J&K youth now carry books and pens, not stones: PM on record voter turnout

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday praised the record voter turnout in phase 1 of the Jammu and Kashmir polls and stated that the people of J&K, infamous for throwing stones at the security personnel, now walk the streets with books and pens in their hands.
Jammu and Kashmir saw a voter turnout of 60.21 per cent in the first phase of polling for the Assembly election – the highest in the past seven elections.
Emphasising the role of Kashmiri Pandits in advancing Kashmiriyat, PM Modi highlighted the deep connection between the Pandit community and the region’s heritage. However, he pointed out that the self-serving politics of three prominent dynasties, referring to the National Conference, PDP and Congress, in Kashmir, has led to the displacement of Kashmiri Hindus from their homes.
In his address, PM Modi also drew attention to the hardships faced by Sikh families in Kashmir, who have similarly endured violence and atrocities. He accused the three political families of being complicit in acts of injustice against both the Kashmiri Hindu and Sikh communities, suggesting that their actions and those of their associates have contributed to the suffering and displacement of these groups over the years.
Reflecting on the transformation of Lal Chowk in Srinagar, PM Modi stated that once it was a place that symbolised danger for those attempting to hoist the tricolour flag.
In a veiled dig at the former Union Home Minister and senior Congress leader Sushil Kumar Shinde, PM Modi stated that for years, visiting Lal Chowk was fraught with fear, as people hesitated to enter the area due to safety concerns.
Earlier this month, while launching his memoir in Delhi, Shinde stated that he used to feel scared of venturing out in Kashmir while he held the post.
“Before I became the Home Minister, I visited him (educationist Vijay Dhar). I used to ask him for advice. He advised me not to roam around but to visit Lal Chowk (in Srinagar), meet people and go around Dal Lake,” Shinde stated.
However, he remarked that the situation has changed dramatically. Today, the markets of Srinagar, including Lal Chowk, are alive with the vibrant celebrations of both Eid and Diwali, signalling a new sense of normalcy and communal harmony.