After an intense debate in the Rajya Sabha over the volatile Kashmir situation, the Government and the Opposition on Wednesday came together to find a way forward to take steps to win trust of the people and diffuse the ongoing circle of violence that has claimed 55 lives and left hundreds of people in hospital with pellet gun injuries.
Expressing full solidarity with the people of Kashmir under the prevailing crisis resulting in days of curfews, the Upper House unanimously appealed to the people in Valley to restore peace.
Accusing Pakistan for the vitiating atmosphere in the region, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said the Centre has convened an all-party meeting on Friday which will also be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to resolve the crisis immediately.
Replying to the concerns expressed by senior members of the Rajya Sabha hailing from the State of Jammu & Kashmir, including Minister of State Jitender Singh, leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad, and Dr Karan Singh, the Home Minister also promised to consider sending an all-party delegation to Kashmir.
While the Congress and other parties pitched for sending the all-party delegation to the Valley, CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury said that there is trust deficit among the people due to a “string of betrayals”. Members from the SP, the BSP, the BJD, and the NCP among others too called for starting a political dialogue with the people as well as sending an all-party delegation to the Valley.
“Whatever is happening in Kashmir is not because of people of Kashmir. Whatever is happening is Pakistan-sponsored,” said the Home Minister, adding that no power on earth can snatch Kashmir from India. Singh referred to a letter of Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to the UN seeking ‘plebiscite’ in Kashmir.
Singh also declared that there is no question of handing over Kashmir to the Army, quashing rumours that are being spread “deliberately”. Azad had referred to the word going rounds in Kashmir that the Valley will be handed over to the Army after the completion of Amarnath Yatra next week.
Twenty-nine MPs from across the political spectrum spoke in over six-hour
debate and after that they unanimously adopted a resolution, saying, “This House expresses its serious concern over the prolonged turbulence,
violence and curfew in the Kashmir Valley.”
The resolution asserted that the House “is of the firm and considered view that while there cannot be any compromise on national security, it is equally imperative that urgent steps are taken to restore order and peace for the alleviation of the sufferings of the people.”While Jitender Singh and Azad were political in their speech, Karan Singh shared some relevant details pertaining to right from beginning of signing of Instrument of Accession by his father Hari Singh till date and stated that he has witnessed everything.
On behalf of the Kashmiri Pandits, newly elected Vivek Tankha (Congress) from Madhya Pradesh spoke about the plight.
Though members of the PDP were emotional and their speech received much applause from across the Benches.
While replying to the debate during which demands were made for stopping the use of pellet guns, Rajnath Singh said instructions have been issued to security forces to exercise “maximum restraint” but there will be no compromise on national security and pro-Pakistan slogans on the Indian soil will not be tolerated in any case.
Responding to demands for initiating a political process in Kashmir, the Home Minister said the Government is ready to have talks with mainstream parties, moderates and others. Singh referred to the remarks made by the Prime Minister about ‘Insaniyat, Jamhooriyat and Kashmiriyat’ while invoking Atal Bihari Vajpayee and said the government is walking on that path. Singh also lauded Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, saying she and her government had done a good job in this difficult situation.
He insisted that only some parts of Kashmir, and not the entire valley, are under curfew and that in rest of the places, markets are closed due to “fear” owing to strike called by separatists.