Rajnath for a peaceful Kashmir

Corroborating similar views to what Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said in his Independence Day address one month ago, that the problems of Kashmir can only be solved by embracing their people instead of using other means, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh outlined 'five Cs' as a permanent solution to this issue. Affirming the government's commitment to usher in peace in the Valley while honouring the sentiments of its people, Singh claimed that the permanent solution of disturbances in the Valley was based on five Cs — compassion, communication, coexistence, confidence-building and consistency, subsequently positing a challenge for the state government to follow the doctrine of the Centre – which is more willing to take cognizance of the people's concerns. Virtually silencing the whispers from the BJP's state leadership questioning the validity of Article 35A — which empowers the state government to provide special provisions for its permanent residents under the Act, Singh said, as the central government had not initiated anything as yet in that connection, it was unnecessarily being blown out of proportion. "We have not gone to court. Whatever our government does, it will not go against the sentiments of the people here. We will always respect them," he claimed. The Union Minister of Home Affairs' opinion was quite contrasting to his party's stand when he said that he had told the State government and security agencies not to be harsh with persons below 18 years, who had been arrested for stone-pelting. "Many of them might have committed this crime, under somebody's influence. But they should not be treated like criminals. Whatever action you have to take against them should be under the Juvenile Act. I also appeal to the stone-pelting youth to stay away from it," he said. He, however, claimed that the situation in the Kashmir Valley had improved and anti-militancy operations would continue. Singh's statements, however, appear to be giving a blueprint of an action plan for the ruling BJP-PDP alliance while dealing with the Valley's internal paradoxes. His message to the Kashmiri youth indicates that the government must also give precedence to reformation over retaliation, especially in matters concerning the younger generations. Even as the Home Minister's statements appear to silence the noises against 35-A, for Kashmir's Opposition leader Omar Abdullah, it holds importance in any case. What else can be a better note, when the Union Minister of Home Affairs of India says: "Dil khol kar aaya hoon, dimaag khol kar aaya hoon. Main sab se baat karna chahta hoon (I have come here with an open heart and open mind. I want to talk to all)."