Terming the remarks of BJP general secretary Ram Madhav as “provocative” and “far from reality”, the incarcerated chairman of Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) Shabir Ahmad Shah on Thursday said we don’t run away from talks but to hold it under the Constitution of India is “unacceptable”.
In a statement, Shah said there are three stakeholders of the Kashmir issue and that we demand the right to self-determination to the State of Jammu Kashmir that existed before 1947.
On Madhav’s remarks that ‘political solution to Kashmir issue is a mere slogan by romantic people’, Shah said if it is so, then what scares them from holding a referendum in the region. “By making such deceitful statements, India cannot change the reality of the dispute. Our stand is not weak nor do we demand anything that would challenge India’s sovereignty as Jammu Kashmir was never its part,” he said.
The DFP chairman said Kashmir is not a law and order issue but the one concerning the future of 1.25 crore people. “If India is so sure about its claims, let the referendum decide and whatever the results would be acceptable to all. The peaceful solution to Kashmir is vital for the establishment of peace in the subcontinent,” he said.
Asking BJP leaders to give a thorough thought to Kashmir issue, Shabir Ahmad Shah said the party being in majority in parliament can create history by resolving the longstanding dispute. “Indian leaders must realise that tactics of suppression and repression, killings and arrests didn’t cow down the people of Kashmir who continue to demand their right of Azadi. So wisdom lies in accepting the reality and resolving the dispute,” he said.
Hailing the pro-freedom spirit and resolve of the people, Shah reiterated his appeal to follow the pro-freedom leadership’s protest calendar in letter and spirit.
“The sacrifices and show of support exhibited by Fruit Growers Association, trade bodies, students, transporters, and other organisations is appreciable. People should use private vehicles only in cases of emergency and continue to follow the resistance leadership’s programme,” he said.
(PTK)