New Delhi, Aug 26: Concerned over the situation in Kashmir, Opposition parties today attacked the government over its handling of the affairs related to the state but were divided on the question of granting autonomy to the state.
While BJP was strongly against grant of autonomy and even questioned whether the government was going to discuss it, Left parties favoured political and economic package including “broadening of framework of autonomy within the sovereignty of Indian constitution”.
Initiating the debate on situation in Jammu and Kashmir which has been witnessing violence for over two months, CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta said the central government’s policies with regard to the state had “not succeeded”.
 He said there was a sense of alienation among people of Kashmir and they had “genuine grievances” which need to be addressed through immediate “pro-active” measures.
 “I don’t want to use to word failed, it is too hard. I don’t want to embarrass the government, it is already embarrassed,” he said while contending that Kashmir has been “on fire” for a pretty long time.
 Alleging that the “state is insensitive towards Kashmir”, Dasgupta said, “People of Kashmir must get their due. They must be able to feel a part of the country.”
 He said the “disconnect between the ruled and the rulers” in Jammu and Kashmir is widening, which was unfortunate in a democracy.
 Referring to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, he said the “young man has been promoted” but the “change of guard does not automatically lead to change of policy”.
 BJP leader M M Joshi referred to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s announcement that the government was ready to hold dialogue on political issues and wondered whether this meant discussion on demands for “independence” or “autonomy”.
 He wanted to know what the “genuine grievances” of people of Kashmir were when the central government was giving 11 per cent of resources to a state having only one per cent of national population.
 Joshi said it was not true that people of Kashmir had “economic problems” as he had only heard demands for “independence” and “autonomy”.
 Addressing the government, he asked, “Will this be the basis of your dialogue? If you say yes, say it openly. If you say no, say so.”
 Joshi asked the government not to pump money into Kashmir and referred to separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani’s statement mocking Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s all-party meeting. “Geelani has said he doesn’t give importance to these meetings because such meetings cannot bring independence of Kashmir,” he said.
 Joshi said the government should tell the people of Kashmir bluntly that demands for “independence or autonomy are not acceptable.”
 This triggered a strong protest from National Conference member Sharif-ud Shariq, who asserted that his party would not relent till autonomy is granted.
 Shariq’s party colleague Mehboob Beg also attacked BJP for its strong views on Kashmir.
 Referring to government’s “quiet dialogue” which was disrupted in December last year, Joshi questioned what it was about and with whom it was being held.
 “You did not tell Parliament. Now tell us with whom you were talking. Was it (Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah) Geelani or Hurriyat or militants,” he said addressing the government.
 On Home Minister P Chidambaram’s contention that it was disrupted after one of the interlocutors was shot and injured, Joshi said, “You should have realised then that people there do not want dialogue.”
 He emphasised that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India because “it is a Constitutional fact, it is a historical fact and it is a geographical fact.”
 Joshi also contended that security forces, including local police, were a demoralised lot in Kashmir as they do not want to perform duties in their localities.
 Girija Vyas (Cong) said some forces tried to spread communalism in Kashmir Valley hampering the task of building confidence and bringing peace there.
 She defended the economic package to the trouble-torn state and asked the union government to pay more attention to the state and fill the gap between promises and delivery.
 The Congress leader argued that first the storm in the state had to be dealt with and only then development can take place. Some wrongs have been committed in Kashmir, she said.
 Employment is a big issue in the state, she pointed out.
 Sharad Yadav (JD-U) said the problem in Kashmir would not have occurred had the country not been partitioned.
 Union Minister Farooq Abdullah intervened during Yadav’s speech to correct him. Abdullah said in 1987 the Hizbul Mujahideen representatives - managed by forces in POK- were losing the elections.
 “But this does not mean one picks up a gun. Or use posters with Allah’s name or that of Ram,” Abdullah said.
 The former J-K Chief Minister accused the media of writing several baseless reports during this period which caused a lot of damage.
 Yadav said Abdullah’s habit of “hobnobbing” with different parties for his benefit was also responsible for the current state of affairs in Kashmir.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 26 Aug 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 26 Aug 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 27 Aug 2010 00:00:00 IST