NEW DELHI : Expressed serious concern over violent incidents in the Kashmir Valley for past more than a month, resulting in the death of civilians and security personnel, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad today called for an “integration of hearts and minds” of people of the state with rest of the country.
Initiating a discussion on the prevailing situation in the Kashmir Valley, Mr Azad said despite Parliament discussing the situation four times during this session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not find time to come to the House to make a statement on the issue.
“The Kashmir issue has been debated four times in the two Houses of Parliament during this session. However, the Prime Minister has not been present during even one.
“Instead, Mr Modi spoke of the situation during his visit to Alirajpur in Madhya Pradesh. Has Madhya Pradesh become the capital of the country and the venue of Parliament?” Mr Azad asked.
In this context, Mr Azad said despite the Opposition’s demand that the Prime Minister speak in Parliament on atrocities on Dalits, he did not come to make a statement.
“We did not hear Prime Minister’s statement on Dalit issues here in Parliament. We got to hear about his views from Telangana,” Mr Azad said.
He said even though the Prime Minister comes to his office in Parliament daily, he could not find time to come to the Rajya Sabha which is just at half a minute’s distance from his office.
“Despite being in Parliament, the PM seems to be far away from it. A half a minute’s distance from PM’s office to the Rajya Sabha seems like thousands of kilometers away.”
Mr Azad said while the Mr Modi was quick to tweet when something happens in Africa or in Pakistan, , when the crown of the country is burning, the Prime Minister does not experience the heat. Calling for an integration of hearts and minds between people of the state and the Central government, he said, “You call Jammu and Kashmir an integral part of India, but there should be integration of hearts and minds.”
(AGENCIES)
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