Advocating dialogue between India, Pakistan, and Jammu and Kashmir for resolution of the Kashmir dispute, the separatist amalgam Hurriyat Conference has listed a series of steps to create an environment for the talks.
In its first significant political statement after the abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status, and bifurcation of the state into two Union Territories, the Hurriyat, led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, has listed, among others, a halt on demographic change, revocation of laws that “disempower” the people of J&K, and release of the youth and political prisoners as steps to assist build an environment for talks.
“(We have) always advocated peace and growth for all the people of the region and it’s the conviction that this will actually be achieved with the resolution of the Kashmir conflict through dialogue among India and Pakistan and therefore the people of J&K,” the organization said during a “policy statement” on Thursday.
It stated, “For a dialogue, trust and a conducive atmosphere is that the first requirement. to realize this the govt must revoke all measures of demographic change and every one law that disempower the people of J&K, especially since August 2019, and release the youth and everyone, political prisoners, from jails and under house detention, including its (Hurriyat) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.”
In its statement, the Hurriyat stopped in need of seeking restoration of the position before August 5, 2019, endless demand made by Pakistan for resumption of dialogue with India.
A top Hurriyat leader told The Indian Express that the steps can’t be called preconditions for talks, and restoration of Article 370 is meaningless when their focus is on the resolution of the dispute.
“These are the measures to enhance things on the ground; to deal with the trust deficit. you’ll say these are the arrogance-building measures,” the leader said. “Our main focus is on (Article) 35A (that gave people of the erstwhile state prerogative ashore and jobs) and determination of the dispute.”
The Hurriyat statement comes after the thaw in India-Pakistan relations, which has been welcomed by the separatist group. The Hurriyat, however, said that the impact of this is often yet to be seen in J&K.
Terming the series of laws enacted by the Centre as “disturbing”, the Hurriyat said that non-resolution of the Kashmir issue has led to bloodshed within the Valley. “Passing and implementation of laws aimed toward demographic change, post August 2019’s unilateral decision by the govt of India…has led to fear of loss of identity among the people of J&K which is deeply disturbing them,” it stated. “There is additionally great anguish at the loss of employment guarantees, land rights and exploitation of natural resources by outsiders”.
Without naming China, Hurriyat said that the sudden rise in violence and killings, and therefore the changing geopolitical reality, has necessitated immediate resolution of the Kashmir dispute.
