Opposition in Rajya Sabha questions government's silence on Kashmir

New Delhi, Aug 8  Opposition members in the Rajya Sabha on Monday demanded a discussion on the ongoing unrest in Jammu and Kashmir, and also asked the government to call an all-party meeting on the issue.

"Today it's one month of curfew, everything has stopped. I don't think any state had curfew for 30 days after Independence. School, colleges are shut, there is almost nil attendance in Secretariat,' Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said raising the issue in the Rajya Sabha. 

"The government, and specially the Prime Minister, are mute spectators. India's crown is on fire but the heat is not reaching the government in Delhi," he said. 

Azad accused the government of being silent on the issue. 

"People are eager to hear what the Prime Minister has to say on Kashmir. This is not an ordinary situation. I urge the government to call an all-party meeting, and an all-party delegation should go to Kashmir," Azad said. 

Communist Party of India-Marxist leader Sitaram Yechury questioned the use of pellet guns against protesters in Kashmir. 

"There has been curfew since 30 days. In such a situation how can we remain silent? Why are we using pellet guns? It's inhuman, it's criminal, even Israel does not use it against Palestinians," Yechury said. 

He also slammed the government for remaining silent on the issue. 

"By choosing to remain silent, the Prime Minister is sending a message that this government does not care," he said. 

D. Raja of the Communist Party of India also said the use of pellet guns should be stopped. 

Samajwadi Party member Neeraj Shekhar said: "The youths killed were Indians or not? There is no statement from the Prime Minister or Home Minister... What message are we sending?" 

Janata Dal-United leader Sharad Yadav added: "The government's silence on this issue is hurting." 

Following this, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the government is ready to debate the issue. 

"We want peace in Kashmir... and people of Kashmir have repeatedly defeated powers that have tried to disrupt peace. We are ready to debate on the issue," Naqvi said.