Srinagar:
As it assumes the role of a peacemaker in the Valley of unrest, India's spiritual headquarters of Sunni Islam, the Darul Uloom Deoband, has declared that Kashmir's future lies with India.
"It is our resolution that if Kashmir is ours then the Kashmiris are also our people and we should try and win their confidence and their hearts and end the wrongs and injustice. Our basic demand vis-a-vis Kashmir is that whatever demands of theirs can be met within the Constitutional framework should be met," said Moulana Mehmood Madni, leader, Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind.
At this conclave in the Deoband seminary campus, leading clerics sent out a clear message: Kashmir's unrest shall not be exploited to fuel separatism.
"We welcome for their statement on human rights. But we don't agree with the political side of it. Kashmir is an international dispute," said Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Chairman, Hurriyat Conference.
Historically, the Deoband has been a nationalist organisation, supporting anti-extremism and opposed to the Partition of the country.
This is its first vocal stand against separatism in recent times.
But first, it says meet Kashmir's demand, end civilian killings, withdraw security forces from civilian areas and repeal harsh military laws.
Deoband, as the biggest religious seminary in South Asia, has always played a major role in shaping Muslim opinion in the country, not to mention its sizeable influence in Kashmir.
But the big question is: Will it be able to fix the political turmoil?