Prime Minister Narendra Modi has strongly condemned the endorsement of a ‘self-rule’ in the trouble-torn State of Jammu & Kashmir by senior Congress leader and former Union Finance/Defence Minister P. Chidambaram.

Chidambaram's recent remarks that Jammu & Kashmir ‘deserved’ to be given the right for ‘self-rule’ as it has already been granted a special status under the Constitution of India has been criticized harshly by BJP leaders and Union Ministers Arun Jaitley and Smriti
Irani.  Not surprisingly, Omar Abdullah’s National Conference has welcomed Chidambaram’s suggestion of giving J&K self-rule on a ‘trial’ basis.

Taking Chidambaram on at a meeting in India’s ‘software’ capital Bangalore, Modi said that the Congress party can’t wash its hands off Chidambaram’s condemnable remark on Jammu & Kashmir.  “Congress should respond to Chidambaram’s comments: it should clarify whether it supports his views.  Under no circumstances would we agree to providing self-rule to the State of Jammu & Kashmir.

“We didn’t expect Congress party to express such an opinion; Congress leaders speaking of giving autonomy to J&K amounts to insulting our soldiers who have been giving everything for our security.  Congress also attempted to spread wrong information on the Doklam issue and has been airing views which is against popular sentiment,” Modi said.