Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Aug 18: Former Union Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Yashwant Sinha today asked Government of India (GoI) to clear its stand on Article 35-A, saying people of Kashmir are “very very concerned” over it.
Sinha told reporters here that with regard to 35-A, “there is very very much concern among people and Government at Centre should take its notice”. “I think the Government of India should clear its stand on 35-A,” he said, adding that the State Government has already filed its petition on 35-A in Supreme Court. People here hope that Indian Government will clear its stand on 35-A, said Sinha.
Sinha-led Concerned Citizens Group concluded its two-day Valley visit today after meeting various mainstream leaders, civil society members and students. “We are convincing people here that majority of people in India want peace in Kashmir. Majority of people in Kashmir want peace in Kashmir and the two majorities should get together so that we are able to bring peace together here,” the former Union Minister said.
He said the people in Kashmir are in “intense pain” because of the unsettled conditions. “We think there is very much need in bringing betterment in the lives of common people here,” said Sinha. The team led by Sinha comprised of Kapil Kak AVM (R), Bharat Bhushan, Editor Catch News and Sushobha Barve, head of Centre for Dialogue and Reconciliation. On Thursday, he met National Conference president Farooq Abdullah and working president Omar Abdullah and discussed prevailing Kashmir situation.
Sinha accompanied by Sushobha Barve, Executive Director, Centre for Dialogue and Reconciliation (CDR); Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) Kapil Kak and Bharat Bhushan former Editor and senior journalist, met Governor N.N. Vohra at the Raj Bhawan here today, an official spokesman said.
Sinha and his team are visiting the Valley to talk to the leaders of various parties and groups about the issues facing Jammu and Kashmir, the spokesman said. Sinha shared his experiences with the Governor who stressed the importance of the regional parties in J&K and all the stakeholders, particularly the civil society, playing a lead role for securing restoration of peace and normalcy, the spokesman added.
The delegation also called on Chief Minister and apprised her about the series of meetings they had with various sections of society. They also informed her about their impressions of the situation in the State and its steady improvement.
The Chief Minister appreciated the efforts of the group in reaching out to the people of the State while underscoring the need for continuous engagement between people and societies. She said civil society has contributed immensely in present day world in reducing frictions and acrimonies between societies and resolving issues among people.
The Group had last year visited the valley amid fourth-month long uprising and civilian killings to assess the situation and insist on the BJP-led Government in New Delhi to hold dialogue with Hurriyat and other stakeholders in the state for political resolution of the issue. The Group had met Hurriyat leaders and mainstream political parties and civil society in the valley when they had first arrived in October last year amid agitation. However, according to Sinha, his team did not meet any Hurriyat leader during this visit.
The former Union Minister today delivered a talk on “India’s Foreign Policy: Opportunities and Concerns for Next Decade” at a hotel here. The talk was organized by CRDP – a policy and research group based in Srinagar.
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