Indian PM's big I-Day message: Unite not divide

New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh began his address to the nation from the ramparts of Red Fort at 0730 hrs (IST) on Friday. Voicing concern over violence in Jammu and Kashmir, Manmohan Singh warned that dividing people in the name of religion could pose a threat to the unity of the country.

Urged political parties to come together to resolve issues related to Amarnath land row through dialogue, the PM said divisive politics would lead the country to nowhere.

With unabated violence in the state apparently weighing heavily on his mind, Singh underlined that issues related to the Amarnath shrine could be resolved in "an atmosphere of peace and goodwill".

Manmohan Singh's comments came amid continuing unrest both in the Kashmir Valley and the Jammu region over differences between Muslims and Hindus over the allotment of land - subsequently cancelled - to a board managing the annual pilgrimage to the Hindu Amarnath shrine.

The unprecedented communal divide has led to the deaths of around 40 people, mainly in firing by the police and other security forces.

In his speech, Manmohan Singh sought to emphasise how the pilgrimage to the Amarnath shrine of Lord Shiva had brought Hindus and Muslims together for decades.

"The sacred shrine of Shri Amar Nath inspires all Indians to march together. This shrine is a shining example of our secular tradition, where Hindu pilgrims have been looked after for years by their Muslim brothers.

"Issues related to this sacred place, especially the issue of providing the best possible facilities to pilgrims, can only be resolved in an atmosphere of peace and goodwill," the Prime Minister said.

He warned: "Dividing people in the name of religion can complicate these issues further which can also pose a threat to the unity and integrity of the country.

Source : IBN Live