No controversy when RSS seeks India-Pak talks but J&K leaders face criticism: Omar

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday strongly backed the resumption of dialogue between India and Pakistan, asserting that peaceful engagement is the only way to resolve outstanding issues.

Citing former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s famous remark that “friends can be changed, but neighbours cannot,” Omar also questioned why dialogue calls from leaders in Jammu and Kashmir trigger controversy while comparable statements by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leaders do not.

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Omar, who was replying to questions from media persons in Shopian, said that the tension between India and Pakistan is not new and it has existed for the past 30 to 40 years. The tension further escalated after last year’s terrorist attack in Pahalgam.
His remarks came in the backdrop of an appeal by several civil society members urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to resume meaningful engagement, restore diplomatic and people-to-people ties, and resolve all outstanding issues through dialogue.

“On the past few days, if my knowledge is correct, one of the senior leaders of RSS said that India and Pakistan should restore friendship. But there was no objection to the remarks of the RSS leader, however such demand from any leader of J&K triggers a huge controversy, Omar said, adding that calls for dialogue should not become controversial simply because they are raised by leaders from Jammu and Kashmir.
He said there should be no objection to efforts aimed at resolving issues through peaceful engagement. Dialogue remains the only viable way to address outstanding issues and promote lasting peace in the region.

Former chief minister and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah’s father, is among the 61 signatories to the letter addressed to Modi. The chief cleric of Kashmir, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, are also among the signatories. The appeal addressed to PM Modi has drawn sharp criticism from the BJP which has questioned the intent and timing of the demand.