I mean failure of the leadership, I would primarily say the pro-freedom movement leadership. We want to keep this movement political and peaceful. There is a debate that the Hurriyat has failed. Twenty-five years have passed, there is no forward movement, no dialogue has yielded anything. Therefore, the debate is why look at and waste time on something that has not really taken off. So they say neither (Syed Ali Shah) Geelani nor Mirwaiz nor Yasin (Malik) are going to deliver, they are not going to do anything and the Indian government is not going to address and accept the language of reason and peace. What is the option then?
It is in this milieu that this trend has started about boys from academically and financially sound background joining militancy. This is going to change the discourse in the next 10 years. It is the most dangerous sign.
Can you explain a bit more?
Faith in us has gradually declined so whatever little influence I have today will be difficult to preserve. I won't have any control over the situation and that will be a big challenge for us also. Maybe this situation suits some people because there is a perception in Kashmir that for the Indian government, violence is a more viable option. There is then a justification for the Army and its troops and black laws.
Perhaps we, Kashmiris and pro-separatists, are also at fault as we have failed to reach out to constituencies in India and explain our point of view. But unfortunately wherever we go we are attacked.
Do you think Modi is heading in the right direction? He has resumed talks with Pakistan.
My point was more political. When Modi came to power I was one of the few who was sure that he would tread the Vajpayee path, especially because we had seen 10 years of UPA when they didn't do anything and time was wasted. But there is scepticism now with Modi too. Now people are saying that Modi is not the Vajpayee that we were looking for. But, after speaking to the Pakistan High Commissioner it seems the initiative to reach out to the Pakistani side in Ufa, Russia, was from Modi. It is good that India-Pakistan talks are happening but what about a dialogue with the Kashmiris? There doesn't seem to be a realisation or concern or urge to reach out to the people of Kashmir. I believe that they have to happen simultaneously and we have seen this happening during Vajpayee's time.
Whenever we are in Delhi to meet the Pakistanis we are dubbed the spoilers. I disagree with this because we are there to contribute.
Modi came a couple of times but he avoided the political issue. People say there is no political message in Modi's outreach to the Kashmiris.
The Hurriyat, the PDP and the NC are saying the same thing: of separating aspirations from grievances. We want better roads, better health care and an accountable government but those are grievances. Apart from grievances, people have aspirations but the problem is New Delhi mixes them. They are willing to address the grievances but not the aspirational aspect of the Kashmir problem. There is consensus in Kashmir that a political process is needed so the ball is in New Delhi's court, they have to decide what initiative to take.