Conflict

Mirwaiz rebuts Rajnath, says there was never any ‘unconditional offer of talks’ from GoI

Srinagar: Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Chairman of the Hurriyat (M) has rebutted Home Minister of India Rajnath Singh’s claim that an ‘unconditional offer of dialogue’ was offered to Hurriyat leadership.

Mirwaiz said contrary to the talks, Government of India wanted a military solution with a view to integrate Kashmir and even to do away with J&K’s special status.

Rajnath Singh on Thursday said that the Government of India was ready to hold talks with the Hurriyat Leadership however, they shut their doors when the All Party Delegation went to meet them.

“A perception was being created that BJP doesn’t want to talk to Hurriyat. And then we asked people to go there (Kashmir) and have talks with them (Hurriyat). And when all party delegation went there to talk the doors were shut for them,” Singh said in Rajya Sabha, the upper house of parliament.

He also added that the Government of India was willing for an ‘unconditional dialogue’ and the same was conveyed to former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, when she was in alliance with the BJP.

In May, last year, Mehbooba had urged Hurriyat to respond to the GoI’s appeal for talks. Singh had then said,” If Hurriyat is ready to come to the table for talks, we are ready for it. However, as on date, there is no indication from them to this effect.”

He had also said that New Delhi is ready to hold talks with Pakistan if it comes forward to hold talks. “To not welcome anyone who wants to talk, is not the right thing.”

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