Kashmir lawmaker to move resolution on Afzal Guru's remains

Srinagar, March 11 (IANS) Amidst a raging controversy over the release of separatist leader Masrat Alam, an independent legislator in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday said he will seek the release of all political prisoners as well as the mortal remains of parliament attack convict Afzal Guru in the upcoming assembly session.

"Why is the Indian government feeling so insecure over one man's release? Why Alam's release has been an issue as if it was an undue favour from the government?" legislator Langate Engineer Abdul Rashid said at a media conference here.

Rashid blamed the media for creating "unnecessary" hype around the separatist's release.

"In (the Kashmir) Valley, the BJP-led government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Centre is seen as champion of Hindutva and yet his (Modi's) patriotic credentials were put to question in parliament.

"Wasn't it the Bharatiya Janata Party that talked to Hurriyat and other separatist leaders and even with Hizbul Mujahideen militants during Atal Bihari Vajpayee's tenure?" he asked.

The lawmaker said the uproar in parliament over Alam's release shows India has nothing to offer to the Kashmiris.

"Even seeking the mortal remains of a dead person is termed as terrorism. The government of India is pushing Kashmiris to the wall. How do you (central government) expect Hurriyat Conference leaders to come forward for talks in such a scenario?" he said.

Rashid said that during the 2010 street agitation, a parliamentary delegation had knocked on the doors of separatist leaders for talks.

"This means the Indian government will talk only when Kashmiris show resistance," he added.

The legislator said he had warned Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed against entering into an alliance with the BJP to form the government.

"India has not done justice with any leader here. As long as Mufti talks sense, we should support him," he said.

"Why can't Mufti Sayeed and Omar Abdullah unite for the sake of Kashmiris? Kashmir is a disputed territory. There are UN resolutions and bilateral agreements between India and Pakistan over it. India can't escape from Kashmir resolution."

However, he said demanding resolution of the Kashmir issue does not mean talking against the sovereignty of India.

"I am being labelled as anti-national. But Indian policy-makers should introspect why India has failed to win the battle of hearts and minds in Kashmir?" he added.

He questioned the BJP-led central government for "creating hurdles" in returning the mortal remains of Afzal Guru.

"I am told there will be a memorial for Guru in Kashmir if his mortal remains are returned. There is a memorial of Khalistan movement supporter Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale inside the Golden Temple. Why is the BJP not raising the same question in Punjab where it has a coalition government with Akalis.

"Why are you after Kashmiris, isn't it hypocrisy?" he asked.

On the two resolutions, he said: "This is a must to create a conducive atmosphere for talks in the state."