Self-rule in J&K

Feb 3, 2006

          PDP ad on self-rule triggers row 

                                                                       S.P.Sharma

                                                                Tribune News Service 

 

Jammu, February 2

The People's Democratic Party (PDP) of Mufti Sayeed today triggered a controversy by giving an impression that Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's proposal of self-rule in Jammu and Kashmir was better than the National Conference's (NC) demand for internal autonomy.

 

The PDP has inserted a full-page advertisement in local newspapers regarding its stand on the controversial issue of self-rule in Jammu and Kashmir. The advertisement, besides the party's resolution, of self-rule, also carries three basic differences between the idea of self-rule and the NC's demand for autonomy.

 

This has brought to the fore the serious differences between Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and his coalition partner, the PDP, on the sensitive issue. While Mr Azad has outrightly rejected the suggestion of self-rule on the plea that its own elected representatives were ruling Jammu and Kashmir, the PDP has come out with the demand for a debate on the issue.

 

Observers feel that the advertisement is an effort of the PDP to set to rest the confusion that has been created due to conflicting statements of its leaders on the issue. The advertisement carries the text of the resolution that was adopted in the recent meeting of the executive committee of the party in which it was demanded that instead of rejecting the proposal of self-rule, it should be discussed at all forums.

 

There were reports of serious differences also within the PDP leadership on the suggestion of self-rule that has come from Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf.

 

Interestingly, the Deputy Chief Minister, Mr Muzaffar Hussain Baig, who was a founder member of the PDP, has tried to wriggle out of his earlier statements on the issue by inserting the advertisement with his signatures.

 

Mr Baig had earlier reportedly said that Jammu and Kashmir already had self-rule, but now the advertisement issued under his signatures stresses that instead of addressing the issue on partisan or narrow considerations, an attempt should be made to ensure that the suggestion when furnished with specifics, should be considered sincerely and objectively.

 

The PDP has among other things said that Article 370 of the Constitution of India, read with the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir, is one of the models of self-rule, which the state already enjoys. However, this original model of self-rule was materially altered first in 1952 and subsequently by various constitutional and legal actions.

 

Describing the self-rule proposal as different from the demand of the National Conference for internal autonomy, the PDP's advertisement points out that the former idea was different from autonomy in three respects. Firstly, the slogan of internal autonomy aims at restoring the position back to the one that existed at the time of arrest of Shiekh Abdullah in 1953. It is not equivalent to the model of the self-rule that existed in the state in its original and undiluted form at the time of adoption of Article 370.

 

Secondly, the PDP has pointed out that the brief sketch of proposals given by General Musharraf would entail self-rule not only for Kashmir but all three regions of the state, including Jammu and Ladakh. Whereas the slogan of internal autonomy would address only the sentiments of the Kashmir valley and a few areas outside it, the idea of self-rule will have wider application.

 

Thirdly, the internal autonomy addresses only, and partially, the constitutional and administrative relationship between Delhi and Kashmir. On the other hand the idea of self-rule proposed by General Musharraf appears to be aimed at finding a solution to the Kashmir problem without advocating the state's accession with Pakistan or diluting India's sovereignty as General. Musharraf has himself stated that plebiscite and independence are not the options for the resolution of the Kashmir issue.

 

Other partners of the ruling coalition too have conflicting views on the self-rule proposal. While the CPM leader, Mr Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, has sought a debate on the issue, the Panthers Party is opposed to the idea.

 

The vice-president of the state BJP, Prof Hari Om, in a statement today, demanded an explanation from the Congress on its stand on the issue.

 

He said the PDP was consistently singing the Pakistani song and making suggestions that were not in the interests of the country.