NEWSLINKS US EDITION NEWS DEAR REDIFF THE STATES ARCHIVES
Dubbing the Simla Pact as 'suicidal for India', Kashmir Committee chairman Ram Jethmalani on Friday said the forthcoming assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir was the last chance to ensure an amicable solution to the problems plaguing the state.
The Kashmir Committee is a non-official setup trying to ensure maximum participation in the assembly election.
Speaking on 'Kashmir - What next', at the Symbiosis Vishwabhavan auditorium in Pune, the former Union minister said, after the September 11 incident, the world had begun to notice India' strong democratic and secular system and the need to support India's war against terrorism.
Criticising politicians for lacking sincerity to solve the vexed issue, Jethmalani said the Kashmiris have genuine grievances and that holding the ensuing elections in a free and fair manner could help in improving the situation.
Unfortunately, the disturbed state never had free and fair polls since 1977, he lamented. Jethmalani also stressed on the need to win the hearts of the Kashmiris as they have not been able to enjoy the fruits of economic prosperity.
PTI
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