SRINAGAR: Separatist leaders in Kashmir have reacted strongly to the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s statement that the Irish model and Scotland devolution can be an inspiration for future settlement of the Kashmir issue.
Chairman of the hardline faction of Hurriyat Conference, Syed Ali Geelani said any solution other than the right to self determination is unacceptable to Kashmiris.
“No solution which aims at status-quo will be acceptable to people of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
Mr Geelani said India’s first Prime Minister, Jawahar Lal Nehru along with Kashmiri leader Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah had promised on November 12, 1952 the poeple of the valley that any solution to the Kashmir issue will be based on political aspirations of kashmiris.
Mainstream politicians of the state should not say what is beyond their defined mandate.
“There are 18 resolutions passed by United Nations on Kashmir issue which stand testimony to the fact that Kashmir issue cannot be solved through any other solution other than the right to self determination,” he said.
Chairman of the pro-Independence Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), Muhamad Yasin Malik said the mainstream politicians of the state “should not say what is beyond their defined mandate.”
“The state assembly is fragmented. Some say Self Rule, some say Autonomy and now someone says Irish and Scotland models. This is again an effort to dilute the Kashmir issue and the statement has been given to give an impression to the West that Kashmiris are a fragmented lot,” Mr Malik said.
He said the ‘power’ of the mainstream politicians of Jammu and Kashmir has so far been exhibited by its failure in getting the dreaded Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) revoked.
The new generation of Kashmiris has woken up from deep slumber. Omar Abdullah can’t make them sleep again at any cost.
Shabir Shah, president of the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP, said the chief minister is unaware of the history and geography of Jammu and Kashmir.
Shah said that Kashmir had never been a part of India nor even geographically.
He said he was surprised over Mr Abdullah’s “lack of knowledge” and urged the Chief Minister to go through the physical map of united India and analyze Jammu and Kashmir well by reading its history.
“So that he may not fall to such misconception that J&K is a natural part of India and that it will not gain freedom.”
Mr Shah said the new generation of Kashmiris “has woken up from deep slumber”.
“Omar Abdullah can’t make them sleep again at any cost. We will continue our struggle till Indian forcible occupation ends in Kashmir,” he added.
