New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday hailed other political parties, especially Congress, for speaking in one voice on the Kashmir issue and called it the strength of India.
"We would like to move forward with this strength," PM Modi said.
PM Modi, who was speaking at Bhabhra in Madhya Pradesh, reached out to people of the restive Kashmir and indicated willingness to hold dialogue in the spirit of of 'insaniyat (humanity), jamhuriyat (democracy) and Kashmiriyat', enunciated by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Asserting that the state government, in which BJP is a partner, along with the central dispensation, is working towards the state's development, he said his government would do everything in this regard and will help lawyers, doctors, those depending on tourism and apple growers in their endeavours.
"Our Kashmir is heaven for the countrymen. Every India has a dream to travel to Kashmir sometime. But we can see that a handful of people in Kashmir, which is loved by India so much, a few misled people are harming this great tradition," he said before invoking Vajpayee's mantra.
"The common man in Kashmir wants peace," he said.
His government wants to take Kashmir to new heights of development, empower its panchayats and give job opportunities to its youths, he said.
The Prime Minister congratulated Mehbooba Mufti for ensuring that the Amarnath yatra continue despite the 'malicious intentions' of a few people.
"Peace, unity and harmony in Kashmir... And I will especially call upon the youngsters of Kashmir that my friends we should together keep Kashmir as the heaven in the world. We should keep this dream," he said.
He also used the occasion to make an appeal to Maoists and militants to lay down their arms, asking them to reflect if violence has given them anything even though they lost so much.
Addressing the people of conflict-hit Kashmir, he said, "Governments of India and Jammu & Kashmir, besides 125 crore Indians, wish you well. They want your development. Whatever India has to give for your development, we are ready to give."
In Kashmir, there has been no dearth of people willing to die for the country, he said, asking the people to join hands in nation-building.
The valley has been hit by violence following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8. Over 55 people, including two policemen, have been killed during clashes between protesters and security forces. Large parts of Kashmir have been under intermittent curfew during the period.
Modi was here to kick off a 15-day exercise, '70 Saal Azadi-Zara Yaad Karo Kurbani', a BJP move to commemorate the Independence Day.
Speaking on the day Mahatma Gandhi had given Quit India call to the British in 1942, the Prime Minister asked the countrymen to take up a cause and develop the country to the ideals of freedom fighters.
The Valley has been on the boil for over a month now following the killing a Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani on July 8.
