In his Independence Day address on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Kashmir issue cannot be solved by “bullets or abuses, but by embracing every Kashmiri”.
Addressing the nation on the 71st Independence Day from the ramparts of the historic Red Fort, Modi asserted that his government is committed to restoring the lost glory of Kashmir and its status as ‘heaven on earth’.
Kashmir problem cannot be resolved by either bullets or by abuses. It can be resolved by embracing all Kashmiris
He added that a “handful of separatists” were resorting to tactics that create problems in the state, and asserted that there will be no tolerance towards terrorism.
During his hour-long speech, Modi also added that violence in the name of faith was not acceptable, and termed casteism and communalism as poison.
Restoring Kashmir’s ‘Heaven on Earth’ Status
The Prime Minister added that not just the J&K government, but the entire country is with the people of the state in “helping them realise their dreams of development”.
Mehbooba Welcomes PM Modi’s Remarks
In a statement, J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti welcomed PM Modi’s Independence Day remarks on Kashmir.
She said the slogan coined by her party 15 years back, which said neither guns nor bullets, only dialogue would resolve the Kashmir issue, was as relevant today as it was then.
She said that she has all along maintained that dialogue and peaceful means could alone resolve the issue as violence had only wrought more destruction in the state.
Abdullah Takes A Dig At PM Modi’s Speech
Former J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah took a dig at Modi’s Independence Day speech by tweeting that the Prime Minister’s assertion that Kashmir issue cannot be solved by abuse and bullets applies to the security forces as well.
Internet Services Suspended in Valley
Internet and mobile phone services were suspended in the Kashmir Valley as a precautionary measure on Independence Day on Tuesday, officials said.
Only BSNL landline service was functional in the valley.
Internet facilities and services of all other mobile phone operators were suspended as a precautionary measure on the 71st Independence Day, the officials said.
(With inputs from PTI)
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