Any life lost in Kashmir is a loss for India: PM Modi on Mann ki Baat

New Delhi, Aug 28: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said "Ekta" (unity) and "Mamata" (love) are the basic mantras for addressing the Kashmir problem even as he slammed those pushing children to create unrest, saying they will have to give answers to those "innocent" kids some day.

He emphasised that if any life is lost in Kashmir, whether of any youth or any securityman, "that loss is ours, of our own country".

Speaking on the unrest in the valley in his monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat', Modi said, "From the interactions I had with all parties on Kashmir, one thing emerged from those, which can be put in simple words as 'Ekta' and 'Mamata'. These two things were the basic mantra."

He said all the political parties had spoken in one voice on Kashmir, sending out a "message to the world as well as separatist forces" besides conveying "our sentiments to the people of Kashmir".

He equated it to the passage of landmark GST Bill by Parliament for which all the parties came together.

"It is the view of all of us, the view of 125 crore people from a pradhan of a village to the Prime Minister, that if any life is lost in Kashmir, whether of any youth or any securityman, that loss is ours, our own country," Modi said.

At the same time, he slammed "those people who push small children to try to create unrest in Kashmir", saying "some day, they will have to give answers to these innocent children".

The Prime Minister's remarks came a day after Jammu and Kashmir Chief MInister Mehbooba Mufti met him and presented a "three-pronged action plan" that includes dialogue with all stakeholders.

PTI