Multi-party dialogue on the political future of Jammu and Kashmir
by
CSDS, New Delhi and NMML
7 November 2009
A multi-party dialogue on the political future of Jammu and Kashmir was organized by the Indic Studies Programme at the Centre for the Studies of Developing Societies (CSDS) in collaboration with Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML) on 7 November 2009.
Chaired by former union law minister Ram Jethmalani, the conference was attended by People's Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti, former deputy chief minister Jammu and Kashmir Muzaffar Hussain Baig, senior National Conference (NC) leader and MP Muhammad Shafi Uri, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) chief and former Union Minister Saifuddin Soz, Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik, former union minister Mani Shankar Aiyer, representative of Kashmiri Pandits Kapil Kak and BJP leader Balbir Punj. Bilal Gani Lone of Hurriyat Conference, Yuddhvir Sethi of BJP Jammu, Nancy Kaul of Daughters of Vitista, Ramesh Manwati of Panun Kashmir, Sanjay Tikoo of Kashmiri Pandit Sangharsh Samiti, Ellora Puri of Jammu University, Sonam Wangchuk Narboo of Ladakh Union Territory Front, Siddiq Wahid Vice Chancellor, Islamic University of Science and Technology, Susheela Bhan Institute of Peace Research and Action, and Mehmood Karbalai, former CEO and Councillor, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Kargil also addressed the conference.
In his inaugural address, Ram Jethmalani said that time is ripe for India and Pakistan to resolve their differences. If they fail in this effort, it could lead to war and conflict, he added.
National Conference leader Mohammad Shafi Uri initiated the discussion by saying that the autonomy document presented by his party in July 2000 was not a final one. 'If anybody has a better solution, our party is willing to discuss and adopt it', he added. He also expressed apprehensions over New Delhi's willingness over holding a dialogue with the Hurriyat Conference, when it rejected or even refused to discuss the NC's autonomy proposals.
Senior leader and former chairman of Hurriyat Conference (M), Abdul Gani Bhat proposed that Hurriyat, JKLF, NC and PDP should work together to evolve a consensus and move together for a better and prosperous tomorrow for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He called for confidence-building measures including self-governance and demilitarization to create an environment for a peaceful solution.
Echoing this sentiment, senior PDP leader Muzaffar Hussain Baig said they were ready to work with the NC and the Hurriyat Conference to bring about a workable solution. Articulating his party's stand, Beg, however, said constitutional arrangements were not enough to guarantee self-rule or empowerment.
Kapil Kak, representative of the Kashmiri Pandits, reiterated the community's demand for establishment of a truth and justice commission to look into cases of human rights violations against Pandits and others.
Welcoming Bhat's proposal, Mehbooba Mufti said, 'PDP would like Geelani to be a part of the joint endeavor, as no resolution could be tenable without his endorsement.' She said Geelani represents a strong sentiment in the state and for the sustainability and acceptability of any resolution formula his support was imperative. Mehbooba said status quo does not suit any region in the State as it has led to political and economic uncertainty in all the regions. 'We have to work towards ending this uncertainty by resolving the issue so that people in all the regions can move towards a new era of peace, progress and prosperity', she said.
JKLF chief, Yasin Malik asserted that the Indian society had failed to deliver on ground in Kashmir and had only diluted the issue. 'Now, we are discussing Panchayats and regional issues and have lost our view on the Kashmir problem, which every Kashmiri inherits at birth', he said. He also asked India and Pakistan to respect national aspirations of Kashmiri people. 'We will respond by taking care of genuine strategic interests of both countries, if they take care of our interests', he said.
The conference concluded with the effect that autonomy and self-rule was the realistic and pragmatic way forward.
