Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said the Indian government doesn’t want any “forcible” bond with Jammu and Kashmir but a relationship based on emotions.
“We are not for a forcible tie-up with Kashmir but want to build emotional ties,” Rajnath Singh told reporters here, winding up a two-day visit to the restive Kashmir Valley.
The minister’s visit came amid street protests triggered by the July 8 killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani which has left over 45 people dead and thousands injured.
Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had told Home Minister Rajnath Singh here on Sunday that Jammu and Kashmir needs a political solution and not economic packages.
On the second and last day of his visit amid unrest that has left over 45 people dead in the Kashmir Valley, Rajnath Singh chaired a high-level security meeting and met delegations of political parties.
Abdullah, leading a delegation of National Conference, told reporters that he put forward some suggestions on how to control the violent unrest in the valley.
"But we also told him that unless some long term measures are taken," the Kashmir issue will continue to burn, he said.
"First of all, we have to accept that Jammu and Kashmir is not an issue of money. You cannot solve it by sending (economic) packages. It is not an issue of gun either. The gun has, of course, played a role in this issue. But fundamentally, it is not an issue related to the gun," he said.
He said he explained to Rajnath Singh that "Kashmir is fundamentally a political problem".
"And till we accept that, we cannot a find a solution to it."
The former Chief Minister said his party leaders told Rajnath Singh that the central government should "muster courage" and accept the reality of the Kashmir issue.
"Then you can involve people with different opinions. Talk to them. Bring in all stakeholders within the ambit of dialogue and arrive at a solution that is acceptable to all."
He said he also requested the Home Minister to stop using pellet guns at protesters and relax the curfe that was imposed after the July 8 killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, sparking the violent unrest.