We have to build a new Kashmir, PM to Kashmiri Pandits ahead of ’Howdy, Modi’ event

Mangalore Today News Network

Houston, Sept 22, 2019: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday met and interacted with a delegation of Kashmiri Pandits in Houston, United States. During the interaction, a Kashmir pandit went on to kiss PM Modi’s hands and thanked him on behalf of 7 lakh Kashmiri Pandits. The delegation of Kashmiri Pandits lauded PM Modi for scrapping Article 370, which granted special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, and thanked him for taking a bold decision. For his part, PM Modi expressed his gratitude to Kashmiri Pandits for supporting the steps that have been taken by his government.

Talking to ANI, Surinder Kaul, a Kashmiri Pandit who met PM Modi said that during the interaction the prime minister told them that Kashmiri Pandits have suffered a lot in the last 70 years and his government will together with them to build a new Kashmir.

"PM told us you’ve suffered a lot together we’ve to build new Kashmir. Our youth presented him the messages that the community have prepared for him. I presented a memorandum on behalf of the community. He gladly accepted that. We thanked him on behalf of the 7,00,000 Kashmiri Pandits all over the globe for such a historic decision. We assured him that our community will work with the government to fulfill your dream for a Kashmir which is peaceful, full of growth where people are all happy," said Kaul.

PM Modi also met a delegation of Bohra Muslims and a group of Sikh community members in Houston. The Sikh community also submitted a memorandum to PM Modi. Submitting the memorandum, the Sikh community urged PM Modi to address the issues of 1984 Sikh genocide, in which thousands of Sikhs were killed across the country after the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.