Each house in Kashmir is a prison. The graph of custodial killings has risen alarmingly. Boys are picked up, taken somewhere and then we see their dead bodies ... dialogue about what? If you want to resolve the dispute in the interest of peace and stability, then Hurriyat will talk. But then you talk of the Constitution. Even without the Constitution, when you talk, you talk to the constitutional head. So why mention it? Transfer of power from one set of people to another is no solution. Elections are no answer. Autonomy is constitutional slavery ... wish India would let the Hurriyat go to Pakistan, talk to the people there and get back and talk to Delhi. This will be a peace offensive. As for convergence, the government of India is committed to holding a plebiscite.

If Pakistan withdraws, will India hold a referendum? No, never. The problem is that India considers Kashmir to be an integral part. If they say they are holding us at gunpoint, then they are aggressors ... If the people of Kashmir opt for India, I will be an Indian. If they want Pakistan, I will be a Pakistani.

The Hurriyat says if (plebiscite) is not possible, we must engage in purposeful negotiations involving India, Pakistan and the Hurriyat, If the Palestinians and the Israelis can meet, why not India, Pakistan and the Hurriyat? If the two Germanys can unite and if the two Koreas can meet, why not us?

India will not allow an independent state, Pakistan will not allow it, China will certainly not allow it. China knows that the Americans will get a foothold in such a state. India and Pakistan will not want it because balkanization of India and Pakistan will follow.

If Kashmir breaks into five pieces, we will not like it. We want to go to one or another country as a whole. Even if you want to break us, don't break us arbitrarily. We want to take the Hindus, Muslims and the Buddhists with us ... I don't want azadi, but I will take it if that's what everybody wants. APHC is a political coalition that has got together on a minimum plank: Let the people decide.

... India and Pakistan have no option but to address the issue. The situation is pushing them towards it ... The security man who kills young boys, is he not a terrorist? Kargil is an offshoot effect and Kashmir is the root cause. Do not ignore history. Wasn't Bangladesh a part of Pakistan? Who divided it? If that logic can work there, why not here? (Source: The Times of India, 25 June, 2000)