Days after narrowly escaping a militant attack, National Conference president Omar Abdullah has suggested a fresh initiative to revive the Kashmir dialogue process. In an exclusive interview with The Indian Express, Abdullah said the Centre should invite Hurriyat hardliner Syed Ali Shah Geelani—along with the moderate leaders—for talks, without insisting on the process falling ‘‘within the four walls of the Constitution’’. ‘‘Why wait for him (Geelani) to come on board. let him reject the offer. At least this way, moderate leaders will come out and break the stalemate,’’ said Abdullah. Insisting on holding talks within the Constitutional framework, as advocated by Home Minister Shivraj Patil, would only weaken the position of those keen on the peace process, said the 34-year-old MP from Srinagar. ‘‘The UPA government is in an unenviable position. It has to start with a negative balance as Kashmir separatist leaders want the talks to be upgraded to Prime Minister-level,’’ he said. Abdullah’s formula: • Hurriyat leaders should not insist on holding talks only with the PM • Centre should not stress on dialogue within the Constitutional framework • The dialogue should have sufficient visibility, rather then be an ‘‘invisible’’ process According to him, the NDA government’s Kashmir policy saw Hurriyat leaders like Awami Action Committee’s Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and Maulvi Abbas Ansari engaging openly with the then Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani. ‘‘Ask the Kashmiri awam or, for that matter, even the Hurriyat and they will tell you that NDA government had a better approach towards Kashmir. In fact, I am sympathetic towards the UPA as they have to start from scratch once again,’’ he said. Though Abdullah seemed rather shaken by the Sunday attack in Anantnag, the incident seems to have contributed to a budding political relationship with Umer Farooq, who visited him later. Abdullah expressed hope that Umer Farooq would not fade out of the peace process. ‘‘In case he decides to drop out, then I will tell him that bold people should take bold steps. Umer has a huge following in Kashmir and has the influence to take the process forward,’’ he said. But Abdullah is also quick to add that he understands the reason behind Umer Farooq maintaining a low profile: ‘‘He has to address the public from Jama Masjid every Friday. he cannot speak from behind a bulletproof glass.’’
