Political parties as well as section of separatists today welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's words on Kashmir in his Independence Day speech. Opposition National Conference (NC) working president Omar Abdullah said PM's speech has been received very well by the people in the valley, but the words should now be followed by action.
In his Independence Day address, PM Modi reached out to strife-hit Kashmiris, asserting that Kashmir problem cannot be resolved by either bullets or by abuses and that a solution can be found by embracing them. Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the historic Red Fort, he asserted that his government is committed to restoring the lost glory of Kashmir and its status as 'heaven on earth'.
Neither 'golis' nor 'gaalis' will solve the Kashmir issue, says PM Modi on 71st Independence Day
'Very well received by people'
"PM Modi's words for Kashmir have been very well received by the people here but everyone here is weary of yet more talk and (and) no concrete action," he wrote on Twitter.
"The proof of the pudding is in the eating. We look forward to being embraced in the warm grip of understanding, acceptance and respect," the former J-K chief minister said.
"That respect must include respect for the unique status J&K enjoys within the constitution of India that sets it apart from all other states," he said, referring to the row over Article 35A, which provides special rights to the citizens of J-K, of the Constitution.
Abdullah also took a dig at news channels, asking that "without the goli (bullets) and the gaali (abuses) what would happen to the TV news studios that specialise in deploying these weapons against all Kashmiris?"
Mehbooba Mufti welcomes PM's Kashmir outreach
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks. In a statement issued here, Chief Minister Mufti said she has all along believed that only dialogue and peaceful means can help in resolving issues as the futility of violence has
been established all around.
"The slogan -- Bandook se na goli se, Baat banegi boli se (neither guns nor bullets, only dialogue can resolve the issue)-- coined by the PDP (her party) some 15 years ago is as relevant today as it was then," she said.
Mirwaiz welcomes PM's speech on Kashmir
Moderate Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq also joined the Kashmir-based parties in welcoming PM Modi's statement, saying if humanity and justice replace bullets and abuses, resolution of Kashmir issue can become a reality.
"Welcome @narendramodi also believes Goli (bullets) and gaali (abuses) will not help resolve Kashmir if insaniyat (humanity) and (and) insaaf (justice) replace them Resolution can become a Reality," he wrote on Twitter.
(With PTI inputs)
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