Oops! RSS magazine shows PoK as Pak territory

The publication of a map in Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh mouthpiece Organiser depicting a part of Jammu and Kashmir as part of Pakistan, on Friday evoked consternation in Rajya Sabha, with the Opposition asking whether the government approved it.

An embarrassed government promised to investigate the matter saying this was not its stand and neither of the Sangh.

The matter was raised by Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad when the House met for the day, saying a map published in the Organiser depicted Pak-occupied Kashmir as part of Pakistan.

"Jammu and Kashmir is the crown of India and numerous sacrifices have been made to maintain it as the crown," he said.

Observing that the BJP and RSS have been in the forefront of protests whenever a foreign magazine showed PoK as part of Pakistan, Azad wanted to know from the government if it approved of the Organiser map.

Responding on behalf of the government, Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said Jammu and Kashmir was an integral part of India and "we will investigate" the article in Organiser.

This is "not the view of the Sangh, neither the BJP's and nor that of the government," Prasad said.

Despite the Minister's reply, Congress members continued to press the issue, with S Chaturvedi wanting to know what action the government proposes to take against the author.

Deputy Chairman P J Kurien said the Minister has made a categorical statement that Jammu and Kashmir is part of India and nobody can change it.