Srinagar, Jun 2 (KNS): Former DDC chairperson of Baramulla, Safina Beigh, on Tuesday said that while unity among political leadership in Jammu and Kashmir is crucial, it must be backed by an "honest approach" and a concrete roadmap for the people.
Talking to news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS), former PDP leader said the leadership in Ladakh succeeded because their unity was rooted in clarity and realism.
"There is no doubt that unity is very important. But along with unity, there is also honesty. Honesty means leaders tell their people the right thing — what is possible and what is not," she said.
Referring to the abrogation of Article 370, she recalled that veteran leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Beigh was the first to state that the matter is pending before the Supreme Court.
"This case is pending in the Supreme Court and only the Supreme Court can decide it," she said, adding that expecting the BJP-led government to reverse its own agenda is unrealistic.
"How is it possible that we go to them and say your basic agenda, which you have finished, give it back to us?" she asked.
The former DDC chairperson Baramulla suggested that instead of demanding restoration of the pre-2019 status, the leadership should seek interim relief for Jammu and Kashmir similar to Article 371 provisions granted to northeastern states.
Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelShe cited the region's strategic importance, hilly terrain, limited land, and lack of industrial jobs as grounds for job and land rights protection.
"Mainstream parties, if they really want to talk to the Government of India, should have a concrete formula," she said.
Safina Beigh further recalled that when Muzaffar Hussain Beigh raised the issues of statehood and job and land protection before the Prime Minister during an all-party meeting, he faced criticism from within Kashmir.
"What he said at that time, time is proving it now," she added.
She asserted that without honesty, unity would remain limited to slogans. "If our leadership wants to achieve something for the people of J&K, the most important thing is to be honest with unity," she said.
Notably, her remarks came after Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday reached out to a wide spectrum of political and civil society leaders across Jammu and Kashmir, urging them to set aside differences and jointly engage with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for initiating a sustained dialogue process on Jammu and Kashmir. (KNS)