Anger over Kashmir decision

Unlikely that autonomy would have ended violence in Kashmir

Kashmiri political groups have criticised a decision by the Indian cabinet to reject a demand for greater autonomy in the state.

The cabinet turned down a controversial proposal which would have seen the state of Jammu and Kashmir return to its pre-1953 status, when it had its own constitution, flag and prime minister.

The main separatist alliance, the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, has said the decision reflected India's colonial attitude towards the state.

It is going to perpetuate an atmosphere of mistrust

Kashmir speaker Abdul Ahad Vakil

Kashmir's ruling National Conference party has also reacted strongly, describing the move as a major setback to the process of rebuilding trust between Delhi and the Kashmiri people.

"It is going to perpetuate an atmosphere of mistrust and allow the forces of violence and fanaticism to thrive," party leader and assembly speaker, Abdul Ahad Vakil, said.

The National Conference has argued that autonomy was the best way to end the separatist insurgency in the state.

Cabinet meeting

India's Home Minister told journalists that the government was committed to devolving powers to the state.

But to accept the autonomy resolution would have been "to turn the clock back", he said.

LK Advani: Open mind on the issue

Mr Advani admitted that a major factor in the decision was concern that other states too would start to demand the same rights.

The BBC's Delhi correspondent says the cabinet decision means the issue will not now be debated in parliament.

The autonomy resolution had been hotly debated in the Kashmir assembly, leading to strong criticism from India's main political parties.

Pressure

The criticism forced the Indian Government to debate the issue, despite public statements that the demand would be considered.

It is a call for another partition

BJP leader Narendra Modi

Soon after his return from a visit to Europe, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee said he would consider the autonomy demand.

Mr Advani, too, told the BBC during a visit to London that the government had an "open mind" on the issue.

But Mr Vajpayee's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) strongly opposed the resolution, saying it would pave the way for the eventual secession of Kashmir from India.

"The resolution... poses a clear threat to the country's unity," BJP general secretary Narendra Modi told the Times of India in an interview published on Tuesday.

"It is a call for another partition," he added.

The main opposition Congress party also voiced its protest.

Under the terms of Kashmir's pre-1953 status, the state had control over all its affairs with the exception of finance, defence and communications.

The autonomy proposal was seen as unlikely to end the violence in Kashmir - with the main alliance of separatist groups rejecting it as a possible solution to the problem.