Dialogue not possible with bureaucratic fetters: Saifuddin Soz writes to J&K Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha

In a letter to J&K Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha, former Union minister and senior Congress leader Prof. Saifuddin Soz has asserted that if Sinha wants a political dialogue in Kashmir, then Kashmiris think that people like Chief Secretary BVR Subramanyam could be a stumbling block.

Soz explained to the Lt. Governor that the latter’s intention of opening a dialogue with Kashmiri mainstream leadership would be a non-starter if men like Subramanyam were at the helm as advisors. This is what general run of Kashmiris perceive the process of dialogue to be.

Soz suggested to the Lt. Governor to be clear in his mind on the dialogue process as unless Sinha was free to handle discussion and dialogue with the mainstream leadership, there was no fun to initiate such a dialogue.

Soz explained further that the people of Kashmir think that the Lt. Governor cannot achieve his purpose of a dialogue with bureaucratic fetters around him.

Soz said further that Lt. Governor Sinha has to be clear in his mind on even the psychological element in Kashmir politics before initiating a meaningful dialogue process.

He, however, felt convinced that since Shri. Manoj Sinha is a politician of a standing, it is possible for him to initiate the dialogue process in Kashmir.