Will change face and fate of Kashmir, says Rajnath in Srinagar

By Mudassir Kuloo

SRINAGAR: Hitting out at Pakistan and separatists for trying to “destabilise” Jammu and Kashmir, Home Minister, Rajnath Singh, on Thursday said New Delhi won’t allow any obstacle” to come in the way of its mission to ensure lasting peace in the state.
Addressing a press conference at SKICC here after arrived on his two-day visit to the state, Singh said “Government has a lot of love for the state and the Centre has decided to withdraw cases against those misled into stone pelting.”
He said that youth picking up the guns and stones was a “cause of concern” for the government.
“I would like to repeat that no matter how many obstacles come in our way, we will not be deterred in our aim to bring lasting peace to Kashmir,” he said.
He appealed to the youth not to tread the path of “destruction” and said the Centre and the state government had initiated several schemes to help them secure their future.
Speaking on the Centre’s decision to withdraw cases against the youth of the state who had indulged in stone pelting, the Union Home Minister said this decision was taken keeping in mind the welfare of “innocent youth who were misguided into indulging in acts of stone pelting”.
The Union home ministry late last year had ordered to withdraw cases against youths involved in stone pelting.
He was flanked by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, Deputy Chief Minister Kavindar Gupta, MoS in PMO Jitendra Singh and Union Home Secretary.
“There is extreme love in the heart of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for Jammu and Kashmir. It is our responsibility to provide a secure future to the youth of the state and it can be done with the power of education and miracle of sports,” he said in his address at Indoor Stadium Srinagar.
Referring to separatists, he said that peace in Kashmir Valley is being disrupted by elements misleading and provoking the youth. “They (separatists) can play any kind of politics, but they should not play with the future of children. These children are not only the children of Kashmir, but also of India, they are an asset,” he said.
“Giving your children the best of education and handing out stones to the children of others? What is this? I always felt there is a lot of talent in the youth here, IAS, IIM etc results are a proof. Youth are being misguided by certain forces,” he said.
He said the central government intended to open a dialogue in Kashmir and therefore appointed its Special Representative Dineshwar Sharma who visited the state 11 times since he was given the assignment in October last year.
“He doesn’t come here on tourist trips. He meets the people of the state to find solutions to their problems. I am sticking to what I said on my first visit to Kashmir (as Home Minister) that we want talks with every section of the society to resolve their problems.”
Saying that the government is open for talks, he said, “We are open to dialogue with all, you don’t need to be like-minded to talk, but you do need to be right-minded.”
He claimed that in spite of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ceasefire announcement, Pakistan “continues to violate the ceasefire”.
Praising the armed forces and Jammu and Kashmir Police, he said, “I have no hesitation in saying that our security forces, including the army and police, have worked with utmost restraint.”
He claimed that some forces wanted to destabilize the Indian, which has world’s fastest economy.
He said that all important religions exist in India. “In no Islamic country you will found all 72 sects unlike in India.”
He recalled former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s approach of insaniyat (humanity), jumhooriyat (democracy) and Kashmiriyat (eclectic culture) said, “Those who pick up guns cannot be said to be believers of democracy.”
“Kashmiriyat includes both Hazratbal (the Srinagar Muslim shrine that houses the relic of Prophet) and Amarnath (the Hindu hill shrine in south Kashmir). (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi said from the Red Fort that the problem of Kashmir can be solved by embracing Kashmiris and not by abusing them.”
The Home Minister said the issue of extending or calling off the ceasefire would be discussed with the Chief Minister before taking a final call. “Nothing can be ruled out,” he said.
He also said that government was strengthening the police force in JK.
Lauding the state government for carrying out works for improving the sports infrastructure, the Home Minister said funds will not be a problem for promoting sports in Jammu and Kashmir. “Funds will be provided for promotion of water sports at Mansar and Pahalgam. Funds will be arranged for development of sports infrastructure,” he said. “With the help of the Jammu and Kashmir government, we will change the face and destiny of the state,” Singh added.