Bullets or abuses won't help resolve Kashmir: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday reached out to the youth in violence-ravaged Jammu and Kashmir as he said "neither abuses nor bullets" but "embracing Kashmiris" will solve the problem of the state.

His government, the Prime Minister said in his Red Fort address, was determined to restore to Kashmir its status of "heaven on earth".

"Na gaali se, na goli se, parivartan hoga gale lagaane se... samasya suljhegi har Kashmiri ko gale lagane se ( Neither abuses nor bullets...change will take place by embracing.. problems will be solved by embracing Kashmiris)," was the PM's prescription for restoring peace in the state.

At the same time he also stressed "there is no question of being soft on terrorism or terrorists" which was seen as a tough message to Pakistan and its proxies that the government is unwilling to lower its guard for the country's sake. "India’s security is our priority, and the surgical strike ( in Pakistan) had underscored this," he vowed.

In his shortest 56-minute speech he made since becoming PM in 2014, Modi also singled out a handful of separatists for what he stated resorting to "various tactics" to engineer unrest in the state.

He also told the people that India’s stature in the world is rising, and several countries are cooperating with India in fighting the menace of terrorism.

Sharing his vision of a new India, Modi, sporting half-sleeves yellow kurta, churidar pajama and a Rajasthani turban, also reiterated that "violence in the name of faith is unacceptable" as the country stood for peace, unity, and harmony. He abhored casteism and communalism for he explained that it will not help the society. Modi emphasised that the call of the Quit India Movement was “Bharat Chhodo,” but the need today is “Bharat Jodo”. His statement was another reminder that mob attacks by cow vigilantes on people they accuse of smuggling or eating beef will not be brooked.

He urged the people to give up the “chalta hai” attitude of complacency, and replace it with determination of “badal sakta hai” for positive change to create a New India by 2022.
On the death of children in Gorakhur, Modi stated that nation was standing by the affected families in their hour of crisis. "Many parts of the country faced natural calamities in the recent past. Children died at a hospital. The entire nation is with them," he said.