Srinagar: National Conference senior leader and Member Parliament, Ghulam Nabi Ratanpuri Wednesday said that “it is absolutely shameful that Hurriyat is divided despite the fact that people of Kashmir yearn for unity among separatist groups,†he told Srinagar based news gathering agency CNS and added that despite being sidelined by his own party he always behave as a true MP.
Ratanpuri said that Kashmiri people are disintegrated and have lost their self-respect. “There is no space for us anywhere. Leave aside pro-movement people even a nationalist Kashmiri is not being trusted in India. Time has come that we empower ourselves and get united,†he said.
He said the parties and leaders preaching same ideology should come under one platform and fight for rights of Kashmiri people. “No one from outside is going to help us. We have to empower ourselves. How long we will suffer. When there is one government in Jammu and Kashmir we can put an end to our miseries,†he said.
Member Parliament said that people should understand that no government in Jammu and Kashmir could solve Kashmir issue. “People should vote and elect their own government. Boycott will not help them. Elections have nothing to do with Kashmir issue. Farooq Abdullah was enjoying two-third majority in 1996, still Delhi rejected his autonomy resolution. Delhi knows that granting autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir will invite trouble for them as more and more states will demand autonomy,†Ratanpuri said and added that once Kashmiri people are one, elect a suitable government, Delhi will automatically grant autonomy to the state.
He said it is appalling and absolutely shameful that at this crucial stage Hurriyat leaders are divided and have formed scores of outfits. “A Kashmir yearns for their unity and I want to ask them why they are divided. If people are fighting a battle for their existence then why these Hurriyat leaders are not guiding and leading them from the same platform,†Ratanpuri said adding the irony is that the two parts of Hurriyat have spread so many branches and each branch is in the process of reproduction.
While replying to a question Ratanpuri said that as soon as he became MP, the party sidelined him. “There is hell of difference between father and son. Omar always reminds me that I am MP because of him while Dr (Sahab) encourages me always tells me that it was my destiny to become MP,†Ratanpuri said and added that he never compromises and always behave as a true Kashmiri.
