Rajouri-J&K, December 20 (Vijay Kumar) – “Atmosphere is conducive for initiating some concrete steps for resolution of this problem”, former Chief Minister,Former Indian home Minister and patron of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mufti Mohammad Sayed argued and said that self-rule proposal presented by his party was practical solution of Kashmir issue. “Need of the hour is to take some fresh initiatives to solve Kashmir problem, instead of remained stricked to the stated positions”, he urged both India and Pakistan.
Mufti Mohammad said that Government of India has an appropriate opportunity to restore lasting and sustainable peace in this region through self rule proposal.
Addressing civil society of Rajouri in seminar on self-rule, Mufti said “Civil society in Pakistan has given encouraging response to the dialogue and reconciliation process and it is high time for the Government to India to avail this opportunity and take some bold steps. Eminent columnist, human right activist and thinker Madhu Keshwar came all the way from Delhi to participate in the seminar.
“We don’t want to impose our proposal on people. We want debate and discussion on this document so as to evolve consensus”, he said and added that PDP has been organizing such seminars in different parts of the State and inviting cross sections of the society in these seminars and workshop to seek their suggestions on this proposal. “We want to evolve consensus within the State on this issue”, he said.
Reiterating his party’s resolve to remove regional disparities, Mufti said that the self-rule proposal of his party was a road map to make institutional arrangements for empowering region and sub-regions of the State. He further said that self-rule aims at creating regional federalism to fulfill wishes and aspirations of all regions and sub-regions of the State.
Terming Self-Rule as practical solution to address both external and internal dimensions of Kashmir problem, he said this proposal was formulated by incorporating aspirations and wishes of all stake holders. “This proposal aimed at empowering people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh without discrimination with any reason”, he said and asserted that PDP was committed to provide justice to all regions and sub-regions. “During our three year tenure from 2002 to 2005, we have treated all regions equally and decentralized powers at grass loot level by political and economically empowering all regions and sub-regions”, he reminded.
“Through our Self-Rule proposal we have been demanding more powers for the State and the decision making powers would be further trickled down at grass root level”, he said while listing some points of the self-rule proposal.
Mr Sayeed said according to the Self-Rule proposal the Sadar-e-Reyast must be elected and should necessarily belong to the state. The proposal suggests that Article 356 of the Constitution — under which the state governments are dismissed — should not be applicable to Jammu and Kashmir. “Verdict of should not be negated by those sitting in Delhi”, he said.
“Socio-economic growth of the State has been restricted after the partition due to plugging of all routes connecting Jammu and Kashmir with rest of the world”, he said and added that the self-rule document suggest opening of all traditional routes to make Jammu and Kashmir as trade free zone as it will help socio-economic growth of the state. He opined opening of all routes would not only boost economic of the people of this region but also facilitate reunification of divided families. He especially mentioned that people of Rajouri are worst victim of partition.
Former Chief Minister stressed on the need of virtual unification of both sides of Kashmir by making the borders irrelevant. “PDP in its Self-rule has proposed constitution of Council comprising members from both sides of Kashmir and representatives of New Delhi and Islamabad ”, he said and unification of both sides of Kashmir was possible by opening more and more trade routes and making this belt as trade free zone.
He, while quoting Self-Rule proposal, pointed out that water agreements with New Delhi should be re-negotiated and Jammu and Kashmir should have first right on its water resources. He said that the State has been incurring huge loses due to discriminatory water agreements. He further said that PDP through its Self-Rule proposal has been more powers for the State to make Jammu and Kashmir economically self-reliant.
Speaking in the seminar, Madhu Keshwar termed self-rule as “foresighted” document prepared by incorporating wishes and aspirations of all section of the society. She said that self-rule was “far more sophisticated” than the concept of European Union which will bring peace not only in Jammu and Kashmir but also in sub-continent. “War is no solution of any problem”, she observed, adding “dialogue is the only way to address problems”, she said.
Pointing towards various clauses of the self-rule document, she observed that this was the realistic solution of Kashmir problem.