Embracing Kashmiris is the objective: Dineshwar Sharma

What mandate has Prime Minister Narendra Modi given to you?

The Prime Minister is very emotionally attached to Kashmir and wants to see a doable solution to the Kashmir problem. He has already announced on August 15 that the problem of Kashmir should be solved by embracing the people of Kashmir. He told me to talk to Kashmiris.

Have you been given a brief on whom to talk to and whom not to?

I have been given complete freedom. I can definitely talk to all stakeholders, which includes the Hurriyat.

Some Hurriyat members have been involved in cross-border fund transfers, and yet they are 'supposed' stakeholders...

Stakeholders don't mean a few select faces. It means the entire people of Jammu and Kashmir. Some of them might be doing something wrong. What do I have to do with it? I don't have to look into that aspect. That is a separate investigation.

How difficult is your job, keeping in mind that Pakistan continues to interfere?

It is very difficult, but I'm sure that the people of Kashmir will realise that real harm is being caused to them by outside forces.

Coming to student protests, what do you feel explains their participation in such large numbers?

Students were pushed to come out on the streets to protest. Vested elements motivated them. They are a weapon used by interested parties. Any action by security forces would get them maximum international attention. That was the purpose.

How does the State deal with them?

The people of Kashmir will have to realise this (that the students are being manipulated) and my job is to make them realise that this (stone pelting) is not the right thing.

Finally, Kashmiris are nostalgic about insaniyat, Kashmiriyat and jhamoriyat. How will you take these sentiments forward?

I will try to follow the path shown by Mr Vajpayee. Let me go and see; I will try to ensure peace and look for doable solutions so that it (radicalisation and student protests) do not keep happening again and again.