Srinagar, Apr 16 (KNS): Senior PDP leader and vice-chairman Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Waqf Board, Nizamuddin Bhat has said that political leaders and social activists concerned about Kashmir conflict need to come out of shells of disbelief and cynicism on moves or utterances coming from two governments of India and Pakistan on resolving the problem through dialogue.
In a statement issued to KNS, Bhat said people of Jammu and Kashmir are the only stake holders who have been sufferers of flip-flop on resolution of the Kashmir problem and their leaders and sympathisers owe it to them that even a small step in that direction if taken needs to be transformed into a big leap forward.
Bhat said, it is after a long haul of miseries and mayhem that two army chiefs from India and Pakistan have something pleasant and palatable to say. “Sanity demands that we respond to cooperate.”
He said that way we would do service to our own cause. “It is high time that we stop going critical and not provide space for sabotage.”
Bhat said no sooner suffering masses heard something positive coming out of military heads, people of Jammu and Kashmir took a sigh of relief.
“There is a hope that such first ever assertions from two Army Generals which are no less than admission about need for a mutual solution to the long lurking and potentially dangerous Kashmir issue, optimism started prevailing. The realization on the part of military top brass that solution to Kashmir issue through dialogue has come after a delay but has fortunately come from important quarters. Rightly so, leaders of all hues have missed no time in hailing the same. But how unfortunate it seems that welcome is coupled with a self-conceived rider from most of them.”
Bhat made an appeal not to doubt bonafides and offer facilitation as and when required. He said that it is only how we can take them to first step of agreeing to each other for another leap forward.
He said Kashmir has remained an intractable problem and because of its intractable nature it has turned out to be a graveyard of missed opportunities.
He said for this we don't need to blame others only. "We have our own baggage of failures."
He said various political parties claiming to be the votaries of cause need to know and acknowledge and should not be ashamed of as this is not something strange to contentious issues, particularly the issue about Kashmir which have led to wars and insurgencies in the region settlement after settlement and accord after accord.
Bhat said none of us can be infallible and none have the ultimate solution on hand. "What is required is to allow an atmosphere for favourable voices to be aired and heard."
He said people have seen enough about doubt and cynicism and there is very little space provided for trust and belief.
Bhat said it is true that powers that have not been able to display the will required on resolution which could lead to sustainable moves on resolution.
"There have been betrayals. There are errors too involving each one of us. That does not mean that expressions on realisation by anyone should be dismissed as another deceit or error."
He said taking into account the huge stress on society which has many implications, our leaders and representatives have to change and contribute towards trust-building which alone can help create a meeting point for solutions.
Bhat said, it is an irony that well before an offer or suggestion we tend to provoke people for rejection, which is not a healthy sign.
He said that if two Army generals have made a positive talk, let the two political dispensations be led to a result-oriented concurrence. “Let us facilitate than impede.” (KNS)