A day after the founder of the Art of Living Foundation and spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said that “solution to Kashmir problem can only come from the Kashmiris”, mixed reactions poured in from the political spectrum in the Valley, including mainstream and the separatist leadership.
InUth spoke to various political parties to know their point of view. Here are the reactions:
PDP: An agenda of alliance
The ruling Peoples Democratic Party spokesman Dr Mehboob Beg while endorsing the statement said: “Yes, solution has to come (from people of Kashmir). We are suffering, we are going through tough times. Our agenda of alliance does say we have to talk to Hurriyat, we have to talk to Pakistan. And we stick to that.”
National Conference: Ultimate decision with India, Pakistan
The opposition National Conference spokesman Junaid Azim Mattoo said: “Kashmiris can suggest various possible models for resolution but the solution has to ultimately come from New Delhi and Islamabad. And, it’s their political will to settle the issue, which will be the deciding factor.”
BJP: People want peace, prosperity
BJP spokesman Khalid Jahangir while welcoming the statement said: “It’s high time for the leaders of Kashmir including mainstream and separatists to shun bogus politics through phrases like autonomy and self-rule, which will never bag results. Even though (Separatist leader Syed Ali) Geelani talks about Azadi, he too knows that Azadi is not achievable. Why to keep people in the dark, when common man wants his bread and butter to be safeguarded though sustainable peace and prosperity.”
Congress: Remarks vague
Senior Congress leader and former MP Prof Saif ud Din Soz said: “Sri Sri’s remarks are vague. They have no relevance to our situation. What Kashmiris want is known to Government of India and to Sri Sri as well. Let him say this openly, understandably.”
Hurriyat G: Ridiculous, illogical
The Hurriyat G led by Syed Ali Geelani said: “Ravi Shanker’s statement is ridiculous and hilarious, far from the reality. His remarks regarding the present freedom movement and resistance leadership are baseless and illogical. We advise him to go through the history and equip himself with the facts and then comment.”
Hurriyat M: K-issue tripartite
The Hurriyat Conference M spokesman advocate Shahid Ul Islam said: “There’s no clarity in the statement. But though it’s a reality that Kashmiris are the main party to the dispute, there are other parties to this dispute too and this reality about India and Pakistan cannot be ignored. This is reality, this is history.”
After the launch of South Asian Forum For Peace, Sri Sri had said: “Solution to Kashmir (issue) will only come from Kashmiris themselves. They have to bring out the solution themselves.”
