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PM spoke on Kashmir from Madhya Pradesh, not Parliament, taunts Congress in Rajya Sabha

Speed News Desk | Updated on: 10 August 2016, 12:29 IST

Discussing issues like the Kashmir unrest and the attacks on Dalits, Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad once again lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the central government, questioning the PM's silence over the issues, in the Rajya Sabha today.

While addressing Parliament, Azad began his statement by thanking the Home Minister Rajnath Singh "on behalf of the Opposition for allowing a discussion on Kashmir issue". Azad pointed out that the Prime Minister chose a rally in Madhya Pradesh to talk about Kashmir issue but has not made a single statement in Parliament.

On 9 August, Prime Minister commented about the situation in Kashmir in a rally held in Madhya Pradesh.

He had said that, "Every Indian loves Kashmir" adding that, "the azaadi (freedom) that every Indian feels, Kashmir can feel too."

Referring to the different remarks made by PM Modi about the Dalit attacks, Azad said, "We did not hear PM's statement on Dalit issues here in the Parliament. We got to hear about his views from Telangana."

"We have been repetitively demanding that the PM should come and make statements on such issues (Kashmir unrest and Dalit atrocities) in the Parliament."

"Despite his presence in the parliament, Prime Minister is still not participating in the proceedings in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha," Mr Azad added.

Bharatiya Janata Party's leaders Arun Jaitley, on the other hand, said that all must speak in one voice given that Kashmir's situation is sensitive.

"Jammu and Kashmir is facing a sensitive situation today, there's a need for all of us to speak in one voice," said Jaitley.

Here are the highlights from Azad's address:

- Don't just love Kashmir for its beauty, love Kashmir for its people, love the children and people who lost their eyes (during the protests).

- Militant militant hota hai, chahey woh Kashmir ka ho ya Punjab ka (A militant is a militant irrespective of which states he belongs to, be it Kashmir or Punjab.)

- Everyone in Kashmir is a victim of militancy. Many of us have lost our near and dear ones due to this militancy in Kashmir.

- There is a difference between communalism and separatism.

- Law & order is not the sole responsibility of Kashmir police, paramilitary forces are also involved.

- You call Jammu and Kashmir an integral part of India, but there needs to be an integration of hearts, between people of India & Jammu and Kashmir

- There needs to be an integration between the Centre and the state government. That is not seen, otherwise the PM's views would have originated from Parliament and not Madhya Pradesh.

- The state is under curfew, many people have been injured. Civilians have faced losses. And as Parliament is on, we all need to share their pain.

First published: 10 August 2016, 12:29 IST