The Hindu : Opinion / Interviews : "Involve Kashmiris in the peace process"

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Tuesday, Jun 21, 2005

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Opinion - Interviews

"Involve Kashmiris in the peace process"

Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front chairmanMohammad Yasin Malikhas just returned from a visit to Pakistan. A consistent campaigner for Kashmiri representation in any talks, he tellsShujaat Bukharithat his next step is to build public opinion in India for this.

— Photo: Reuters.

Yasin Malik ... striking an independent note.

How would you differentiate between your recent visit to Pakistan from the last time when you crossed over as a militant in 1989?

I have been to "Azad Kashmir" eight times before. The people of Pakistan have love for us. This time the difference vis-à-vis our issue was visible. Earlier, if you took a pro-Pakistan line they would listen to you. But now the situation is different. They have unconditional love for Kashmiris. They just want that Kashmiris should be happy.

You were part of a delegation of separatists who apparently have the same goal. But you took an entirely different line. Why?

First let me make clear that it is not a dialogue process. It was a consultative process and I had gone with a transparent agenda that talks between India and Pakistan over Kashmir are going on but we come to know through the media. Kashmiris as a nation feel humiliated. We are for the peace process, we are for flexibility. But Kashmiris should be involved in that process.

You are for complete independence . Do you think Pakistan supports that?

See there are different types of people, civil society is there, and the media are there. As such the people of Pakistan have no problem with that. They are happy.

What about the state (of Pakistan)?

In India and Pakistan there has always been a policy of favouritism as far as the Kashmiri leadership is concerned. To push forward the peace process it is necessary to put an end to that. Kashmiris should have confidence that the leader who is talking on their behalf will represent them and not India or Pakistan. I told President Musharraf that we will represent ourselves. And it is in the national interest of India and Pakistan to include Kashmiris at the peace table.

But don't you think that both countries have moved forward on Kashmir?

If they move forward I am happy. I will be happier if they resolve Kashmir. If you want peace and if you want to resolve the issue make Kashmiris part of it. Don't humiliate them. We are victims, we are dying for peace.

But Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has said that Kashmiris have been accepted as a party to the dispute.

No. We will find that out only when Tariq Aziz (Pakistan's National Security Adviser) and Narayanan (India's National Security Adviser) talk and a Kashmiri representative is there. When a decision is taken we should be there and it should not be a photo opportunity.

What do you think should be the modus operandi?

I appealed to the people of Pakistan to write a letter to their President to impress upon the Government to include Kashmiris. And I am planning to visit all parts of India and mobilise public opinion in favour of it.

You said it is a consultative process. You have met Pakistan's President and Prime Minister. Why don't you meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to carry this process forward?

I think it is anticipatory. There is no mention of that yet. You are asking me this question and there is no such indication.

You talk about a consultative process but why do you shy away from meeting the Indian Government? Are you waiting for an invitation?

I am telling you I am going. It's not a question of invitation. I am going to assess the situation. Only then I can talk.

You were critical of the PoK leadership. What was the reason?

Kashmiris have made sacrifices. They have lost their dear ones. The PoK leadership has a responsibility towards the Kashmiri people. They should fulfil that. This bus [from Srinagar to Muzaffarabad] is also [the] outcome of sacrifices. On February 11, 1992, when JKLF [activists] tried to cross the ceasefire line 12 [persons] were killed. They were from "Azad Kashmir." The Kashmiri leadership should play a pro-Kashmiri role. Not the state role whether in India or Pakistan. They have state policies.

In the beginning you were opposed to Confidence Building Measures.

I was never against the CBMs. This bus is the biggest creative CBM. But it was "sold" in a different way and again Kashmiris were not part of it. That is my concern. Kashmiris leaders spoke for Manmohan Singh and Pervez Musharraf praising them for the bus.

Mainstream parties are there. They too have support. Separatists also enjoy support. Who do you think represents the Kashmiris?

There is confusion. The Government of India says the elected representatives represent the Kashmiris and Pakistan says something else. It can be solved through a democratic process, not through Assembly and Parliament elections. Elect one representative from one district. People-to-people contact in both countries has reached a level. You can have credible citizens from both sides and then can conduct it.

There were many controversies, which followed you. One was about Sheikh Rashid.

My statement was presented out of context. When in 1990 we were thrown on the roadside in Pakistan he gave us his farmhouse. We can never forget that gesture. I never mentioned a training camp and guns. A newspaper, which has doubtful credentials in Pakistan, played this mischief.

But New Delhi reacted without going into the real context, which is unfortunate.

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"Involve Kashmiris in the peace process"