Amid growing demand from various quarters for a political solution to the volatile situation in Kashmir Valley, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday highlighted “Ekta” (unity) and “Mamata” (compassion) as the basic mantras for resolving the problem. At the same time, the PM also flayed those pushing “innocent” children to violence, saying they will have to answer them some day.
As the unrest entered the 51st day in the Valley and toll reached around 70, the PM said that if any life is lost in the Valley, whether of any youth or any security man, “that loss is ours, of our own, of our own country”.
“It is the view of all of us, the view of 125 crore people from a pradhan of a village to the Prime Minister, that if any life is lost in Kashmir, whether of any youth or any security man, that loss is ours, of our own, of our own country,” said Modi.
The PM was speaking on the unrest in the Valley in his monthly radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’.
“From the interactions, I had with all parties on Kashmir, one thing emerged from those, which can be put in simple words as ‘Ekta’ and ‘Mamata’. These two things were the basic mantra.”
He said all the political parties had spoken in one voice on Kashmir, sending out a “message to the world as well as separatist forces” besides conveying “our sentiments to the people of Kashmir”.
To emphasise that in unity the country can achieve its interest, the PM cited the passage of landmark GST Bill by Parliament for which all the parties came together.
While trying to strike a chord with the people of the State, the PM also slammed “those people who push small children to try to create unrest in Kashmir”, saying “some day, they will have to give answers to these innocent children”.
The Prime Minister’s remarks came a day after Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti met him and presented a “three-pronged action plan” that includes dialogue with all stakeholders.
“This country is very big, full of diversities. To keep it united, it is the responsibility of all of us, as individual citizens, as a society and as a Government, to strengthen the unity as much as we can, highlight it as much as we can. Only then can the nation achieve its bright future. I have confidence in the power of 125 crore people of the country,” he said in the 23rd edition of his programme.
The Prime Minister’s emotional appeal to the people of the embattled Valley is expected to be backed by prompt political initiative. As part of it, Home Minister Rajnath Singh may lead an all-party delegation, which will visit Jammu & Kashmir on September 3.
Singh discussed the modalities of the all-party delegation with BJP president Amit Shah, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Minister of State in the PMO Jitendra Singh on Sunday. Sources said the meeting discussed possible individuals and groups with whom the delegation may interact.
The Government has sounded out different political parties to convey the names of their representatives who will be part of the delegation. When asked about what transpired at the meeting, Jitendra Singh refused to elaborate telling reporters that “Rajnath Singh is a senior leader and we have come for ‘Margdarshan’ (guidance)”.