Criticizing the Centre’s approach towards Kashmir, Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader and incumbent legislator from Jammu and Kashmir, Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami Thursday said that New Delhi’s lack of a political outreach is dangerous and could have adverse long-term implications. He urged upon Prime Minister of India to constitute an authoritative Parliamentarian Committee of major political parties whose recommendations over Kashmir should be binding on the Government of India. “BJP can’t handle Kashmir issue single handedly. It has to take leaders of other political parties and Parliament members into confidence. The better way to deal with Kashmir is to constitute a powerful committee of Parliamentarians whose recommendations should be implemented without any delay and impediment,” Tarigami said.
Talking to news agency CNS, Tarigami said that it will be a great service of Narendra Modi to nation if he will resolve the Kashmir issue and takes out people of Kashmir from the trap of death and agony.
He said that Central government’s tried and tested formulations of dealing with the political sentiment in Kashmir operatively and militarily rather than thinking out of the box has further exacerbated the situation in Kashmir and created an unprecedented sense of disaffection and cynicism-especially among the youth-that could have adverse long term implications.
He urged the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to initiate a process of “unconditional dialogue with all the stakeholders, particularly the voices of dissent”. “There is urgent need to reach out to all sections of people particularly youth who feel grossly harassed and humiliated,” Tarigami said.
He said the resolution of Kashmir issue was in the interest of both India and Pakistan to bring peace and prosperity in South Asia. “The money which both the countries should have utilized for the welfare of the poor and the hungry is being utilized to keep vigil on borders. The two countries should end the path of confrontation and go for reconciliation to resolve long pending Kashmir.”
Tarigami asked the centre to engage the alienated Kashmiris in the dialogue process rather than taking cosmetic steps like appointment of interlocutors, which he termed as a futile exercise. “Centre is always interested in extinguishing fire here but it neglects spark. There is a need to address this spark. India, Pakistan and separatists should soften their stand and engage with one another to resolve this issue,” he said and added that along with the political dialogue, the government should announce confidence-building measures like the stoppage of the use of pellet guns on protestors and withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from civilian areas where the armed forces are not required.
“We have to end the violence and the current bloodshed in Kashmir. And start a political process to bring an end to the problems of people of Kashmir. Why is there mistrust with the people of Kashmir? If there is a trust deficit, you have to create an environment of trust, “he said.
Tarigami also urged upon People’s Democratic Party to make New Delhi understand that use of brute force is not going to solve any problem in Kashmir. “The indifferent and callus attitude of those in power in Delhi and Srinagar is only inflaming the already worsening situation further. The least people expected from Prime Minister of India were to express his concern about the tragic situation but to the shock and surprise of everyone, he racked up Balochistan issue.
“Time has come for India to accept reality and understand that Kashmir is a political issue that needs to be resolved politically,” he said.
(CNS)