Madan Das Devi: Not just the RSS or the BJP but everyone, irrespective of party, has joined the agitation. So it’s not a one party issue.

•Manish Chibber: Do you think this would strengthen the demand for a separate state for Jammu? All the people leading this agitation were part of RSS-backed organisations.

Madan Das Devi: Discrimination against Jammu is always on the minds of the people there. There are demands that they want to be fulfilled.

•D K Singh: How similar or different is this Amarnath movement from the Ram temple movement?

Madan Das Devi: The sentiment is common. In the case of Jammu, land was given to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board on lease for some structures to be created for the yatris. The Ram temple is a very old agony of this nation. It was destroyed and it should be revived as Ram Janambhoomi. The fact is that the public is aroused by such issues. That’s the commonality between the two.

•D K Singh: Are you ready to take this movement forward and beyond Jammu?

Madan Das Devi: It is a natural outcome, a reaction to an action.

•D K Singh: You said the Hurriyat Conference is India’s enemy. In hindsight, do you think the NDA government shouldn’t have engaged in a dialogue with the Hurriyat?

Madan Das Devi: That question requires a detailed answer. But we can have a dialogue with anyone. It’s a process of solving problems and exerting pressure. We are in dialogue with China but nothing comes out of it.

... contd.