Neither 'goli' nor 'gaali' can solve Kashmir issue: Modi

International Desk: "Neither bullets nor brickbats will solve the Kashmir issue, only love will", said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, India's 71st Independence Day.

The PM added that while "there is no question of being soft on terrorism", any "violence in the name of faith cannot be condoned". He also spoke about the recent death of 60 children in Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh and the floods in various states, saying that the "people of India stand shoulder to shoulder with those affected due to natural disasters and tragedy".

In what was his fourth Independence Day address+ from the ramparts of the Red Fort, the PM, in a resplendent orange and red turban, spoke for almost an hour, touching on not just Kashmir and sectarian violence, but also on terrorism, development, technology, corruption and the responsibility of citizens towards a vibrant democracy.

The PM though did make a special reference to Kashmir.

"Na goli se, na gaali se Kashmir ki samasya hal hogi (Neither bullets nor brickbats will solve the Kashmir issue)", the PM said, adding, "it will only be solved by love and by embracing all Kashmiris."

"I want to tell the youth of Kashmir and I've said this time and time again, come into the mainstream, you have a right to speak in a democracy," the PM said.

He added that his government is committed to restoring "the lost glory" of Kashmir and its status as 'heaven on earth'.

The PM called for the nation's unity and urged an end to sectarian violence, likely in a reference to cow vigilantism.

"Sectarianism can never benefit the nation. We have to carry everyone with us, as is our tradition. We can't condone violence in the name of faith. This country cannot and will not accept that," the PM said.

Agencies



risingbd/Dhaka/Aug 15, 2017/Nasim