Srinagar, September 17: Peoples Democratic Front (PDF) President and MLA Khansahib Hakeem Mohammad Yasin led a party delegation who met visiting Congress panel headed by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Srinagar on Saturday.
“It is not for the first time, we are meeting you. We met you as a Prime Minister also and our stand is same that Kashmir issue needs a resolution. You as a Prime Minister formulated Working Groups in 2006 on Kashmir and interlocutors were appointed in 2010. During previous Congress governments Shimla and Tashkent agreements were signed. These were important steps, but, unfortunately, no forward movement was made after these agreements and formulation of working groups and interlocutors,” the PDF delegation told the former PM led delegation.
“We are thankful to Congress that you raised the voice against the use of force against the people in Kashmir since last year within and outside the Parliament. But it isn’t enough. Congress is a national party and has a long history. This party has given democratic set-up and constitution to the country. The same constitution has granted special status to J&K under Article 370 and Article 35A. But now attempts are being made to repeal these articles of the constitution unnecessarily. As a national party and a responsible opposition, Congress should play a role and ensure that these articles of faith are not touched. Congress should also make the people of India aware about this situation and pressurise the government not to fiddle with Article 35A. Congress must also play a role in defending the Article 35A in the Supreme Court,” they said.
The PDF president also urged the Congress that as a secular party it should play a role in the issues like Rohingya Muslim refugees, attacks on Muslims across the country and Kashmir issue. “Congress as a secular and national party has duty to safeguard the rights of all the communities in the country. Rohingya Muslims, who have taken shelter in different parts of India must not be forced to leave. We don’t want their permanent settlement in India, but at the same moment must be dealt with human approach,” Hakim Yasin led delegation told the visiting AICC’s ‘Policy and Planning’ group.
“In power as well as now in opposition, Congress says dialogue process is the only way out to solve the issue. But nobody is taking bold steps and reveal on which terms and conditions the dialogue would be held and with whom.You suggested the Center to keep dialogue option with separatists open. As you have come here, it is the time you should talk to separatists as well as mainstream parties always meet both the government and the opposition. Congress should also force the government to open a dialogue process with the separatists,” they urged the Manmohan Singh led group.
