Kashmir an integral part of India: Shanti Bhushan

Ghaziabad, Oct 17: Days after his son was attacked by some right-wing activists for advocating plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir, former law minister and team Anna member Shanti Bhushan on Sunday said Prashant never meant that the state is not an integral part of India.

"My son never meant that Kashmir is not an integral part of India. It is an integral part of India. He had just asked for a plebiscite in Kashmir to know the public opinion," Shanti Bhushan told PTI by telephone. Bhushan said heavy deployment of security forces has created a sense of unease in the Kashmiris and security forces should be withdrawn for at least two years to give a sigh of relief to them.

The leading advocate also sought a new law to give protection to leaders and luminaries who speak on the matters concerning the country. "Everyone has a right to speak under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution and physical assault for just giving a statement should be a non-bailable offence with imprisonment of minimum five years," Bhushan said.

PTI