Srinagar: Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan said that restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir is the “unanimous” desire of the country and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but he stressed that normalcy must be achieved. He was in Srinagar to participate in a two-day international seminar on “Peace, People and Prospects in Jammu and Kashmir” at the SKICC on the banks of Dal Lake.
He told reporters, “Everyone in the country, including the Prime Minister, wishes for statehood to be restored. However, we must create normalcy for this. We must ensure that the normal rule of law is enforced in the same way as elsewhere.” Arif Mohammad Khan said that the coronavirus originated in a specific place, but it devastated the entire world. Similarly, the threat posed by rioters is not just a concern for Kashmir; it is a concern for everyone. Describing Jammu and Kashmir as the crown jewel of the nation, he said it was unfortunate that Kashmir had to endure such a painful situation.
The Governor said, “Many people paid the price for Partition, but Kashmir paid the most. Recently, I was told that innocent people are often the victims of trouble. It is a law of nature that when fitna (unrest) spreads, innocent people inevitably suffer. This breaks my heart, but there is no system to target only the rioters.” Regarding the Bihar elections, Khan said that preparations are complete for the first phase on November 6. He described the elections as a celebration of democracy. He said that democracy has become very strong in the country. Citing the examples of President Draupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Modi, Khan said that family background no longer entitles a person to rule. He said, “Today, those who form the government are given a temporary mandate through the ballot. They are not sovereign, but the people are. This system sends a powerful message of hope to our youth. A woman from Odisha, who had to go to the SDM office for a land issue, is now the President of India. A man born in a simple home in Ahmedabad is the Prime Minister. This shows that there is no limit to your rise.”
Addressing the participants, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said that peace in Jammu and Kashmir has been possible due to the sacrifices of the last five years. Crediting Prime Minister Modi for this change, he said that “the sound of guns has been replaced by the laughter of children and education.” He added, “Peace cannot be established unless society follows the rule of law, and peace is a prerequisite for development and progress.”
