Although Rahul Gandhi has not spoken out on the current unrest in Kashmir, the Congress general secretary is drawing up plans to reach out to the stone-pelting youth in the Valley.
Recalling his Kashmiri origin, scion of the Nehru-Gandhi family has directed the Jammu & Kashmir Youth Congress to go to the people, especially the youth, because the MLAs and other politicians have kept away from them.
As the Amethi MP gets back from Niyamgiri Hills in Orissa after successfully taking up the cause of tribals, he is now being expected to play a role in Kashmir in weaning stone-pelting youth off violence. Jammu & Kashmir Youth Congress president Shoaib Lone on Tuesday sent a letter to the Indian Youth Congress central leadership inviting Rahul to visit the Valley.
?He had told me that his ancestors belonged to Kashmir. He personally feels that he is a Kashmiri. If he comes to Kahsmir to meet the youth, they will listen to him. They will also realise the serious concern Rahulji has about them and about Kashmir,? Lone said.
Appointed to the post barely four weeks back, Lone had a long meeting with Rahul in New Delhi recently, during which the latter was said to have expressed deep concern about the situation in the Valley and directed him to see what the Congress can do to restore peace and normalcy in the state.
?Rahulji told me that there is a need to work in Kashmir for a long time. He believes that when there is peace, nobody talks to anybody. Only when things start boiling that people start showing concern. He told me that when there is normalcy, we must not forget the people and we must keep trying to make things better,? said Lone.