SRINAGAR: Separatist-turned-mainstream politician Sajjad Lone said the ideology of separatism in Jammu and Kashmir has "died out" as people have realized that it is futile.
In an interview with The Independent, the Jammu and Kashmir People's Conference (JKPC) chief called for an end to the violence, saying, "India is our land and there is no ambiguity about it."
Asked whether the separatist ideology in Jammu and Kashmir is dead and buried, Lone said, "I think yes, it is. I think it is dead. People see that it is futile." And I would also add that the ball is in Delhi's court."Now)'' Lon said.
“Kashmiris are ready to be a part of India but they are looking for respectful coexistence, they are not expecting a situation of humiliation or being unequal Indians.
"They look at being an Indian with pride and as equal to an Indian from Gujarat or Maharashtra or Tamil Nadu," he said.
Lone, who is contesting the Lok Sabha elections from Baramulla constituency, said one of the reasons he wanted to go to Parliament was to try and advocate for equal laws for the children of Kashmir and the rest of the country.
He gave the example of police verification in Jammu and Kashmir.He said, while police verification in other parts of the country involves checking whether a person has any criminal history or an FIR has been registered against them, in Kashmir, the entire family is scrutinized.
“So, if in a family of 500 people, cousins, sisters, even one person is involved in violence, 499 will not get police clearance. That means they will not get a job, they will not get a passport, they cannot Participate in government contracts and maybe they (government) may even pass a law that they cannot get bank loans,'' he said.
Lone also underlined the importance of reintegration in conflict resolution.
"For those who rebelled against the system, how much time will you give them to rejoin the system? So, if they are spotless for 10 years, now is the time to remove the stigma and treat them like normal citizens. Let it be.This has been done in all civilized countries," he said.
Responding to a question, the JKPC president said that he would not want Kashmir to become an issue between India and Pakistan and the people of Jammu and Kashmir should focus on their lives and development.
He said, "If there is any issue, both the countries have their respective foreign ministries to consider it. We are a Union Territory, hopefully we will become a state and we should focus on development It (their issue) is something that both of them have.“The country will take care,” he said.
He said that his opinion may not be very politically correct or interesting but I am the truth which will save lives.
"Anyone saying anything to the contrary is talking about sacrifice. Sacrifice means blood, dead bodies and jail. Anyone who says this must first understand whose children will die and whose children will go to jail. .,
"I don't want...the army of orphans to supply more (bodies) to the graves," H said.
Lone, whose father and separatist leader Abdul Ghani Lone was killed on May 21, 2022, said he abhors violence as he is at the receiving end.
On his past ties with the separatist Hurriyat Conference, the JKPC chief said the alliance never accepted him, while mainstream political parties term him an agent of the agencies.
Lone, who is standing against National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah in the Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency, said mainstream political parties torment him as a separatist as well as a BJP man.
He said, “They say that his father created militant organizations and at the same time, he said that he is with the BJP.You have to give awards to the National Conference for fiction and theatre."
Lone, who has been a vocal critic of the NC, said the tenure of Jammu and Kashmir's oldest political party had seen "the worst human rights violations, dozens of killings in a single day, blinding of people". Was brought here by (former chief minister) Omar Abdullah.”
Voting will be held in Baramulla on May 20 in the fifth round of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections. Counting of votes for all seven phases will take place on June 4.
In an interview with The Independent, the Jammu and Kashmir People's Conference (JKPC) chief called for an end to the violence, saying, "India is our land and there is no ambiguity about it."
Asked whether the separatist ideology in Jammu and Kashmir is dead and buried, Lone said, "I think yes, it is. I think it is dead. People see that it is futile." And I would also add that the ball is in Delhi's court."Now)'' Lon said.
“Kashmiris are ready to be a part of India but they are looking for respectful coexistence, they are not expecting a situation of humiliation or being unequal Indians.
"They look at being an Indian with pride and as equal to an Indian from Gujarat or Maharashtra or Tamil Nadu," he said.
Lone, who is contesting the Lok Sabha elections from Baramulla constituency, said one of the reasons he wanted to go to Parliament was to try and advocate for equal laws for the children of Kashmir and the rest of the country.
He gave the example of police verification in Jammu and Kashmir.He said, while police verification in other parts of the country involves checking whether a person has any criminal history or an FIR has been registered against them, in Kashmir, the entire family is scrutinized.
“So, if in a family of 500 people, cousins, sisters, even one person is involved in violence, 499 will not get police clearance. That means they will not get a job, they will not get a passport, they cannot Participate in government contracts and maybe they (government) may even pass a law that they cannot get bank loans,'' he said.
Lone also underlined the importance of reintegration in conflict resolution.
"For those who rebelled against the system, how much time will you give them to rejoin the system? So, if they are spotless for 10 years, now is the time to remove the stigma and treat them like normal citizens. Let it be.This has been done in all civilized countries," he said.
Responding to a question, the JKPC president said that he would not want Kashmir to become an issue between India and Pakistan and the people of Jammu and Kashmir should focus on their lives and development.
He said, "If there is any issue, both the countries have their respective foreign ministries to consider it. We are a Union Territory, hopefully we will become a state and we should focus on development It (their issue) is something that both of them have.“The country will take care,” he said.
He said that his opinion may not be very politically correct or interesting but I am the truth which will save lives.
"Anyone saying anything to the contrary is talking about sacrifice. Sacrifice means blood, dead bodies and jail. Anyone who says this must first understand whose children will die and whose children will go to jail. .,
"I don't want...the army of orphans to supply more (bodies) to the graves," H said.
Lone, whose father and separatist leader Abdul Ghani Lone was killed on May 21, 2022, said he abhors violence as he is at the receiving end.
On his past ties with the separatist Hurriyat Conference, the JKPC chief said the alliance never accepted him, while mainstream political parties term him an agent of the agencies.
Lone, who is standing against National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah in the Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency, said mainstream political parties torment him as a separatist as well as a BJP man.
He said, “They say that his father created militant organizations and at the same time, he said that he is with the BJP.You have to give awards to the National Conference for fiction and theatre."
Lone, who has been a vocal critic of the NC, said the tenure of Jammu and Kashmir's oldest political party had seen "the worst human rights violations, dozens of killings in a single day, blinding of people". Was brought here by (former chief minister) Omar Abdullah.”
Voting will be held in Baramulla on May 20 in the fifth round of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections. Counting of votes for all seven phases will take place on June 4.
