Governor Malik Calls for Dialogue, Admits Delhi’s Past Mistakes
‘Violence Cannot Subdue India’
Srinagar, June 12, KNT: Former Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik on Wednesday said that while he respected the Hurriyat leadership for the suffering they had endured, they had failed to speak honestly to the people of Kashmir about the realities of the conflict.
Addressing reporters during an interaction at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre, Malik said that violence could not be used to subdue India and that any lasting solution must emerge through dialogue and mutual understanding.
“I respect the Hurriyat leadership because they have suffered a lot, but unfortunately they never tell the truth to the people. You cannot defeat India through violence. If you talk with love, solutions can be found,” he said.
Referring to Pakistan’s role, Malik stated that Islamabad had begun realizing its mistakes, though he alleged that militant training camps still existed across the border. He claimed that Pakistan was grappling with internal challenges and could no longer mislead the youth of Kashmir. Citing former Pakistani ruler Pervez Musharraf, Malik said even he had acknowledged that India could not be overcome through violence.
The Governor maintained that the key to resolving the Kashmir issue lay with the youth. He alleged that leaders over the past five decades had misled people with promises that failed to materialize. He also emphasized the importance of electoral participation, urging young people to understand the power of the vote.
“Not the gun, but the vote is the real weapon through which you can elect honest and dedicated representatives,” he said, adding that the Centre had also committed mistakes in the past.
Malik described militancy as unsustainable, referring to the fate of the LTTE in Sri Lanka as an example. He reiterated that violence was not a solution and extended an appeal to militants to return to their families. He even offered to host them for discussions at Raj Bhavan.
Calling Kashmir a paradise with its own unique identity, Malik said corruption in mainstream politics had distanced youth from democratic participation. [KNT]
