Srinagar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that “there is rhetoric and politics on Kashmir” and that New Delhi was committed to restore the state to its former glory “so as to experience the paradise that it was, once again.”
“On Kashmir, there is rhetoric and politics. But I am clear in my belief on how to win the war against separatism, which is spread by a handful of people,” Modi said in his Independence Day speech from the Red Fort in New Delhi.
“(Na gaali se, na goli se, parivartan hoga gale lagaane se (The problem will be solved neither by abuse or bullets – it will be solved by embracing all Kashmiris). Such is the legacy of 125 crore Indians. Hence, neither by abuse nor by bullets, change will come by embracing all. And we are moving forward with this resolve,” the Prime Minister said.
Modi said that his Government will “take strict steps against terrorism” and asked leaders of Hurriyat Conference to join the mainstream.
“There is no question of being soft on ‘terrorism or terrorists’. We have been asking the extremists to join the mainstream. Democracy provides an equal opportunity and rights to be heard for all. The process of engagement can take place only by their joining the mainstream,” Modi said and “appreciated” the efforts of government forces in curbing what he termed “the Left Wing extremism which mobilized a lot of youth from these regions to surrender and joined the mainstream.”
He said that it was not only the J&K government, “responsible citizens also have a responsibility” for the development and progress of Jammu and Kashmir, its prosperity, and “fulfilment of the aspirations of the citizens.”
“We are committed to restore the state to its former glory so as to experience the paradise that it was, once again,” he said.
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