Stating that separatists are not averse to talks on the Kashmir issue, Hardline Hurriyat faction, headed by Syed Ali Shah Geelani, today said its leadership would respond positively "once there is a visible change in the attitude and approach of the Centre".
"Hurriyat by principle is not against dialogue. Whenever there is a visible and understandable flexibility in Indian attitude and approach, our leadership have the capability and capacity to face such a situation in an effective manner," a
spokesman of the separatist conglomarate said after an advisory meeting chaired by Geelani here.
He claimed that Hurriyat leadership is not against talks but it is the "rigidity" of the Centre which is causing a major obstacle in resolution of the Kashmir issue.
"Hurriyat understands that there is no change in the Indian stand on Kashmir and they are raising the bogy of talks to buy time...," the spokesman said.
Referring to certain reported statements by prime minister Manmohan Singh during his US visit, the spokesman said the remarks "made it clear home minister P Chidambaram's soft line on Kashmir talks was infact an attempt to drag the Kashmiri leadership into the trap (talks)".
The spokesman said the meeting strongly felt the need for unity among the Kashmiri leadership at "this crucial juncture of the struggle".
The remarks came in the wake of serious differences cropping up among the leaders of moderate Hurriyat faction, led by Mirwaiz Umer Farooq over the issue of "quiet dialogue" with Centre on the Kashmir issue.
"Farooq Abdullah (Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy) and Mufti Mohammad Sayeed (patron of Opposition PDP) are supporting Indian rulers by talking of autonomy and self-rule formulas as a solution to Kashmir issue, while on the other hand some so-called separatist leaders by their statements, deliberately or otherwise, are bowing the seeds of confusion," the spokesman said.
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