The Hindu : National / Elections 2004 : Mainstream parties, separatists united on key issues

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Friday, Apr 16, 2004

National

National - Elections 2004

Mainstream parties, separatists united on key issues

Shujaat Bukhari

SRINAGAR

For the first time in 14 years, there appears to be a convergence of ideologies and issues among the main political parties in Jammu and Kashmir. The manifestos of both the People's Democratic Party and the National Conference are in agreement on key issues. The NC, which was earlier opposed to any dialogue with groups committed to violence, is now ready to hold talks with the militant Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. The People's Democratic Party president, Mehbooba Mufti, who was one of the few mainstream politicians to advocate a dialogue with the militants, may even believe that her idea has been hijacked, say inside sources.

Both the NC and the PDP are now saying that a peaceful and durable settlement of the Kashmir dispute is possible only through a negotiated settlement, with the militants taking part. The Hurriyat Conference, particularly the Abbas Ansari group, is also talking on the same lines. In its manifesto, the NC, while talking about the resolution of the Kashmir issue, says "that the representatives of the people of India and Pakistan should sit with the authorities of India and Pakistan to find an honourable, acceptable and equitable solution of the Kashmir problem." It further says, "we desire that the groups which offered armed resistance may also be included in the talks."

In its 16-page manifesto, the PDP says it has always believed that only dialogue can lead to a solution of the problem. "Violence only complicates the problem," it says. The party also takes credit for facilitating the dialogue between the Hurriyat and New Delhi, as well as the Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee's initiative to resume a dialogue with Pakistan in his speech in Srinagar on April 18, 2003. It hopes other separatist groups will join the dialogue soon.

The Hurriyat Conference, led by Mr. Ansari, also has a similar stand. "The solution to Kashmir lies in a tripartite dialogue. It is important to include the true representatives in any dialogue process between India and Pakistan," says Mr. Ansari.

The Hurriyat too is in favour of the inclusion and support of militant groups in any dialogue process to resolve the Kashmir issue. And to some extent, even hardliners such as Syed Ali Geelani share this view, except that they want India to first accept that there is a Kashmir dispute.

The NC, the PDP and the Hurriyat are united on the issue of human rights in Kashmir. The NC, in its manifesto, expresses "grave concern at the rising graph of human rights violations in the State as also custodial killing and other forms of death and destruction." Though the PDP believes that violations have gone down during its rule, surely incidents like Chattibandi are "a blot on our face."

The NC also demands a unilateral ceasefire like the PDP. "We also demand that to foster and promote a conducive atmosphere for talks, the Government should announce a unilateral ceasefire and release all the detainees languishing in jails in and outside the State," says the NC manifesto. The Hurriyat feels that "the dialogue process can only move forward when there is a perceptible change on ground, [and] the release of detainees is one such step." Significantly, the PDP is in favour of releasing detainees facing minor charges; a few have already been released.

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