Article 370 not on our agenda: Mirwaiz Umar Farooq

SRINAGAR: Moderate Hurriyat Conference today tried to downplay the controversy over Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, saying the provision was not on their agenda as they strive for the right to self determination in the state.

"Article 370 is not on our agenda. We want resolution of Kashmir issue on the basis of right to self determination," Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq told reporters here.

He was responding to a recent statement of BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, who called for a debate on the relevance of Article 370, which grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir within the Indian Constitution.

The Hurriyat chairman said while it was immaterial for the Hurriyat as to which party comes to power at the Centre after next year's Lok Sabha polls, they were hopeful that the new government will start a dialogue to address the Kashmir issue.

"We hope that the new government in New Delhi (Centre) will start a dialogue process in right earnest to resolve Kashmir issue as per the wishes and aspirations of the people of the state," he said.

He also congratulated the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for bringing about a change in the mindset of the people.

"We hope that a similar change in mindset is brought about in the attitude towards Kashmir issue, which is more a human problem than political one. Human rights violations are taking place on such a large scale and people of India need to be made aware about it," he said.

He expressed hope that parties such as AAP will adopt a humanist approach towards the plight of Kashmiri people and "visit here to get a firsthand account of the sufferings of the people."