Congress welcomes Modi's 'embrace' assertion on Kashmir

The Congress Party on Wednesday welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's passionate statement that the Kashmir unrest can be solved with an 'embrace', saying that latter believes in such a policy then he should move towards attaining it.

Speaking to ANI, Congress leader Meem Afzal hailed Prime Minister Modi's assertion that neither bullets nor brickbats will solve the Kashmir issue.

"I believe that if PM Modi has realised that the policy that has been going to solve the Kashmir issue is not going to help anymore and therefore there has to be a shift in that policy. He is correct that there is no solution with "Goli and Gali" (bullets and brickbats). And I believe if his new policy is to 'embrace' then he should move towards that direction," he said.

On the contrary, another party leader Tom Vadakkan said that the Prime Minister picks up rhyming words like "goli and gali" but practitioners of "Goli and Gali" have no place in India.

"This is a non-violent country which avoids "goli and gali". It might rhyme but does not go into the hearts of the people. What you need to do is win the hearts of the people. And that's what is important. And if the PM makes an effort in Jammu and Kashmir towards that, I think we will achieve a lot," he added.

Earlier on Tuesday, senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram reminded Prime Minister Modi that 'one cannot embrace with a gun in hand'.

In a series of strongly worded tweets, the former union minister took on the Prime Minister over his Independence Day address.

"PM said "will embrace Kashmir". Humbly submit one cannot embrace with a gun in hand. PM said "GST showed India's capability". It actually showed India's capacity to mess up implementation," he said.

Addressing the nation on the occasion of the 71st Independence Day, Prime Minister Modi opined that the situation in the Valley cannot be solved by bullets or abuses, but by embracing Kashmiris.

Strongly condemning the rise of terrorism, Prime Minister Modi assured that while national security remains the top priority of the Centre, no leeway will be given to terrorists.

"We are not alone in our fight against terrorism; many countries are actively supporting us. There will be no type of softness against terrorism," he said, adding, "We are committed to restoring Kashmir's status of heaven on earth.