Centre indulging in secret diplomacy in JK:RSS

The RSS on Thursday accused the Centre of indulging in "secret diplomacy" with Kashmir separatists and said the autonomy report ran contrary to the 1994 Parliament resolution which states that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India.

"The move to go back to pre-1953 status (for Jammu and Kashmir) and demand for autonomy is an effort to take the country backward despite Parliament passing a resolution in 1994 that the state is an integral part of India. All political parties, despite differences, should voice their protest against any such move," Sangh Joint General Secretary Madan Das Devi said.

He also slammed the government for allegedly indulging in "secret diplomacy" with "separatists" and said the autonomy report was an indication that it has given in to the pressure of "people indulging in separatist politics".

Devi said successive regimes have failed to work on the principle of Dr Shyama Prasad Mookherjee who believed in "one government, one flag and one law" for the country. Taking a dig at former Supreme Court judge S Saghir Ahmed, who was head of a working group constituted to review Centre-State relations, he wondered why and for what such "big, retired judges of the Supreme Court are tabling such reports."

He said while Jammu and Ladakh have a greater land area, there were more constituencies in the Kashmir Valley.
"Therefore, they have a domination (over other areas), are more prosperous. Still they want autonomy."

Devi was speaking at a programme organised by Dr Shyama Prasad Mookherjee Research Foundation on the topic 'Are we losing Kashmir in the view of autonomy report'.

Participating in the discussion, former diplomat G Parthasarthy suggested that India should put on hold composite dialogue with Pakistan, but keep its channels open to discuss the "one and only one issue, that is the issue of terrorism."

"The fundamental problem is that when you start talking in a composite dialogue, you divert attention from the most serious problem, which is the issue of terrorism....the more you concede, the more they demand. Therefore, I believe these working groups, the setting up of commissions on the issue of autonomy should be put on hold," he said.

Parthasarthy said former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf had gone on record to say that even if the issue of Kashmir is resolved, the low intensity conflict with India would continue.

Accusing the NDA and the UPA of not equipping the Armed forces, he said, "This transcends governments. It is equally true of NDA Government, it is equally true of UPA government that we have surrendered capital budgets and have not kept the armed forces adequately prepared."

He said Pakistan respects a superior military and a strong army would help deter the neighbouring country in spreading terrorist activities in India.

Parthasarthy claimed Pakistan Army Chief Kayani has been encouraged by the US to believe that it can continue with its plan against India and Washington would "look the other way. This is more true of the Obama administration."

He said except the late Indira Gandhi, no Prime Minister had been able to convince the other side that "if you do this you will pay the price".

Suggesting a solution to the vexed problem, he said in Northern Ireland, autonomy was gained only after the IRA gave up arms that too without compromising the borders.

"This happened as both England and Ireland are members of the European Union."

He said like the European Union, a larger South Asian economic union can help find solution to the problem.

Former Intelligence Bureau director Ajit Doval said the problem of Jammu and Kashmir was related to territories and had nothing to do with religion as widely believed.

The US, he claimed, wants India to "sacrifice" Jammu and Kashmir to silence the radial elements in Pakistan so that terrorism could be stopped from spreading in the world. He said everyone should unite against the suggestion of the US.

Doval lamented that there was no serious discussion on the issue in the country and "no one was concerned about a solution" to the vexed issue.