Where will the issue of autonomy for J&K proceed?
Of course, the people of J&K have to play a prominent role for an amicable solution. That is a the first priority. The fire raging in the state has to be extinguished. Then there will have to be a national consensus. Right now, the Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress are against autonomy for J&K. That is the fate of the autonomy resolution in Parliament. The BJP says autonomy cannot be granted as it will encourage other states to make similar demands and the Congress says it cannot go beyond the Sheikh Abdullah-Indira Gandhi Accord of 1975. That is why Pakistan has to be involved for a lasting solution. If the government agrees to carry forward the dialogue with the Hurriyat, how can there be a cessation of hostilities between Indian security forces and militants? Everybody has seen the clout of the Hurriyat in J&K. It is their responsibility to persuade the militants to stop attacks on Indian security forces when a dialogue is on. Then, Kashmiris will have a stake in the peace process
