"Modi sahab does not speak at all these days. He is one of the great disappointments of my life. The man should speak."

Said : Ram Jethmalani, an eminent lawyer and one of the first persons to propose Narendra Modi's name as BJP's prime ministrial candidate.

According to a PTI report carried by the Economic Times, Jethmalani criticised the government for stopping Hurriyat leaders from attending Pakistan High Commission's proposed reception which eventually led to the cancellation of NSA-level talks between both countries. 

Jethmalani said the Pakistan High Commissioner here represents a sovereign government and "how can you prevent him from meeting people?" He opined that such actions bring "tremendous disrepute" to the country and creates bad precedent of diplomatic behaviour. 

"They neither know international law, our leaders...I am talking about all leaders, more in the Congress. Modi sahab does not speak at all these days. He is one of the great disappointments of my life. The man should speak," Jethmalani was quoted as saying. 

"If you don't know how to speak then at least consult someone. Surely, there are better people and just because you are Prime Minister, you are not the wisest person. But he does not want to learn."

According to him calling Hurriyat leaders as 'separatists' reflects "gross misunderstanding" and "ignorance" among the "illiterate people in cabinet, government, parties". 

He said that "a lasting and honourable peaceful resolution to the Kashmir issue must and can be found which can be acceptable to political elements and regions of the state." 

It is worth noting here that Jethmalani had formed a Kashmir Committee in 2002 to play the role of interlocutor on Kashmir. 

According to Jethmalani, this committee had ensured that both sides diluted their extreme positions. "On their side, extreme position is secession. On this side, the extreme position is repeal of Article 370," he claimed. 

"If you don't know how to speak then at least consult someone. Surely, there are better people and just because you are Prime Minister, you are not the wisest person. But he does not want to learn," he added. 

Watch Jethmalani Speaking on this issue.