SRINAGAR: Nobel peace laureate Kailash Satyarthi on Monday urged Kashmiri children to shun the path of violence and pursue their dreams saying “violence perpetuates violence and it becomes unstoppable”.
“I am against all forms of violence. The children should not resort to violence and should stay away from it,” Satyarthi, who arrived here as part of his Bharat yatra campaign, told reporters.
He had launched 35-day-long ‘Bharat Yatra’ campaign against child sexual abuse and trafficking from Kanyakumar on September 11 and the yatra would end in New Delhi on October 16.
The yatra, which is aimed at spreading awareness about child abuse has so far covered 11 thousand kilometres.
“The children should not be used for violence and should not get involved in politics. They need love and compassion. If they are exploited for violence then who will fulfill their dreams,” said Satyarthi, who had won Nobel peace prize in 2014,
He said he believes that violence cannot resolve any issue. “Whoever resorts to violence with whatever aim, the violence continues to spread”.
The Nobel peace laureate said he talked to children during a function in Srinagar. “When I told them I want to make friendship with them, all of them raised their hands. They touched my hands and raised slogans. I liked it”.
“I believe if a single child is not secure, then neither the country nor the world is secure,” he said.
Satyarthi evaded answer to a question on the use of pellet guns, slapping of Public Safety Act (PSA) on minors and imposition of Armed Force Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in the State saying, “Past is the past”.
He, however, said he would raise strong voice against the child abuse and violence.
Satyarthi said he was ready to meet pellet victims like Insha (who lost vision in both eyes due to pellets during unrest in Valley last year) during his future visits.
“They all are like my children and I want to know more about them,” he said.
Without naming separatists and militants, Nobel peace laureate asked them not to use children to achieve their goals.
Earlier, he addressed a gathering of children of various schools on the banks of Dal Lake at SKICC, here after jointly launching the next leg of Bharat Yatra campaign with State Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.
“The Kashmiri children are like my own children. I will make efforts to ensure their safety. I will knock at the doors of government in New Delhi and Srinagar to ensure their safety,” said Satyarthi, a child rights activist.
"I will make appeals and prayers for you and need be, I will struggle too, provided you stay away from violence,” he said.
Satyarthi said if a child is given weapon instead of books and pen, “then it is the lesson for the whole country and the world that why we cannot keep our children secure.”
“I know that Kashmir has given a message of brotherhood and love to the world, which still rests somewhere in our hearts,” he said.
According to him, some people spread violence, which leads to more violence. “Violence perpetuates violence and it is unstoppable”.
He took an oath from the children during the programme that they would oppose violence with children and make India a “safe Bharat”.
Satyarthi appealed for protecting rights of the children, in particular, their childhood and their education.
“An injury to a kid sends pain through the entire humanity. The innocence of the children gives us lot many lessons about the simplicity of life,” he said and appealed all sections of people to protect their innocence.