JEDDAH, 6 January 2008 — The idea to hold a plebiscite on solving the issue of Kashmir has lost its relevance and is not the practical solution to bring about peace and tranquility to the region, says Mehbooba Mufti, leader of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP), who spoke to Arab News during her recent trip to the Kingdom to perform Haj.
“A plebiscite is not practical and achievable now, so we must come up with something that is realistic and can be attained to make a difference in Kashmir,” she said. “I think unification of Jammu and Kashmir without undermining or changing the sovereignty and border of any country is the only way out of this contentious issue. This will make life easier for Kashmiris on the both side of the divide and will bring peace and prosperity in the region.” Mehbooba is the face of the PDP. Her father, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, is the PDP chief and was made the chief minister. Yet many believe that it is she, not her father, who was responsible for the party’s remarkable showing in the 2002 elections.
In fact, some analysts expected Mehbooba to be the chief minister because of her common touch and widespread popularity and her contribution in the party’s victory. But she gives full credit for the PDP’s victory to her father.
The PDP leader, who is also member of India’s Parliament, said that the trade and commerce activities should be promoted among Kashmiris on both the side - a condition where people can use currency of India and Pakistan should be acceptable to people on both side of the line of control.
Speaking about the main problem of Kashmir, she said, ‘Militancy is one component of the Kashmir problem,” she said.
“The main problem is of alienation of the masses rather than violence. Violence is the second part. So, if we are able to address the alienation, I think we will go a long way.
Mehbooba said her party is trying to control what at times seems like unmitigated harassment by security forces in Kashmir.
“We have ensured that people get some kind of respite from the frisking going on because if you look at the face of the country for the common Kashmiri youth, it’s not the same as for the rest of country. It looks like crackdowns, atrocities, curfews.”
The PDP leader said that her coalition government was able to reduce the number of federal troops in the state with the help of the central government.
“Troops have vacated several colleges, schools and hospital complexes in the state. It has a positive impact on the mind and psyche of Kashmiri people,” she said. “We are trying to see that there is more accountability among the various forces, state police who are fighting militancy. We strive to provide Kashmiri people a chance to live with peace and dignity,” she said.
She blasted the National Conference government for failing to do something concrete in its long period of rule.
“The National Conference government which ruled the state for over two-decades failed to win over the Kashmiri people. And to cover-up their failure, they kept on changing its stance over Kashmir, which further compounded the problem,” said Mehbooba.
Regarding the PDP’s victory, Mehbooba is modest and give the bulk of the credit to her father. “He is one of the most mature politician of the country,” she said. “He has a vision for Kashmir. He fought with mighty Sheikh Abdullah and built up a momentum against the NC misrule for the past over 30 years. He was our natural choice to head the government.
“He deserved it more than anyone else in the party. He wants Kashmiris to join mainstream. When he became chief minister first thing he did was to open up mobile lines for Kashmiris. It had a tremendous effect. It gave a message loud and clear that we mean business, we trust our people.”
Mehbooba said that central government officials must find ways to hold a dialogue directly with the people.
“If we really want to address the Kashmir problem, then New Delhi will have to talk to all shades of opinion that are there,” she said. “They have to talk to everybody because talking only to elected representatives is not going to solve the problem.”
