Dialogue part of freedom struggle: Mirwaiz
Hakeem Irfan
Srinagar, Feb 05: Chairman of Hurriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Thursday said pro-freedom leadership was ready for constructive dialogue to break status quo on the resolution of Kashmir issue and added dialogue process was a part of freedom struggle.
Addressing a seminar Importance of Kashmir Issue in Changing World Scenario marking the 35th Kashmir Solidarity Day, Mirwaiz in his speech at partys Rajbagh headquarters said New Delhi was in a denial mode.
Constructive dialogue is a viable option and India has to think seriously over it, he said.
Mirwaiz also thanked Pakistan for their continuous support in highlighting Kashmir issue and helping Kashmir diplomatically, morally and monetarily.
Pakistan has supported Kashmir struggle through thick and thin. Weve to be thankful to every individual in Pakistan. However at our own level we have to strive to break status quo in a stepwise manner, Miwaiz said. Dialogue process is part of freedom struggle. Hurriyat has to create avenues for the resolution. Mere pelting of stones, raising slogans, staging protests and calling strikes cannot keep the sentiment alive.
Mirwaiz said New Delhi should sincerely come forward and start a dialogue process with Pakistan and pro-freedom leadership in Kashmir.
India is wasting time. It can prove dangerous for India as the global situation is changing, he said. On the contrary, Pakistan even suggested out of box solutions. The flexible Pakistan approach favours Kashmir. It exposes India at the international level.
Stressing on the need to strategize the freedom movement, Mirwaiz said: We have sacrifices but we need to advocate the cause in a strategic manner. We have to introspect and see what the real needs of the situation are. We are fighting with a massive power. We need to tackle the opposition in the best possible way.
Mirwaiz said Pakistans support and sacrifices offered by tens of thousands of Kashmiris had brought international attention to the Kashmir dispute.
About Hurriyats restructuring, Mirwaiz said: It is an internal problem of the organization. We are working on a program that will be made public within two or three months.
Mirwaiz said the recent editorial in Washington Post had suggested involving Indian diplomats at Track II level for resolving Kashmir issue if they cannot send an envoy to Kashmir.
Kashmiri intellectuals only write in the newspapers and criticize our policies. They should come forward with suggestions but they themselves are fearful of Indian oppression. Some of them have even stopped visiting residences of pro-freedom leaders.
Senior Hurriyat leader Fazlul Haq Qureshi stressed on analyzing realities and the ground situation.
International community is stressing on the need to resolve Kashmir dispute. Time is with us now and we have to take steps cautiously. All irritants have to be removed.
Spokesperson of Hurriyat Conference (G) Ayaz Akbar said: Pro-freedom leadership has to formulate a strategy and work effectively. It is not a sin to urge international community to resolve Kashmir dispute but we have to prepare ourselves as well.
About the recently held elections, Akbar said: We did not get a level playing field.
Senior Hurriyat Conference (M) leader Moulana Abbas Ansari said pro-freedom leadership should not pin hopes at the international community and work for its resolutions.
We believe in Allah. He will create opportunities for us. UN has done nothing during the past 60 years. We just have to unite and stop pulling one another down.
President Jamiat Ahlihadees Moulana Showkat Ahmed Shah said: If somebody is pelting stones outside Jamia Masjid without any program, Mirwaiz sahib should take note and regulate the situation. However it is Indian oppression that forces our youth to pelt stones and retort to force used against them.
Senior Hurriyat leader Agha Hassan Budgami and Muhammad Abdullah Tari expressed concern over the distance within Hurriyat leadership.
We have to move toward unity in a stepwise manner. The masses should discourage leaders who are bent upon creating individual organizations and prefer a separate platform, said Tari.
Deliberating on the present situation, Bar Association General Secretary Advocate G N Shaheen said: We must reject all accords with New Delhi but we dont have to live in a denial mode. We have arrived at a situation where even militant leadership is reluctant to talk. Statements from freedom camp after elections show their depression. Salahuddin sahib, Geelani sahib and Umar sahib all know this.
Thanking Pakistan for its support Shaheen said: Nearly 15000 Pakistani youth have laid their lives in Jammu and Kashmir during the past 20 years. Pakistan is supporting us at all levels.
The Hurriyat leaders also expressed solidarity with detainees languishing in different Indian jails.
Hurriyat leaders Zafar Akbar Bhat, Javed Ahmed Mir, Hakim Abdul Rashid, Chowdhary Shaheen and Muhammad Yousuf Naqash also spoke on the occasion. Mukhtar Ahmed Waza, Salim Geelani, Jehangir Ali, Shamsur Rehman and other leaders were also present on the occasion.
Rising Kashmir, Daily Newspaper, Srinagar Jammu and Kashmir - Dialogue part of freedom struggle: Mirwaiz
