Shun guns, stones; join mainstream: Modi urges Kashmiris

In multi-cultural, multi-regional visit, dedicates dev projects worth Rs 25,000 crore in one day

SRINAGAR: Days after declaring Ramdhan ceasefire in Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday appealed the youth who have joined militancy to return to the mainstream and participate in the development and progress of the state and country, saying every stone or weapon picked by them led Jammu and Kashmir to the path of instability.

“There is no substitute for peace and stability. I urge the youth who have gone astray to return to the mainstream. Mainstream is their parents and family. Mainstream is their contribution to development of Jammu and Kashmir.

"Every stone or weapon picked up by the youth of this state is only meant to destabilise their own state. We have to take the state out of instability for our future generations,” Modi said in his speech at Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar, where he inaugurated the 330 MW Kishenganga Hydel Project and also laid foundation of 42.1-km, four-lane Srinagar Ring Road linking Galandar in west Srinagar to Sumbal in Bandipora district.

However, unlike earlier prime ministers who would inaugurate projects at the sites, Narendra Modi launched the projects at SKICC and in Leh town through remote inaugurations.

Modi became the only prime minister who visited all the three regions-Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh- in a single day.

Modi in his unique style started his 26-minutes speech with the greetings in Kashmiri language, asking people in Srinagar to accept his "salaam" and wished them health and prosperity.

Modi said that that PDP-BJP government in the state and the NDA at the centre are making efforts to bring the “misguided” youth to the mainstream.

“It is time that these youth return to their families. Each stone thrown by a misguided youth hurts the hearts and minds of the people in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

He said that ceasefire was a “slam” to those who incite the youth towards violence.

“The halt to operations during Ramzan will help expose those who have been spreading terrorism in the name of Islam. Cases have been withdrawn so that these misguided youth live a dignified life and ceasefire is to provide relief to the people,” he said.

Evoking former prime minister and BJP veteran Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Modi said that he is fond of Kashmiriyat.

“Atal Bihari Vajpayee was fond of Kashmiriyat and so is Modi. I have said it, neither abuses not bullets will solve the problem Kashmiris are witnessing. The only solution is hugging and loving Kashmiris.

Without naming Pakistan, Modi said that those who have been inciting “violence in the state from across our borders are themselves disintegrating this time”.

On the alienation of the youth, the prime minister said, "There is no power which can create a wedge between two brothers... People who have been engaging in creating a wedge between Jammu and Kashmir and the rest of the country are now on the verge of extinction."

“We have to respond to those vested interest powers, who incite the Kashmiri youth towards violence. We have to move ahead. The responsibility of taking forward the development process and increasing the pride and honour of Jammu and Kashmir lies on this young generation,” he said.
“The state has so much of resources that there is no question that Jammu and Kashmir can stay behind other states.”

Reiterating his August 15 speech at Red Fort last year, he said that Kashmir problem cannot be resolved through bullets or abuses (gooli ya gaali).

“The only solution is hugging and loving Kashmiris,” he said, while receiving applause from Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, Union Ministers, Nitin Gadkari, RK Singh, Jitendra Singh, MP Muzaffar Hussain Beigh, besides state ministers, MLAs, MLCs, and supporters of the BJP. Governor N N Vohra, NC leader and MP Farooq Abdullah also shared dais with the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister said the people of state know how they have been deceived by “forces inimical to peace”.
“The Central government has appointed a special representative to speak to all people to find a way out of these difficult times. Government is serious to address all issues,” he said, referring to Dineshwar Sharma, who was last year appointed centre’s representative for Kashmir.

While asking people to work for the progress of Jammu and Kashmir, he said, “We all stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our brothers and sisters in Jammu and Kashmir. They have suffered a lot. No power can separate brothers.”

Modi said Kashmiri youth were excelling in every field. “They are becoming role models for the youth in other parts of the country. 125 crore people of the country are working on the New India project and Jammu and Kashmir can become the shining star of this New India,” he said.

He said it was the love and affection of the people that brings him to Kashmir so often.

“This is also a good coincidence that we all have come together here during the holy month of Ramzan. Today, I feel blessed to dedicate the Kishanganga Hydropower project to the nation. After the floods in Jammu and Kashmir, I celebrated Diwali with the victims here. Besides this, I even got the opportunity to celebrate the festival of lights with the soldiers,” he said.

Lauding police and paramilitary forces, the PM said that security forces are working in difficult situation in Kashmir.

“Each of your efforts is imprinted on the mind of people of the country,” he said.

On tourism sector, he said that centre government was working for the ecosystem that is required for the development of tourism. “There will be an increase in tourists in J&K with a stronger ecosystem. The youths of the state will get new employment opportunity with it,” he said.

He ended with speech with a prayer in Kashmiri “Khuda Thaewnou Khush Te Khushal” (May God keep you happy and prosperous).