Veteran congress leader Ghulam Rasool Kar, who rejoined the party after a year’s interlude of estrangement, made a strong appeal to the party for improving the country’s relations with Pakistan. And for that he gave a simple and strong reason – Kashmir’s love for Pakistan.
“Every Kashmiri is emotionally attached to Pakistan whether they are in Congress or National Conference,” Kar said at the party’s convention in Sopore.What Kar said may be a ground reality in Kashmir, but is rarely acknowledged on record, at least not in pro-India circles. But, off late politicians in Kashmir are making statements with a separatist tinge.
Kar urged the Congress leadership to accept this “harsh” reality. “Congress should have cordial relations with Pakistan. The party must strive for resolution of all disputes with Pakistan especially the dispute on Kashmir,” he suggested.
Stressing the need for a meaningful and result oriented dialogue with Pakistan, Kar said, “I am an Indian but I am pained to see Pakistan in trouble. When a Pakistani gets killed in a bomb blast, my eyes get moistened automatically. This is how every Kashmiri feels.”
Kar urged Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh and the UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi to initiate dialogue with Islamabad to usher in an era of peace and prosperity in the region.
Kar made the speech in front of Pradesh Congress chairman Saifud-Din Soz, who also addresses the convention after Kar. But Kar’s speech rendered Soz’s address irrelevant.
