Hitting Pakistan where it will hurt the most, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged brazen human rights violations in Balochistan, Gilgit and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) in his Independence Day speech from the Red Fort on Monday. Signaling an aggressive stance against Pakistan’s attempt to stoke violence in Kashmir Valley, the Prime Minister said that people in Balochistan province and Gilgit thanked him for raising human rights violations faced by them
at the hands of Pakistani security forces.
It is for the first time, an Indian Prime Minister has highlighted terrorism by Pakistan and atrocities faced by people in Balochistan during an Independence Day speech. Modi had made a similar reference to POK and Balochistan in his speech at an all-party meeting on August 12.
Showing his gratitude to the people of Balochistan and Gilgit, Modi said, “I want to express my gratitude to some people — the people of Balochistan, Gilgit and POK — for the way they whole-heartedly thanked me, the way they expressed gratitude to me, the way they conveyed their goodwill to me recently.”
Though Modi did not make any reference to Kashmir Valley, which is witnessing violence after the killing of Hizbul terrorist Burhan Wani, he accused Pakistan of glorifying terrorists and celebrating killings in India. This was an obvious reference to Wani who has been hailed as a martyr by Pakistan, though he did not name the country directly.
Modi said, “When children were killed in terror attack on a school in Peshawar in 2014, there were tears in our Parliament.
Indian children were traumatised. This is the example of our humanity. But look at the other side where terrorism is glorified.”
The Prime Minister asked the international community to judge the behaviour of India and Pakistan in the context of terror attacks in each other’s country.
Asserting that India will not yield to terrorism and violence, the Prime Minister asked the youth to return to the mainstream by shunning the path of violence —comments which are seen as a message to the youth of Kashmir. “I am telling those youths that there is time left, come back and join the mainstream. Realise your parents’ aspirations. lead a peaceful life. The path of violence has never benefited anyone,” he said.
Talking on social unity, the Prime Minister said, “We have to rise above and fight such anti-social elements. Only then we’ll be able to progress in real sense. National leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Ambedkar ji have always stressed on the need for social unity.” He added that a tough and “sensitive” approach is required to tackle the age-old social evils whether it is casteism or untouchability.
The Prime Minister also referred to the sacrifices of Sikh Gurus. “How can we forget the bravery and sacrifice of the Sikh GurusIJ” he asked.