Days after Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) rejected Delhi’s unilateral Ramadan ceasefire in Kashmir, former Hurriyat chairman Prof Abdul Gani Bhat Tuesday said Hurriyat Conference would talk to Delhi as fighting war is not an option anymore.
“I don’t say I should be invited for talks. But the consensus will evolve over the time and people who want to talk will talk to both India and Pakistan,” Prof Bhat told Kashmir Post over phone.
Bhat has been a strong supporter of dialogue throughout his political career.
“Fighting a war is no more an option. Entire world is talking so Hurriyat Conference is also ready for talk to India and Pakistan,” said Bhat, who is also chairman of Muslim Conference, a conglomerate of Hurriyat Conference led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.
The JRL comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik has rejected the unilateral ceasefire announced by New Delhi on May 16.
Asserting that dialogue is the only way forward, Bhat said, “We have to come to negotiating table. The talks should be held between all three parties — Kashmiris, Pakistan and Indian leadership”.
He said entire globe is marred with disputes. “There are number of issues that pose potential threat for our future. So the best way out is to hold dialogue with all the parties”.
Bhat said New Delhi announced ceasefire and India would find the path for dialogue with Kashmiris as well as Pakistan.
Maintaining that Kashmir is a big issue that involves two nuclear powers India and Pakistan, he said, “We are caught in between two giant countries”.
Bhat said the constitutional position of Hurriyat is that they seek settlement of Jammu and Kashmir through talks.
“We seek a negotiated settlement of the dispute, which is a constitutional position of Hurriyat,” he added.
Hurriyat will talk to GOI: Prof Abdul Gani Bhat
