Jammu: On Sunday, Union minister Jitendra Singh claimed that some "Kashmir-centric politicians" and their parties are doing damage to the youth of the valley by encouraging them to die in militancy. He praised Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani, a Kashmiri militant-turned-soldier who was awarded the Ashok Chakra, and said the youth should make him a role model.

Without taking name of anyone, Singh said that  "He has no hesitation to say that some Kashmir-centric politicians, the separatist stand already identified, who are wearing the robes of mainstream and their parties are doing injustice to the youth of the valley."The minister of state in the PMO said on the sidelines of a function in Udhampur district , that "They have secured the future of their children but are encouraging the children of their neighbours to die." He further added that  he met the family of the martyred soldier Wani who was once a terrorist and took a pledge not to die like a militant but as an armyman and "He underwent the change of heart and his story is an inspiration for the nation and the youth of the valley. He killed terrorists and evacuated to safety his injured colleagues before sacrificing his life,"

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He clarified that  the time has come when the youth of the valley should understand that it is better to die like a soldier than a militant. In his words "It is encouraging that youths of the valley have started moving forward to be part of the developmental yatra under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,"He also point out  'Mann Ki Baat' programme of Modi, while he said that the prime minister completed 52nd episode of the radio address to the nation and the history will remember that he never used the platform for politics and instead guided the nation on the very important issues concerning society, health, economy and cleanliness among others.? Earlier, Singh distributed golden cards among Ayushman Bharat beneficiaries at a function and also reviewed the progress of various centrally sponsored schemes in Udhampur district.

The district has registered 75,000 beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana-Ayushman Bharat which aims to provide health insurance coverage of Rs five lakh per family annually to the families living under the Below Poverty Line (BPL). Weighting the various achievements of the government, Singh said various initiatives have been taken by the present dispensation for the development of the nation. He exhorted upon the general public to come forward and avail maximum benefits of the centrally sponsored schemes.

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