Separatists trash PM’s statement, say India should shun violence

SRINAGAR/NEW DEHLI: The separatist leadership in Srinagar on Monday dismissed Prime MInister Narendra Modi’s statement about finding a lasting solution to the Kashmir problem.

All Parties Hurriyat Conference chairman, Syed Ali Geelani, said that for a lasting solution to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, the “Indian state must shun violence”.

“We understand that the universal principle of right to self determination is the only road through which peace can be achieved in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said in a statement.

Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq dismissed Prime Minister’s assurance saying if a “lasting and permanant solution” could be found “within the Indian Constitution” then it would have happened by now as Kashmir has been ruled by that Constitution for 70 years.

“Closing one’s eyes to the ground realities and parroting the script will not lead to any breakthrough... What is needed is boldness to address the issue head-on… The most democratic way forward is to hold a referendum on both sides of the Line of Control and let the people decide or a meaningful engagement among the three parties - India, Pakistan and most importantly, the people of entire J&K, keeping in view their wishes and aspirations,” Mirwaiz added.

The Congress asked the PM to clarify with whom in Kashmir his government intends to hold a dialogue and also claimed that Modi and finance minister Arun Jaitley were “not on the same page” on the sensitive issue.

Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari said, “The essence of finance minister’s statement is that there is no political problem in J&K… But the Prime Minister, on the other hand, for two years has been using three words Insaniyat, Jamooriyat, Kashmiriyat, the essence of which we think he does not understand. This is mere empty rhetoric.”