The Governor has invited the PM to attend a university convocation, while state BJP leaders are also trying to arrange visits to other regions for project inaugurations.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Kashmir Valley this summer and appeal to the youth of the troubled region to shun the path of militancy.
With unrest in the valley rising, Modi is likely to address the annual convocation of the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKAUST) in May-June. University chancellor and state governor N.N. Vohra has invited the Prime Minister for the event, ThePrint has learnt.
“We are yet to receive an official communication from the Raj Bhavan. But we hope this matures, as it will be a big thing for the students to receive their degrees from the PM,” SKAUST public relations officer Parvez Ahmed told ThePrint.
Around 700 students are going to receive their degrees at the convocation, including undergraduates, post-graduates, and PhDs.
Taking youth into confidence
The University of Kashmir, the Central University of Kashmir and colleges in the region remained shut for three days following three deadly encounters that killed 13 militants Sunday, and then witnessed protests Thursday against the deaths of civilians during the encounters.
The Centre’s interlocutor for Jammu and Kashmir, Dineshwar Sharma, said the situation would only get better by taking the youth into confidence.
On Thursday, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti tweeted that the PM can win the “trust, hearts and minds” of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Hearty congratulations to @BJP4India on its foundation day. I sincerely hope that India under @narendramodi ji can truly exhibit the moral leadership of the region by winning the trust, hearts & minds of the people of J&K.
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) April 6, 2018
What else the PM will do
Sat Sharma, the Jammu and Kashmir state BJP president, said the PM is scheduled to visit all three regions of the state — Ladakh, Kashmir and Jammu. “He is coming to lay the foundation stone for the Zojila tunnel in Kargil, and a series of developmental projects, a majority of which are being executed under the Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP) in Jammu,” he said.
A lot is being read into the visit because the 2019 general elections are around the corner. However, with the deteriorating situation in the Kashmir valley, Modi’s itinerary might have changes.
“Our efforts are to get the PM to visit the state. It is tentative, but we are trying to get him to inaugurate all other projects, including AIIMS, Jammu,” BJP’s state general secretary, Narinder Singh, said.
In 2014, Modi was the first PM to visit Kargil since the 1999 conflict with Pakistan. He also visited the state on 2 April 2017, when he inaugurated the Chenani-Nashri tunnel in Udhampur district and addressed a public rally in Udhampur.
Brings to mind that magical summer evening when a new administration was inaugarated with so much hope, all good and great things seemed possible, with Saarc premiers present, presaging closer regional cooperation. Some noble gesture from the heart, of healing and reconciliation, could mark this important visit to Kashmir. Perhaps a declaration that Article 370 is a permanent umbilical cord that binds the Valley to the rest of India. The people of Kashmir must be made to feel that they are more precious to us than their land.