‘No compromise with J&K stone-pelters’

Calling the stone pelters aggressors and “not satyagrahis”, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley slammed Pakistan for the current unrest in Kashmir, saying it was “attacking the integrity of India” in a “new way” after failing to snatch the state by waging wars and fuelling trouble ever since partition in 1947.

Speaking at a public rally in Jammu, Jaitley said that PM Modi had three priorities for the state, “There will be no compromise on the security and integrity of the country and no compromise with the people who indulge in violence. Secondly, as Jammu and Kashmir has faced violence and wars, it needs development which was denied for past 60 years by National Conference and Congress governments. Thirdly, Jammu, being the support base of BJP, needs added attention.” 

His outlining of priorities assumes significance as the opposition has been accusing the Modi government of having no policy on dealing with the unrest. The opposition parties have been pressing for a political solution and dialogue to address the unrest. Talking in the context of the ongoing 44-day unrest in Kashmir, Jaitley said, “Now, this time, a serious situation has emerged in which Pakistan, separatists and religious forces have joined hands and  are attacking the integrity of India.” 

Describing it as a “major challenge”, he said, “today in such a challenge, the need of the country is that we don’t compromise the integrity and security of the nation.”  He asked people of Jammu and Kashmir to stand with the country in the “struggle against the separatists” so that “this new phase of Pakistani strategy of war is defeated.”