''Hindustan ka Taj jal raha hai'': Cong on Kashmir unrest

The Opposition in the Rajya Sabha today urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to break his silence on the unrest in Kashmir with the Congress saying "Hindustan ka Taj jal raha hai"(India's crown is burning) and demanded that the Centre initiate a political process.

As curfew in Kashmir continued for an unprecedented 3Oth day, the Opposition parties also demanded stopping the use of pellet guns by security forces on protesters.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the government was open to discussion on the Kashmir situation and that it can be scheduled tomorrow or on Wednesday, noting there should be no doubt about its commitment towards the state.

Raising the issue in Zero Hour after his notice under rule 267 seeking suspension of business to discuss the Kashmir situation was disallowed, Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said no state in independent India has seen 30 days of continuous curfew that has paralysed the administration, shut down educational institutions and led to near zero attendance in government offices.

"In such circumstances, we want to awaken the government ... We feel the government and the Prime Minister are watching the situation deteriorate like a silent spectator," he said, adding he wanted to know why Modi has not spoken on the grave situation in Kashmir so far.

"Hindustan ka Taj jal raha hai, par uski garmi Delhi tak nahi pahuchti (India's crown is burning but the heat hasn't yet reached Delhi)," Azad said.

Over 8,000 people, including security personnel, have been injured while 410 eye surgeries and 1,650 other surgeries are reported to have been conducted because of the use of pellet guns on protesters, he said.

Observing that 1018 incidents have been reported, he said over 1000 youth are in prison. "Please do not consider this as a law and order issue," Azad told the government.

Citing social media comments on Modi not making any statement on the Kashmir unrest, he said people are eager to listen to his views on the situation.

He asked the Prime Minister to call an all-party meeting where political leaders can offer solutions and express their sympathy with the people of Kashmir. This should be followed up with an all-party delegation visiting Kashmir to assuage the feeling, the senior Congress leader added.

Expressing anguish and pain at the continuous 30-day curfew, Sitaram Yechury (CPI-M) said there was nothing working in the Valley except armed forces.

"More than 1000 incidents of firing have happened. More than 8000 are injured and 60 dead," he said describing the use of pellet guns and "inhuman" and "criminal".

Stating that even Israel does not use pellet guns against Palestinians, he said the situation cannot be solved by law and order machinery.

"Our remaining silent is deepening the alienation of the Kashmiris," Yechury said, adding "we have heard the silence of the Prime Minister (on Kashmir). His silence is more eloquent than words."

The Prime Minister's silence is "sending a message that this government does not care," he said.