- Fourth debate in Rajya Sabha over the turmoil in Jammu and Kashmir initiated by Congress.
- Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad attacks Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not making a statement in the Parliament.
- Kashmir unrest started after Hizbul Mujahideen commander and youth icon Burhan Wani was shot dead.
- The death toll of protesters has reached 56 as the curfew in the Valley entered day 33.
- Finance Minister Arun Jaitley asked the Opposition to not politicise the issue.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the Rajya Sabha for holding a lengthy democratic debates on the issue of Kashmir. He also informed the parliament about the measures taken by Jammu and Kashmir’s CM, Mehbooba Mufti, to help in distribution of food amidst the curfew.
The CM has taken care of the civilians. Despite the curfew, 95 percent of the food grain have been distributed. 3600 tonnes of sugar was also distributed. 5600 trucks carrying staple food has gone to Kashmir. Around 400 ambulances are working to take the injured to the hospitals. Around 8000 small and big surgeries have taken place in the hospitals.
Addressing the concerns of several opposition parties about the use of pellet guns, the minister said “if pellet guns are considered lethal, then an alternative must be thought about.”
We have told the soldiers to keep as much patience as they can. India’s heart beats for Kashmir, nobody should doubt. But it pains the heart to see that those who should have books and laptops in their hands, are being given stones. I urge all the Kashmiri youths to come and join us in a dialogue to solve this issue together.
He also informed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be present to discuss Kashmir in an all-party meeting that will be held on 12 August. He also appealed to the Kashmiris to prevent those who raise pro-Pakistani slogans in the valley
Pro-Pakistani slogans will not be allowed in India! Some LeT militants were found in the valley. Pakistan is behind the Kashmir unrest. Dialogues will be held with Pakistan only on PoK, not Kashmir! No force of the world can take Kashmir away from India.
All of the resolutions taken by the Home Minister were unanimously passed by all parties present in the Rajya Sabha.
Well known lawyer and RJD leader, Ram Jethmalani told the Rajya Sabha that he had sent a letter to Jammu and Kashmir’s Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti insisting that all dialogues with Pakistan be cut off, but have India “surrender to Kashmir”.
CPI leader from Kerala, D Raja asked the government to reveiw AFSPA to prevent further alienation of the Kashmiris. Along with that he said that there is a need for the Prime Minister to speak on the Kashmir issue in the Parliament.
Kashmiris do not trust the central government. I think it’s time to stop using pellet guns and excess power. AFSPA should be reviewed. P Chidambaram had himself said that people find the presence of security and overbearing and insulting. I am telling the government to take upon the misadventure of imposing president’s rule in Kashmir as Subramanian Swamy insists. Let’s not further alienate them. And when we say we’re all one, they should also feel that they are all one.