The Democratic Freedom Party Chairman Shabir Ahmad Shah today termed statement of Indian First Secretary Abhishek Singh at the United Nations a “white lie”.
Shah said India’s “rhetoric of integral part” can’t change JK’s “disputed status” and New Delhi must learn to “accept the bitter truth” with regard to Kashmir issue.He said India always exhibited “unrealistic” approach with regard to Kashmir dispute.
“By continuing with such unrealistic approach vis-à-vis Kashmir issue, India always proved a stumbling block to initiatives aimed at ensuring peace in the south Asia,” Shah said in a statement issued to press on Friday.
He hailed the statement of Pakistan Ambassador to UN Maleeha Lodhi terming it as “based on truth and reality”.
He said, “Pakistan always took initiatives and showed positive approach in resolving all the contentious issues with India but the latter never showed any interest or sincerity in this regard and continues to find a way-out.”
Rejecting Abhishek Singh’s remarks, Shah said Abhishek Singh should “revisit the history and check the historical realities, background of Kashmir dispute and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru’s promises and documents related to that, before issuing any statement”.
Shah said, “The elections conducted in Kashmir by caging the whole Hurriyat leadership are nothing but fraud and deceptive.” He said these elections cannot be substitute to referendum in the State.
“We challenge the Government of India to hold a plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir if it is so sure of getting mandate of Kashmiris. Whatever the results will be acceptable to everyone,” Shah said.
