Stating that the talks with separatists are imperative to resolve the Kashmir issue, the opposition mainstream political parties on Saturday said that Government of India (GoI) must not play politics and should initiate dialogue with the Hurriyat leaders who are one among the main stakeholders in Kashmir issue.However, the political parties also said that the Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti who had announced to step down in case the dialogue would not be initiated, must keep her word.Talking to KNS, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) chief, G A Mir said that the central government has given their decision over the dialogue and it is upto the state Chief Minister now to decide what to do next. “She had recently announced to resign in case the dialogue will not be held, but after the GoI recorded their statement in Supreme Court (SC), Mehbooba is still assuming the charge,” he said.He said that it is up to the political conscious of Mehbooba to decide her future step. “She must keep her word by stepping down after the GoI recorded such statement in writing,” he said.Mir said that besides, the senior BJP leader, Amit Shah has also made a statement in Jammu today which should be an eye-opener to the CM. “After such statements, the RSS agenda has been exposed and now there is no meaning of agenda of alliance as in the past the GoI had promised to hold dialogue and now they are backtracking from the assurances, which should be an eye-opener to the state Chief Minister, who must quit,” he said.JKPCC chief said that the students protesting on ground had hope on the Mehbooba led government but she has failed to come up with their expectations. “The ball is in the court of Mehbooba now to decide here future course of action. People are keenly watching to the developments and know what is better for them and what not,” he added.
Talking to KNS, General Secretary of National Conference (NC), Ali Muhammad Sagar said that what is wrong in initiating dialogue with the separatist leaders. “The Government of India must not play politics and should hold dialogue with the separatist leaders as they are also having an opinion,” he said.He said that the previous central governments including the BJP had dialogue with them. “Closing channels to resolve the issue by not talking with the separatists is a wrong move. The chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti had recently said that the Prime Minister assured that the talks will be initiated but after GoI’s statement, I am unable to understand that who is lying,” he said.Sagar said that the people are getting alienated with the government and there is a need to look into the matter. “The Kashmir issue has been raised at different forums because there is a cause and the government must find out a way to resolve this issue as it is the question of aspirations of the people of Kashmir,” he added.He said that the government is playing politics over the dead bodies of the soldiers, which is not good. “The focus of the government must remain on the resolving the issue through a peaceful dialogue with all the stakeholders,” he said.Senior CPI (M) leader and MLA Kulgam, Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami said that holding talks with voices of dissent is the essence of democracy.“The best option recognized by the civilized world to settle disputes is the process of dialogue as violence only leads to death and destruction. Dialogue is the internationally recognized process to sort out the issues/differences. Even those countries which have been on war path with each other, finally settle the issues only when they sit on negotiations table,” he told KNS.
Expressing dismay and surprise over the stand taken by Attorney General of India in the apex court, the CPI (M) leader said, “New Delhi’s stand that it will talk only when there is peace is similar to a doctor asking a patient to get well first and then he will treat him. Only answer to end the violence is dialogue. Making excuses and running away from dialogue process should not be the trait of a state. Hearing the voices of dissent and holding dialogue with them is the only option.”“The necessity of the dialogue arises when issues despite adopting other means remain unresolved. Even family, community, regional and other disputes at the end are resolved though dialogue only. To make it conditional is virtually running away from the intent to resolve the issues. Despite wars and violence in different forms, the issue has remained lingering on since last 70-years and sufferings of people have increased manifold. Death and destruction has virtually taken over and the saner voices have become the causality. How to get rid of this unfortunate situation is a question which needs immediate response from those who are in power,” Tarigami added.He said that CPI (M) has been consistently advocating initiating of a credible process of dialogue with all stake-holders including those outside the democratic frame. Any delay is fraught with serious consequences.”Peoples Democratic Front (PDF) president and MLA Khansahib, Hakim Muhammad Yasin told KNS that central government has always remained non serious towards Kashmir.“If Mehbooba had announced to resign in case the dialogue will be initiated then why is she delaying to keep her word,” he said, adding that “Dialogue without separatists will be a futile exercise. All the stakeholders must be taken on board to resolve the issue.”“In case the dialogue will not be initiated with the separatist then the peace in the Valley would be a distant dream,” he added. (KNS)