Blaming the neighbouring country for fomenting trouble in J&K, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday described the unilateral Ramzan ceasefire as a reaching-out, and appealed to the youth of the State to give up arms.
“The idea of Ramzan ceasefire is to give Kashmiri youth a sense of stability and a chance to progress. The ceasefire is also an awakening call to those forces misusing Islam. This month is the time when we rededicate ourselves to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad. It’s an honour that I am here during Ramazan,” Mr. Modi said in his speech at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre here.
The Prime Minister inaugurated multiple projects worth ₹25,000 crore, including the 330-MW Kishenganga power project, the Zojila tunnel and the ring roads for Srinagar and Jammu.
Amnesty scheme
Referring to the amnesty scheme for stone-throwers as an effort to bring the youth to the mainstream, he asked armed youth “to also join the mainstream and become active participants in J&K’s progress and pride”.
On the alienation of the youth, Mr. Modi said, “There is no power which can create a wedge between two brothers ... People who have been engaging in creating a wedge between J&K and the rest of the country are now on the verge of extinction.”
“Every stone being hurled hurts the hearts here. There are foreign forces which do not want to see a happy and prosperous Kashmir. We have to fight these forces from across the border,” he said.
Underlining that Centre’s special representative Dineshwar Sharma would talk to all elected representatives, groups and organisations, Mr. Modi said, “All those who want to talk should strengthen the peace process and the Kashmiryat-Jamooriyat [democracy] connection. The civil society, intelligentsia and religious leaders should contribute to it. Vikas [development] is the only solution.”
Vajpayee’s ideology
Reiterating his earlier remarks on Independence Day that “not abuse or bullets but embracing of Kashmiris is required”, Mr. Modi said people of J&K for centuries had been the sons of Mother India.
“The mother’s milk will see no split ever. This land has always been welcoming and rooted in secular traditions. [Former Prime Minister] Atal Bihari Vajpayee was in awe of J&K’s Kashmiriyat, Modi too is a disciple of it,” he said.
Calling J&K to be part of a new India, the Prime Minister said the State would have the “best education, best hospitals, best airports and best roads”.
He extended his support to improve and modernise tourism to increase the footfall and harness the water potential of the State.
Mr. Modi also praised the security forces for their coordination and hardships they face in J&K.
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti welcomed Mr. Modi’s ceasefire initiative and stressed the need to implement the Agenda of Alliance.
“Mothers here are having a peaceful sleep these days due to the ceasefire. Unfortunately, Pakistan did not respond. I hope the Prime Minister will continue with his efforts to find a lasting solution to the pain and wounds of J&K”.
She said people believe that only Prime Minister Modi “has the strength to move on and take the people of J&K out of the present situation.”
