Monsoon Session kicks off: Opposition unites to slam Centre on Kashmir unrest

QUICK PILL

The Kashmir issue

• Kashmir has been in turmoil for the last few days
• 45 people have lost their lives so far with 100s more injured

What did the Opposition say?

• Opposition criticised the government\'s use of excessive force in Kashmir
• They demanded that measures be taken to ensure peace returns to the Valley

More in the story

• What does the Centre have to say?
• What does the Opposition suggest as a solution?

A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi requested all political parties to work with the government on crucial legislations, Congress and other regional parties lashed out at the Centre for the use of excessive force in Kashmir on the first day of Parliament's Monsoon Session.

Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha and former J&K Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, who had given the notice in the Upper House to initiate a discussion on Kashmir, was the first to speak.

In his speech, Azad condemned the use of pellet guns that have maimed and injured hundreds.

"Nobody supports militancy and we are with the government to bring an end to this, but there is difference between militants and civilians," he said

Extremely critical of the use of excessive force by security agencies, Azad said, "The attitude of the central government should be that of a parent when it comes to Jammu and Kashmir."

Requesting the government to differentiate between militants and civilians, Azad sought answers from the Narendra Modi government on the deteriorating law and order situation in the state.

Similar views

Similar sentiments were echoed by representatives of other political parties who asked the government to show restraint when it came to dealing with civilians.

Responding to this criticism, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said he has directed the security forces to exercise "maximum restraint" and use non-lethal weapons only when absolutely necessary.

The home minister announced that he is in touch with J&K Chief Minister Mehbboba Mufti and is planning to make a visit once normalcy returns to the Valley.

"We will try our best to bring peace back in Kashmir and agree that a dialogue process must be initiated to find a solution," he said on the floor of the Rajya Sabha.

United they stand

In a rare sight, the Opposition stood united with the government in condemning terrorism and using peaceful means to bring an end to the violence that has engulfed the Valley for the last 10 days.

Unanimous over its criticism of Pakistan sponsoring terrorism in Kashmir, the Opposition suggested that steps should be taken to ensure that India's internal security is not compromised.

The Opposition also sought that an all-party meet be convened to address the issue where suggestions can be made to find solutions to restore normalcy.

Here's what some of the other parties had to say -

"Initiate a political process with PDP in Kashmir. Without the political procedure, there is no solution to this problem. The message needs to go out from this Parliament that Kashmir is a vital organ of India. If Kashmir is hurt, the entire country feels the pain. A message should go that the entire country will act to address the problems of Kashmir," said CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury

Holding the government responsible for mismanaging the situation, Trinamool Congress' Derek O Brien asked the government to understand and touch the soul of Kashmir while an angry Sharad Yadav lashed out at the hostility towards civilians.

"The way police attacked a nine-year-old child disturbed me. Why was no action taken?" Yadav asked. "The government should use its power to control the situation but that power should not destroy humanity."

D Raja sought a political solution to what he called was a political problem. He said that dialogue is the only way forward and people of the state should be taken into confidence.

"Why can't you think of taking away the armed forces from civilian areas? Centre must consider partial repeal of AFSPA," Raja said.

Other regional parties including SP, BSP, AIADMK, Shiv Sena, requested that the government reaches out to the people to ensure peace returns to the Valley.

Monsoon Session to get stormy

With Kashmir dominating the proceedings on the first day of the Monsoon Session, the Upper House did not witness the hostility that prevailed between the government and Opposition in sessions held earlier.

But it is unlikely that similar bonhomie will prevail in the days to come when contentious issues like Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill, among others, would be introduced.

Having secured a "moral victory" in Arunachal Pradesh, where the Congress averted a floor test after bringing in a new chief minister, the main opposition party is likely to step on the gas to corner the BJP in the much anticipated Parliament session.

The grand old party has held meetings devising strategies to corner the government on various issues that are likely to be raised in days to come.

Congress' claim is likely to be bolstered by the fact that other regional parties will extend support on this issue that has every non-BJP ruled state government worried. Even BJP's own allies have complained about Centre undermining the states.

With these developments, the likelihood of BJP isolating the Congress seem unlikely. It could well be the other way around.

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