New DelhiEven as Union Government insists it is working towards a “permanent solution” to Kashmir problem, a senior minister Monday categorically ruled out any talks with separatist groups towards that end.
Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu ruled out the possibility of holding talks with Kashmiri separatists, calling them “destructive and obstructive” and alleging that they receive funds from Pakistan to stoke unrest in the Valley.
“Why we should have discussions with the separatist leaders? Every day they (Pakistan) are giving training to the terrorists, provoking them and sending them into our country,” Naidu, said, speaking at an event in New Delhi.
“They are sending money to the separatist leaders… and we have seen it,” he said, referring to an NIA probe into alleged cross-border terror funding to Kashmiri separatist leaders, for organising stone pelting protests.
“I don’t know what is this disease of stone pelting,” Naidu said.
“We are collecting stones to construct infrastructure there but they are trying to destroy it,” the Minister said.
Also Read: Now Naidu too says it. Does PDP hear?
“We are constructive, and they are destructive and obstructive,” Minister said.
“This is the kind of mentality we are seeing in the people of the country,” Naidu added.
His comments come as the government has said it is working towards a “permanent solution” to Kashmir.
Earlier also Naidu had said that all previous efforts of dialogue to solve the Kashmir issue have failed.
How many years have we been talking? It has become a fashion for some people to make such demands and then be in news. Otherwise what is there in talks? Anybody who swears loyalty to India’s integrity. Yes, we should talk to them irrespective of which party they represent.
Asked if he was clearly ruling out talks with the separatist amalgam Hurriyat Conference, the Minister said: All I am saying is there is no question of disintegration of Kashmir. There is no question on the integrity of the country.
About the differences in the coalition government with the PDP led by chief minister Mehbooba Mufti demanding talks with Hurriyat leaders, Naidu said it was because we are different parties.
It is the PDP which is saying that. Not the government. It may be their view, not our view. The point is, first restore normalcy. Allow the public life to move on.
PDP Piqued
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) vice president Sartaj Madni had taken serious exception to the BJPs approach towards Kashmir on behalf of his party.
In a statement on 31 May, Madni urged the coalition partner to give up its confrontationist politics and check its provocative voices.
More importantly, he once again made a strong pitch for dialogue with Hurriyat and Pakistan despite the fact even though the BJP has ruled out any engagement with Kashmiri separatists.
The PDP is in alliance with the BJP on a clear agenda of peace and dialogue on Kashmir. Both the parties agreed upon it as part of the agenda. Our party will follow this path with fidelity and against all odds, Madani said.
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