The Union Cabinet's decision to reject the resolution adopted by the J&K Legislative Assembly is unfortunate and fraught with dangerous repercussions. It is not a question of opposing or supporting Dr. Abdullah, but a vital issue connected with the settlement of Kashmir problem. After all, what does NDA Government propose to do to end the political deadlock in Kashmir? If the Constitution of India cannot accommodate the aspirations of the people of the J&K State in respect of self-governance, in certain areas, how do the BJP, the RSS and other hawks propose to solve the question of alienation of a people? If the Home Minister's pro-active policy in Kashmir should invariably mean more and more bullets, how will the bloody strife end? And, above everything else, with what moral authority will be BJP-led coalition now propose talks with the Hurriyat Conference as the legitimate representative of the separatists?

The Union Government's decision (which) blocks even a discussion on the Autonomy Proposal is an exercise in jingoism bereft of any political sagacity!  

I appeal to the non-BJP opposition leaders to make the government see reason and support the concept of self-governance in particular areas and desist from settling political scores at the cost of the people of Kashmir who have already suffered immense tragedy, death and destruction.

National Human Rights Commission Case Statistics, 1999-2000