Restraint after attack on yatris message to separatists: Indresh

Kashmiris should realise that India is the safest place for them, senior Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh functionary Indresh Kumar has said, citing the “restraint and patience” exhibited by people across the country in the aftermath of the attack on Amarnath Yatris in the Valley in July.

Else, Kumar told ET, Kashmiris would be made slaves in Pakistan, which could be engulfed by China one day. Referring to thousands of Kashmiris living and studying across the country, Kumar told ET. “No Kashmiri was hurt anywhere. So, people of India want to save people of Kashmir. If Sikhs would have got angry after Chhattisinghpora (massacre of 35 Sikhs in 2000), what would have happened to Kashmiris across India? There was no provocation and nobody reacted. This is a message to separatists, violent people and terrorists.”

Kashmiri students are based in Kerala, Gujarat and Assam, and also do business everywhere in India, Kumar said. “Kashmiris should understand that New Delhi is always a friend, a mother and a father to all of them. They should save themselves from real enemies in Kashmir and Pakistan, who instigate them to fire bullets and throw stones,” he said.

Kumar said that every citizen of the country should live in the mainstream and the politicians threatening agitation in the wake of Article 370 or 35 (A) petition are blackmailing SC, which he said cannot be tolerated in a democracy.

“A new political era is born and new philosophy is emerging in the nation. Everybody should welcome and respect that. Politics of conflict and divide will not work, but politics of development will rule now,” he said.

The majority of the people in Jammu & Kashmir who want to live in the mainstream should isolate “separatists and terrorists and those who instigate violence”, he said.

The RSS leader, who has extensively worked in Kashmir, put forth a reference from history saying that Sheikh Abdullah of National Conference was welcomed in Delhi, even when he had ordered firing on Praja Parishad Andolan in Kashmir. “Nobody pelted a rock at him in Delhi,” said Kumar.

For hatred of India, Kumar said, Pakistan is going in the lap of China. “40,000 Chinese army is in Pakistan in the name of security and development. In Pakistan, all provinces including Baluchistan, Sindh, Pakhtunistan, Gilgit Baltistan, PoK and Muhajirs are fighting for their freedom. And these revolutions can break Pakistan into many pieces any time. They are facing an existential threat,” said Kumar.