By Johan Simith
Srinagar, August 3: Terming protests in Kashmir as spontaneous and peaceful, Swami Agnivesh, a renowned social activist of India, who headed five-member delegation to Valley, said he will tell Indian people that Kashmiris especially youth are no longer enamored by Pakistan and that time is ripe for India to initiate a fruitful dialogue to resolve the Kashmir problem.
"For the first time I am gladdened that my visit is going to bear the fruit. My impression which I would like to share with the people in New Delhi is that Kashmiris especially the youth are no longer in love with Pakistan. This is a big message for India and its people," Swami Agnivesh told Rising Kashmir in an interview here.
Asserting that people of Kashmir are talking in clear terms, he said, "If somebody in New Delhi accuses them of hobnobbing with Pakistan, they feel hurt. They are not carrying out the protests at the behest of Pakistan. Leadership in Delhi should stop even loosely alleging that protests in Kashmir are being sponsored by Pakistan".
He admitted that the protests in Kashmir are spontaneous and largely peaceful. "The protests will be peaceful if there will be no provocation from CRPF or troopers," Swami said.
Stating that presence of military and paramilitary forces should be reduced in Kashmir, he said, "Police should take charge of law and order situation. I also feel a humane touch is needed to deal with the situation. I would seek an appointment with Prime Minister, Home Minister and Rahul Gandhi after my return to New Delhi and will brief them about the present situation in Kashmir".
Asked why he is bringing in Rahul Gandhi, Swami said, "He represents a new power centre. After the Nimgiri and Vedanta episodes, he is definitely emerging as a new centre of power. I also believe that he has the blood of Kashmiriyat in his veins and am sure that he has the charisma to attract the Kashmiri youth for dialogue".
Asked if New Delhi is ready to initiate dialogue over Kashmir, he said, "I feel the dialogue cannot be a single channel, where the government talks only to separatists. There has to be an in-depth dialogue with people that matter especially the youth of Kashmir. There should be dialogue between civil society here and there and for this reason we have resolved to start peoples’ initiative on Kashmir. This will be an ongoing process. Our visit would be followed by more and more such visits".
Elaborating on different channels of communication, Swami said, "We would like to open a channel thorough civil society. Then another channel is the Government channel and the constitutional experts should also open the channel. Talks should be held through different channels because long term solution is required".
Asked what according to him would be the best solution of the issue, he said he does not know it but a feasible solution to Kashmir problem has to be found. "Lot of water has flown down Jehlum since 1947 or since the signing of Instrument of Accession. A panel of constitutional experts is needed to arrive at a modern and feasible solution to the Kashmir issue," he said.
Asked whether he favours solution within ambit of Indian constitution, Swami said, "Whatever it is the solution should be found. I have got the copies of "Achievable Nationhood" and autonomy report adopted by State Assembly. I wonder why these valuable documents were not debated or discussed. The Autonomy report was adopted by a democratically elected Assembly and put forward to Prime Minister but they ignored it. I want to say that you should not ascribe motives to it (autonomy report) without studying it. The autonomy report should not be interpreted as secession. This type of mindset should not lead us to anywhere".
He said it is the ripe time to initiate a fruitful dialogue to resolve the Kashmir problem.
Swami disclosed that he has been invited to visit Kashmir again on the eve of Eid by Hurriyat (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. "I feel honoured by such an invitation".
"A heart-to-heart dialogue rather than a dialogue with vicious mindset is required. I would also like to appeal my BJP friends don’t try to create more misunderstanding over Kashmir", he said adding there are chances that the people of Pakistan administered Kashmir (PaK) might also like to join hands with mainstream politicians of Jammu and Kashmir.
Meanwhile,Admiral (Retd) L Ramdas, who accompanied the visiting team of Indian Civil Society, is of the view that people of Kashmir no longer want Pakistan but Azadi.
Talking to Rising Kashmir, Ramdas said, "We don’t like the phrase seperatists. They are the leaders with a view. We met a spectrum of these leaders. Though all of them have their views, but the basic underlying fact across the spectrum is that they want what they call Azadi."
He said, "Even when we met Geelani, he did not mention the word Pakistan during the entire interview. So I think there is a visible change.This is really a golden opportunity.Templates are ready there with GoI, from where they can pick up and start talking."
Stating that systems and the people have changed in Kashmir, Ramdas replied that in Kashmir the youth are in charge and India needs to engage them, when asked if Inadi can break the bread with the Kashmiri youth.
On the perception in Kashmir that India is never serious, he said, "I can understand there is a feeling of helplessness. But I hope people there (India) are serious. If you want to lead, you need to lead by example. You can’t expect people to simply follow you."
On the question of repealing AFSPA, Ramdas revealed that Centre is mulling to do away with this law.
"Now even Home Minister has given you an open charter to come forward for talks. I think you (Kashmiri leadership) should share their thoughts (over AFSPA) when you meet him. I think it is important to cash in on this offer and tell your point straight."
During their stay in valley, Swami Agnivesh along with other members of the team, including Ramdas, Mohini Giri, Dominic Emmaneul, Mazhar Hussain, Nusrat Andrabi, Tasnim Akhtar and former chairman of Public Service Commission Mohammad Shafi Pandit, interacted with a cross-section of people, including separatist leaders Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. (Writer-South Asia)
Srinagar, August 3: Terming protests in Kashmir as spontaneous and peaceful, Swami Agnivesh, a renowned social activist of India, who headed five-member delegation to Valley, said he will tell Indian people that Kashmiris especially youth are no longer enamored by Pakistan and that time is ripe for India to initiate a fruitful dialogue to resolve the Kashmir problem.
"For the first time I am gladdened that my visit is going to bear the fruit. My impression which I would like to share with the people in New Delhi is that Kashmiris especially the youth are no longer in love with Pakistan. This is a big message for India and its people," Swami Agnivesh told Rising Kashmir in an interview here.
Asserting that people of Kashmir are talking in clear terms, he said, "If somebody in New Delhi accuses them of hobnobbing with Pakistan, they feel hurt. They are not carrying out the protests at the behest of Pakistan. Leadership in Delhi should stop even loosely alleging that protests in Kashmir are being sponsored by Pakistan".He admitted that the protests in Kashmir are spontaneous and largely peaceful. "The protests will be peaceful if there will be no provocation from CRPF or troopers," Swami said.
Stating that presence of military and paramilitary forces should be reduced in Kashmir, he said, "Police should take charge of law and order situation. I also feel a humane touch is needed to deal with the situation. I would seek an appointment with Prime Minister, Home Minister and Rahul Gandhi after my return to New Delhi and will brief them about the present situation in Kashmir".
Asked why he is bringing in Rahul Gandhi, Swami said, "He represents a new power centre. After the Nimgiri and Vedanta episodes, he is definitely emerging as a new centre of power. I also believe that he has the blood of Kashmiriyat in his veins and am sure that he has the charisma to attract the Kashmiri youth for dialogue".
Asked if New Delhi is ready to initiate dialogue over Kashmir, he said, "I feel the dialogue cannot be a single channel, where the government talks only to separatists. There has to be an in-depth dialogue with people that matter especially the youth of Kashmir. There should be dialogue between civil society here and there and for this reason we have resolved to start peoples’ initiative on Kashmir. This will be an ongoing process. Our visit would be followed by more and more such visits".
Elaborating on different channels of communication, Swami said, "We would like to open a channel thorough civil society. Then another channel is the Government channel and the constitutional experts should also open the channel. Talks should be held through different channels because long term solution is required".
Asked what according to him would be the best solution of the issue, he said he does not know it but a feasible solution to Kashmir problem has to be found. "Lot of water has flown down Jehlum since 1947 or since the signing of Instrument of Accession. A panel of constitutional experts is needed to arrive at a modern and feasible solution to the Kashmir issue," he said.
Asked whether he favours solution within ambit of Indian constitution, Swami said, "Whatever it is the solution should be found. I have got the copies of "Achievable Nationhood" and autonomy report adopted by State Assembly. I wonder why these valuable documents were not debated or discussed. The Autonomy report was adopted by a democratically elected Assembly and put forward to Prime Minister but they ignored it. I want to say that you should not ascribe motives to it (autonomy report) without studying it. The autonomy report should not be interpreted as secession. This type of mindset should not lead us to anywhere".
He said it is the ripe time to initiate a fruitful dialogue to resolve the Kashmir problem.
Swami disclosed that he has been invited to visit Kashmir again on the eve of Eid by Hurriyat (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. "I feel honoured by such an invitation".
"A heart-to-heart dialogue rather than a dialogue with vicious mindset is required. I would also like to appeal my BJP friends don’t try to create more misunderstanding over Kashmir", he said adding there are chances that the people of Pakistan administered Kashmir (PaK) might also like to join hands with mainstream politicians of Jammu and Kashmir.
Meanwhile,Admiral (Retd) L Ramdas, who accompanied the visiting team of Indian Civil Society, is of the view that people of Kashmir no longer want Pakistan but Azadi.
Talking to Rising Kashmir, Ramdas said, "We don’t like the phrase seperatists. They are the leaders with a view. We met a spectrum of these leaders. Though all of them have their views, but the basic underlying fact across the spectrum is that they want what they call Azadi."
He said, "Even when we met Geelani, he did not mention the word Pakistan during the entire interview. So I think there is a visible change.This is really a golden opportunity.Templates are ready there with GoI, from where they can pick up and start talking."
Stating that systems and the people have changed in Kashmir, Ramdas replied that in Kashmir the youth are in charge and India needs to engage them, when asked if Inadi can break the bread with the Kashmiri youth.
On the perception in Kashmir that India is never serious, he said, "I can understand there is a feeling of helplessness. But I hope people there (India) are serious. If you want to lead, you need to lead by example. You can’t expect people to simply follow you."
On the question of repealing AFSPA, Ramdas revealed that Centre is mulling to do away with this law.
"Now even Home Minister has given you an open charter to come forward for talks. I think you (Kashmiri leadership) should share their thoughts (over AFSPA) when you meet him. I think it is important to cash in on this offer and tell your point straight."
During their stay in valley, Swami Agnivesh along with other members of the team, including Ramdas, Mohini Giri, Dominic Emmaneul, Mazhar Hussain, Nusrat Andrabi, Tasnim Akhtar and former chairman of Public Service Commission Mohammad Shafi Pandit, interacted with a cross-section of people, including separatist leaders Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. (Writer-South Asia)
