Excelsior Correspondent
New Delhi, Sept 27: There is need to “change the discourse” around Jammu and Kashmir as there is no such thing as the Kashmir issue, Union minister Dr Jitendra Singh has said, stressing that the only “point of debate” is retrieving Pakistan occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK).
The Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office with Independent Charge of Northeast said this after paying a pictorial homage to martyrs of Jammu and Kashmir Police and martyr Army officer Lt Ummer Fayyaz.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, ”There is need to change the discourse (on Jammu and Kashmir) for future generations. We have to change the agenda.There is no such issue as Kashmir issue. It is as much a part of India as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar or any other state.”
“The only issue if at all is how to retrieve a part of Kashmir which is under the illegal occupation of Pakistan for the past 70 years and restore the Valley in the same format as was handed over by Maharaja Hari Singh,” Jitendra Singh said.
He underlined the Central Government’s “proactive” steps in bringing development to the Valley, especially with respect to neutralising extremist forces.
“The border dwellers, in spite of the hardships they face, have asked us to take strong action against cross-border shelling. We have given our forces confidence and freedom to act on the borders, and the results are for everyone to see. “We have been able to neutralise many terrorists and foil infiltration bids. Our crackdown on terror funding in the Valley is another step towards restoring normalcy in the State,” he said.
Talking about the return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley, the MoS PMO said it was imperative to “create a conducive atmosphere so that the community members returns voluntarily”.
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh said major headway has been made in resolving vexed issues confronting the country under the leadership of the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.
Dr Singh while referring to J&K’s history said the problem of Kashmir is full of complexities and confusions stretching more than 70 years and several vested interests have been creating further confusion by spreading falsehood and canards. He said since its inception, the current Government is trying its best to do away with the false notions which were being created by the neighbouring country and the thrust is to usher an era of accountability, empowerment and sustained development in the State.
The Deputy Chief Minister said it was due to the faulty policies that the State was pushed into an era of chaos and political disempowerment, which the current Government is addressing the same steadfastly and results are also coming to the fore. He said the current Central Government is trying its level best to bring the Kashmir problem to a decisive end.
Former MP Tarun Vijay, who was also present at the event, saluted the sacrifice of civilians, policemen and army personnel who laid down their lives while battling terrorist forces.
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