The recent statement of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq calling for an end to the “armed struggle” to clear the way for negotiations for a lasting settlement of the Kashmir dispute gives an all together new perspective to the Kashmir issue. What Mirwaiz has said should not be seen as a spur of the moment comment but rather if anything his statement appears to be well measured and planned to the political situation. It is no doubt a significant development and must be seen in the immediate backdrop of the series of meeting Mirwaiz had in Islamabad—he is on a visit with senior Hurriyat leaders—including talks with Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf. Any settlement of the Kashmir dispute will need the active participation of Pakistan, India and the Kashmiri people. And the initiatives of the APHC to reach out to the Pakistani and Indian leadership through a dialogue process must be welcomed.
While this is reportedly the first time in almost two decades of Kashmir militancy that a separatist leader has issued such a call, on the face of it, this also exposes the emerging divide within the APHC between the moderate and hard-line faction. If anything, this polarization will only weaken the standing of the common Kashmiri and create hurdles for permanent peace in the region. The two factions in the APHC as such should not work at cross purposes but present a united front and address on the common issues for the larger interest of the Kashmiri people, which it represents. Failure to do so will only allow the gun wielding and desperate foreign elements to hijack the noble Kashmir cause for their mercenary gains.
On their part, both India and Pakistan must keep the bilateral peace process on track and work on confidence building measures and encourage people to people contact. The four-point settlement formula for Kashmir: soft borders, self-governance, demilitarization and joint management as suggested by Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf deserve a serious look in by New Delhi. The four-point formula could amply serve as the basis for a peaceful resolution to the dispute. Without compromising on its national interest, India can work together alongside Islamabad and the Kashmiri people and contribute towards forming a consensus on an acceptable solution to Kashmir.
India and Pakistan have a definite role to play and both governments should facilitate effort towards a peaceful settlement rather than keeping the conflict alive. While Musharraf’s suggestion needs to be debated further and opinion sought from the people on the ground, Islamabad and New Delhi should also persuade the armed outfits to come forward for dialogue and make the peace process all inclusive. It goes without saying that the armed groups also have a stake in the Kashmir settlement.
As far as the statement of the APHC Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq calling for an end to the “armed struggle” goes, such a pronouncement does not in any way mean that the Kashmiri people are giving up their rights but that they are only giving up violence and aspiring for peace through a dialogue and participatory process. This is a sensible thing to do and should be supported.
