operations, the security forces have stepped up operations against terrorists. Significant success has been achieved in these operations, with the number of terrorists killed in June being 217 and in July being 233.

What we are trying to seek through this Calling Attention Motion is not to score any points on individual issues against Shri L.K. Advani versus Opposition or BJP versus Congress party. It is the question of responsibility of a vigilant Home Minister of India in a given situation of Indian political scenario prevailing in a few States of India including Jammu and Kashmir. We want to know whether he was sufficiently alert and whether he took the cognisance of the facts.

* Not Recorded Sir, from his own statement, I will seek clarifications. Mr. Home Minister, you may recall that before the arrival of General Parvez Musharraf, it was you from your Government who did smell that ‘the Agra Summit may not be a success. There cannot be more expectation.’ You did say it; we did not say it. It means, you were more vigilant to understand and apprehend what kind of things would be coming in Jammu and Kashmir after the visit of General Pervaz Musharraf. You are in command of the entire Home Ministry.

Mr. Home Minister, from July 15th up to 7th August, you did not find time to take cognisance of the issue and you had your first meeting to plan for some action only on 8th August. That is why I say that your competence is in question. You, being the Home Minister, could not take cognisance of what could be the fall out of the situation after the cease-fire is over and you could not take cognisance of what could be the fall out of the situation after the Agra Summit is over.

So, as a Home Minister – not as Shri L.K. Advani – you failed to take cognisance of this issue. Why did you not call for a meeting, right on the 17th July? This is my question. Are you not an alert Home Minister? You knew that General Pervez Musharraf is leaving India with messages like ‘freedom struggle’ or ‘jehad’. You are the Home Minister and you could not summon your Defence Minister, you could not call the Chief Minister and you could not call the officials of the Home Ministry right on 17th July, on your reaching Delhi, to take stock of the situation and to have some action plan. Why did you not do it? Why did you take time till 8th August, that is yesterday, to do it? Were you waiting for some incidents to develop so that you can act? This is where you failed to justify your competency, your alertness to sit in the chair of the Home Minister. Can you deny the fact? Were you waiting? You did not even have the courtesy to justify the importance of the chair. The situation demanded that you should have gone to Jammu & Kashmir personally instead of having sent your MOS. … (Interruptions)

SHRI P.H. PANDIYAN : My approach to the issue is totally different. … (Interruptions)

MR. SPEAKER: There is no time, Shri Pandiyan. Hon. Home Minister has to make a statement in the other House also. Please understand.… (Interruptions)SHRI P.H. PANDIYAN : It is a touchy issue. I must participate. Please give me two minutes. I would complete my speech. … (Interruptions) Kindly permit me to make a speech for two minutes.

MR. SPEAKER: Shri L.K. Advani, please resume your seat.

Shri Pandiyan, you can pose only one question please.