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All-party meet on J&K tomorrow

Union home minister Rajnath Singh declared Wednesday that “no power on earth can take Kashmir from India”, squarely blaming Pakistan for “whatever is happening in Kashmir.” The government has decided

Union home minister Rajnath Singh declared Wednesday that “no power on earth can take Kashmir from India”, squarely blaming Pakistan for “whatever is happening in Kashmir.” The government has decided to hold an all-party meeting on Friday on the issue, that will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The home minister also dispelled “deliberate” rumours about the Army taking over control in Kashmir, saying “it was out of the question”.

Responding in the Rajya Sabha to a debate lasting over eight hours, the longest ever on Kashmir in Parliament, and after hearing 29 members, the home minister also promised to consider sending an all-party delegation to the Valley. He agreed to include all stakeholders, even the moderates, for introspection, while promising “maximum restraint” by security forces in using pellet guns, on which members across party lines demanded an immediate ban.

The home minister, however, spoke sternly while referring to a letter by Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif to the UN on a “plebiscite” in Kashmir, saying: “After assessing the feelings of this House, I can safely say that no power on earth can snatch Kashmir from us,” and added: “If there will be any talks with Pakistan, it will be on PoK and not Kashmir.” The minister added: “Whatever is happening in Kashmir is not because of its people... whatever is happening is Pakistan-sponsored.” He also warned that the use of pro-Pakistan slogans on Indian soil would not be tolerated, and urged Kashmir’s youth not to indulge in activities like hoisting ISIS flags.

The Upper House later unanimously adopted a resolution appealing to the people of the Kashmir Valley to restore peace and harmony. “This House expresses its serious concern over the prolonged turbulence, violence and curfew in the Kashmir Valley,” it said, adding: “The House conveys its deep sense of anguish and concern over the loss of lives and critical injuries caused by the deteriorating situation.” The resolution said the House “is of the firm and considered view that while there cannot be any compromise on national security, it is equally an imperative that urgent steps are taken to restore order and peace for the alleviation of the sufferings of the people.” It said: “The House earnestly appeals to all sections in Jammu and Kashmir to work for the early restoration of normalcy and harmony and unanimously resolves to restore confidence among the people in general and youth in particular.”

The debate, initiated by former J&K CM and the Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad, saw Congress MPs Karan Singh and Vivek Tankha, PMO minister of state Jitender Singh and BJP MP Shamsher Singh Manhas, PDP MPs Nazir Ahmad Laway and Mir Mohammed Fayaz, D. Raja of the CPI, CPI(M) boss Sitaram Yechury, the RJD’s Ram Jethmalani and representatives from other parties speaking, acknowledging its seriousness. All members felt the issue should not be politicised and all stakeholders be brought in. Dr Karan Singh specifically urged the government to set up an “empowered group” to take decisions and “not merely make recommendations”, while raising a question on action taken on earlier reports.

In an apparent dig at the PM over his remarks about “insaniyat, jamhooriyat and Kashmiriyat”, Mr Azad said such statements only suited former PM Atal Behari Vajpayee and “such words sound weird if it comes from someone who doesn’t believe in them”.

In his speech, the Union home minister applauded the job done by the J&K government in a “difficult situation”. He said he would ask chief minister Mehbooba Mufti from where to start the process of talks, with whom and on what issues. Mr Singh gave details about rations, milk and other daily essentials that had been distributed in the state even during the curfew. He insisted that only some parts of Kashmir, not the entire valley, was under curfew and that in other places markets were closed due to “fear” due to strikes called by separatists.

“I can’t say Kashmiris are living a normal life, but despite all odds, the state government is making efforts to minimise their inconvenience,” the minister said.

Responding to demands to end the use of pellet guns that have caused a lot of injuries, the home minister said such weapons were used earlier as well. “I am not justifying its use by arguing these were used earlier too,” he said, but added he had reviewed the situation to explore other options, and a committee had been formed which was asked to give its report in two months. He said orders had been given to the security forces to exercise “maximum restraint”, and said due to this 4,515 security personnel had suffered injuries, in contrast to 3,356 civilians.

Condemning ISIS, Mr Singh said: “I want to tell the people of Kashmir that Islam does not allow killings. Those who raise such ISIS flags are trying to defame Islam.” Terming the discussion as evidence of a “healthy democracy”, the home minister said: “In 20 years, I have seen for the first time such a lengthy discussion on Kashmir... We should be proud of such a Parliament.”

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