Arundhati Roy, Jethmalani urge dialogue on Kashmir issue

Jethmalani supports Roy's call for Pak-India talks to resolve the Kashmir issue; BJP calls for their arrest.

Hardline Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ram Jethmalani says dialogue with Pakistan is a must to resolve the disputed Kashmir issue.

As reported in the Indian media, Jethmalani's remarks came in support of Indian writer Arundhati Roy's speech in which she said that Kashmir has never been an integral part of India.

The BJP leader says that dialogue with Pakistan is compulsory under 1972 Simla agreement to resolve the Kashmir dispute. His remarks have embarrassed the BJP which immediately distanced itself by saying that these were Jethmalani's personal views.

A BJP spokesman has also demanded that the Indian government arrest the writers along with Kashmiri leader Syed Ali Geelani.

Meanwhile Indian media quoting Home Ministry sources say that the government is considering book Roy for making seditious remarks.

Arundhati Roy has criticised the move by saying it is pity the nation has to silence its writers who speak up their minds.