Srinagar:
While the central interlocutors' report on Jammu and Kashmir is
yet to find any serious takers here, Mustafa Kamal, a senior
ruling National Conference (NC) leader and son of party founder
Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah says New Delhi did not even implement the
terms of 1975 Indira-Abdullah accord.
"The exercise of the agreement was never completed. This was also
stated by former chief minister, Syed Mir Qasim, in his
autobiography, Kamal told IANS in an interview.
"I met him in New Delhi along with my brother Tariq Abdullah. We
asked him what the 1975 accord was. He said the exercise was
incomplete. Two persons were appointed by Sheikh Abdullah and
Indira Gandhi to discuss the laws passed in the state by amending
the state's constitution from 1953 to 1974 and give
recommendations as to how these laws can be restored in their
original form of 1953. Mirza Muhammad Afzal Beg and G.
Parthasarthy worked out the formula that was to be presented to
the central and the state governments.
"It was not the issue between two individuals, rather it was an
issue between the two governments. Even if they had met and for
argument's sake agreed, it had to go to the respective cabinets
for approval. And then if the cabinets had approved it or
otherwise it had to be sent to legislatures of both the
governments. That exercise never took place".
Talking to 'Kashmir Eye' a local magazine, Kamal also said the
state's accession to India is conditional.
"Accession with India is conditional. It is absolutely not an
unconditional accession and it is based on the instrument of
accession of late Maharaja Hari Singh on the bases of which the
constitution application order of 1950, the Delhi agreement of
1952 and article 370 of the Indian constitution were extended to
the state.
"Accession of the state pertains to three subjects of foreign
affairs, defence and communication".
Kamal, who is a sitting legislator in the 87-member assembly, said
after the tribal invasion of the state in 1947 the Dogra ruler
sought military help from India which the latter agreed to give
only after he temporarily signed the accession that would give
India's military assistance some legal basis.
He also blamed the Congress party, an alliance partner in the
coalition government headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, of
being "mischievous" in its "Kashmir dealings".
"The attitudes of the Congress and their dealings with the state
right from 1953 have been mischievous. The action of dismissing a
popular Prime Minister in 1953 was the first blow to the NC.
"From that day, four times governor's rule has been invoked in the
state without any justification.
"They stabbed Sheri-e-Kashmir (Kamal's father) in the back not
only in 1953 but in 1977 also. If the accord of 1975 had been
agreed to by Sheikh Sahib why did they bury it by removing him
within eleven months of signing of the so-called agreement?
"And then Mufti Muhammad Sayeed was made leader of the house. It
was the constitution of the state that prevented that to happen
because (then governor) L.K. Jha, despite pressure from New Delhi
did not succumb. Jha said he had to defend the constitution of the
state under which he had taken oath," Kamal pointed out.
Kamal has termed the NC's present alliance with the Congress as
"unfortunate, unholy and an alliance of compulsion".
(Sheikh Qayoom can be contacted at sheikh.abdul@ians.in)
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