Kashmir Solution With 'Israel Model'? When Shimon Peres Had Suggested Article 370 Dilution to LK Advani
It was the year 1993 when the Narsimha Rao government treaded on the first steps to develop bilateral ties with Israel. Successive Indian governments had refrained from deepening the ties, fearing resentment among Indian Muslims who had once consistently protested against the "persecution of Palestinians" by Tel Aviv.
The abrogation of Article 35(A), which disallowed non-Kashmiris to own a property in Jammu & Kashmir or permanently settle in the state, has led to the fears of demographic rejig in the Valley. Critics have alleged that the move is inspired by the model adopted in Palestine by Israel -- which has developed deep bonhomie with the Indian government.
Long before the Narendra Modi-led BJP swept to power with a historic mandate, the abrogation of Article 35(A) and dilution of Article 370 was pitched to party patriarch LK Advani. Kashmir Special Status Gone, Ex-BJP Veteran Yashwant Sinha Feels PM Modi Will 'Break Rajiv Gandhi's Record'
It was the year 1993 when the Narsimha Rao government treaded on the first steps to develop bilateral ties with Israel. Successive Indian governments had refrained from deepening the ties, fearing resentment among Indian Muslims who had once consistently protested against the "persecution of Palestinians" by Tel Aviv.
However, Rao's move to engage with Israel met with virtually no opposition from the community, except for a miniscule agitation launched by Bihar lawmaker Syed Shahabuddin -- a former IFS who had taken the political plunge with an intent to draw Muslims into active politics.
Rao government subsequently decided to invite Israel's then foreign minister Shimon Peres to New Delhi for bilateral talks.
Following his official engagements, Peres met India's then prime opposition leader LK Advani on May 18, 1993 and reportedly proposed him the idea of demographic changes in Kashmir Valley to resolve the situation.
In the press conference held the next day, Peres aired his views publicly as well. "It was the huge majority of Muslims in the Valley that was irritating those outside who wanted to prise Kashmir away from India, he reasoned,” veteran journalist K P Nayar reported in The Telegraph.
According to anti-Islamophobia activist CJ Werleman, India should not attempt to replicate Israel's model in Kashmir, as it would lead to havoc in the region. Israel, he said, has committed "worst human rights violations" in Palestine and "illegally occupied their lands to evict ethnic Arabs and increase their settlements".
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 06, 2019 10:18 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).