Your pain is mine, too: Modi to Kashmiris

In a bid to strike an emotional chord with the Kashmiri people, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday told them at an election rally here that their pain was his pain and their problems his problems.

Donning a Kashmiri pheran (cloak), Modi reiterated his pledge to carry forward former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s policy towards Kashmir based on humanity, the essence of being a Kashmiri and democracy (Insaaniyat, Kashmiriyat and Jamhooriyat).

“Vajpayee made a beginning. He dreamt the dreams of Insaaniyat, Kashmiriyat and Jamhooriyat. I promise to fulfill his dreams as it is my duty to carry his legacy forward. I will try my best to bring acche din (good days) for you here,” Modi said.

“I have come here to share your sorrows as sharing grief helps. As the pradhan sewak (principal servant), your sorrows are mine, your pain is mine and your problems are mine,” the prime minister said.

Stressing on promoting tourism in Kashmir, Modi said: “India has nothing more than Kashmir to offer to world tourists, so it is very important to make Kashmir a model tourist destination and build infrastructure. I want to make Kashmir a proud place of 21st century through progress.” Modi also promised security to the people of Kashmir.

Referring to the recent killing of civilians in Budgam district, he said: “It was during my regime only in the last thirty years that the Army was taken to task for killing two innocent youths. It was in my regime that the Army confessed to their crime.”

Flanked by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh leaders at the historic S K Stadium, where then prime minister Vajpayee in April 2003 had offered hand of friendship to Pakistan, Modi, without mentioning Pakistan, said, “During the recent Saarc meeting in Nepal, I told leaders of neighbouring countries that if we have to fight we should fight poverty.”

Earlier, while addressing another election rally in Samba district in Jammu region, the prime minister said, “The finger which presses the electronic voting machine is much stronger than the one that operates an AK-47.”

While congratulating the people of the state for voting in large numbers, he said, “There is only one mantra - vikaas (development).”