Early Times Report
JAMMU, Dec 23: The Congress, which virtually segregated J&K from the political and constitutional organization of India -- first in October 1949 and then in May 1954 -- is playing with dangerous tools in Kashmir without realizing the damage it has done to the national interest and minorities in the J&K. And the man who is causing maximum damage is former Union Home Minister P Chidambaram, very close to Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
Chidambaram has said: "Kashmir has a unique geographical location and a unique history. We have to find a solution that may turn out to be unique. The whole effort should be quiet until the contours of a political solution to the problem are found. This is essential to take the process forward".
"Once the broad contours of a political solution are arrived at, it should be made public at an appropriate time. We must find a solution that is honourable, equitable and acceptable to the vast majority, overwhelming majority, of the people of Jammu and Kashmir," he has further said.
Chidambaram is against any suggestion that sets "preconditions for the talks". Besides, he has also declined to elaborate on specifics. When asked whether the dialogue would include talks on the status of J&K as an integral part of India, Chidambaram stonewalled the question by saying he would not get into "verbal gymnastics". "I will not like to get into these kinds of traps," he said.
It is clear from what Chidambaram, or for that matter the Congress, has said that it is for a solution that acceptable to the majority community in the state. It needs to be underlined that the proportion of the majority community and minority communities is almost 60:40. The solution has to be such that considers J&K as an integral part of India and fully appreciates the needs, urges, compulsions and aspirations of the minorities such as Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Christians and Jains, besides the refugees from Pakistan. |
