Dr Narinder Singh
The so called mainstream political parties and the separatist groups operating in the valley of Kashmir have joined hands on the question of Article 35 A. Their stand is not only misleading but is also very amusing. They are creating hysteria by spreading the false narrative that abrogation of 35 A will open the flood gates for the people from outside the state and create havoc of all sorts. This writer would like to expose the stand taken by valley based political class.
Although part of the state, valley of Kashmir has always been considered as a class by itself, Political class of all hues operating in the Valley live in a world of its own. It regards valley as a place which exclusively belongs to the people living there and it dismisses the claim of people of Jammu and Ladakh regions on that place. Leaders of political class in the Valley passionately believe in the dictum, ” Kashmir for the people of Kashmir and the state of Jammu and Kashmir for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.” What to talk of people living in various parts of India, this political class even regards people of Jammu and Ladakh as persona non grata. It has created a ghetto in the Valley which is out of bound for others.
In the wake of Tribal invasion of the State, people of Mirpur and Poonch regions, who survived the onslaught came to Jammu. The people of City of Temples welcomed them with open arms and helped them in every possible way. These people eventually settled down in this region, on the other hand, people of Muzaffrabad who suffered enormous losses at the hands of Tribals, entered the valley through Uri and other places. Entry in the valley of these hapless people belonging to the minority communities were not to the liking of new Government headed by Sheikh Abdullah. A refugee camp for these people was set up in the exhibition ground opposite to the new High court complex. These people were very keen for settlement in the Valley. Their desire was based on solid reasons. Firstly they were part of the Kashmir division and secondly climate of Valley was very much similar to their native place. But these unfortunate people were told in clear cut terms that they will have to go to Jammu. Mirza Afzal Baig who talked to these people told them that they were not welcome in the Valley and even if they were allowed to stay there, they will have to go one day. Finally they were driven out of valley and settled in Jammu.
The Kashmiri Pandit community living in the valley was always an eye sore for the political class of that place. In the pre-1947 era they were considered as sympathisers of the Maharaja who had access to the Raj Darbar. They were also disliked because they were mostly educated and were occupying Government jobs. To drive them out was the cherished desire of the political class. In 1989 onwards conditions were created where they had no option but to flee the valley. These unfortunate people are now languishing in the refugee camps of Jammu and other parts of India.
There was presence of large number of Punjabi business men in the valley. They were living and doing business there much before 1947. Their presence in the Valley was also not to the liking of the political class. This business class felt insecure after the exodus of Pandits and left the valley leaving behind their flourishing business.
The Sikhs are another section of the people who are victim of atmosphere of fear and hatred created by the people belonging to the political class operating in the valley. For Sikhs there is clear writing on the wall ‘toe our line or face the consequences’. In anticipation of the final call to leave the valley, Sikhs have already started looking for shelter in Jammu and elsewhere . As a matter of fact many of them have very silently settled down in Jammu.
A few years back there was a proposal to establish a Sainik Colony in the valley. This colony would have greatly benefited the ex-servicemen living in the region. But the political class of the valley raised all sorts of objections and created a condition where in this project had to be shelved. It is interesting to note here that when a Sainik Colony was established in Jammu, this political class hardly raised any objections.
Abdullahs, Muftis, Yasins and Geelanis looked the other way when Bangladeshis and Rohingyas settled down in Jammu and some of them even reached Ladakh. The political class would have raised hue and cry if they had tried to settle in the valley. This is the true face of this political class. This class claims exclusive right over the valley of Kashmir. Under these circumstances to argue that 35-A would do any harm to them looks funny. Message for Jammu and Ladakh and for that matter for the people living in other parts of India is loud and clear , ‘hands off valley’. People from outside can come to valley as tourists, spend their hard earned money and leave.
People of Jammu and Ladakh will definitely feel the pinch if 35-A is not abrogated. But they would have to bear the consequences in the larger interest of Mother India. For the larger gains lesser losses have to be accepted with smile.
In the end, it is necessary to point out that an overwhelming majority of people living in the valley are very peaceful. They are law abiding and very friendly towards the people of not only Jammu and Ladakh but also towards the people of other parts of India. This is not a new phenomena. This attitude was there even before 1947. But people in once happy valley are not allowed to live in peace. The political class always keeps the pot boiling through their policies of bandhs and strikes. The current unrest among the youth of valley is the gift of this political class. This class refuses to accept that relationship with India is not only for financial benefits, it is something more. Joining a big federation also means adherence to some duties.
(The author is a former Professor of Political Science)
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