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Sonia calls for restraint in J&K
NEW DELHI: In a strong, though veiled, criticism of the Narendra Modi government for its handling of the violent protests in Kashmir, Congress president Sonia Gandhi
NEW DELHI: In a strong, though veiled, criticism of the Narendra Modi government for its handling of the violent protests in Kashmir, Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday advocated “restraint and sensitivity” in responding to them, saying that they are “our people” and “we cannot forsake them”.
“Dr Manmohan Singh government had done a tremendous amount of good work, along with a serious effort to open and sustain a dialogue. Sadly, this is no longer the case,” she said in her address to party MPs at the Congress parliamentary party meeting here.
“Militants must be dealt with firmly. Yet we must introspect and ask ourselves what has driven scores of young people to such levels of anger and protest, even violence. Can we say in all honesty that we have responded with sincerity to their pleas? They are our people. We cannot forsake them,” said the Congress president.
Her nuanced stance against the iron-fisted approach in dealing with young protesters in the Valley and also her advocacy for opening a dialogue with them came amid the continuing cycle of violence that hit the Valley following the killing of Burhan Wani, a militant commander.
“We must respond with restraint and sensitivity to the harsh realities of recent months. Not doing so is fraught with dangerous long-term consequences. Our party position is clear and consistent: while borders cannot be withdrawn, much can and must be done within the framework of our Constitution,” said Gandhi.
Participating in a debate in the Rajya Sabha on Monday, home minister Rajnath Singh had blamed Pakistan for the unrest in Kashmir situation, but leaders across party lines criticised the government for its handling of protesters.
Meanwhile, BJP’s point man on Kashmir and general secretary Ram Madhav arrived in Srinagar on Wednesday evening. He would meet chief minister Mehbooba Mufti and discuss the prevailing situation in the state.
PAKISTAN OBSERVES BLACK DAY
NEW DELHI/ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said India has no option but to “accept defeat” in the face of a “freedom wave in Kashmir” as Pakistan observed a “black day” on Wednesday to express solidarity with the people of J&K.
The “black day” coincided with Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed leading a “Kashmir Caravan” from Lahore to Islamabad to protest against the situation in the Indian state. Saeed on Tuesday also vowed to march towards J&K.
In a special message, Sharif said: “The current freedom wave in Kashmir would not subside and when nations arose in such a way, nothing could stem their way towards freedom. India had no other option but to accept its defeat before the heroic struggle.”
