Right to Self –Determination is a Great Principle: Tarigami

Right to Self –Determination is a Great Principle: Tarigami

Mohammed Yousuf Tarigami is the seasoned politician of Jammu & Kashmir State. He is the senior most figure of “Leftist Politics “ in the J&K State. Tarigami is the Communist Party of India (Marxist) Jammu and Kashmir state committee secretary. He represents the Kulgam assembly constituency in the Jammu & Kashmir legislative assembly.

Tarigami, a man with a balanced mind and a balanced approach has through his politics emerged as a voice of browbeaten people in the state. Coming from a humble family from Tarigami village in Kulgam, Tarigami has achieved high stature in political world.

In an exclusive tête-à-tête with The Kashmir Scenario, Mohammed Yousuf Tarigami talks to Rameez Makhdoomi.

Q .What is your take on confusion existing between different agencies on AFSPA revocation ?

I must tell you very frankly that AFSPA is not required .In our opinion this act is not required even at national level. Even if it is required in contingency in some area even in that case the harsh clauses of AFSPA which abet human rights violations have to go.

In 2004, during my meeting with Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh I made it amply clear that since the situation has gone significant change the people of state should get peace dividends and revocation of AFSPA and disturbed Areas Act should take place.

Even last year during the peak of unrest, when I met Prime Minister i suggested that we should revoke Disturbed Area Act and thus AFSPA would become redundant.



The harsher acts were imposed when the militancy was at its peak, but now the situation has undergone radical change so the people of state should get relief.

Q. Lt. Gen. Syed Ata Hasnain recently stated that if Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) was lifted from the state, Jammu and Kashmir would become independent by 2016. What is your take on this?

My honest opinion is that people need relief and the changed situation demands it. The issue of AFSPSA revocation should not become a debate. Such a issue becoming controversial between state and central government is not a good sign.

In India we have tradition that political leadership makes decision and Army should not drag itself into this as it demeans their respect as an institution. We need to address the alienation of people politically.

Q. Recently, renowned lawyer and activist Prashant Bhushan stated that Kashmir would become another Afghanistan if plebiscite is not conducted. Renowned writer Arundhati Roy has also championed the cause of Kashmir freedom consistently. Do you feel that there is growing support for pro-freedom cause of kashmir at national level?

These are all wonderful individuals whom I respect greatly. But, these voices should be very careful as sensational statements had made people of our state suffer. No doubt the kashmir problem continues to affect adversely peace and prosperity .But, we should be careful while selling dreams as we are caught in “web of emotions”.

Right to Self Determination, Plebiscite are all stated positions. The Kashmir issue is a very vexed and complex problem and it has no readymade solution.
Well the “Right to Self Determination” in itself is a great principle, but it is its application is somewhat more complex and difficult. We have to look for a solution that takes in to consideration different diversities and ethnic groups into consideration.

India and Pakistan are two important stakeholders to this vexed dispute and you cannot ignore anyone of them. We need a solution that is acceptable to people of J&K across Line of Control and a solution acceptable to people of India and Pakistan. We need a genuine and meaningful dialogue between all stakeholders to solve this problem .We need to proactively engage the esteemed parliament of India. The CPI(M) had even last year suggested to involve a delegation of parliamentarians so as to talk with diverse shades of opinions especially the alienated voices. But nothing much headway has taken place in this regard.

Q. Autonomy, Self rule like documents are there to solve Kashmir issue. What is your take on these vision documents ?

All of these are important documents with reference to resolution of the Kashmir Issue. On ground zero, all of us would love to have maximum autonomy and softer borders. But, we need to involve every stakeholder and involve different shades of opinions. We need to remind that both mainstream and separatists platforms are not homogenous That is why I feel that the leadership of J&K both mainstream and separatist should involve in brainstorming sessions and let us evolve a common program so as to approach the Government of India and Pakistan with one voice on the solution of kashmir dispute from the leadership of kashmir.

Q.Over the past few weeks, renewed stone pelting and minor arrests is starting to dominate political discourse in Kashmir. Do you feel we are back to square one?

I would like to state that we are not yet exactly back to square one. But, definitely the situation is explosive as lava for eruption is always there and a mere spark can turn the situation into flames. We need to remember that this generation is the product of conflict and brutalities. Certainly, the acts like Public Safety Act (PSA) are no answer to the situation. We need to own our youth by initiating a credible process of dialogue to address their grievances.

We should also not forget that our youth are suffering from the rampant problem of unemployment and the ever growing corruption is adding to their woes.

Q. Just some months back Left bastion West Bengal fell to Trinamool Congress. What are the reasons behind this loss?

We had never claimed that West Bengal is our bastion forever. One has to remind that Left was in power in West Bengal for 34 years consecutively and this is a remarkable achievement in itself. Even during the last election which we lost we got more than 20 million votes.

Q. Would you not concede that Nandigram and other land acquisition related developments were a mistake on the part of Left?

Yes, we certainly have committed mistakes and we are not a political force that hesitates to accept mistakes. One has to also remember that before elections Mamata Banarjee was blaming us for using power against Maoists .One wonders what she has done just after few months.

You have to also remind that there was a whole lot of un-principled nexus from Delhi to Kolkata to oust the left led Government .We as a party have taken solid stand against USA and exploitative corporate sector and they are busy in their own way to make road tough for “Left”.

What is the future of left politics in India?

Left is the hope for hopeless. Left is the voice of voiceless .We are currently having two India’s- one which is shinning for limited sections and the larger which is in dark. We are having farmers’ suicides, growing scams, lot of hunger, lot of diseases and corporate exploitation. Leftists’ politics certainly represents hope for oppressed sections of society.

Q. Since Kulgam also happens to be stronghold of pro-freedom Jamat-e-Islami .How have you maintained the balance while dealing with the aspirations of people of your constituency?



I don’t know myself and I am amazed and i have never made any wrong promises. I get good on with Jamat –e-Islami cadres and I do not believe in discrimination against people on the bases of political ideology or on the basis of their regional affiliation.

Since you are said close to cause of oppressed classes than why are you shying away from corridors of power?

First of all somebody has to offer, but then there have been approaches made. But my priority remains that I should not get that type of power which makes my voice dumb.

How do you view the talk of governance deficit in the state?

I do not believe in the politics of abuse. But, certainly those who say everything is all right are in dark. There is a large gap emerging between people and administration. The delivery of services to masses should improve and there is lot of scope for improvement in other realms as well. We need to do something so as to provide relief to masses from multi-dimensional difficulties.

What is your message to masses?

My message to masses is that they should be united towards the common objectives and in a peaceful manner raises their voice to achieve common goals.