New Delhi ,9th March , 2015

 As a human rights activist, I applaud the decision of J&K Chief Minister Mufti Mohd. Sayeed to release separatist leader Masarat Alam. Besides being a healing touch long overdue in J&K; it is illegal and inhuman to keep someone in jail for long years without trial. Public safety Act has a track record of gross abuse. In fact Mufti government should review many more such cases and take appropriate action before it is too late.

 BJP should congratulate itself for being a partner in a government who’s Chief Minister has taken such bold initiative. Sincerely followed up, such actions will soon alienate the forces of separatism and militancy and pave the way for inclusive development. The BJP should use this opportunity to push through the long awaited return of the Kashmir Pandits to their home and hearth.

Mr. Sayeed has shown statesman like courage to say and do things which he has said and has done since assuming power.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has himself shown such statesmanship by sending foreign secretary Mr.Jai Shankar to Pakistan with a letter to his counterpart, Nawaz Sharif, thus rising above his own government’s earlier stand to cancel dialogue with Pakistan because the Pak High Commission had met some Hurriyat leaders in New Delhi.

Modi should remain steadfast in his initiatives to bring peace and development to India & South Asia without being cowed down by the boisterous opposition.