BJP to Raise FIRs and Disaster Relief Issues in Upcoming Assembly Session: Jairam Thakur
Jairam Thakur, former CM and Leader of Opposition
Mandi, August 7:
Former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition Jairam Thakur announced that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will prominently raise the issue of FIRs filed against residents of Seraj and the plight of disaster-affected people during the upcoming session of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly. Speaking at a press conference in Mandi today, Thakur criticized the Congress for what he described as a pattern of political intimidation, recalling that black flags had once been waved at former CM Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal’s convoy by Congress workers.
Thakur also mentioned a similar incident involving Cabinet Minister Virender Kanwar during an Independence Day event, where he too was targeted by Congress members. He said such actions were not new, citing similar experiences during his own tenure as Chief Minister. However, he clarified that he does not wish to dwell on past events and urged the current government to immediately withdraw the FIRs filed in connection with the Seraj incident.
According to Thakur, nearly 60 people from Seraj have been booked under various FIRs, while four individuals have been specifically charged with insulting the national flag. Questioning the police, he asked, “What evidence do you have against these four? The video footage shows nothing that constitutes disrespect to the Tricolour.” He emphasized that disrespecting the national flag is a deliberate act, and in this case, the protests arose only after Minister Jagat Singh Negi took a high-handed approach with the public. Calling it an exaggerated interpretation, Thakur said the situation is now being misrepresented as an insult to the flag.
Taking a dig at Minister Jagat Singh Negi, Thakur remarked that no institutions were shifted from Kinnaur during past disasters, yet institutions are now being moved out of Seraj simply because it is the constituency of the Leader of the Opposition. “In the past two and a half years, this government has done little beyond this,” he said.
Thakur further stated that land and budget for the Forestry College in Thunag were sanctioned during his tenure, but instead of constructing the college building, the current government is now attempting to shift the institute elsewhere—something he called unjustified and politically motivated.
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