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Farooq calls for national debate on autonomy

Mukhtar Ahmad in Srinagar

Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah today offered to hold a national-level debate on the sensitive issue of autonomy for the state. "But for our sincerity to hold a dialogue, the motion [on autonomy] would have been adopted by my party on [the basis of] its strength in the legislature," he said.

Earlier, amidst angry exchanges between members of various political parties in the state assembly, Dr Abdullah threatened to move a resolution on autonomy, saying, "We have the majourity and we can pass it."

But he later backed down and offered the debate, saying, "Discussion is the essence of democracy; this is the real strength of India where such a proposition is possible. Here lies the difference between our country and Pakistan where such a thing is not possible."

Intervening in the debate, he said, "We are not anti-nationals; we are far better Indians than anybody else," but cautioned that the enemy was observing the proceedings in the legislature. "They are killing people here every day and in this situation nobody knows who will go next."

Urging the opposition to listen to members of his party on the vital issue of autonomy, which he called their "burning urge", he asked, "If the Centre could think of talking to those who want to secede, why cannot the opposition give a hearing to National Conference members?

"Syed Ali Shah Geelani now says that we are ready for a dialogue, okay, but listen to us also. If we are wrong, please point it out."

Earlier, Piara Singh, a Bharatiya Janata Party member, surprised everyone by accusing some National Conference members of being anti-Farooq. "In connivance with the Hurriyat leadership, 22 MLAs in the NC are trying to dislodge your government," he told the chief minister. But there was no reaction from the ruling party.

Singh strongly opposed the demand to restore the state's autonomy and argued that Article 370 was becoming a big hurdle in Kashmir's development. He said large-scale rigging in the 1987 assembly election was the root cause of militancy. He said the state government's primary aim should be to stamp out the militancy. Autonomy could be discussed "after the gun is silenced".

Tsering Dorjee of the Congress said Ladakhis did not support the autonomy proposal. "Autonomy is for the valley only," he said, "and it will be the NC which will be responsible for trifurcation of the state."

"You cannot sell autonomy to the people of Ladakh and Jammu," he added.

Doorjee said Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, National Conference founder and first chief minister of the state, was the "tallest leader of Kashmiris alone. He was not a leader of the Ladakhis."

The Ladakhi MLA said the Buddhists in his region would strongly oppose restoration of the state's autonomy.

In his nearly two-hour speech, Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather dismissed the propaganda against autonomy as "motivated and irresponsible". He said the demand for restoration of the state's autonomy was not anti-national, but merely a fulfilment of commitments made to the people.

"People who changed the course of history in 1947 can never be anti-national. What they are asking for is restoration of autonomy for the state consistent with the Instrument of Accession, the presidential order of 1950, and the Delhi Agreement of 1952," Rather said.

The minister lashed out at those who say the NC's demand is a ploy to sabotage the Centre's proposed dialogue with the All-Parties Hurriyat Conference. "We have been pressing for this demand since 1977 and it has figured in every election manifesto thereafter," he said. "When the APHC was not even born in 1994, Dr Abdullah raised the demand while addressing an NC working committee meeting".

Kuka Parray, top pro-India militant turned politician, said restoration of the state's autonomy would "widen the gulf between the state and the Centre" and urged the government "not to pursue this dangerous course".

He said all-out efforts should be made to curb the militancy in Kashmir. "This [the autonomy proposal] will only add to the confusion," Parray said. He demanded action against "Pakistani agents in the state administration".

Abdul Rahman Veeri of the People's Democratic Party, while supporting the demand for autonomy, said efforts should be made to find a lasting solution to the problem of Kashmir.

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