Centre's representative tells Kashmiri students to prepare roadmap for azaadi

[seedhi]

This just keeps getting worse and worse, the UPA is making a mockery of India's Kashmir policy.

Prepare a roadmap for azaadi, Padgaonkar tells Kashmiri students Dilip Padgaonkar, who heads the group of Centre's interlocutors on Jammu and Kashmir [ Images ], asked students to prepare a roadmap for azaadi (freedom) by the time they return for a second visit to the Valley. "Next time when we come (to Kashmir), let us discuss 'azaadi' and its economic and strategic implications. We have to discuss it threadbare. If this is your wish, we can discuss it," he told a group of university students in Srinagar. "Prepare a roadmap with a time-line which can be delivered. Make it precise, make it practical, which can be achieved in a time-bound manner," the journalist told them. The students presented to the interlocutors a three-point formula for reducing the trust-deficit. The three-point formula suggested by them included the demand for immediate release of students and youths who have been arrested on charges of stone-pelting during the unrest, repeal of all the "draconian laws" and demilitarisation of the state. "Such steps will help in reducing the trust-deficit,"a student said. Padgaonkar said he wished to see more schools and fewer jails in Kashmir. http://news.rediff.com/report/2010/oct/25/prepare-raodmap-for-azaadi-padgaonkar-tells-kashmiri-students.htm

[Clarke]

My first reaction was the same when i read the headline. On reading further, i got a feeling the journalist is one smart guy and is exposing their hollow idea of independence. I can bet that if they did come up with a plan, he'll put forward questions that they will have absolutely no answer to.

[Ram]

This is what happens when people with no apparent sense of humor go around trolling the internet, looking for articles that even remotely is antagonistic to the Central govt. It is obvious that somebody here is on a single minded mission to make the Congress govt. look bad, even if it means blowing obviously harmless events out of proportion. The guy's talking with University students for Eff's sake. The is clearly some sort of informal gathering/Confidence building measure meant to promote some sort of open dialogue. Anybody with even a inkling of fairness and perspective would have figured as much when the reference to 'prepare for freedom' is IMMEDIATELY followed by those to build confidence and trust b/w the Kashmiri people and the Central govt. Unless of course you make the frankly stupid inference that the Congress is govt. is already preparing for cordial relations with the new independent state of Kashmir, the self-evident explanation to this whole episode is that this was some sort of informal gathering meant to promote dialogue and conversation. But hey, if you're hell bent of making the other side look bad, now matter how imbecilic your insinuations are, why bother logic and facts to come in the way?

[Sir john]

worst new reporting i have seen.

[The Outsider]

Dilip Padgaonkar is clearly posing a rhetorical question to the Kashmiri youth about the practicality of an independent Kashmir from a financial, political, and military perspective. Trust the right wing loonies to distort the intent into something completely different or being just plain dumb to not grasp the context.

[varun]

My first reaction was the same when i read the headline. On reading further, i got a feeling the journalist is one smart guy and is exposing their hollow idea of independence. I can bet that if they did come up with a plan, he'll put forward questions that they will have absolutely no answer to.

Yeah that's pretty much exactly what I got out of it. Plus it helps reduce the "trust deficit". An open dialogue is always useful :winky:

[seedhi]

Dilip Padgaonkar is clearly posing a rhetorical question to the Kashmiri youth about the practicality of an independent Kashmir from a financial, political, and military perspective. Trust the right wing loonies to distort the intent into something completely different or being just plain dumb to not grasp the context.

It is not the job of the representatives of the central govt to engage in the idea of azaadi, even rhetorically. The position of the GoI is extremely simple - there is no question of any azaadi i.e. territorial secession from India. Every discussion has to be in the ambit of the Indian Constitution. These interlocutors are clearly undermining this position if the requirement of the Constitutionality is not made clear. Tomorrow the Hurriyat will say that if the GoI can engage in discussing azaadi with students of Kashmir University, then why not with them? I ask you, can this same exact discussion take place with a Hurriyat representative i.e. asking him to prepare a roadmap for azaadi. If it does, should that also be taken in the spirit of "rhetoric"? Dilip Padgaonkar would have been completely appropriate had he appended the following sentence to his exhortation: "Whatever roadmap you come up with has to be within the ambit of the Indian Constitution."

[ravishingravi]

It is not the job of the representatives of the central govt to engage in the idea of azaadi, even rhetorically. The position of the GoI is extremely simple - there is no question of any azaadi i.e. territorial secession from India. Every discussion has to be in the ambit of the Indian Constitution. These interlocutors are clearly undermining this position if the requirement of the Constitutionality is not made clear. Tomorrow the Hurriyat will say that if the GoI can engage in discussing azaadi with students of Kashmir University, then why not with them? I ask you, can this same exact discussion take place with a Hurriyat representative i.e. asking him to prepare a roadmap for azaadi. If it does, should that also be taken in the spirit of "rhetoric"? Dilip Padgaonkar would have been completely appropriate had he appended the following sentence to his exhortation: "Whatever roadmap you come up with has to be within the ambit of the Indian Constitution."

The constitution has gone out of the window atleast in Kashmir in its current state. If there are going to be talks, "azadi", which means different things to different people will be on the table. It is like avoiding the elephant in the room. Padgaonkar is a brilliant guy and given a free hand he will win them over.

[seedhi]

The constitution has gone out of the window atleast in Kashmir in its current state. If there are going to be talks' date=' "azadi", which means different things to different people will be on the table. It is like avoiding the elephant in the room. Padgaonkar is a brilliant guy and given a free hand he will win them over.[/quote']You see, its not really a point of what you or I think. The FACT is that the Government of India has an unequivocal position that any solution has to be in the ambit of the Indian Constitution and which means no territorial azaadi of any kind. There is a unanimous parliamentary resolution to this effect as well. Given this position it is totally inappropriate for representatives of the Centre to, in any way, entertain the idea of territorial secession. One may argue that azaadi may not necessarily mean that, but then the qualifier must be made, even in a dialogue, that whatever formulation comes up HAS to be within the ambit of the Indian Constitution.

[ravishingravi]

You see, its not really a point of what you or I think. The FACT is that the Government of India has an unequivocal position that any solution has to be in the ambit of the Indian Constitution and which means no territorial azaadi of any kind. There is a unanimous parliamentary resolution to this effect as well. Given this position it is totally inappropriate for representatives of the Centre to, in any way, entertain the idea of territorial secession. One may argue that azaadi may not necessarily mean that, but then the qualifier must be made, even in a dialogue, that whatever formulation comes up HAS to be within the ambit of the Indian Constitution.

It is just practically not possible considering that we are already "engaged" with the idea of "territorial secession" and trying to appease or woo those who believe this idea. So, we have surpassed the stage of whether it was issue/dispute or what the Indian constitution states. We are dealing with parties who are bringing it up. Now, I don't think as interlocutors you can stop them from bringing it up, since it goes against the whole process of generating consensus. The ball really is in our court, no matter what they say. But the least we can do is listen to them.

[yoda]

His statement was made as part of a larger initiative to achieve a so called comprehensive solution which apparently must include Pakistan and possibly other mediators according to him. The statement if looked at in that larger context, doesn't seem like a theoretically exercise for the sole purpose of proving the students wrong. Seems like we are bending over backwards as the law and order situation is deteriorating there. Might as well just hand over the state to Pakistan and end this now.

[ViruRulez]

Jethmalani backs Padgaonkar, BJP red-faced

Causing embarrassment to the BJP, its Rajya Sabha MP Ram Jethmalani on Tuesday came out in defence of Dileep Padgoankar — a member of the Kashmir Committee, which the veteran lawyer headed — and lashed out at his party for accusing the newly appointed interlocutor on Kashmir of “internationalising” the issue and criticising him for mentioning Pakistan. Jethmalani pointed out that Pakistan has a role in resolving the Kashmir dispute and reminded the BJP about Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s talks with Pervez Musharraf. A red-faced BJP put up a brave face and made light of his rebuke. “Jethmalani is Jethmalani. He has his own views... and the party does not agree to same,” party spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said but was evasive on action against the MP. Padgaonkar was one of the seven members of the Kashmir Committee under Jethmalani’s stewardship in 2002 when the NDA was in power. The panel had held several rounds of talks with separatists and was said to have enjoyed the tacit support of the NDA government. Jethmalani said it was “childish and churlish” to attack them for talking about Pakistan. “What was Atalji doing with Musharraf? At least make some sensible statement which I can defend,” he told The Indian Express. Jethmalani said he sincerely prayed for the success of Padgaonkar and his team, who have “superhuman” task. Javadekar, on the other hand, criticised the interlocutors for visiting a jail to meet “infiltrators and militants”. “They don’t have to talk to people who are not stakeholders. Padgaonkar and his team should understand that they should work within limits. Padgaonkar is a senior journalist and he knows the importance of being discreet. He should not make running commentaries everyday. He should exercise discretion. Indiscretion is irresponsibility,” he said.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Jethmalani-backs-Padgaonkar--BJP-red-faced/703086 BJP's own MP Jethmalani now supports the interlocutors. I also somewhat feel that they Padgaonkar being a very senior and responsible journalist is probably trying to show them the demerits of independence and taking them into confidence as others mentioned. But at the same time he is also swimming into somewhat dangerous waters and this plan might backfire. So, not sure if this is completely right approach. Either it might be a great approach or it might severely backfire. Only time will tell.

[ViruRulez]

Kashmir interlocutors hint at considering 'Azaadi' option

SRINAGAR: The interlocutors appointed for J&K have hinted at introducing amendments in the Indian constitution to accommodate considering the " Azaadi option" for Kashmir. "Indian constitution is a beautiful document and there is room for modification with changing times and we can even recommend for the amendments in the constitution to accommodate the discussions on the Kashmir issue and to find the solution to the problem in line with the aspirations of the Kashmiris," Radha Kumar, one of the three interlocutors told reporters here at the end of a four-day visit to the valley on Wednesday. Saying it is my personal belief, Radha Kumar said, the constitution has been amended more than 400 times and there is no harm if it is modified further to make it more accommodative. Importantly, Indian constitution as also Jammu & Kashmir constitution unequivocally mention the region as an integral part of India. The head of the three-member panel, Dileep Padgoankar while interacting with mediapersons also wished to take leaders of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on board to find the permanent solution to the Kashmir issue. "Yes we would like to visit PoK to talk to the leadership there to get their point of view on the issue .But there are parts in J&K which do not share the same view as the people in Kashmir valley," Dileep added. The panel: Dileep Padgoankar, M M Ansari and Radha Kumar, which would undertake visit to the state every month , at the end of present visit , is expected to recommend several measures to be taken by the centre to bring in more credibility to the appointment of interlocutors to diminish the trust deficit of the people in Kashmir. "We can even recommend the amendments in the Public Safety Act besides ask for release of political prisoners and even ask the centre to allow the peaceful protests in the valley in line with democratic temperament of the country," Dileep Padgoankar said. Dileep even questioned the logic for imposing section 144 CrPC against holding peaceful protests in the valley. "There is no need of imposing section 144 to quell the assembly of the people for peaceful demonstrations," he added.

Suddenly a really WTF news. What are they thinking or are they even thinking before saying any such statements. The only point might be that they are trying to include PoK which would never be given up by Pakis but still it is a crazy statement. What are they thinking. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Kashmir-interlocutors-hint-at-considering-Azaadi-option/articleshow/6821695.cms

[seedhi]

WOW! Now they are calling for the Constitution to be amended to accomodate azaadi? Where do they get the nerve? And they seem to ignorant that the Constitution does not permit the secession of any part of India. Any amendment contrary to the basic structure of the Constitution is forbidden by the Supreme Court. And why are we even going there. The only amendment needed is to remove article 370. Kashmir is an integral part of India. Its an unalterable fact.

[yoda]

WOW! Now they are calling for the Constitution to be amended to accomodate azaadi? Where do they get the nerve? And they seem to ignorant that the Constitution does not permit the secession of any part of India. Any amendment contrary to the basic structure of the Constitution is forbidden by the Supreme Court. And why are we even going there. The only amendment needed is to remove article 370. Kashmir is an integral part of India. Its an unalterable fact.

Stop being a right wing looney. They are just trying to teach some kids a lesson. :winky:

[ravishingravi]

http://ibnlive.in.com/videos/134136/devils-advocate-in-conversation-with-jk-interlocutors.html

[varun]

http://ibnlive.in.com/videos/134136/devils-advocate-in-conversation-with-jk-interlocutors.html

Thanks !

[ravishingravi]

What about the question of "self determination" of Kashmiris ?