Hindu religious leader calls for talks on Kashmir

Hindu religious leader calls for talks on Kashmir
AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE

SRINAGAR, JUNE 27: A top Hindu religious leader on Tuesday urged the Indian government to open unconditional talks with Kashmiri separatist groups, and offered to help mediate if both sides agreed. Jagatguru Shankaracharya Swami Adhokshjanand Tirathji Maharaj, who just ended a tour of rural areas of the troubled Kashmir valley, also promised to speak out over human rights violations in the Muslim-majority state.

"The central government should not impose any conditions while offering a dialogue with the separatists," Shankaracharya told reporters in Srinagar. "Both parties must be allowed to put their point of view at a round table for debate and discussions," said Shankracharya, who is one of the most influential Hindu spiritual figures in India.

"There may be two parties or 10 parties at the dialogue table, but talks are the only solution to bring peace in Kashmir." During his tour, Shankracharya spoke with senior leaders from the Hurriyat Conference - an umbrella organisation of two dozen separatist political parties in Kashmir.

More than 25,000 people have died since 1989 in violence linked to the armed Mulsim insurgency in Kashmir, which is claimed by India and Pakistan and has triggered two wars between the South Asian rivals. India accuses Pakistan of arming and training the militants. Islamabad denies the charge but extends open diplomatic support to the separatist cause.

"India and Pakistan are spending millions of rupees in confrontation and Kashmir is being sandwiched and continues to suffer," Shankracharya said.