The all-party delegation led by Home Minister Rajnath Singh concluded its two-day visit to the Valley to end turbulence in Kashmir. Singh disagreed that the mission was a failure, even as the delegation made no headway with Hurriyat leaders. He maintained that they had “very good interactions” with individuals and groups.
Singh said that the delegation will re-convene in Delhi and decide the way forward for the Centre. He expressed the desire to visit Ladakh as well, and speak to the people of Ladakh directly.
In an earlier media conference in Srinagar, he took on both separatist leaders and Pakistan and reiterated the need for dialogue with the people of Kashmir for the state’s return to normalcy.
Rajnath responded to a question on whether India will speak with Pakistan about Kashmir by saying ,“We will talk to our own people first, let’s not focus on other countries.”
Separatists Defied ‘Kashmiriyat’, ‘Insaniyat’: HM
Responding to questions about Sunday’s attempt by the delegation to reach out to the separatists in the Valley, the Home Minister added that he did not want to get into the details of the matter, but the separatists’ snub to the delegation proved that they do not believe in the ethos of ‘Kashmiriyat, Insaniyat, Jamhuriyat’.
If you do not want to talk, it is a different thing. But what they did prove (is that) they have no faith in democracy.
Separatists — in a joint effort — stayed away, while the delegation of parliamentarians met representatives on the first day of the visit.
Separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani did not so much as open the door for Sharad Yadav, Sitaram Yechury and D Raja when they visited his home in Hyderpora, Srinagar.
Separatist leaders Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, Shabir Ahmad Shah and Yasin Malik appeared to soften to meet with the the opposition members of the delegation, but only to convey their decision not to engage in any dialogue under the current situation.
New Delhi Didn’t Invite Us Officially: Hurriyat
Justifying the refusal of separatist leaders to hold talks with the all-party delegation of MPs, hardline Hurriyat Conference said they were not invited officially as New Delhi is “scared” of any meaningful dialogue with them and Pakistan to address the issue.
They never officially invited us (separatists) and at the same time (they) blame us for rejecting it. It is not only shameful but speaks volumes about their truthfulness, sincerity and clarity... India is scared of any meaningful dialogue with Hurriyat and Pakistan.
In the statement, the Hurriyat leaders said the sole intention of the delegation was to put up a show to distract from the actual crisis.
Parliament, the Biggest “Panchayat”, is Gravely Concerned About Kashmir
At the press conference in Srinagar, Singh added that the “biggest Panchayat of the country, the Parliament, is gravely concerned” about Kashmir, and its decision to send a delegation of close to 20 delegates to Kashmir is proof.
I am hopeful that the situation in Jammu and Kashmir will improve. There is no second opinion about the fact that Jammu and Kashmir was, is, and will remain an integral part of India.
He said that a popular complaint about the use of pellet guns in controlling mobs has been addressed and chilli pepper balls, also called PAVA shells, have been recommended as an alternative non-lethal weapon.
“I am sure nobody will die by the use of PAVA shells during mob control,” he said.
The Home Minister reiterated that the central government was prepared to talk to anybody and everybody who was interested in peace and normalcy in the state.
(With inputs from PTI and IANS.)
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