Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Sept 1: Senior Congress leader and Member Parliament, Dr Karan Singh, today stressed for dialogue with everyone who is willing to talk so that there is some forward movement.
Speaking to reporters at Karan Mahal here, Dr Singh stressed for dialogue. “It is my personal opinion that it (all-party delegation) should talk to everyone who is willing to talk because it is only through dialogue that there can be some movement forward. They (separatists) should also be ready to talk. If they say it beforehand that they will not talk, then how would there be a dialogue. I will not say anything about them (All-Party Delegation).”
The Congress leader said that he is not sure about visiting All Party Delegation holding talks with Hurriyat Conference. “I don’t know with whom they will talk. I am not in that because I have my own separate relations here with Jammu and Kashmir. I said that I won’t have to come with All Party Delegation but separately. The All-Party Delegation will come and let’s see with whom they will talk, I am not quite sure yet (about talks with separatists).”
Dr Singh said that he is pained by the situation in Kashmir that has claimed many lives. “I wanted to come early but there was curfew here. I have come here to share the pain of the people. I am pained by the situation since the last two months. Many youth have lost life, hundreds have been injured, and business and tourism has come to a standstill”, he said.
The Congress leader said that he wants children to be back to schools and colleges and normalization of situation. “In the month of June I was here and then the situation was alright. But then the situation deteriorated abruptly. So, I have come here to meet all of you, to ask you what is happening and to listen to you. I have come to express my sympathy; we have been raised here in this home (Karan Mahal) in our childhood… I have seen lot of time and lots of situation but the current situation has pained me and we want that some calm should prevail here. I want the children to return to schools and colleges because their life and future is getting affected… They have to think, their parents have to think about it. We all have to think”, he said.
Dr Singh said that he cleared many things in Rajya Sabha about Jammu and Kashmir which some people were not aware of. “Whatever I had to say I said that in Rajya Sabha twice, one on July 19 and again on August 10. I have cleared many things. Some people were not even aware about the reality and I tried to inform them. I pray that the situation improves”, he added.
The Congress leader said that he has already said about stopping use of pellet guns. “I have said it in Rajya Sabha that the use of pellet guns should be stopped”, he said.