This refers to the speech by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi while laying the foundation stone of a cable-stayed bridge on the river Ravi in Jammu (GK, May 23). She has castigated the separatists and extended her gratitude and felicitations to the people of state for showing overwhelming response in the Panchayat elections. It may be true that time and again the people of Jammu and Kashmir not only participate in such elections but also show their unwavering faith in the democracy. But unfortunately New Delhi has always manipulated this democratic stand of Kashmiris in the international forums by projecting it as a plebiscite and a win of democracy. However, massive public uprisings in Kashmir should also be kept in mind. It will be a great democratic step if the Indian political leaders acknowledge the legitimate right of Kashmiris to self determination, as promised by the Pt. Jawarlal Nehru and Gandhi in 1947. The large participation of people in such political ventures especially in the rural areas is just for Sadak, Pani and Bijili and not a referendum in India’s favour. The recent summer public uprisings in the valley are a wake-up call for the Indian political leadership to come out from the shell of delusion and find a viable solution to Kashmir. Don’t consider the overwhelming participation of the people as a victory or the befitting reply to the separatists and their ideology. There is nothing like that.

Mir Liyaqat Nazir
Muran, Pulwama

Lastupdate on : Thu, 2 Jun 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
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