BJP leader hints at ‘permanent solution’ to Kashmir issue

Indian minister refused to elaborate on 'solution' BJP government had found for Kashmir


News Desk May 29, 2017
The minister refused to elaborate on what kind of solution the BJP government had found for Kashmir. PHOTO: AFP

NEW DELHI: Indian Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, on Sunday, said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government had found a "permanent solution" to the Kashmir issue, the Economics Times reported.

"We have come up with a permanent solution to solve Kashmir. The initiative has begun. We are moving forward," he said while speaking to the media during an event in the Indian capital.

The Indian minister, however, refused to elaborate on what kind of solution the BJP government had found for Kashmir, which is battling nearly three decades of a violent separatist campaign.

Indian troops kill 11, including Burhan Wani's successor, in IOK

When asked if the solution was "political in nature", Rajnath said, "It is too early to discuss it in public. I don't want to discuss it with the media."

Rajnath, however, ruled out inviting separatist groups for talks on Indian-held Kashmir and added that whoever wanted to talk "development and peace" was welcome.

When asked about the possibility of holding talks with Hurriyat leaders, the minister said, the Indian government was ready for talks with all stakeholders but there would be no invitations to individuals or organisations pushing the separatist agenda.

"We have never said no to talks. I went there (Kashmir) last year and stayed for three days for talks with all stakeholders. Those who wanted to talk came forward. Even (Chief Minister) Mehbooba Mufti had written a letter of invitation to separatists, but..."

Rajnath admitted that Kashmir had been a challenge for the government but refused to accept Indian opposition claims that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-BJP government in the disputed valley was responsible for it.

"Kashmir has been burning and the problem is decades old," he said.

He later attributed the increasing number of stone-pelting protests and heightened violence related incidents to the radicalisation of the youth in the valley.

"Radicalisation is a global phenomenon. We are aware of it and we will tackle it."

India uses excessive repression in occupied Kashmir, reports Amnesty

Indian forces, on May 27, killed eleven Kashmiris, including Sabzar Ahmad Bhat the successor of Burhan Muzaffar Wani, in Indian-occupied Kashmir (IoK). Sources and villagers in Saimaoh Tral said Sabzar, a freedom fighter who commanded the Kashmiri youth, along with his two associates were first arrested on Saturday night and then killed in custody.

According to a top BJP leader, who wanted to remain anonmymous, Bhat's "fate was written" when he picked up the gun against Indian forces and it was true about anyone who resorts to violence.

"Whoever picks arms, will be killed. They will have to die," said the BJP leader, who attended the same event.

The BJP leader, also a top policy maker for the party, ruled out the possibility of talks with separatist leaders. "Is it possible to hold talks with those who throw stones?"

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