‘Window of hope can change mood’
With an all party delegation visiting Kashmir, minority affairs minister Salman Khurshid on Monday appealed for peace and asked for a "window of hope" to bring about a change in the mood in the Valley.
The minister stated that delegation’s visit clearly indicates that the whole country feels the pain of Kashmiri people. "Today there is a nation-wide concern and sensitivity to the pain being felt by the people in Kashmir. I appeal to all sections to open a little window. I hope some way out is found," Mr Khurshid stated. He also appealed to the people to maintain calm and asked for the dispute to be solved with mutual understanding.
With the court verdict on Ayodhya expected on September 24, the minister stated that there was a need to remain alert.
"There is no question of fear. But as it happened in the past when communal sentiments were whipped, there is a need to remain alert taking lessons from our experiences," Mr Khurshid said. Asked whether he is in favour of an out of court settlement, the minister said it is not proper to "propound another theory" when a judgment is coming.
On the fate of the Communal Violence Bill, which seeks to address communal riots more effectively, the minister said the bill will soon come before Parliament as home ministry and law ministry have already accommodated the suggestions of civil groups. Mr Khurshid said it’s time that the bill is made a law otherwise people start doubting intentions. On development issues, Mr Khurshid said the Centre can only grant funds while implementation has to be done by the states. Mr Khurshid pointed out that said NDA-ruled Bihar could utilise only 19.29 per cent of the total funds and Left-ruled West Bengal only 13 per cent.
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