Shiv Sena attacks Modi’s I-Day speech: ‘Soldiers can break guns, hug Kashmiris, govt can do away with Article 370’

A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence day speech, advocated resolving the Kashmir issue by peace and not force, the Shiv Sena on Wednesday taunted the Union government should first roll back Article 370 that gives Jammu & Kashmir its special status if it wants to really solve the Kashmir issue.

In an editorial in the party’s mouthpiece, Saamana, the Sena said Modi’s stand on Kashmir-- that the stalemate can be resolved neither by a verbal war nor bullets, but by embracing people -- has left not only the Sena, but the entire country speechless.

“We are surprised how no one had ever come up with this great thought. The government should now do away with Article 370 so that large groups of people can go to Kashmir and hug the people there. Soldiers should break their guns and hug Kashmiris. We welcome the prime minister’s speech,” the Shiv Sena said in a veiled taunt.

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The party said former vice-president Hamid Ansari’s statement about Muslims feeling unsafe in their country recently invited ample backlash from government leaders and people with their thoughts aligned with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). “The fear that Hamid Ansari expressed and the stand that Modi took in his Independence day speech are contrary to each other. Violence in this country is ongoing and if it is underway in the name of devotion and peace, then why Muslims, even Hindus will start feeling unsafe in this country,” the Shiv Sena said.

The party also indirectly criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the increasing chasm between vegetarians and non-vegetarians in a city like Mumbai and the latter being denied houses in the city for the same.

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