Blaming the Congress for the plight of Kashmiris for decades, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called for "hugging each Kashmiri and creating a "new paradise" in the valley.

Launching the BJP's poll campaign for the next month's Maharashtra Assembly elections, Modi said a lot of efforts are being made from across the border to foment violence in Jammu and Kashmir.

"We have to create a new paradise (in Kashmir) hug each Kashmiri," he said.

"We had been saying 'Kashmir Hamara Hain' (Kashmir is ours) all along. But, now we will have to build it anew. New Kashmir is our pledge. We will have to make it heaven again," Modi said while addressing a rally here at Nashik.

"We will have to heal the wounds of people Kashmir. We will have to be sympathetic to people who had been victims of Delhi's wrong policies," he said.

The decision to revoke provisions under Article 370 was a decision for the unity of India, Modi said.

"The youth, mothers and sisters in Jammu and Kashmir have made up their mind to come out of the long period of violence. They want development and new job opportunities," he said.

Adding, "We had promised that we will make new efforts to curb the problems in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

"Today I can say with satisfaction that the country has started walking towards fulfilling those dreams".

He was addressing the concluding rally of Mahab Janadesh Yatra of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Hitting out at Pakistan, PM Modi said that all efforts are being made from across the borders to spread violence all over India.

"Efforts are also being made to hinder the ongoing peace process in Kashmir. But people there have made up their minds to walk away from the path of violence and walk the path of development," he said.

He also took potshots at the opposition and NCP Chief Sharad Pawar in particular for inadvertently playing in hands of enemies of the nation while criticizing the government.

"Opposition had not been cooperative over the issue. They criticize us. That too is acceptable. But, they have been playing in the hands of enemies of nation inadvertently. I can understand that the Congress is confused.

"But, when a seasoned politician like Sharad Pawar makes some statement it hurts. He thinks that our neighbouring country is a welfare state. Everybody has a right to keep opinions. But people know where the terror factory is," Modi said.