Dr Karan Singh is a Congress party leader and the son of Maharaja Hari Singh, who was the last ruler of Jammu and Kashmir, and who formally ceded to India in October 1947.
The first and last 'Sadar-i-Riyasat' of the state of J&K, Dr Singh has spoken up for the first time ever since the Indian government announced sweeping measures revoking the state's autonomy, and bifurcating it into two union territories.
He admitted that "the unusually fast decisions in Parliament caught all of us completely by surprise", adding, "I don't agree with a blanket condemnation of these developments."
In a written statement, the former Union minister and Rajya Sabha member said, "Ladakh's emergence as a Union Territory is to be welcomed", acknowledging that he himself proposed this move back in 1965 when he was still head of state (Sadar-i-Riyasat).
He added, "The gender discrimination in Article 35A needed to be addressed as also the long-awaited enfranchisement of lakhs of West Pakistan refugees."
Dr Karan Singh however took exception to labelling of Kashmiri political leaders , especially the two main regional parties as "anti-national."
He said, "With regard to Kashmir, where a broad spectrum of people may be feeling mortified, I feel that it is important for political dialogue to continue."
He called for the release of the political leaders of both main parties who have been under house arrest since August 5, pointing out "their workers have over the years made heavy sacrifices, and besides, both of them have been from time to time political allies of national parties and governments of the Centre and in the state."
Dr Karan Singh urged to maintain communal harmony "at all costs" and eschew violence.
His son Vikramaditya Singh, a former legislator from Jammu has fully endorsed his father's sentiments, calling it "the beginning of a new era" for Jammu & Kashmir.
"I would eventually hope to see a full statehood for Jammu & Kashmir," he added.
Overnight, India's Prime Minister has addressed the nation for the first time since the sweeping announcements earlier this week.
He assured that election will be held in Jammu & Kashmir soon.
"The people of Jammu and Kashmir will be able to choose their leaders, their CMs (chief ministers) like they have done before,” Mr Modi said.
On the other hand, the Modi government's staggering announcement on August 5 about the revocation of Articles 370 and 35A, as well the state's bifurcation into two Union territories, has also met with protest from sections of the community.
Many legal experts have questioned the constitutionality of this announcement and former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah has foreshadowed a legal challenge in the Supreme Court of India.
Ramesh Vinayak, the resident editor of Hindustan Times (Chandigarh edition), in an interview with SBS Punjabi, also expressed concern about the reaction from the Kashmiri people, once the curfew-like conditions are eased.
Meanwhile, the complete lockdown in Jammu & Kashmir remains, with the valley isolated from the rest of the country. Mobile communications and internet remain shut.
