Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray. Press Trust of India file photo
A day after prime minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day address said that the Kashmir issue could be resolved by peace and not force, the Shiv Sena on Wednesday said that the Centre should first roll back Article 370 that gives Jammu & Kashmir its special status.
“Na gaalise, nagolise, parivartanhoga gale lagaanese… samasyasuljhegi har Kashmiri ko gale laganese (Kashmir probem cannot be resolved by either bullet or by abuses. It can be resolved by embracing Kashmiris),” the Modi had said on the problems that Kashmir faces and the role of separatists.
In a strongly worded editorial in Marathi daily, Saamana, and its Hindi tabloid version, Dophar ka Saamna, - whose managing editor is Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray, the party felt that the PM's statement comes as a shock.
“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 editorial said mocking the statement of Modi.
Referring to 'Vande Mataram', the Shiv Sena targetted Modi by saying why the prime minister does not show the same resolve with people who despite being Indians refused to chant the national song - similar to the resolve that he had shown at the time of enforcing the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and demonetisation drive.