Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday broke his silence on Kashmir issue and said that that a “handful of people have been misled and are hurting the great land of Kashmir.”
Indicating Centre's willingness to hold dialogue with the people of Kashmir, Modi said that his government was walking the path that Atal Bihari Vajpayee took when it comes to Kashmir.
"When Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the Prime Minister he had adopted the path of insaniyat, jamhuriyat and Kashmiriyat 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," the Prime Minister said.
His message came a day after the Opposition accused him of doing enough for Kashmir. The Kashmir Valley has been under curfew for over a month after clashes between protesters and security forces broke out following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani.
Breaking his silence on the over-a-month-long unrest which has claimed more than 55 lives, Modi said it was painfully 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.
He added that the both Centre and state government was trying to find a solution of all problems through development. “Whether it is the Jammu and Kashmir government under Mehbooba Mufti ji or the Central Govt, we are finding a solution to all problems through development,” he said.
“Kashmir wants peace. Whatever Kashmiris want for betterment of their livelihood, the Centre will help. We want development for J&K,” he said, adding, “Kashmir wants peace. The citizen of Kashmir wants to earn more money through tourism.”
