1. Autonomy Resolution
An editorial in the Times of India argues that Prime Minister LK Advani has properly taken a non-confrontational stance towards the Kashmir autonomy resolution because he should consider any path to good governance in Kashmir. However, he must also consider if the current resolution creates good governance, because the resolution would exclude many positive institutions without creating replacements.
"Over to Delhi"
Indian Union Law Minister Ram Jethmalani said that the recent autonomy resolution adopted by Jammu and Kashmir indicates, "Pakistan has no reason to be happy about it as it clearly accepts the validity of accession and establishes that the people of Jammu and Kashmir do not want succession from India, but only more autonomy." Many in India have come out as opposed to the autonomy resolution. Panun Kashmir's chairman Ajay Chrangoo said, "The Farooq Abdullah-led National Conference is pursuing an agenda aimed at the second partition of the country. This is evidenced by the passing of the autonomy resolution." An editorial in The Hindu by Rajeev Dhavan argued that the passing of the resolution implies that the Jammu and Kashmir assembly accepts that the merger of India and Kashmir is irrevocable, that all of Kashmir, including the Pakistan controlled areas, is an integral part of India, and, finally, that autonomy is not succession. Nationalist Congress Party general secretary and spokesman Devendra Dwivedi said that autonomy demands for Jammu and Kashmir have different standing than demands from other regions, but the autonomy resolution shows that while it was "ill-timed," the UN plebiscite resolution and Article 370 of the Constitution have become redundant. The Left parties accused the government of confusing the autonomy resolution with a general demand for devolution of power to the states, which they said ignored Jammu and Kashmir's special status.
"Autonomy move negates Pak claim: Jethmalani "
"Autonomy move second Partition, says Panun"
"Divide Kashmir, create homeland: Pandits"
"Autonomy not secession"
"Autonomy resolution 'ill-timed'"
"'Autonomy, devolution separate issues'"
Congress was quite divided over the autonomy resolution, with some feeling that amends must be made for the gradual loss of autonomy in Jammu and Kashmir, while others argued that the hands of time could not be turned back. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pramod Mahajn reported that the Union Cabinet had rejected the Jammu and Kashmir assembly autonomy resolution. Home Minister LK Advani said that the resolution did not create a constitutional crisis and said that there were clear demands for general devolution of power to the states. The statement by the Cabinet said that the Government was firm that "national integration and devolution of powers to States must go together." Rejecting the autonomy resolution is a rejection of pre-1953 status for the region. As news spread that the Union Cabinet rejected the autonomy resolution, there was celebration in Jammu and Kashmir by students, Panun Kashmir activists, Ladakh Buddhist Association workers, traders and other non-Nationalist Congress party people.
"Congress in a bind over Kashmir"
"Cabinet spikes J&K autonomy proposal"
"Union Cabinet rejects J&K autonomy resolution"
"PM rules out restoring pre-1953 status to J&K"
"Opposition celebrates Cabinet decision on autonomy"
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah said that the autonomy resolution was not meant to derail talks between India and the All-Party Hurriyat Conference, because the Hurriyat are "supported by Pakistan" and "the Center should talk to them so that Indian people will realize what the Hurriyat was all about." He met with Prime Minister Vajpayee and was informed of the impending decision on the resolution, which Vajpayee pointed out was firm while restrained and lacked condemnation for the resolution.
"Autonomy not to derail talks with Hurriyat: Farooq"
"Unfortunate, says Farooq"
A Pakistan foreign office spokesman dismissed the autonomy resolution as "farcical" and reiterated Pakistan's position that the Jammu and Kashmir assembly was populated in rigged elections and that the conflict must be decided by the will of the Kashmiri people.
Pak terms J&K autonomy resolution 'farcical'