3. Autonomy Issue
An editorial in the Times of India argued that recent actions by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah and the central government were largely posturing, and have given way to talks which could yield a middle-course. While the Constitutional Review Commission can only discuss Jammu and Kashmir in the context of devolution, there is no danger that Jammu and Kashmir will be treated like other states because of its special status.
"Back to Kashmir"
Indian Home Minister Lal Krishna Advani asked Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah to submit new proposals for devolution of powers to Jammu and Kashmir. He said, "If you come to the government with a proposal that is how we would like a rearrangement of powers between the center and the states, whether it is formal or informal, the government would be willing to consider it." Abdullah rejected the possibility of submitting a new proposal and asked that the central government form a group of ministers to decide how much autonomy was necessary for Jammu and Kashmir.
"Centre asks Farooq for fresh autonomy proposal"
"Delhi asks Farooq to revise autonomy proposal"
"No fresh proposal, Farooq tells Centre"
The central government did not respond to Abdullah's request, and it appears it is unwilling to let the Autonomy Resolution stand as the basis for talks. Abdullah said that the resolution still stands, and that rather than rejecting the resolution without comment, "They should have told us where we went wrong."
"Centre, Farooq fail to find meeting ground"
"Karunanidhi for CMs' meet on J&K autonomy: Farooq"
"NC yet to change stand on autonomy: Farooq"
"Farooq returns empty-handed?"
Former Prime Minister of India IK Gujral advocated negotiations, without Pakistan, to resolve the Kashmir issue. He said the Autonomy Resolution should not be branded as dissidence and similar approaches could be used with Kashmir as were used in Assam, Nagaland, and Punjab.
"Gujral for talks on Kashmir issue"