KASHMIR SITUATION

Mufti Mohammed Sayeed's Letter of Resignation

from Janata Dal, 29 July, 1996 (Extracts)

The manner in which the affairs of the Janata Dal are being run for the past few months is completely at variance with the lofty ideas of inner party democracy not a participatory decision-making process which was the hallmark of the political culture Janata Dal aspired to promote.

Almost all the party fora have been rendered non- functional or ineffective. Decisions on important matters and major political issues are taken arbitrarily and presented to the partymen as fait accompli. There is a growing feeling that debate and discussion have become anathema to the present leadership. Process of consultation has been given a go by. Inner party democracy has become a thing of the past. It has been replaced by clique type operations. National interest has ceased to receive overriding priority. Even the interest of the party is being seriously undermined. And all this disastrous deviation from healthy democratic norms, for what purpose? Merely to satisfy the whims and fancies of some individuals. With every passing day I am being forced to the conclusion that the situation is beyond redemption.

The mishandling of the highly sensitive issue of Kashmir has come almost as the last straw. Both at the party and Government levels this problem is being handled in a cavalier fashion. There is a shocking lack of seriousness, dangerous ignorance of the history of the tragic events in the State and a disastrous repetition of the blunder which resulted in the trauma suffered by the people of that beautiful State. Once again, a significant opportunity to bring about a healthy democratic policy in the State is being wasted.

There is total lack of understanding of the basics of the Kashmir problem. The real problem today in Kashmir is the emotional alienation of the local people which is being exploited by forces inimical to our country. The people are trapped between deadly jaws of the gun culture. Instead of providing a healing touch to their wounded sentiments, the Government and the party seem to be indulging in manipulating political levers. The so-called Kashmir package announced by the Prime Minister left much to be desired (to) evoke any notice, much less elicit a popular response in the State.

The need for exploring the possibility of dialogue with representatives of different shades of local opinion should have naturally been the foremost priority for the government and the party. Instead, manipulating electoral politics becoming a full-time engagement.Winning back the hearts of the estranged countrymen in J&K, is more important than winning a few seats and votes... There is urgent need for holding a purposeful dialogue with various leaders from Kashmir including those the Hurriyat Conference. It is time to break fresh ground in Kashmir and the ground situation is quite responsive to any such initiative.

I cannot remain a mute and passive spectator in such a situation. My conscience does not allow me to remain quiet at this juncture. I once again feel called upon by my conscience to stand up and be counted rather than make any compromise. Today, I feel I have no other option than to discontinue my association with the Janata Dal.

I am, therefore, tendering my resignation from the party and am also relinquishing the office of the Chairman of the Janata Dal Parliamentary Board. I am separately sending my resignation to the Chairman, Rajya Sabha from the Membership of the Upper House.

JD: Muslim Leaders

Memorandum to PM, July, 1996

The foremost need is to energies all channels of dialogue with various segments of the local population. The dialogue should not be confined to political parties but should extend to all other elements who are willing to lend their hand in restoring peace and normalcy. Nor, for that matter, should there be any discrimination between groups or individuals.

There should be no hesitation in exploring the possibility of dialogue with the All Party Hurriyat indicated its desire to sit across the table and sort out Conference. An influential section of its leadership has issues.

The dialogue should necessarily focus on the problems, grievances and aspirations of the local population.

One thing to guard against is to avoid giving any impression of the election result sought to be manipulated or pre-determined by contriving some pre- election political arrangement.

Mufti Mohd. Sayeed, MP                     O.K. Azmi, MP

Chairman, JD Parl. Board                    General Secretary, JD

M.A.A. Fatimi, MP                              Mohd. Afzal, ex-MP

Wasim Ahmed,                                   Sr. Vice President,

General Secretary, JD                          Uttar Pradesh JD