Modi Appeals for Peace in J&K, Blames ‘Misled Handful’ for Unrest

On Tuesday, Modi gave a speech in Alirajpur as part of a 15-day celebration of 70 years of India’s Independence.

File photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (Photo: IANS)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday, reached out to the people of turbulent Kashmir and indicated willingness to hold dialogue under the framework of insaniyat (humanity), jamhuriyat (democracy) and Kashmiriyat.

When Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the Prime Minister he had adopted the path of <i>insaniyat</i>, <i>jamhuriyat</i> and <i>Kashmiriyat</i> and we walk the same road. 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.

Narendra Modi

He said Kashmir has the freedom which is felt by Indians everywhere and 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.

Be it the Jammu and Kashmir government under Mehboobaji or the central government, we are finding solutions to all problems through development...Some people are causing Kashmir a lot of harm. Kashmir wants peace. Whatever Kashmiris want for betterment of their livelihood, the Centre will provide.

Narendra Modi

He said only a “handful of people who have been misled” were causing trouble in the Kashmir Valley, where protests since the killing of a rebel commander in 8 July has left over 55 people dead and thousands injured.

Breaking his silence on the over-a-month-long unrest which has claimed more than 55 lives, Modi said it was painfull to see innocent youngsters, who should be holding laptops, book and cricket bats, have been given stones and appealed to them for maintaining peace and harmony in the “heaven” on earth.

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,” he told a public meeting here, the birthplace of Azad.

Narendra Modi

Modi’s comments on Kashmir follow his recent condemnation of the attacks on Dalits in the name of cow-vigilantism. His vocal rejection of gau-rakshaks, in turn, triggered a wave of criticism against him.

Modi’s Independence Day Preparation

Modi also paid homage to Chandrashekar Azad at the freedom fighter’s birthplace Bhabra in Madhya Pradesh and became the first Prime Minister to visit the village.

Accompanied by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Modi also visited Azad’s memorial and gathered details about the freedom fighter’s life and struggle for the country’s independence.

After offering floral tributes, Modi also got photographs clicked with Azad’s life-size statue.

The Prime Minister was in Bhabra to inaugurate the programme ‘70 Saal Azadi, Yaad Karo Kurbani’ (70 years of Independence – Let’s recall the sacrifices), commemorating seven decades of the country’s Independence.

Bhabra is located in Alirajpur district of Madhya Pradesh.

(With inputs from IANS and PTI.)