Rediff On The NeT: Transcript of the Farooq Abdullah Chat


	HOME \| CHAT \| TRANSCRIPTS

CAFE
COM:PORT
CHAT JOCKEYS
EVENTS

The Farooq Abdullah Chat

Dr Farooq Abdullah (Sat Oct 26 20:20:48 1996 IST):

HI, I'm here and sorry for being late.

supratic Gupta (Sat Oct 26 20:20:56 1996 IST):

I think we are paying too high a price for Kashmir to stay together. If that is what they want, what is wrong? Get Jammu and Ladhak and let Kashmir go its way. But the trouble is they want it in a peace. Some Bhutan type independence might be a good idea where Hindus are not made second grade citizen might be a good idea.

panun mog! (Sat Oct 26 20:21:04 1996 IST):

I:If you hit Say it/Listen button more than once it reloads the previous message! Is this problem only faced by me or all online here?

Nikhil Lakshman (Sat Oct 26 20:21:34 1996 IST):

Ms Monika. This Chat is open to anybody who wants to Chat with Dr Abdullah.. I think the doctor has arrived.

Rajiv Shorey (Sat Oct 26 20:22:01 1996 IST):

I think a hostile question is when you strongly disagree with the policy/politics of the guest and make it apparent in your question. It's perfectly legitimite and welcome in my humble opinion. An abusive question is when you make comments/questions that cast aspersions on the character and integrity of the guest, they may not be so welcome.

monika (Sat Oct 26 20:22:44 1996 IST):

Hello Sir, and congratulations on your victory, which hopefully will be victory for our country!

magan (Sat Oct 26 20:23:25 1996 IST):

first congratulation for being cm of j and k.

sdd (Sat Oct 26 20:23:36 1996 IST):

hello, is Dr. Farooq Abdullah there?

panun mog! (Sat Oct 26 20:23:56 1996 IST):

First ever politician ever to say sorry for being late. Round of applause as well as ~~~~~~~~waves~~~~~~~~ and :) + :) +++ Mr Abdullah, the MOG salutes you. very soon I will drive from Delhi to Srinagar to Leh without army/police escorts is how confident people around here are,what do you think?

Nikhil Lakshman (Sat Oct 26 20:24:02 1996 IST):

Dr Abdullah, welcome to the Rediff Chat. It is wonderful having you with us tonight. I do hope you enjoy the experience.

Dr Farooq Abdullah (Sat Oct 26 20:24:16 1996 IST):

Monica: Thank you for your good wishes.

Nilanchala Deb (Sat Oct 26 20:24:30 1996 IST):

Hi Dr Abdullah,what are the first things on your agenda for bringing normalcy back to Kashmir?

india (Sat Oct 26 20:24:57 1996 IST):

Dr Farooq, the Kashmir problem erupts about every 10 years or so. What guarantee is there that it won't happen again after a few years?

sdd (Sat Oct 26 20:25:08 1996 IST):

Dr. Abdullah, congrats for being elected as CM of Kashmir. What's your view on Article 370

magan (Sat Oct 26 20:25:15 1996 IST):

first congratulation for being cm of j and k.

Rajiv Shorey (Sat Oct 26 20:25:47 1996 IST):

Mr Abdullah, Thank you very much for making yourself available. How do you plan to get the people of J & K more closely integrated with the national mainstream ? How are you planning to counter the Hurriyat politically ?

Dr Farooq Abdullah (Sat Oct 26 20:26:02 1996 IST):

Parun MOG: I think yes, We will get over the present mode of terrorsim and you all will drive from Delhi to Srinagar and Leh. And our good wishes.

panun mog! (Sat Oct 26 20:26:08 1996 IST):

only refreshing the page!

Sohail (Sat Oct 26 20:26:55 1996 IST):

Dr Abdullah: Congratulations on your spectacular victory. And congratulations to the people of Kashmir on a peaceful poll.

supratic Gupta (Sat Oct 26 20:27:04 1996 IST):

Dr. Abdullah, how do you think you will do justice to all sides. I am from Assam. I have seen how the country is handling law and order situation. OK, please say what you feel. Too many questions may not be good.

india (Sat Oct 26 20:27:17 1996 IST):

Dr Abdullah, first, our best wishes are with you despite the haste with which i already asked my question. But my worry remains. Is the J&K problem really over, or is it just a lull before the next round?

monika (Sat Oct 26 20:27:38 1996 IST):

You are welcome Sir, I was wondering before we get into questions for your future agenda on Kashmir, can we get some background from you on the disenchantment of the Kashmiris with the past and present govt.'s in Delhi? Thank you.

magan (Sat Oct 26 20:27:49 1996 IST):

what are your thaughts about heaven kashmir.

Bilkees Malik (Sat Oct 26 20:27:49 1996 IST):

Doctorsaab, Allah hamesha aap ka saat de. Is it not true that you did not participate in the 1996 general election because you doubted the future of Kashmir's political process.

Ashok Bamzai (Sat Oct 26 20:28:37 1996 IST):

Sir, when can we Kashmir Pandits return to our hommes and what guarantees can you offer us of harmony and security?

panun mog! (Sat Oct 26 20:29:09 1996 IST):

Doctor Sahib:We can only say here in this small smoke filled room that more people than you think are with you now please do your best and try not to let most of them down, various gods of various shades and religions are with you;best of luck (With your job and with this chat!!)...

SmrtO (Sat Oct 26 20:29:10 1996 IST):

Dr. Abdullah: Should not the governor resign for bad mouthing your party's vicotry in the election? The other reason for his resignation is that he represents the pre election represive military rule.

Sohail (Sat Oct 26 20:29:26 1996 IST):

Dr Abdullah: Every time I meet Kashmiris who come down to Bombay for business - they have only one thing to say. 'Kashmir is not unsafe. Come to Kashmir and see for yourself. No one will touch a hair on your head. Nothing will happen to you. You are as safe there as you are here.' Is this true or is this plain bravado?

Dr Farooq Abdullah (Sat Oct 26 20:29:32 1996 IST):

Rajiv Shorey: We are already a part of this nation what we have to do is to show the people of the state progress preace and prosperity. As fare as Hurriyat is concerned we have opened our doors for unconditional discussion. And we intend to continue our effort politically to meet them at all levels.

SDD: Article 370 is a bridge between Jammu and Kashmir and the rest of the country , this safe gaurds our fedral structure .

magan (Sat Oct 26 20:29:53 1996 IST):

what is your view about that kashmir for tourist are free of fear of terrorism.

Srikant Subramaniam (Sat Oct 26 20:30:03 1996 IST):

Huzoor, you have spoken of autonomy. You have asked Dr Karan Singh to head a commission to decide on this issue. What kind of autonomy would you like for J&K? And do you think it is wise to have Dr Singh to study the subject?

india (Sat Oct 26 20:30:28 1996 IST):

There is the fear that Kashmiris identity will be swamped in India. And small things matter: eg, Indian govt officially greets as namaskar, says shri, all of which may sound alien to the Kashmiri (except the Hindus). How can we make Kashmiris (esp the Muslims) not feel left out of India's mainstream and culture?

magan (Sat Oct 26 20:30:42 1996 IST):

what is your view about that kashmir for tourist are free of fear of terrorism.

Alka (Sat Oct 26 20:30:47 1996 IST):

Dr Abdullah: The Hurriyat Conference claims that the real turn out for the elections was only 10%, And you are not an elected Chief minister but a selected one? How do you justify this statement?

sdd (Sat Oct 26 20:30:49 1996 IST):

Sir, what do you think is the reason that Kashmiri people have not been able to come into mainstream of India even after 50 years of Independence.

panun mog! (Sat Oct 26 20:30:49 1996 IST):

Bilkees Malik (Sat Oct 26 20:31:10 1996 IST):

Doctorsaab, aap ne to Hurriyat ko discussion ke liye bulaiya. Havew they responded? Or are the fissures between the Geelani-Lpone combine too deep for it to be bridged?

magan (Sat Oct 26 20:31:37 1996 IST):

what is your view about that kashmir for tourist are free of fear of terrorism.

india (Sat Oct 26 20:31:57 1996 IST):

supratic Gupta (Sat Oct 26 20:32:01 1996 IST):

These words like unconditional discussion are meaningless void words. What is your vision of future?

magan (Sat Oct 26 20:32:26 1996 IST):

what is your view about that kashmir for tourist are free of fear of terrorism.

Nilanchala Deb (Sat Oct 26 20:32:57 1996 IST):

Sir, would you kindly explain how will you deal with the problem of foreign hostages captured by the militants? Is their any hope of them returning?

Rajiv Shorey (Sat Oct 26 20:33:11 1996 IST):

Mr Abdullah, Do you have any special plans to enable the surrendered militants to be rehabilitated. How important is it in your scheme of things ?

sdd (Sat Oct 26 20:33:12 1996 IST):

Don't you think that Article 370 gives J&K a special status and keeps the state away from rest of the country.

india (Sat Oct 26 20:33:29 1996 IST):

Dr Abdullah, surely the J&K turnout was fair, given that even in Uttar Pradesh, considered India's most politically savvy state, the turnout was around 50-55 %

Photograph: Atul Chowdhury

Continued