PM Modi’s Twin Mantras For Kashmir.

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today reached out to Kashmir with a roadmap for healing touch — saying “ekta” (unity) and “mamata” (compassion) could be the “twin mantras” for the state.

“From the interactions I had with all parties on Kashmir, one thing emerged, which can be put in simple words as Ekta‘ and Mamata. These two things were the basic mantra,” The Prime Minister said in his monthly radio address Mann ki Baat. “It is the view of all of us, of 125 crore people from a pradhan of a village to the Prime Minister, that if any life is lost in Kashmir, whether of any youth or any securityman, that loss is ours”.

He further said all parties were united on Kashmir – something similar to the passing GST bill in the assembly. “They sent a message to the world, to the separatists and reached out to the people of Kashmir.”

At the same time, he sent a warning to the people “instigating the youth in Kashmir”, saying they have to answer to them as well.

The Prime Minister’s outreach comes days after his meeting with Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti in Delhi and the state’s opposition parties, all of whom have pushed for dialogue. In Kashmir, the ruling PDP and Opposition National Conference have welcomed the Prime Minister’s statement.

The Congress, however, was critical. Party spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said, “It is on the 51st day PM found time to address this volatile issue. This shows how seriously the central government is looking at this matter.”

The Prime Minister’s message to trouble-makers in the state — on a platform for positive messages — comes a day after Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif stepped up the offensive on Kashmir, nominating 22 parliamentarians as special envoys to world capitals to highlight the issue.

India has accused Pakistan of fueling the unrest in Kashmir, where nearly 70 people have died and 5,000 have been injured since the death of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani on July 8.

Investigators say around Rs. 24 crore has been pumped into the Valley – much of it routed through functionaries of pro-Pakistan separatist groups. Around 10 bank accounts in the state are under investigation of the National Investigative Agency or NIA.

India has also turned down Pakistan’s offers for talks on Kashmir, saying it was open to discussing cross-border infiltration and terrorism – which was much more “relevant”.

Source From : ndtv.com