Way forward on

Kashmir

Sir, - I would like to congratulate Ms. Malini Parthasarathy for her excellent, incisive and unbiased article (Aug.13) on the next major steps to be taken, if a lasting solution to the long-drawn- out Kashmir problem is to be found.

Her suggestion to recognise the historical responsibility of the Government of India to the people of that disturbed State and act decisively overcoming the hangover of the past, must be pondered deeply by the Prime Minister, Mr. A. B. Vajpayee, and the Union Home Minister, Mr. L. K. Advani, the principal players charged with the task of bringing about an amicable solution to the Kashmir problem.

P. Vaman Rao,

Hyderabad

* * *

Sir, - The article, ``The way forward on Kashmir'' by Ms. Malini Parthasarathy was a good attempt to show a way out of the difficult problem. Some comments on the various propositions in the article appear necessary. First, the description of the killing of the Hizb-ul- Mujahideen commander, Masood, as ``murder'' is an unjustified indictment of the Indian security forces. The Hizb, no less than the Lashkar-e-Taiba, has been on a killing spree, targeting innocent citizens.

As for not implementing in letter and spirit the constitutional guarantee to the people of Kashmir on autonomy, which had a pivotal role in preserving the secular and pluralistic character of the entire nation, it is a deliberate injustice. If only the Government can persuade itself to see a little beyond its nose, it will, without delay implement the autonomy that the State so badly craves. Also, this would enable a leadership to develop in Kashmir that would be able to fight the pro-Pakistani elements effectively.

The point regarding anti-terrorism laws has been well made. Such laws can only result in the population being further alienated. The declaration of an area as ``disturbed'' and investing the Armed Forces with special powers did not help in winning the hearts of the people in Mizoram, Nagaland and other areas of the northeast.

The Government, the Opposition, the media and the people should be prepared to accept that fighting terrorism is a long-drawn process during which some civilian casualties are inevitable.

The article makes another well-argued point that the Hurriyat leaders , at least the more ``reasonable'' among them should not be ignored. The Muslim leaders in India such as Syed Shahabuddin and Mr. G. M. Banatwala should be able to take it on themselves to initiate a process of dialogue with the more reasonable of the Hurriyat leaders.

Such a quiet and ``parallel diplomacy'' can be more fruitful than any other step at least in so far as establishing a bridge of communication with the more reasonable elements is concerned.

A. Umakantha Sarma,

Hyderabad

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