The BJP has opposed any move of the centre to reopen dialogue with the Kashmiri separatists as “talks with Hurriyat at this stage will be a retrograde step”.

BJP’s state spokesman, Brigadier Anil Gupta (Retired) in a statement on Monday said that the Hurriyat does not represent the majority Kashmiris and they are responsible for senseless killings of Kashmiris at the behest of Pakistan.

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The BJP’s statement has come soon after Governor Satya Pal Malik said that the Hurriyat leadership was ready for talks.

Gupta said that none of the Hurriyat leaders has signalled any change in their stance and continue to promote separatism. Mere appeals for talks with the Centre are no indicator of any change in their mindset.

Hurriyat speaks on behalf of the “Kashmiri power brokers” who claim to be mainstream but survive on the latent support of the Jammat-e-Islami Kashmir (JEIK), the main ideologue of the separatists and the Hurriyat. The new generation of radicalised leadership owes allegiance to the Jamiat-e-Ahle Hadith (Ahlle Hadees). They are also the mouthpiece of Pakistan and are dictated by the ISI, stated Gupta.

He further added, “With the Damocles’ sword in form of FATF is hanging over the head of Pakistan, it has temporarily suspended financing the Hurriyat which is going through a serious financial crunch.”

“Hurriyat is the perpetrator of most of the problems in Kashmir. With the inflow of Hawala money controlled, they are now strapped of cash and thus asking for talks. The Hurriyat leadership should publically acknowledge the undisputable status of J&K and it being an integral part of India. They should also commit their loyalty to Constitution of India and seek talks only under its ambit,” asserted Gupta.

Any talks with the Hurriyat at this stage without them publicly accepting these pre-conditions will be counter-productive and a retrograde step. It will also be a huge setback to the ongoing extremely successful operations against terror and the terror support network of which Hurriyat is a major culprit.

In 2016, the same leadership had spurned the offer of talks within the ambit of Constitution because at that time they enjoyed backing and support of Pakistan. The present offer of talks is a mere ruse and time gaining exercise to regroup and reorganize, warned Gupta.