PDP's declaration that Kashmir not a political issue draws flak

A statement by senior PDP minister that Kashmir should not be seen as a political problem on Sunday triggered a fresh controversy with the Opposition NC terming it a "total sell-out and last nail in the coffin for the PDP."

"If the PDP thinks that Kashmir is not a 'political issue' but is according to them a 'social issue', the very basis of the politics of PDP and that of its founder late Mufti (Mohammad Sayeed) Sahab comes into question," Ali Mohammad Sagar, National Conference (NC) general secretary, told reporters at a hurriedly called press conference, here.

"Till today we were led to believe that PDP's basis was the resolution of the political issue and its rhetorical advocacy for dialogue was a cornerstone of its narrative. Today, the same party suddenly declares that Kashmir is not a political issue. We condemn this statement in the strongest of terms as it reeks of fallacy, delusion and indicates an enormous ideological U-turn for the party," he said.

State Finance Minister Haseeb Drabu on Saturday said that Kashmir should not be seen as a conflict state or a political problem but as a society with social issues.

Speaking at an event themed 'Kashmir: The Way Forward' on Saturday night in Delhi, he asked the people to introspect over the nature and origins of the situation in the state and how it can be resolved.

However, Drabu had to face flak not only from the Opposition for his assertions but from within his own party.

Taking a serious note of the statement, Sartaj Madni, PDP vice president and uncle of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, asked Drabu to retract his comment immediately.

"The PDP recognizes Jammu and Kashmir as a political issue and ever since its emergence the party has relentlessly been pursuing its resolution through reconciliation and dialogue, both at internal and external levels," he said and asked senior party leaders to be careful in their statements and observations.

JKLF chief Yasin Malik termed Drabu's statement an ample specimen of "a sold-out mentality and classic example of a person trying to act like a lawyer in politics who has no ideology, faith and ethics."

"Drabu like collaborators want to prove their loyalty to their masters in Delhi and Nagpur by issuing statements like these, but these people should know that facts don't change by mincing words and coining new terms," he said.

He claimed that in 1996, Drabu came to the Hurriyat Conference ('Kashmir Awareness Bureau') office in Delhi with his friend Siddiq Wahid "and while praising our efforts for the liberation of Jammu Kashmir from the occupation of India delivered several ideas and concepts for it."

"Whenever Drabu met me, he advocated separation from 'Hindu mentality and mindset' and that every Kashmiri should strive for this sacred cause," Malik claimed.