Conflict
Need to develop consensus at national level to solve Kashmir issue: CPI(M) to visiting Congress panel
Srinagar: CPI (M) leader and MLA Kulgam Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami on Saturday led a 15-member party delegation that met former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh led Congress panel in Srinagar, where they urged them that there was a need to develop consensus at the national level to solve the political problems of Kashmir through political approach.
The CPI (M) delegation told the Congress panel that there was a need to develop consensus on political problems of Jammu and Kashmir at national level. “Kashmir has been bleeding and under trauma for the last so many decades. But the last two years have been worst as a number of people, especially youth, have been killed, blinded, maimed and traumatised. Security forces can control the situation, but at what cost? If it is at the cost of miseries and sufferings of the people, then it is a bad bargain. The methods to manage the situation in Kashmir till now have failed. There is need to address the root cause of the problem instead of managing the situation. Kashmir is a legacy of history which needs to be addressed,” they told the visiting Congress panel during their interaction.
The CPI (M) delegation also reminded the visiting delegation that the peace of sub-continent was important for both India and Pakistan, but for that Kashmir needs to be addressed on priority. “By cosmetic measures, Kashmir situation can be managed timely, but disaffection and alienation of the people can’t be addressed. There is huge anger and hopelessness among the people and especially youth in Kashmir which needs to be addressed. If proper measures aren’t taken this time, situation may erupt again. There is a need to have human approach which can pave way for permanent peace. But for that political class of India, whether they are in opposition or government, need to unite and have a political approach to solve the political problem. But, unfortunately, Kashmir has always become the victim of domestic political compulsions,” they briefed Manmohan Singh led panel.
The Prime Minister’s exhortation that the problem will not be solved by “gaali” and “goli” but by embracing Kashmiris was the most hypocritical of them all. The Kashmir valley has been in turmoil and the use of force is the only distinctive approach of the centre to deal with the unrest among the people. There has not been a single initiative by the Modi government to start a political dialogue.
The CPI (M) delegation also apprised the visiting AICC’s ‘Policy and Planning’ group as how efforts were being made to disrupt the unity of Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh. Attempts are being made to erode whatever is left of state’s autonomy. Targetting 35A is part of this game plan.
They also urged the visiting Congress leaders that secular democratic forces of India must speak for people of Kashmir so that the gap between the Kashmir and rest of the country could be bridged.