Srinagar, Sept 29: India’s move at the ongoing session of United Nations in New York to term the conduct of elections in the Jammu and Kashmir as plebiscite has evoked sharp criticism with senior separatist leaders terming it an attempt to hoodwink the international community and dilute the Kashmir dispute.
The Chairman of Hurriyat (G) Syed Ali Shah Geelani accused Indian Foreign Minister SM Krishna of trying to hoodwink the international community about the Kashmir dispute and aspirations of Kashmiris. The veteran leader said the United National in its 18 resolutions has acknowledged the disputed nature of Kashmir.
 “The UN has also categorically maintained that no elections can challenge or substitute the right of self-determination of Kashmiris. Ironically India is trying to negate the right of self-determination of Kashmiris by linking it with so-called elections,” he said.
 Elaborating Geelani stated that by virtue of 536th meeting of the UN Security Council held in 1951, the Constituent Assembly will not have any role in the resolution of Kashmir. “But it maintains that the final disposition will be made in accordance with the will of the people (Kashmiris) expressed through the democratic method of a free and impartial plebiscite conducted under the auspices of the United Nations,” he said.
 Geelani said New Delhi has been holding elections in the Valley for past 60 years. “But elections have failed to resolve the dispute. Kashmiris have given their referendum by rendering unflinching sacrifices since 1947 for achieving the right to self-determination. Even the first Prime Minister (of India) Jawahar Lal Nehru has promised right of self-determination to Kashmiris in the historic Lal Chowk” he said.
 Geelani termed the elections which have been held in the Valley in presence of over eight lakh troopers as farce. “On the day of elections, the whole Valley is put under siege. Some people voted but just for basic amenities and jobs. By undertaking killings of innocents and imposing continuous curfew New Delhi is suppressing the just cause of Kashmiris. It is high time for India to shun its rigid stand and adopt a realistic approach to resolve the dispute according to aspirations of Kashmiris,” he said.
 Chairman of Hurriyat (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said the elections held in the State under the Constitution of India do not have any legality and cannot be substitute to the right of self determination of Kashmiris.
 “Elections in Kashmir are meant only to run administration. They can’t affect the disputed nature of Kashmir. It is ironical that India which itself took the Kashmir dispute to the United Nations is linking elections with plebiscite. I want to maintain that it is the legal and moral responsibility of India to resolve the dispute amicably through dialogue with Kashmiris and Pakistan,” he said.
 The Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front Muhammad Yasin Malik said Krishna made the remarks at the same forum (UN) which guaranteed right of self-determination to Kashmiris. “Elections in the State are not an indicator of aspirations of Kashmiris. People of Kashmir have given their referendum that they want freedom. As evidence we have 1.5 million signatures of Kashmiris which we got during the signature campaign across the Valley. Besides over 3 million Kashmiris participated in our Safr-e-Azadi. The writing on the wall is clear but New Delhi does not want to read it,” he said.
 Pertinently, the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has been maintaining elections in the State were aimed at governance and not for the Kashmir resolution.
 “People voted us to power on development front and not for resolution of Kashmir issue. We have not made big promises of resolving the vexed issue in our tenure.” Omar had stated.
 Meanwhile, the ruling parties including National Conference and main opposition PDP refused to comment on the Krishna’s statement.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 29 Sep 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 29 Sep 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 30 Sep 2010 00:00:00 IST