Delhi must convince us: Farooq

By Shujaat Bukhari

SRINAGAR, JULY 8. Reiterating his party's resolve to strive for restoration of greater autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir despite the Centre's rejection, the Chief Minister, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, today said he would go through regional autonomy.

The report of the Regional Autonomy Committee (RAC), which had recommended eight regional units within the State, was yet to be finalised as sentiments of all the regions were to be taken into account. Inaugurating a two-day conference on `Autonomy in J &K : Restructuring Indian Federalism' organised by the Regional Autonomy Implementation Committee, Dr. Abdullah said ``it is a pity that in democratic India the doors are closed''.

Stating that State Autonomy Committee report was final, Dr. Abdullah told the Centre in a defiant tune ``either you convince us or we convince you''.

Though a report was already out, there would be further discussion before it was brought to the Assembly. ``We will not wait for Delhi. I have a two-thirds majority in the House and we will go through it,'' the Chief Minister said.

Dr. Abdullah asserted ``we are part of the nation and there is no question of secession''. By demanding autonomy ``we want to have an honourable solution for a long-standing battle''. He said ``we are not party to U.N. resolutions, it was the Indian leadership which promised Kashmiris they would be asked to decide their future.''

Maintaining that autonomy was the best solution under the present circumstances, he said ``we are for conciliation not confrontation''.The MDMK leader, Mr. Vaiko, who was all praise for Sheikh Abdullah and Dr. Abdullah's patriotism said ``I have come here to express solidarity and support to people of Kashmir at this crucial hour to express goodwill from the people of Tamil Nadu. I want to mention it in no uncertain terms that I am here to emphasise to honour to commitment made in Article 370 and in the instrument of accession. We are for real federation''.

The MDMK leader said all eyes were on Kashmir. Stressing the importance for discussion in a democracy with reference to autonomy to J & K, he said the BJP was not the NDA. India would never be ruled by a single party and only regional parties could play a role at Centre. Though Mr. Vaiko opposed the demand of restoring pre-1953 status, he said the discussion should continue.

Mr. Vaiko demanded scrapping of Article 356 as also the posts of Governors who, he said, had only the role of toppling State Governments which did not toe the Centre's line.

The former Foreign Secretary, Mr. Muchkund Dubey, said autonomy was the least that could be done to resolve the Kashmir issue.The demand of autonomy could not be equated with restructuring of Indian federalism.

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