Violence in Kashmir is initiated and carried forward by the militants either from across the border or from within the State. They indulge in destructive activities on the behest of their mentors from abroad who themselves are the victims of brain washing. Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has been speaking of the need of resolving issues through dialogue and giving up the gun. She has said it umpteen times and asked what gain has been made out of twenty-seven years of violence in the State. It has led to death and destruction of a large number of people, civilians as well as security forces. What she means to tell the separatists and their cadres is that they are not going to achieve anything through the use of gun. They must, therefore, eschew the gun and come to the table for talks. She makes no bones in conveying eternal truths that govern human destinies. For a long time in history, the people of the State have seen hard life and endless effort for survival. 1947 brought a democratic dispensation that was unknown to the people. Democracy is a long process but it is a stable and steady process. In neighbouring countries democracy is fragile and often ousted by military rulers. Every nation is not capable of keeping steadfast to democratic norms. Yes it is a lengthy process but we in this country have no other choice because we are a heterogeneous society. Some people in Kashmir intentionally close their eyes to the development that has been made over the past seven decades. They are not allowed to think for themselves and make their own observations. The gifts of democracy are underestimated. If Kashmiris are not satisfied with the sort of democracy that has been made available to them under the two constitutions – Indian as well as the J&K State — what else will guarantee their freedoms? The masses of Kashmir have to understand that in no dispensation whatever it is, there is any overnight solution to economic and unemployment problems. J&K being a federating unit of the Union of India should never think of a prospect in which the State can separate from the Union. That is not going to happen. However, if there are internal problems and these problems are not always the same among the federating units, these can be solved only through dialogue. Leaders have to sit round a table and talk. Just thinking that by making a rowdy group of youth throw stones at the security forces will help them reach the goal is childlike. What the separatists continue to think is separation and separation. They are unable to envision the benefits of democratic dispensation in its futuristic dimensions. Where in the world do we have such political, civil and economic rights conceded as in our country and our state? These freedoms are guaranteed not by one but two constitutions. It is for the people to understand the impact of these legislative measures in which they are fully empowered to elect their representatives, to elect their Government, to elect their opposition, to run their Government democratically, to agree and to differ and yet to move forward. The feudalism has gone, arbitrary dispensation is dead and people have the vision and capacity to ask for their rights at various levels. The society give slightest priority to education and now in our State high schools are to be found within at two kilometer distance. We have our educational and training institutions of excellence in all branches like medicine, engineering, agriculture, technology etc. All these gifts of democratic dispensation cannot be overlooked just because a couple of fanatical leaders talks of conservatism, orthodoxy and regress. There is no chance of return to medieval ages where human beings were treated no better than beasts of burden.
The Chief Minister wants people to derive benefits from bounteous nature. Developing tourism means giving impetus to the economy and employment. The projects like Vailoo-Singhpora tunnel are going to be an inspiration for wide interaction among people of different parts of the State. Road connectivity is given highest priority and imagine what will be the State of Jammu and Kashmir after the huge mega network of tunneling and road building is completed in next one or two decades. These big projects are meant for the people and by people we mean the peace loving people not the stone pelting and disruptive segments that are torn by split personality. The message of the Chief Minister has meaning and people must understand. Nothing will be achieved by resorting to violence. By violence only graveyards and cremation grounds will be filled. That is the harsh truth.
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