All Parties Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq is projecting self-determination as a common demand of the people of Kashmir, according to strategic analyst Alok Bansal.
“I do not think that there is a common aspiration among the Kashmiri people,” he said. “Different sections think differently. At this stage, it should meet the people’s aspiration, but within the norms of the Indian Constitution. Legally and historically, Jammu and Kashmir is an inalienable part of India. As regards Pakistan, it comes into play only as far as PoK is concerned.”
Capt. Bansal said such problems could not be resolved in a time-bound manner. “I feel the right time has still not arrived for discussions on the subject as Pakistan appears to be crumbling. Wahabisation in the valley has been increasing and insecurity of sectarian and religious minorities has increased.”
The peace process, he felt, was an ongoing exercise and must continue without interruption, irrespective of the setbacks.
