The Rajya Sabha has been adjourned for the day.
- Fourth debate in Rajya Sabha over the turmoil in Jammu and Kashmir initiated by Congress.
- Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad attacks Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not making a statement in the Parliament.
- Kashmir unrest started after Hizbul Mujahideen commander and youth icon Burhan Wani was shot dead.
- The death toll of protesters has reached 56 as the curfew in the Valley entered day 33.
- Finance Minister Arun Jaitley asked the Opposition to not politicise the issue.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the Rajya Sabha for holding a lengthy democratic debates on the issue of Kashmir. He also informed the parliament about the measures taken by Jammu and Kashmir's CM, Mehbooba Mufti, to help in distribution of food amidst the curfew.
The CM has taken care of the civilians. Despite the curfew, 95 percent of the food grain have been distributed. 3600 tonnes of sugar was also distributed. 5600 trucks carrying staple food has gone to Kashmir. Around 400 ambulances are working to take the injured to the hospitals. Around 8000 small and big surgeries have taken place in the hospitals.
Addressing the concerns of several opposition parties about the use of pellet guns, the minister said “if pellet guns are considered lethal, then an alternative must be thought about.”
We have told the soldiers to keep as much patience as they can. India's heart beats for Kashmir, nobody should doubt. But it pains the heart to see that those who should have books and laptops in their hands, are being given stones. I urge all the Kashmiri youths to come and join us in a dialogue to solve this issue together.
He also informed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be present to discuss Kashmir in an all-party meeting that will be held on 12 August. He also appealed to the Kashmiris to prevent those who raise pro-Pakistani slogans in the valley
Pro-Pakistani slogans will not be allowed in India! Some LeT militants were found in the valley. Pakistan is behind the Kashmir unrest. Dialogues will be held with Pakistan only on PoK, not Kashmir! No force of the world can take Kashmir away from India.
All of the resolutions taken by the Home Minister were unanimously passed by all parties present in the Rajya Sabha.
Well known lawyer and RJD leader, Ram Jethmalani told the Rajya Sabha that he had sent a letter to Jammu and Kashmir's Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti insisting that all dialogues with Pakistan be cut off, but have India “surrender to Kashmir”.
CPI leader from Kerala, D Raja asked the government to reveiw AFSPA to prevent further alienation of the Kashmiris. Along with that he said that there is a need for the Prime Minister to speak on the Kashmir issue in the Parliament.
Kashmiris do not trust the central government. I think it's time to stop using pellet guns and excess power. AFSPA should be reviewed. P Chidambaram had himself said that people find the presence of security and overbearing and insulting. I am telling the government to take upon the misadventure of imposing president's rule in Kashmir as Subramanian Swamy insists. Let's not further alienate them. And when we say we're all one, they should also feel that they are all one.
Are We Somewhere Responsible for the Creation of Kashmiri Terrorists?
Informing the Rajya Sabha about the fact that those Kashmiris who are now known as separatists used to be MLAs themselves, Mir Mohammad Fayaz from PDP said, “perhaps we are also to be blamed for turning them into separatists”.
Kids haven't attended schools for a month. A lot of students have been expelled from their colleges. We blame Burhan Wani but we must understand why people take to terrorism.
“Kashmiri Pandits, Sikhs, Refugees, Jammu and Ladakh are Stakeholders”
Continuing to speak on the issue of the ongoing unrest of Kashmir, MoS PMO, Dr Jitendra Singh said Kashmir stands as a unique example of defiance of the two-nation theory, and in doing so, it inspired the entire nation.
Reading out loud, the constitution of Jammu and Kashmir, he said, “ The state's Constitution itself says that it is an integral part of India. Yet, we debate what model to follow.”
Criticising the separatist leaders in Kashmir, he said:
We all are worried about Jammu and Kashmir. Time has arrived to rise above political lines. Most of the children who got killed in Kashmir were the children of the poorest of the poor. And those who have have led those children to join the so-called jihad, their own children are tucked away safely in India's metros and abroad. If jihad can lead to jannat, then why not send your own kids to jannat first? Can you have kashmiriyat without the presence of Kashmiri Pandits? The stakeholders are also kashmiri pandits, refugees, Sikhs, Ladakh and Jammu.
He also accused Pakistan of perpetuating terrorism in the state.
The myth of non-state actor has been blown apart.
Nazir Ahmed Laway Brings Kashmir to the House
Rajya Sabha MP from Jammu and Kashmir, Nazir Ahmed Laway spoke in the Rajya Sabha and silenced any rhetoric that questioned the loyalty of the people of Kashmir.
Stating in the House that he has lost his brother and eventually his sister to militancy and then spoke about the topic that is considered to be a source of tension throughout Parliament – Afzal Guru's innocence.
Ahmed said that the Home Minister, who prosecuted the convict in 2001 Parliament attack case, suddenly thought that he was innocent, only because it is politically viable for him now.
He mentioned another member of the Rajya Sabha who was a cabinet minister during the conviction of Afzal Guru, who believes that Guru was innocent.
Afzal Guru was hanged to death on 9 February 2013 for his involvement in the 2001 Parliament attack.
Sitaram Yechury to Govt: Address Trust Deficit in Kashmir
CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury asked the governments to make efforts to address the trust deficit created in Kashmir to be able to ease tensions in Kashmir.
If there is a trust deficit, you have to create an atmosphere of trust. I urge the government to discuss this issue (Kashmir unrest) with open mind, listen to all ideas; confidence building is required. Problem can be solved only if you initiate this political dialogue on the central issue, of promises made to Kashmiri people.
Yechury reiterated the 19 November 2000 decision taken by then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to declare Ramzan Ceasefire and have a dialogue with the representatives of the Hizbul Mujahideen.
He then questioned the government of the same alliance what efforts are being taken to address the anti-government feeling among Kashmiris.
How are you going to implement that? I have been urging the government that this only can come through in an atmosphere of trust. I want the government to seriously ponder because the point is to solve problem in Kashmir, which is actually a wound for all of us.
Rajya Sabha Needed This RS MP From Tamil Nadu
Member of the Rajya Sabha from Tamil Nadu, A Navaneethakrishnan, is what the Rajya Sabha needed. He made statements that defied biology and geography, all at once!
He began his speech by singing a song form Puratchi Thalaivar (Revolutionary Leader) MG Ramachandran's film shot in Kashmir – and the House burst out laughing. Listen to Navaneethakrishnan sing:
The saffron (Kesar; crocus sativus) that his mother consumed before bringing him in the world has eternalised his bond with Kashmir. Why? Because he believes comes only from Kashmir.
Every pregnant woman is given saffron from kashmir so that they can have beautiful child. My mother had it, my daughter-in-law had it, definitely my granddaughter will have it.A Navaneethakrishnan, AIADMK Member
Minister of Law and Justice Ravi Shankar Prasad, sitting next to the AIADMK member, could not keep a straight face while Navaneethakrishnan thanked and prayed to Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu J Jayalalithaa for maintaining the integrity of India.
Ghulam Nabi Azad Initiates Kashmir Debate
The issue of unrest in Kashmir has rocked the Parliament throughout the Monsoon Session which is underway. The Congress party has raised the issue for the fourth time in the Rajya Sabha today.
Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi squarely on his silence over the issue in Parliament. Calling him Wazeer-e-Azam, Azad pointed that even incidents in Africa induce a response from the Prime Minister, but the Kashmir issue fails to get a response in the House from him.
Also Read
Misguided Nationalism: How the Government Lost the Plot in Kashmir
Kashmir se toh pyaar hae par Kashmir ke logon se toh koi pyaar kare. Baccho se toh pyaar kare. (You professed your love for Kashmir but someone should love the poeple living in Kashmir as well. Someone should love the children of Kashmir too.)Ghulam Nabi Azad, Leader of Opposition
If the PM felt the pain of the people in Kashmir,he would have mad a stamens in the House and not from Madhya Pradesh, Azad pointed out.
Dil se jab dard niklega, toh iski awaz Kashmir tak pohochegi. Jab tak hum jabaan se kehnge, ye yaha ki chaar diwaron mae gayab hojaegi. (When the leaders feel the pain of Kashmir, only then will help reach Kashmir. Until then, these voices will be lost within the four walls of Parliament.) There has to be some coherence, integration, love and affection between the federal and state government.Ghulam Nabi Azad, Leader of Opposition
Curfew Enters Day 33
The death toll in Kashmir has crossed 55 and left hundreds with either partially or completely impaired vision, besides other injuries.
The curfew in the Valley entered day 33 as police announced that the curfew will continue in “Anantnag town while restrictions shall continue in Shopian, Kulgam and Pulwama towns”
Also Read
Even After a Month and 56 Deaths, Why Kashmir Unrest Continues
Lack of Humane Approach in Kashmir: SC to Government and Police
Similar restrictions shall remain in force in Sopore, Kupwara, Handwara and Baramulla towns. Prohibitory orders under section 144 CrPc (Criminal Procedure Code) are in place in Ganderbal, Bandipora and Badgam towns.Senior Police Official
Essential Business Intelligence, Sharp Market Insights, Practical Personal Finance Advice, Daily Fuel, Gold and Silver Prices and Latest Stories — On NDTV Profit.
