'Let Mufti Continue'

We theundersigned join in endorsing the appealby a group of concerned citizens that Congress leadership should let Mufticontinue undisturbed in the larger interests of India and the enlightenedself-interest of the Congress. His " healing touch" policy has proved aneffective instrument for restoring people’s faith in democracy and has playedan important role in mobilising the forces of democracy in Kashmir.

Thepower-sharing agreement of 2002 requires that Mufti give way to a Congress ChiefMinister after three years. However, this is anextraordinary situation requiring an extraordinary response from the Congressleadership. Given Kashmir’s volatile history, aregional Party like the PDP is better equipped to represent the aspirations ofthe Kashmiri people for autonomy and self-governance.

The fateof secularism and democracy in India is intimately tied up with dexteroushandling of the Kashmir issue. Mufti has demonstrated his ability to do so byfacilitating the process of reconciliation and bridging various regional andethnic divides. Therefore, India’s national interest would be best served byhis continuance in office as Chief Minister so that he can consolidate theforces of peace, democracy and development that have been set in motion.

However,his continuance as Chief Minister should not be limited to tiding over thecrisis due to the recent earthquake because such a short-term arrangement willnot only hamper efficient relief operations but also create an atmosphere ofinstability in the State, which will have a negative impact on the fragile peaceprocess with Pakistan.

Sd:

Amit Bhaduri, Professor, Council for Social Development.
Ashok Juhunjhunwala, IIT, Chennai
PratapBhanu Mehta, Director, Centre for Policy Research.
KapilKapur, Professor, JNU
J.P.Das. IAS ( Retd )and Known Oriya writer
GeetaLuthra, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court
Harsh Mander, Aman Biradari
VijaysheelKumar, Neurosurgeon, Apollo Hospital
Rajeev Bhargava, Senior Fellow, CSDS
RamJethmalani, Former Law Minister
O.P.Shah, Centre for Peace and Democracy
Ira Pande, Writer
FlaviaAgnes, Majlis, Mumbai
MadhuBhaduri, IFS (retd.)
ImtiazAhmed, Prof. JNU