Srinagar: Advocating for restoring 1953 position in Jammu and Kashmir, former Union Minister and senior Congress leader Prof Saifuddin Soz said Pakistan should also give a similar kind of autonomy to Gilgit and Baltistan
However, he at the same time advocated for waging a vigorous fight democratically to resolve Kashmir issue.
All stakeholders, including Hurriyat Conference, should be brought on one table for a meaningful dialogue, Prof Soz told a news conference here this afternoon.
He said centre and state government should review Delhi agreement within the framework of what was known at one point as Manmohan-Musharaf 4-point formula for resolution of Kashmir dispute.
“At this critical juncture of our history, while we are not required to compromise on our principles, we must take notice of the circumstances and adopt a way for exchange of ideas freely. We must, therefore, adopt democracy as our tool for achieve the necessary goal,” he said.
Asserting that it doesn’t suit the present day needs to appear to be supporting extremism as an instrument for seeking solution of political problems, Prof Soz said, “We must realize that democratic attitude in our expression of thoughts will make us powerful and therefore successful. The circumstances suggest that despite provocations, we must be pragmatic in finding our way forward,” he said.
Asking government to initiate dialogue with all stakeholders, he said, “Let us not create barriers in the leadership, mainstream or otherwise. Let the ideas be allowed to flow freely. They Hurriyat leadership deserves respect and it must express ideas, as it suits it.”
He said the mainstream leaders should also be allowed to express freely their opinion on all issues. “Youth should also be allowed to express their views without any hindrance. The Kashmir issue should be discussed on the axis of an unfettered dialogue within, across the political spectrum.
Talking about former Union Home Minister P Chidambaram, senior CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury, and Parliamentarian Dr Karan Singh’s visit to the valley, he said, “ I recently went to Delhi and I met few people including Dr Singh, Mr Yechury and Mr Chidambaram. These people are among many who have ideas. They will be coming to meet the people of Kashmir in their individual capacity and discuss Kashmir issue with the people here.”
Asserting that a broader debate will yield an acceptable political solution, he said Kashmiris should share their precious suggestion on their political future with senior political leaders like Dr Singh, Mr Chidambaram and Mr Yechury.
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