Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath needs to be credited with meeting students from Kashmir and assuaging their fears, reassuring them of all help they need from the state administration. Last weekend, he met a group of 70 Kashmiri students studying in different colleges in UP and stressed on the importance of dialogue in a democracy. By all accounts, the students listened in attention after some initial reservations. Kashmiri students studying in the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) had on Friday decided against participating in the event meant to discuss ‘advantages’ of the nullification of Article 370. There are over 1,300 students from Kashmir valley studying in AMU. By asking them to share their views, the UP Chief Minister has opened up the discourse and made it interactive.
There are many Kashmiris studying in the state, particularly in its western parts like Aligarh, Ghaziabad and Noida. A session like this is an important step in the campaign to win hearts and minds and it is crucial at this stage that the country’s leading political lights lend their shoulders as well as their ears to the Kashmiris. When we rightfully state that Kashmir is an integral part of India, it follows that its residents are also an integral part and parcel of the country’s landscape. The more settled young Kashmiris feel after the abrogation of Article 370, the better it is for India. It is not a good idea to have too many alienated Kashmiris, particularly those living outside the state, to continue to feel sullen. Since they live in all parts of the country, it is important that other Chief Ministers follow Yogi’s example and address students, meet them and listen to their difficulties, if any. The best antidote to propaganda is lending a helping hand.
