Rajnath taunts Kashmir separatists

Srinagar : Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday taunted Kashmiri separatist leaders for praising their own children on their academic success while pushing other children into “darkness” by encouraging them to throw stones at security forces.

The Minister’s taunt came days after jailed separatist leader Shabir Shah’s daughter cleared her CBSE Class 12 exam and was a state topper with 97.8 per cent. Hardline Hurriyat chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani and other separatist leaders congratulated Shah’s daughter on her success, describing her as a role model for Kashmiri youngsters.

Rajnath Singh didn’t name anyone in his remarks but asked: “What kind of approach is this?.

“You congratulate your own children for doing well in examinations and push children of others into darkness by pushing them to play with fire and stones,” he told reporters.

With Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti by his side, Rajnath Singh said playing politics with the future of Kashmir’s children was not only deceitful but criminal as well.

The Minister is on a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir to assess the security situation in the aftermath of the ongoing Ramadan ceasefire.

He said Ramadan was a holy month and those who indulge in terrorism during this month were indulging in unholy practices.

He recalled former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s approach of a insaniyat (humanity), jumhooriyat (democracy) and Kashmiriyat (eclectic culture) and said: “Those who pick up guns cannot be said to be believers of democracy.

“Kashmiriyat includes both Hazratbal (the Srinagar Muslim shrine that houses the relic of Prophet) and Amarnath (the Hindu hill shrine in south Kashmir). (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi said from the Red Fort that the problem of Kashmir can be solved by embracing Kashmiris and not by abusing them.”

The Home Minister said the issue of extending or calling off the ceasefire would be discussed with the Chief Minister before taking a final call. He added that nothing could be ruled out.

Published on June 7, 2018 at 18:10 IST

IANS