Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s belated words on Kashmir unrest may have got some response in the unionist camp, but the separatists are unimpressed. Haroon Mirani reports.
The Prime Ministers Speech regarding Kashmir has evoked mixed response here, with usual praise from most unionists and brickbats from all separatists.
The biggest criticism to PM’s speech came on his emphasis on jobs and economy, which separatists claim is the old ploy of New Delhi to take away the attention from real issues. PM’s remarks on autonomy also drew flak from not only separatists but also from across the border in Islamabad.
According to separatists these cannot be substitute for the right to self-determination.
As Siddiq Wahid vice chancellor of Islamic University puts it, “Aside from being perhaps second Prime Minister after Jawaharlal Nehru to address the nation over Kashmir issue there was nothing new or extraordinary about PM’s speech.”
People feel that after the situation gets bad in Kashmir New Delhi makes promises but never have they taken first step. To avoid giving triumphant feeling to Kashmiri protestors, New Delhi has been avoiding taking any concrete steps except expressing willingness to do something in future.
Chairman of Hurriyat Conference (G) Syed Ali Shah Geelani while reacting to PM’s speech said that there was nothing new in it. “He (PM) didn’t acknowledge the real issue for which Kashmiris have taken to streets and are offering sacrifices,” said Geelani. “People just want right to self determination and no amount of jobs or economic packages or even so-called internal autonomy can be substitute for that.”
Geelani reiterated his demand of withdrawal of troops, repeal of AFSPA and other “draconian” laws, release of political prisoners and initiating a tripartite dialogue on Kashmir under the ambit of relevant UN Security Council resolution.
Reacting to PM’s appeal to peace Geelani said that Kashmiris want peace more than any body else. “India has been deploying lakhs of troops in Kashmir with absolute powers and who use brute force against people even if they try to present their demands peacefully,” said Geelani.
The octogenarian leader said Kashmiris weren’t vitiating the state’s peaceful atmosphere and accused security forces of unleashing a reign of terror across the Valley. “They have killed 51 people, mostly teenagers, during the last two months who were protesting peacefully for their rights,” said Geelani.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, chairman of Hurriyat Conference (M) while reacting to PM’s speech said that the prime minister mixed up too many things in his statement to dilute the real issue. “By mixing economy and unemployment, Dr Singh tried to dilute the real Kashmir issue,” said Mirwaiz.
“Kashmir problem is of a different genre raging from 1947 and where Pakistan too is a party. It would have been good if PM would have told his people the truth.”
Asked whether the statement will have any effect on the situation of Kashmir, Mirwaiz said, “the people are not in a mood to listen to PM to resume work without the latter not doing anything to end human rights violations, withdrawal of troops and revocation of draconian laws.”
Mirwaiz said that PM should have delivered something concrete on ground instead of just talking. “He must address the real Kashmir issue and take practical steps for its solution,” he said.
Retreating into its own hard shell after repeatedly annoying New Delhi by not participating in All Party meets both in the state and at New Delhi, PDP has tried to dilute its stand by praising the PM’s statement albeit in a milder form.
PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti welcomed the fresh initiative unveiled by Prime Minister to address the unrest in Kashmir with the hope that it will be a critical step forward in facilitating peace in the Kashmir Valley. But she was also critical of PM’s statement being very late. “The Prime Minister’s statement has come after two months, following the killing of 51 locals. It is good that the Prime Minister has spoken about this issue, and, he has tried to reach out to the people,” Mufti told reporters.
“We hope and believe that an initiative should take place at the PM’s level. The second thing about political process that he is talking about should be fruitful and result-oriented. The people of different mindsets and opinions on the matter should be engaged in this process,” Mufti added.
Mufti said she expected the PM to talk about an uninterrupted, conclusive and serious dialogue. “But it could prove to be a serious beginning,” she said. The opposition leader said the PM’s speech was good in tone and tenor but lacked in substance that could have defused the present crisis.
“However, it’s heartening that the PM recognised the people’s sentiments particularly that of the youth,” she said. She added the PM could have spelled out a future road map to resolve the issue.
Mufti did not rule out the futility of an economic package and said that once normalcy is restored, then economic packages could also be looked into.
“At this juncture, the priority of the Prime Minister should be towards a political package and a political resolution. As far as economic packages are concerned, it is being addressed since 1947, but at this present moment, the concern should be to rescue the people out of this prevailing situation,” she added.
National Conference was the only party that loudly praised PM. The party said that only “greater autonomy” to Kashmir could provide a workable solution to undo present turmoil in the state. They want New Delhi to act and restore the greater autonomy to J&K as it enjoyed prior to 1964.
NC chief Farooq Abdullah said in New Delhi, “We welcome the PM’s initiative on autonomy within the Constitution and I am hopeful that this will bring some peace to the Valley.” He said his party “will begin dialogue with other political parties in the state to bring a consensus on this issue.”
