Omkar Dattatray
Kashmir had aptly been described by Fridousi as the paradise on earth. It has virtually turned into hell due to communal venom and secessionist mayhem let loose by Pakistan. Kashmir issue is in fact a festering wound rather an ulcer which has grown cancerous due to wrong policies and handlings by our political Pundits and successive Central and State rulers. Kashmir problem is the outcome of our follies and mistakes. Thus it is also the result of our own creation. While the iron man of India Sardar Patel succeeded in integrating all erstwhile princely states with Indian union, Nehru the tall politician failed in integrating Kashmir fully with India as he himself attached conditions to it. Thus genesis of Kashmir dispute lies in the short sightedness of Nehru. However, since the unfortunate division of the motherland coupled with the unrealistic approach of the congress leaders in dealing with this sensitive issue Kashmir has been bleeding.
It continues to be an eyesore for the cunning Pakistani leaders and rulers. Kashmir is both an ulcer and the legendary goose which lays golden eggs. There seems contradiction in this characterization about Kashmir problem. It may sound funny, ridiculous and obnoxious. But in reality it is not. It is a stark reality and there is not a bit of exaggeration about this generalization on Kashmir mess. It is as true as the sun, stars, moon and earth. But only a novice to Kashmir’s political, economic and social life will be astonished about this unique character of Kashmir impasse. Kashmir turmoil is a blessing for a very few and a curse for the majority of people. It is a blessing for some elite sections, politicians and bureaucrats and an ulcer for the commoner who is doomed to suffer.
For the plebeians, Kashmir impasse is a cause of grief, gloom, depression, disease, misery, poverty and in fact a curse. The innocent masses of the state are paying a heavy price for the follies of selfish political thugs who seem to be interested in the continuance of the vexed Kashmir issue. The politicians of both India and Pakistan like to keep Kashmir pot boiling. It is to divert the attention of the gullible masses in the two countries from the economic and other mundane problems which deserve attention of the rulers. The general masses of J&K bear the brunt and agony of the 30 years long militancy, while the selfish politicians and some elite sections of the people prosper and amass wealth beyond their legitimate means. Not only some politicians and bureaucrats but militants and secessionists leaders also augment their incomes by fair and foul means. Aren’t the innocent masses of the state bearing the economic hardships caused due to continued disturbance and militancy? Again isn’t it the commoner who is deprived of much needed economic and social emancipation and development because of continuous turmoil due to proxy war let loose by Pakistan.
The issue is compounded by the adhoc and lackluster approach of the Indian government. Aren’t the average poor citizens of the state dying for none of their faults because of Islamic fundamentalism encouraged and actively and directly indulged in by the enemy country. Hasn’t the turmoil caused irreparable and precious loss of thousands of human lives? Hasn’t the much needed infrastructure being damaged and devastated by the onslaught of militants and terrorist? Hasn’t the Kashmir imbroglio drained the state and central exchequers and denied the people fruits of economic reforms and development. Aren’t the KP’s and other people from Kashmir and Jammu divisions facing hardships, alienation and pangs of displacement? Haven’t these hapless refugees been subjected to unprecedented sufferings with bleak chances of return to their routes in Kashmir where fanatics and Islamic Zealots continue wanton killings to annex Kashmir to Pakistan? The answer to these questions is a big Yes. But still the champions of separatism and fundamentalism never raise a voice of protest against these gloomy happenings but justify these in the garb of so called freedom movement. Hence the hypothesis of Kashmir being an ulcer for many and a golden goose for a few.
Few sections of our own people including policy makers, political leaders and selfish bureaucrats capitalize on the gloomy situation of the state. These very sections of people have amassed enormous wealth right from the days of accession. As a result few thrive and majority of people suffer. A few flourish and prosper while masses weep and wail. Delhi has been pumping crores and crores of tax payers money into state for economy and social upliftment. But those concerned with the execution of works and the implementation of schemes grab a lion’s share of this money and the commoner as such is bound to suffer. There is lack of answerability and accountability and even responsibility on the part of those entrusted with the policy making and implementation. When some accountability and answerability is sought by the central government, a great hue and cry is raised and it is regarded as an assault on the special status.
It is also taken as the erosion of the internal autonomy and identity of Jammu and Kashmir. It follows that the centre has to pour funds and we the state managers have power to spend as we like. It seems that accession is for funds and funds only. In such a scenario resources of the state and central allocation are misused, misutilized and mismanaged. Whether presidential rule or democratic dispensation, these fortunate people eat, make merry, enjoy and prosper while the common people suffer and are steeped in a vicious circle of poverty and deprivation. Thus the concentration and amassing of wealth in a few hands while the rest have to live a life of abject poverty. It has also led to a certain sort of alienation among masses who have been fully exploited by the enemy against India. This alienation has been given fundamentalistic and communal color by the Pak agents for their advantage and for destabilization of India. It is thus in the interest of masses themselves that they should rise against militancy and secessionism. It is opportune time that they help the security agencies in the fight against militancy. People should provide a helping hand to the rulers in finding a political settlement of the vexed issue. Otherwise the commoner is bound to suffer. Thus for ushering in an era of peace and prosperity, the people of J&K have an important role to play. Before the people’s power, the guns of militants will have to stop. The sooner it is done the better.
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