Veteran Congress leader Saifuddin Soz has urged for the reinstatement of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, emphasizing the importance of maintaining trust between the Muslim-majority state and the Hindu-majority country. Soz, who was part of a group that appealed for peace between India and Pakistan, highlighted the necessity of resolving conflicts through dialogue rather than warfare.
In a conversation with IANS, Soz expressed his belief in the futility of war, advocating for dialogue as the primary means to address disputes. He stressed the significance of engaging in peaceful discussions, citing examples of conflict resolution in European nations through agreements reached via dialogue.
Soz underscored the need for dialogue over conflict, especially with neighboring Pakistan, emphasizing the importance of resuming talks. He addressed the demand for the revocation of Article 370 by the Jammu and Kashmir government, asserting that the provision symbolizes the region’s internal autonomy and calling for a collective effort by political parties to seek its restoration.
According to Soz, the decision to abrogate Article 370 was not within the Union government’s jurisdiction. He urged regional political parties to unite in approaching the Centre to convey that Jammu and Kashmir’s accession to India was based on trust, which has been compromised by the abrogation. Soz criticized the use of military forces to suppress dissent, emphasizing the need for respecting the region’s autonomy and not imposing decisions forcefully.
