Six Governments Since 1990 Engaged Me For Kashmir Conflict Resolution : Yasin Malik Tells Delhi High Court

Kashmiri separatist leader Yasin Malik, sentenced to life by a NIA Court back in 2022 for terror funding and conspiring to wage war against India, has told the Delhi High Court that he had "working relationship" with six consecutive governments since 1990, headed by then Prime Ministers VP Singh, Chandra Shekhar, PV Narsimha Rao, HG Devagauda, Inder Kumar Gujral, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh.

Yasin claims he was engaged for dialog on issues pertaining to Kashmir and regional stability, security, progress and peace. "I was actively roped in time and again by the said governments in power and was actively persuaded to speak on international platforms," he said.

The claims have been made in the written submissions by Yasin in response to NIA's appeal before the High Court, seeking death sentence for him.

Yasin claims that in February 2006, he was invited by then PM Manmohan Singh in New Delhi for formal dialog. "Indian Home Minister Shiv Raj Patil, Indian National Security Advisor NK Narayan, Indian Home Secretary, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister TK Nair, Media Advisor Sanjay Bhargava, Director IB, Special Director IB and prominent Diplomat SK Lambha were also present in the meeting."

He claimed that BJP leader late Atal Bihari Bajpayee was also fully supportive of his "actions for peace".

"As a matter of fact, PM Vajpayee and Home Minister L.K. Advani, issued a passport to me in the year 2001(lt was first time in my mlife to have a passport to travel abroad). I have travelled openly with due and valid visas issued by the United States of America, United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia and even Pakistan, speaking on the non-violent democratic peaceful struggle and the resolution of Kashmir issues through dialogue," Yasin said.

He further claimed to have terms with India's first National Security Adviser Brajesh Mishra, who allegedly requested him to make public statement in support from Kashmir militant leadership. He said,

"Another track was RK Mishra and Brijesh Mishra, the NSA, Prime Minister Vajpayee. I was invited by RK Mishra at his residence, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi a no. of times. He also arranged my breakfast meeting with NSA Brijesh Mishra. Both the tracks requested me public statement from myself as JKLF Chairman, from APHC leadership and if possible can help public statement in support from Kashmir militant leadership. I replied I will try my level best."

Yasin says that he had unilaterally declared ceasefire back in 1994 and since then, all the governments have kept their "promise" and not pursued cases against him under the stringent TADA (Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act).

"The promise was kept by every single dispensation of the Indian government, including by the PM Shri Narendra Modi in his first phase till 2019. All these dispensations kept on engaging with me," he said.

However "in complete breach of faith", Yasin claims, the present dispensation in its second consecutive term "after abrogation of article 370", started trial of 35-year-old two CBI and TADA related militant cases against him.

"There is probably not even a single case in the judicial history of independent India where the charges have been framed after 31 Years, except these two CBI, tada related cases," he says oppisng NIA's plea.

He also recollected his "ordeal" through confinement in the case. He says he was kept in solitary confinement with "absolute isolation" and was subjected to frequent "unannounced searches".

Last month, Yasin had sought permission from the Court to oppose NIA's appeal himself, not through a lawyer. The Court had then asked him to file a response within four weeks and had listed the matter for hearing on November 10.

Title: NIA v. Yasin Malik