Kashmir cannot be ruled through gun barrel: Opposition reminds government

Slamming the government over the situation in Kashmir, Opposition in the Rajya Sabha on Monday pressed for holding an all-party meet to discuss the issue and pitched for a political solution rather than using "barrel of the gun" while dealing with the unrest.

During a short-duration discussion on the Kashmir situation, Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said while his party stands with the Modi government and the coalition in the state in dealing firmly with militancy, the "excessive use" of force against the common citizens, including children and women, is not acceptable.

For the current unrest, he blamed a number of reasons including BJP's participation in government with PDP in the state, provocative statements made by some leaders of BJP and RSS besides Pakistan, "whose existence is the root cause of all problems."

He underlined that Kashmir cannot be ruled "through the barrel of the gun or bullets" and demanded that responsibility be fixed for "excessive use" of force.

He also demanded all-party meeting on the issue.

Leader of House Arun Jaitley admitted that the situation in Kashmir was a "matter of concern" but rejected the contention that the violence in the Valley was a result of the BJP getting into power at the state.

Asserting that efforts are underway to restore normalcy at the earliest, he said the entire country should speak in one voice at this time and common man should not be made to suffer there.

Asking the youth to stay away from the agitation which is being held against the killing of a militant, he said, "When thousands of people attack the police, then understandably, there will be action. The fight is between the country and the separatists and common people are standing with the country which is in national interest."

It is the responsibility of the police on the ground to determine the kind of force that needs to be used to quell mob violence, Jaitley said while blaming Pakistan for promoting violence in the state.

In his speech, Azad said the government has not learnt from the earlier situation. Reminding that militants were always killed in the state, he said it was a matter of concern that the "present environment" did not exist even during the 1990s and added that youngsters have been killed in all the 10 districts of the Kashmir valley this time.

The Congress leader alleged that bullets and pellets guns were fired mercilessly and spoke of several "horrifying" pictures being circulated through the social media including that of a senior police officer pressing the neck of a young boy with his boots.

He said many children, as young as 4-5 years old, were left injured, with some losing their eye-sight while watching the violence from the windows of their house or terrace.  Asserting that no one including his party supported militancy, Azad said the Congress stood by the government against any action against militancy.

"But distinction should be made between militants and civilians. The same bullet used to kill militants should not be used to kill children, women and youngsters. Should we treat them as militants? We are with you when it comes to eradication of militants. But we will not be a part of this (heavy use of force against civilians)," he said.

He said the government earlier, while dealing with militants with a heavy hand, also had the policy of "healing touch". He claimed that the commom people in Kashmir do not have any trust in the BJP.

Talking about his government when he was the J&K chief minister, Azad said that while his government dealt with militants sternly, it behaved "like parents to youngsters" and did what was required under a democratic set-up.

He said it was a sign of patriotism on part of Muslims in the country, that despite the highest number of practicing Muslims here, the IS has not been able to make any headway except in less than a dozen cases. Both Hindus and uslims should be proud of this, Azad said.

He said the situation was simmering for last one and half years. "This is lava. The lava does not erupt in a day."

Observing that provocative statements were being made by some Bharatiya Janata Party-Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh leaders, he said "the Kashmiris see that action is not being taken. The treatment meted out to Kashmiri students in the name of security also plays in role, back in the valley."

While Islamic preacher Zakir Naik should be probed, those who announced a reward of Rs 50 lakh for his head should also be sent to jail, Azad said.

Derek O'Brien (Trinamool) blamed the Centre for "mishandling the situation" and demanded that "we must extend all help to the families of ordinary people killed there."

Expressing deep pain at the death of children, he alleged that unfortunately instead of harnessing the social media for constructive purposes, BJP was busy using it for PR and happy birthday messages.

"If you want digital India, do not understate the power of social media, else it will be divisive for India. There needs to be a dialogue with hard policing. We need a healing touch. Kashmir is not soil but soul, and keep the soul of Kashmir in mind," he said.

Taking a jibe at the prime minister, O'Brien said all all his efforts in meeting foreign leaders turned to a nought when United Nations Chief Ban Ki-Moon expressed regret over the loss of lives and injuries in the clashes in Kashmir. The TMC leader called on all parties to exercise "maximum restraint" to avoid further violence and hoped that all concerns would be addressed through peaceful means.

Sharad Yadav (Janata Dal-United) said he was "pained" at the situation in the Valley and killing of 8-10 year old children at the hands of security forces and treatment meted out to women and children.

"Hand over anyone breaking the law to legal process but you deface someone and no action is taken," he said, asserting that security forces should act within the limits of humanity.

At the same time, he said the Kashmir problem cannot be solved by force, power or use of the army as it needed a political solution.

"Why is there a difference between your policy and the one followed by the previous National Democratic Alliance government in tackling the Kashmir issue," he said and added that "political will is needed to resolve the issue".

He also took a jibe at the BJP-People’s Democratic Party alliance in the state and said that the common minimum programme arrived at should be taken ahead.

Yadav also launched a scathing attack on media and asked why the government had failed to restrain them as they continued to show statements by separatists and some others from abroad, which compromised the dignity of the nation.

"Why is this drama allowed...Can't we tell the media to stop showing the propaganda of people supporting Islamic State in India," a visibly upset Yadav said.

"The internal security of Kashmir should be strengthened and at the same time we should have talks with those who don’t share our views," the JD-U chief said.