PM advocates a path of “democracy and dialogue” to restore peace in the spirit of ‘insaniyat (humanity), jamhuriyat (democracy) and Kashmiriyat’.
Bhabhra/Alirajpur : Breaking his silence on the 32-day turmoil in Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that children or youths, in whose hands there should be laptop, book, volleyball or cricket bat, who should have dreams in their hearts, such innocent (youths) are given stones to pelt.” He advocated the path of democracy and appealed Kashmiris to maintain peace and harmony in the ‘heaven on earth’.
Modi was in Bhabhra on Tuesday, the birth place of martyred revolutionary Chandra Shekhar Azad, to launch the programme ‘Yaad Karo Kurbani’ .
Addressing a public meeting here, Modi said that his government was looking for developmental solutions to people’s problems. ‘A handful of people, who have been ‘mislead’, are harming the great traditions of Kashmir. I call upon the youth of Kashmir to move forward with the dream of making Kashmir a paradise’, Modi said.
Modi advocated the path of ‘democracy and dialogue’ to restore peace in the spirit of ‘insaniyat’ (humanity), ‘jamhuriyat’ (democracy) and ‘Kashmiriyat’. Reaching out to the people of the turbulent Valley which has witnessed the death of over 55 people in clashes and a record-breaking curfew in large parts, Modi said people of Jammu and Kashmir had the same freedom as enjoyed by every Indian.
These were Modi’s comments on the continuing unrest in the valley in the aftermath of the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani by security forces on July 8.
Modi also asserted that the Mehbooba Mufti government and the Centre are working together to solve the state’s difficulties but some people, who are unable to digest it, are clinging onto the path to destruction.
‘I want to tell the brothers and sisters of Kashmir from this great birthplace of Chandra Shekhar Azad that Kashmir has the same strength that has been given to (other parts of) India by our freedom fighters. Kashmir has the same freedom that every Indian feels. Today, one feels pained to see that innocent youths have been handed stones. Politics of some people is clicking but what will happen to these gullible and simple youths. Humanity and Kashmiriyat will not be allowed to be hit. The path of democracy and dialogue is there’, said Modi.
And I will especially call upon the youngsters of Kashmir that my friends let’s see to it that Kashmir remains heaven on earth. Let’s move forward with this dream,” he said.
The Prime Minister complimented Mehbooba Mufti for ensuring that the Amarnath Yatra continues despite the ‘malicious intentions’ of a few people.
The Prime Minister hailed other political parties, especially Congress, for speaking in one voice on the Kashmir issue, calling it the strength of India. ‘We would like to move forward with this strength’, he said.
Referring to world-famous Kashmiri apples, Modi said the season was about to begin in a few days and the entire country was eagerly waiting to taste them. The people of Kashmir should ensure their efforts in growing them do not go waste, he said. ‘The efforts you have made, you must be paid for that’, he said while promising all necessary support from the Centre.
Modi also used the occasion to make an appeal to Maoists and militants to lay down their arms, asking them to reflect if violence has given them anything even though they lost so much.
Speaking on the day Mahatma Gandhi had given the call for the British to ‘Quit India’ in 1942, the Prime Minister asked the countrymen to take up the cause of nation building and live up to the ideals of freedom fighters.
PM stops his car on the road to accept welcome by locals
Setting aside the security protocol, Prime Minister stopped his cavalcade of vehicles to accept the welcome offered by members of local Bohra community here. When Modi was on his way to the memorial of legendary Chandrashekar Azad, a large number of people lined the road to catch a glimpse of the Prime Minister. When some of them waved at him, Modi asked the driver to stop and got down from the car. They offered him a shawl which he readily accepted. Modi is the first Prime Minister to visit Bhabhra.
