Srinagar, Mar 27: Stating that Kashmir issue wasn’t “Muslim Kashmir versus Hindu India,” Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Saturday said New Delhi was viewing the Kashmir problem through “Pakistan prism.”
After his return from Saudi Arabia and Geneva, Mirwaiz strongly advocated third party mediation for resolution of Kashmir issue saying it has become “inevitable” in the present scenario.
Addressing a press conference after attending executive meeting of Hurriyat (M) here, Mirwaiz said, “Kashmir is neither religious nor regional dispute. It is not Muslim Kashmir versus Hindu India but a political issue and needs political settlement.”
Accusing New Delhi of creating chaos and confusion, he said; “Delhi’s dallying tactics would lead to more violence in Kashmir. Time has come when people of India should know the facts, as they have been shown Kashmir through the prism of Pakistan. They are being told that Pakistan wants to occupy Kashmir and sends militants here. Though New Delhi talks politically on Kashmir, their approach on Kashmir has always been martial.”
“Indian people should be realistic and understand that Kashmir’s freedom movement is indigenous. Indian media and military generals have been saying that violence has decreased in Kashmir. But the movement is alive. No ‘sponsored’ movement can sustain so long,” he added.
Mirwaiz urged the Indian intelligentsia to realise that by force Kashmir issue can’t be settled. “Today, US despite being lone superpower in world is talking with Taliban through back channels as they have realised that they can’t solve the Afghan problem by using military might.”
The Hurriyat (M) chairman said that no effort was being made to remove the mistrust and misgivings between India and Pakistan. “Third party mediation to bring the two countries on the table and resolve Kashmir issue is inevitable as it has been successful in resolving conflicts worldwide,” he said and asked both India and Pakistan to take initiative for a comprehensive dialogue to resolve the issue while taking Kashmiris on board. “They can’t wish away Kashmiris’ aspirations. They have to talk to Kashmiris for an everlasting solution to the issue,” he asserted.
He said New Delhi needs to change its mindset, “as Kashmir wasn’t issue of good or bad governance. Mirwaiz,” who met a senior Chinese Foreign Ministry Official in Geneva, said that Hurriyat Conference was not in business of embarrassing Government of India. “But human rights violations continue to take place in Kashmir and we can’t be blind to these hard facts,” he said and added that senior Chinese Government official who met him in China reiterated official position of China that Kashmir issue should be resolved through bilateral dialogue. He, however, said the Chinese official supported solution of Kashmir issue in accordance with the wishes of Kashmiris.
Mirwaiz, who has been invited by the Government of Pakistan along with the Chairman of Hurriyat (G), Syed Ali Shah Geelani, and JKLF chairman, Muhammad Yasin Malik, said New Delhi didn’t respond to 4-point formula of former Pakistan President Parvez Musharraf for resolution of Kashmir, which led to deadlock. “Now the situation is back to square one,” he added.
He said Hurriyat Conference was never engaged in “quiet dialogue” with New Delhi. However, he admitted “back channels” were active for some time. “They (back channels) too have fallen silent for past two months,” he added.
Mirwaiz however said that the institution of dialogue should be strengthened. He called for step-by-step approach for resolution of Kashmir issue.
The Hurriyat (M) chairman said that peace in Afghanistan was not possible without Pakistan, and for that Pakistan’s good relations with India were inevitable. “And good relations between the two countries are possible only if Kashmir is resolved,” he added.
Mirwaiz alleged that Army’s role in civilian matters in Kashmir was increasing. “In rural and border areas Army as an institution is more active than civil administration.”

Lastupdate on : Sat, 27 Mar 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 27 Mar 2010 18:30:00 GMT
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