Desperate to find a way out of the current Kashmir imbroglio, the Central government on Wednesday agreed to convene an all party meet on Friday, August 12, to discuss Kashmir unrest. Despite a vigorous demand from the Opposition, Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not attend the discussion on Rajya Sabha on the prevailing situation in Kashmir but agreed to attend the All Party meeting.
Replying to over six-hour long debate on Kashmir unrest in which 29 MPs across parties spoke, union home minister Rajnath Singh also agreed to Opposition’s demand of initiating the dialogue process. Indicating government’s resolve to keep the hard line separatist leaders out, Singh said talks can be held with moderates, mainstream parties and other organisations and stakeholders in Jammu and Kashmir and invited the Opposition, especially Congress, to find ways to start the process.
“We will do what we can, you also try at your end,” said Rajnath gesturing to Congress benches.
Regarding sending an all party delegation to Kashmir, Rajnath said, he would speak to J&K chief minister about it and request her to prepare the ground as advised by Dr Karan Singh and Sitaram Yechury.
To a pointed question from leader of the opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad, if the government is thinking to hand over Kashmir to the army after completion of Amarnath Yatra, Rajnath said “it will never happen.”
Attacking Pakistan for meddling in Kashmir affairs lately, Rajnath said, “No force of the world can take away Kashmir from us. If talks will be held with Pakistan on this issue it will not be on Kashmir but on Pakistan Occupied Kashmir.”
Rajnath also warned the hard line elements in Kashmir to desist from raising slogans of Pakistan Zindabad. “Such slogans will not be allowed on the Indian soil.”
At the end of the discussion, the upper House unanimously adopted a resolution expressing its serious concern over the prolonged turbulence, violence and curfew in the Kashmir valley.
