Reactions to PM’s speech

“ We welcome the PM’s speech. It was nicely worded and there were excellent pronouncements,” party senior leader and MP Mehboob Beig said. “There has been always a huge mistrust between Delhi and Srinagar and that is mainly because of New Delhi failing to act on various recommendations including the autonomy document,” he said. “Though PM promised a lot in his speech but it is time to act now as quickly as possible. “

Beig said he expected that Delhi will engage all shades of opinion for talks with honour and dignity. “You can not ignore Syed Ali Shah Geelani. Geelani sahib told people to stage peaceful protests and they are happening. He also appealed to youngsters not to pelt stones and they are following him. So let us face the reality – Delhi has to engage the separatists for finding a political solution to the problem,” he said.

Daniyal Samad,22,student

What the Prime Minister said was not entirely unexpected. It was the same eye wash speech as has always been done. This shows what the Prime Minister thinks about the youth and the turmoil in the valley. But nevertheless,we don’t expect Delhi to be generous towards Kashmir’s.

Arshid Nabi,19,student

India has failed once again. At a time when people in Kashmir wanted to hear the words of concern,we hear the same rhetoric. The Prime Minister had gone the way of the Home Minister and virtually said nothing that would help improve the situation.

Local resident Majid Ahmad

PM’s reaching out to the people of Kashmir was disappointing to say the least. After the killings of 51 youth,PM asking Kashmiri youth to “go back to their schools and colleges and resume studies”. This sounds like a joke. It shows disrespect to peoples’ sentiment that is bringing them out on the streets. This will only anger the youth more.