New Delhi: Slamming the government over the situation in Kashmir, Opposition in the Rajya Sabha on Monday pressed for holding an all-party meet to discuss the issue and pitched for a political solution rather than using “barrel of the gun” while dealing with the unrest.
During a short-duration discussion on the Kashmir situation, Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said while his party stands with the Modi government and the coalition in the state in dealing firmly with militancy, the “excessive use” of force against the common citizens, including children and women, is not acceptable.
For the current unrest, he blamed a number of reasons including BJP’s participation in government with PDP in the state, provocative statements made by some leaders of BJP and RSS besides Pakistan, “whose existence is the root cause of all problems.”
He underlined that Kashmir cannot be ruled “through the barrel of the gun or bullets” and demanded that responsibility be fixed for “excessive use” of force.
He also demanded all-party meeting on the issue.
Leader of House Arun Jaitley admitted that the situation in Kashmir was a “matter of concern” but rejected the contention that the violence in the valley was a result of the BJP getting into power at the state.
Asserting that efforts are underway to restore normalcy at the earliest, he said the entire country should speak in one voice at this time and common man should not be made to suffer there.
Asking the youth to stay away from the agitation which is being held against the killing of a militant, he said, “When thousands of people attack the police, then understandably, there will be action. The fight is between the country and the separatists and common people are standing with the country which is in national interest.”
Azad said the Congress wanted the violence to abate as he appreciated that Muslims in Kashmir did not target the Amarnath Yatra, which helped in this.
He said when a vehicle carrying Amarnath pilgrims met with an accident, the Kashmiri youth came forward and donated blood. He also cited last week’s incident when Muslims in a Kashmir locality broke curfew to carry the body of a Hindu man who had died. Reiterating that Kashmir issue cannot be resolved through bullets, Naresh Agarwal (SP) said it was high time for the government to “take a strong decision” and convene an all- party meeting “this evening, tomorrow or day after” to discuss the issue. “We are not in favour of politicising the issue. We are with government even in a situation of war against Pakistan.
We are not here for vote politics. Have courage, take a decision, reform your bad policies and win peoples’ confidence. Make it your integral part,” Agarwal said. Alleging that “the paradise on earth is reeling under curfew” due to political reasons, Agarwal said the situation was such that Pakistan Prime Minister had also issued statements. “Every day, Pakistan raises Kashmir issue in the UN”, he said and added that “it is time to take a strong decision.” “Bring a resolution for peace in Kashmir. Send a parliamentary delegation there, headed by the Home Minister.
Listen to the people there, win their confidence,” the SP leader said, adding that BJP and PDP had opposing views on several issues and there was a need to tackle the situation urgently. Vijila Sathyanath (AIADMK) sought a special package for violence-hit Kashmir besides special opportunities for the youth there. “Government must take immediate steps to restore peace and tranquility there,” she said.