Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 12: The Department of Strategic and Regional Studies, University of Jammu, organized a public lecture on “Kashmir Unrest: Ideological Shift from Azadi to Caliphate”.
Senior journalist Pradeep Dutta was the speaker and Dr Ashok Bhan, the former DGP J&K and Vigilance Commissioner, chaired the session.
Pardeep Dutta explained a chain of events from the multiple perspectives with an emphasis on the ideological shift towards radicalization with the passage of time which has of late taken over the Kashmir narrative by overpowering the neutral spaces and political void. He was optimistic about the prospects of shift in Kashmir’s current aggressive narrative on nationalism if it would be delinked from aggressive representation of the separatist ideology on the one hand and, on the other, the “silent majority” of Kashmir should be prioritized over the vocal minority, which pretends itself as the main stakeholder in the conflict.
While chairing the session, Dr Ashok Bhan brought out the simmering difference between the civil society and the security forces because of the constant and prolonged engagement in the conflict zone. “Our security forces are capable of dealing with any eventuality in any part of the State, but it is correct to say that the Indian security forces are unable to deal with the theocratic thoughts, as they are not meant to engage with this process, which must essentially be dealt through the established democratic channels,” he added.
The lecture was attended by the faculty members and scholars from the different departments of the University of Jammu.
After the lecture, a brain-storming session unfolded in which the Kashmir issue was deliberated from different perspectives to bring the situation in Kashmir at par with other States of India, stabilize democracy, and radical control so that multiple stakeholders would be encouraged to engage with the Government and various civil societies in Kashmir to bring peace in the region. Earlier, Dr Nagendra Rao, Director, DSRS, presented welcome address.
The session concluded with the vote of thanks by Dr Surinder Mohan.
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