Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan presented an impassioned view of Kashmir, deeming it ‘the crown of India’ during a recent visit. He emphasized the necessity of returning to normalcy to effectively manage state affairs in the region.
While speaking to journalists after offering prayers at the revered Hazratbal Dargah in Srinagar on Thursday, Khan shared his deep emotional ties to Kashmir, cultivated over several decades. He expressed, “I am saying this to the whole of India that Kashmir is the crown of our head.” His words resonated with his frequent visits to the Valley since his youth.
Recalling his experiences in the Union Home Ministry during the tumultuous 1980s, Khan reflected on his engaging interactions with Kashmiri students in universities like Aligarh and Amritsar. “I have a long-standing bond with the people of Kashmir. Your hospitality is unmatched,” Khan stated, illustrating the warmth he received during his encounters.
As he addressed current political landscapes, the Governor highlighted the progression of Indian democracy. “In our democracy, sovereignty lies with the people, not the leaders. A person born in an ordinary house can rise to become the Prime Minister or the President,” he remarked, pointing to the inclusivity of India’s political framework.
Khan poignantly reflected on the national scars left by partition and the ongoing unrest that afflicts Jammu and Kashmir. He conveyed sorrow for the suffering endured by its citizens. “When a country is divided, hate becomes institutionalised, and the people of Kashmir have paid the highest price for it,” Khan noted, drawing attention to the region’s painful history.
Calling for a united approach to restore peace, he underscored the collective responsibility to ensure Kashmir stabilizes. “The desire of the whole of India is that Kashmir functions like any other state, but that requires creating normal conditions first,” he stated forthrightly.
His message resonated with empathy and unity, underscoring that securing peace in Kashmir is a matter of shared national and human obligation. “Wherever there is pain, it is our duty to respond, because insecurity in one place is a threat to security everywhere,” Khan concluded, reaffirming the importance of a peaceful Kashmir for the entire nation.
