Violence not part of Kashmiriyat: President Ram Nath Kovind

Srinagar, July 27

President Ram Nath Kovind asserted on Tuesday that democracy had the capacity to reconcile all differences and bring out the best of the citizens’ potential, saying Kashmir is “happily” realising this vision.

In his convocation address at the University of Kashmir, Kovind, who is on a four-day J&K visit, said violence was never part of Kashmiriyat, but became a daily reality. “It was most unfortunate that this outstanding tradition of peaceful coexistence was broken. Violence, which was never part of Kashmiriyat, became a daily reality. “It (violence) is alien to Kashmiri culture and it can only be termed as an aberration, a temporary one, much like a virus that attacks the body and needs to be purged. Now there is a new beginning and determined efforts to regain this land’s lost glory,” he said.

“One of the oldest manuscripts of the Rigveda was written in Kashmir. In medieval times, it was Lal Ded who showed the way to bring together various spiritual traditions. In the works of Lalleshwari, you can see how Kashmir provides the template of communal harmony and peaceful coexistence,” he said, referring to Kashmir’s revered poetess.

Kovind said almost all religions that came to Kashmir embraced the unique feature of “Kashmiriyat” that shunned orthodoxy and encouraged tolerance and mutual acceptance among communities. “I take this opportunity to urge upon the younger generation of Kashmir to learn from their rich legacy. They have every reason to know that Kashmir has always been a beacon of hope for the rest of India,” he added. — PTI

Interacts with soldiers, lauds their courage

• Mei sapaz khushi tuhi meelith (I feel happy to meet you all), says the President at the beginning of his convocation speech
• Says all religions in Kashmir shunned orthodoxy and encouraged tolerance
• Interacts with soldiers at Army’s 15 Corps headquarters, lauds their courage and professionalism