Noted human rights activist and writer, Gautam Navlakha on Friday termed the hanging of Parliament attack convict Muhammad Afzal Guru as a ‘historic blunder’ on part of New Delhi. “Guru’s hanging gave a message to Kashmiris that Government of India is not interested in any kind of democratic or political solution of the Kashmir issue,” Navlakha said. He said solution of the Kashmir issue as per wishes ofKashmiris is important for the well being of entire south Asian region. Navlakha ruled out possibilityof any solution to the Kashmirissue ‘within the Constitution of India. “Autonomy and self rule are useless concepts. Making them as alternatives to Kashmir solution is wrong as Kashmir is a different issue.These formulas will not solve the issue. There is no solution to Kashmir issue within the ambit of Indian Constitution, he said. “Instead of accepting Kashmiris wishes, Government of India is trying to suppress Kashmiris voice through force and suppression. No nation can besuppressed through force nor can people be silenced through atrocities and pressure tactics. Such things don’t work for ever”, he said. He termed Government of India’s ‘reluctance’ to solve the Kashmir issue as the main reason for spurt in militancy in the recent past. “Government of India has shut all doors of justice for Kashmiris and atrocities are being committed on them for last two decades and culprits are yet to be punished. Cases like Kunan-poshpora have notbeen investigated for more than 20 years now”, Navlakha said. “There are extremist Hindu parties which are encroachingupon the rights of common people in various cities across India but no action is taken against them. But when Kashmiris come out in support of their democratic and human rights, they are suppressed through brute force,” Navlakha added
Posted on: Tue, 20 Aug 2013 13:37:28 +0000