New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha and Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on Wednesday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his comments on Kashmir from Madhya Pradesh. He initiated a debate on Kashmir unrest in the Rajya Sabha and pitched for sending an all-party delegation to the Valley.
He demanded that that the prime minister should speak in the House on Kashmir. He also raised questions over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks about ‘insaniyat’, ‘jamhooriyat’ and ‘Kashmiriyat’. He urged the government to integrate hearts and minds of people of the “integral part of India” to solve problems there.
“We should appeal for peace and tranquility from here for better future of Kashmir. This kind of unison voice should go from Parliament. That apart, an all-party delegation should go there,” the Congress leader said, adding the announcement regarding it should be made immediately as the session is coming to an end in two days.
Initiating the discussion, Azad criticised the prime minister for his “delayed” comments on the Kashmir situation and said even those were made at a rally in Madhya Pradesh rather than in Parliament.
“We are discussing the Kashmir issue for the fourth time. The prime minister should come. The prime minister chose Madhya Pradesh to speak on Kashmir. He did not come to this House,” he said, adding “Since when has Madhya Pradesh become the capital of the country?”
Azad expressed concern over the violence in Kashmir but stressed the government should endeavour to win hearts and minds of the valley people and stop using force, including pellet guns, against protesters.
“If something happens in Africa, you (Modi) tweet, Pakistan is an enemy nation, still you speak when something happens there. It is good to show sympathy with all. But the crown of India (Kashmir) is burning. You must have felt the heat on your head, if not the heart,” he said.
