Kashmir expresses surprise, hope & concern
Ishfaq Tantry/
Azhar Qadri
Tribune News Service
Srinagar, December 25
Amid the hope that the Kashmir issue will find space in the Indo-Pak dialogue, people and political voices in Kashmir on Friday expressed surprise, happiness as well as a note of caution as Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an unexpected visit to Pakistan.
“The re-engagement with Pakistan is a good step and a very welcome development. However more than grand gestures, we need consistency,” former state Chief Minister and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said in a tweet.
Omar however cautioned about the ‘flip-flop’ nature of Indo-Pak engagements in the past.
Modi’s visit, which marks a first by an Indian Prime Minister to Pakistan in the past decade, came as the surprise of the day and was welcomed by political leaders from across the spectrum in the state here.
“It is a good step. We welcome it. It is also in the interest of Kashmir that both India and Pakistan come forward,” moderate Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq told The Tribune. He expressed surprise over the “sudden and surprising” announcement by Modi to visit Lahore to wish his counterpart Nawaz Sharif on his birthday.
“Though surprising, but Prime Minister Modi choosing Nawaz Sharif’s birthday and also Mohammad Ali Jinnah’s and Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s birthday is a good gesture. In fact, nobody knew that Modi will choose this day to visit Pakistan,” said Mirwaiz, who has backed Indo-Pak dialogue process in the past, said.
Mirwaiz said that Modi choosing Vajpayee’s birthday to visit Pakistan is also an indication that the BJP-led government at New Delhi is trying to revisit the ex-PM’s doctrine. Mirwaiz, however, hoped that both nations would move forward and “devise a mechanism” to involve Kashmiris in the process.
Shabir Shah, who is the general secretary of the hardline Hurriyat faction, advocated that Kashmiris should also be included in the talks. “We have never been against dialogue. Talking or meeting each other is always right,” he said.
The reactions from the street increasingly favoured inclusion of the Kashmir issue in the resumed dialogue between India and
Pakistan.
“I think if they have started improving their relations, it is a positive sign. We hope that they will keep Kashmir in their agenda of dialogue so that peace returns to the region and a solution is found which is acceptable to the common people,” said Insha Bhat, a Srinagar resident and university student.
Peer Suhail, who heads local think-tank Center for Research and Development Policy, described Modi’s unexpected Pakistan visit as a “good omen”. “It was a surprise for everyone. But it is a good decision which might allow us to resume uninterruptable and long-term dialogue between the two nations, which can in turn help bring peace in the South Asian region,” Suhail said. He, however, said the talks should lead to “some discussion on the Kashmir imbroglio, which is ultimately very important to bring peace”.
Yuvaih Syed, a university student, said stress should be laid on the Kashmir issue. “They should mutually accept the fact that no talks are possible without the involvement of Kashmiri people. They should also discuss the ways to strengthen the historic trade route,” he said.
(With inputs from Rifat Mohidin)
