NCP pulls up Rajnath for 'propagating' Kashmiri students' safety issue

A day after Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh called for safety of the Kashmiri students, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) said the former should not propagate the matter.

"The way Rajnath Singh has given a suggestion to the state after attack on Kashmiri students in Rajasthan, I think this should not be propagated. Publicity should not be there. He should have given the direction silently to the states rather than giving it publically," NCP leader Nawab Malik told ANI.

Asserting that protection of every citizen was the duty of the government, another NCP leader Jitendra Awhad said that Singh should not differentiate students by terming them 'Kashmiri students.'

"Kashmir is part of India so how can Rajnath Singh say that Kashmiri students should be protected. Protection of all Indian citizens is duty of the government. Every student should be protected as per law but why Rajnath Singh is differentiating them as Kashmiri students, Delhi students, Uttar Pradesh students," he told ANI.

In the wake of the Chittorgarh incident, where a group of Kashmiri students at a private university in Rajasthan were allegedly called terrorists and beaten up by the locals, Singh yesterday appealed to all the states to ensure the safety of the Kashmiris.

"Last evening, I got to know that few Kashmiri youth were mistreated. I appeal to all the Chief Ministers to ensure that no Kashmiri youth is mistreated in any part of the nation. Even they are a part of India. No one can rubbish this truth that many people from Kashmir are contributing to India's safety and prosperity," Singh told ANI.

He said he has asked the Home Ministry to immediately circulate an advisory to all states in this regard.

"The incident is extremely unfortunate and I condemn it. Strict action will be taken against anyone who mistreats any Kashmiri youth. I appeal to all the youth to consider them as their brother. They are citizens of our country and part of our family. The people should understand this reality," he added.