Separatism In Kashmir Is Dead, But Need To Start...: Former RAW Chief AS Dulat
"Separatism I believe is dead now. It has become redundant. Like Article 370, separatism also is gone," Dulat told PTI in an interview on Saturday.
New Delhi: Amarjit Singh Dulat, former RAW chief, has expressed his belief that separatism in Kashmir was "dead." He, however, emphasized the need to start a dialogue with mainstream political parties in the Valley.
"Separatism I believe is dead now. It has become redundant. Like Article 370, separatism also is gone," Dulat told PTI in an interview on Saturday.
Dulat, who was an advisor on Jammu and Kashmir to the central government during the tenure of former prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, also argued the need for starting a discussion with Pakistan.
While speaking to PTI, he said that Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who has been under house arrest since August 4, 2019, has a role in Kashmir politics.
"There is a leader who I feel has a role and that is Mirwaiz but he has been kept in his house. So, we will only know when he comes out. He has been mainstream and whenever he is allowed to come out, and I think it should be done as quickly as possible, then we will see which way he goes," the former special director of the Intelligence Bureau stated.
Responding to whether the Kashmir issue has been resolved with the abrogation of Article 370, the former spy replied, "There was never a big issue and there will always be an issue. The sooner we have an elected government, the better, because it provides a buffer for Delhi." "Dialogue, talking is the way out. If not to the separatists, talk to the mainstream, have elections and restore the statehood."
To a question, if the situation in Pakistan had any effect in Kashmir, Dulat replied in a negative, but said "radicalisation" among the youth was a worrying factor.
"I don't think there is any impact here. Pakistan is in such a mess that even those who were once pro-Pakistan are now saying what is there in Pakistan? I don't think Pakistan is a factor. What worries me is that radicalism seems to be growing. That's not a good thing because Kashmir always has been open, liberal, Sufi, Shaivite. So that should be a matter of concern," he said.
He further stated, "There were a couple of bad incidents in Poonch-Rajouri. We need to take note of that. Then there are always boys in the south, our own boys, they get involved from time to time. I want to tell you something…A Kashmiri craves for peace. He has had enough of this. It was an experiment that Kashmir had to go through, and it is an experiment which has failed. I think nobody wants this should continue."
Dulat said India should respond positively to Pakistan's overtures as Islamabad is looking for a way to improve relations with New Delhi.
He said the Pakistan cricket team visiting India for the cricket world cup was a good development.
"It is good (Indo-Pak cricket). They should come. There is the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit and the Pakistan PM should come, I think he will come. Pakistan is looking for a way of moving forward with India and I think we should provide that way. I am sure Modiji is conscious about that, he is a big leader now. He is going to America, let's see," Dulat said.
According to him, India should hold talks with Pakistan as terrorism directed towards India was emanating from the neighbouring country.
"Pakistan involvement is in terrorism. Yesterday, I was reading that five foreign terrorists were killed somewhere near Kupwara. I have always believed the worst and most serious attacks always come in from the north because that's where the foreign terrorists are. That's been an old route, that's where they come from and that's where they operate. That's a scary thing and that's one of the reasons that we should talk to Pakistan," he said.
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