Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 27: Lt Gen (Retd) Syed Ata Hasnain today suggested that the solution to the problem of Jammu and Kashmir will ultimately emerge from Jammu.
This is for the first time that a senior army officer, who is credited for bringing about a sea change in the relationship between the Kashmiris and the Indian army, has added this significant dimension to the vexed issue of Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking at a maiden seminar titled “Significance of 27th October for J&K” organized by the Jammu Citizen’s Forum, Lt Gen Hasnain said, “Jammu is the only place where people understand and know what the reality is”, adding “militarily no solution will ever come about and ultimately solutions to my mind are always people’s solution”.
“Peace in Kashmir and peace in the whole of Jammu and Kashmir means a tremendous boost to the people in Jammu itself. I always talk about the business community of Jammu. How much they can contribute. How much infrastructure they can build and support the people of State”, he said, adding “it is the people of Jammu who understands socially, politically and most importantly the psychology of people. If you understand the human mind on the other side of the Pir Panjal, it is only you who can experiment on how to bring people together. Otherwise Pakistan will keep disturbing peace in the region and all this will continue and go on like this”.
“Kashmir has been a problem for us and I feel solution to the problem of Jammu and Kashmir will emerge from here”, Lt Gen Hasnain said, adding “we have to take a vow and make a commitment to commit ourselves to nation building”.
Addressing the seminar, Prof Rekha Choudhary said Jammu and Kashmir issue has both the external and internal dimension, adding “we must deal with the external dimension aggressively. Pakistan has got no legal right to intervene in our internal affairs and internally we have to take the political initiatives by which the State remains a more harmonious State”.
Vice Chancellor of Central University of Jammu Prof Ashok Aima, said, “Central Government always thought that by sending truck loads of money they will keep people of Kashmir valley quite”, adding “this is the biggest disservice”. He said, “this is the time when we need to strengthen the instruments of governance with the transparency and accountability argument”.
“We need to create a space for the young generation. This is a reality that Kashmir is not going to go away from India. Kashmir is integral part of India and if we are not able to leverage on that core strength which has been very well defended by our forces I think we will have to bring convergence between different stakeholders”, Prof Aima further said.
Former President of Bar Association of Jammu and senior lawyer BS Slathia said the biggest mistake was committed by Delhi when Sheikh Mohd Abdullah was made third party. “Maharaja Hari Singh was given raw deal and the people of Kashmir who wanted to coexist were sidelined and seeds of hatred were sowed by the vested interests for their own benefits”, he added.
He said, “there is an urgent need to empower people of Jammu because they are true nationalists and have not been heard by the successive dispensations at the helm of affairs in the Centre”.
Former Chief Secretary S S Bloeria gave a detailed description of various heroic battles fought by the Indian army after it landed in Kashmir valley to repulse the invasion. He acknowledged the valour of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives and motivated the generations.
Brig Sukhdev Singh presented the welcome address while vote of thanks was delivered by President of Chamber of Commerce and Industries Rakesh Gupta. Famous Singer Neelam Bhardwaj regailed the audience with melodic rendition of patriotic songs.
Earlier in the morning, a motor cycle rally was taken out by the members of Team Jammu from Satwari to Balidaan Sthambh to celebrate the victory of Indian Army.
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