Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA) Saturday wrote an open letter to the visiting union home minister Rajnath Singh detailing why the trade body declined to meet him. Kashmir Life reproduces the letter here verbatim in larger public interest
Rajnath Singh, Home Minister India
We the Kashmir Economic Alliance with its constituent bodies viz Trade, Tourism, Transport, Industry, Handicrafts and Horticulture have received a call from your office today, inviting us to meet you. We can understand the urgency which has forced you to come and assess the present situation. We also can easily determine the futility of this exercise.
This we speak from our past experience repeated many times over by both your and the past governments. The very fact that your ministerial colleagues and spokespersons show so much of arrogance with no real knowledge of the problems confronted by the people of the valley only is indicative of the hostility with which you treat the people of the valley.
Your predecessors have used similar tactics in almost similar situations and once you have met with some representative bodies you go back and sleep over all the issues confronting the people here and issue statements without addressing the ground realities. Therefore, Mr. Singh we have decided not to meet you.
On July 19, 2016 you said that the current problem in Kashmir is sponsored by Pakistan and Kashmiris were being used. You declared that you will guide us to the right path. You think Kashmiris are misguided? You think that Kashmiris have no intelligence? You do not allow Kashmiris even to grieve their dead. You while in Delhi were observing all these killings and happenings in Kashmir but did not bother to take a step forward to stop this violence of your armed forces. With this kind of mind set you expect us to meet you? We have a conscience but no voice. Your government has an art to stifle our voice and have been doing so since decades now.
Last time the government of India came here in 2010 followed by a parliamentary committee which had discussions with various leaders and trade organisations. This was followed by appointment of interlocutors. These interlocutors submitted recommendations which never were released or taken any cognisance of. We would like to know what were the recommendations and what action followed. As far as we understand these reports were kept in safe vaults of your ministry.
We had asked the state government to put a stop to the terror, killings and atrocities unleashed by the forces and the army.
You chose bullets to kill and pellets to blind us. The volatility of youngsters is beyond your comprehension. We are tolerant but there is a limit to this tolerance. You have been using disproportionate force against unarmed civilians. You take pride in your force but do not have any compassion and understanding. From the time Modi and company has been in power, Muslims in general and Kashmiri Muslims in particular have been at the receiving end of your excesses. Even our ambulances and hospitals were not spared and some injured who could have been saved died due to violence unleashed on medical staff. We have adequate proof of these atrocities.
Kashmir needs a permanent solution and an everlasting solution in accordance with the UN Resolution to which India, Pakistan and the world body are signatories. We want peace and prosperity for Kashmir. We want mental stability, respect and honour for our women and youth. For the larger good of humanity you need to act and in association with Pakistan find a permanent, lasting and final solution for this unresolved issue. Your alibis will not work. Your hollow promises and appeasement of the minorities of the state will not work either.
The present crisis has been waiting to happen and now it is taking the shape of a revolution. This revolution is in the minds of the people, in particular youth, and is exhibited on the streets of the valley. Please do not ignore it and seek the cooperation and guidance of the real leaders of people and stakeholder that includes Pakistan. A true patriot is one who hates injustice. You should stand by your promises and do not bring a bad name to you country and its people.
Give us the liberty to speak and demonstrate. Do not hide behind falsehood. Do not continue with intolerant, vengeful and retributive policies. These actions are devoid of morality.
If we feel that your visit has made a positive and constructive difference for tomorrows of everyone, we will walk an extra mile to greet you and speak to you on all matters concerning the state and government of India.
Kashmir Economic Alliance
