Govt should decide Padgaonkar's fate: Jethmalani

Jammu, Jul 23 (PTI) Maintaining that Dileep Padgaonkar
the chief interlocutor on north Indian state Jammu and kashmir
should have been more careful with reference to Kashmir
American Council President Dr Gulam Nabi Fai, Kashmir
Committee Saturday said the decision on his fate should be
decided by the government.
"That (sacking of Padgaonkar) is a matter for the
government to decide," Kashmir Committee Chairman and jurist
Ram Jethmalani told reporters here late Saturday afternoon.
He was replying to questions about Padgaonkar's fate
in the aftermath of revelations that the chief interlocutor
participated in seminars organised by Dr Fai's association.
"Padgaonkar has said that I did not know what was
happening and who is he and what is he doing. I believe him.
He should have been more careful," he said.
"It is unnecessarily disgracing him," KC chairman
added.
Fai, 62, was arrested in the US on July 19 by the
Federal Bureau of Investigation on charges of receiving funds
from the ISI and using it to inappropriately lobby the US
government over Kashmir.
To another question about the state government
rejecting their committee and giving importance to the
Interlocutors on Kashmir, he replied "We have done what
Kashmir interlocutors could not do. They failed to meet
separatists and Hurriyat leaders. We reached out to them and
held several interactions."
"We have struck a friendship with Hurriyat. This is
our greatest contribution and they have agreed in principle on
various issues including shunning violence," he added. PTI AB

KAP