EDITORIAL

Poor Wazwan

First of all this headline may well raise the question: what is poor about Wazwan? With red meat as one of its major constituents this multicuisine delight is considered too rich for the human body. It adds to one’s weight and cholesterol. At the same time what can’t be ignored is that it makes one’s mouth water. That is why the inhabitants of the Valley in particular take pride in serving what nobody else on this earth can do. They are liberal and decent hosts too like all good people across the globe. That makes it an all the more enriching experience to partake in their feast. At times, however, some thing happens that leaves a bad taste in one’s mouth even though it may have been done ‘in a lighter vein’. Like, for instance, it happened the other day when a team of the Pakistani journalists visiting the State under the banner of the South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) was told at the Jammu-Kashmir Liberation Front head office in Srinagar that their weight might have already gone up by half a kilogram after their arrival in the Valley. Of course, nobody mentioned Wazwan but everybody clearly understood it in the context this astonishing observation was made. The journalists were invited for dinner but treated instead with loaded speeches. Worse, this was done before the food was actually served. Did the guest journalists deserve such treatment just because one of them during an informal inter-action with a few JKLF enthusiasts earlier described Kashmir as ‘a confused nation’? Small wonder then that not many visitors were inclined to eat. Who would not have lost his or her appetite in these ..........more

Complicated coalition politics

From Arun Nehru

Political changes take place gradually and when the politics of vendetta and .......more

Golden Chinar enriches Kashmir autumn!
TALES OF TRAVESTY

By Dr. Jitendra Singh

Kashmir revisited can never be an unpleasant experience. Even if it is in the month of October.. ......more

Let the world chew in
its old age juice!

By S.V. Vaidyanathan

It is often mentioned that demography is destiny. There has been a debate . .......more

Terrorists' threatening tactics in J&K

By B L Kak

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) does not rule out the possibility of more suicide ......more

Our Pakistani journalist guests

K.N. Pandita

The 16-member delegation of Pakistani journalists has realised the dream of their life in their colourful visit to the State of Jammu and Kashmir ......more

EDITORIAL

Poor Wazwan

First of all this headline may well raise the question: what is poor about Wazwan? With red meat as one of its major constituents this multicuisine delight is considered too rich for the human body. It adds to one’s weight and cholesterol. At the same time what can’t be ignored is that it makes one’s mouth water. That is why the inhabitants of the Valley in particular take pride in serving what nobody else on this earth can do. They are liberal and decent hosts too like all good people across the globe. That makes it an all the more enriching experience to partake in their feast. At times, however, some thing happens that leaves a bad taste in one’s mouth even though it may have been done ‘in a lighter vein’. Like, for instance, it happened the other day when a team of the Pakistani journalists visiting the State under the banner of the South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) was told at the Jammu-Kashmir Liberation Front head office in Srinagar that their weight might have already gone up by half a kilogram after their arrival in the Valley. Of course, nobody mentioned Wazwan but everybody clearly understood it in the context this astonishing observation was made. The journalists were invited for dinner but treated instead with loaded speeches. Worse, this was done before the food was actually served. Did the guest journalists deserve such treatment just because one of them during an informal inter-action with a few JKLF enthusiasts earlier described Kashmir as ‘a confused nation’? Small wonder then that not many visitors were inclined to eat. Who would not have lost his or her appetite in these circumstances? One could only pity those who have to go through certain rituals on these occasions because of the positions they held. That is why one is compelled to describe Wazwan as deprived. What else can be the right description when it has no or just a few takers? Admittedly, the hosts in this case must have known about the goings-in on their home turf more than the guests. For example, they could not have been unaware that what were billed as the programmes like inter-action with or reception by local journalists or a trip to Gulmarg on behalf of a newspaper organisation were in reality government-sponsored shows, first by the Information Department and the other by the Tourism Department. Perhaps they could not have been faulted if they merely nursed certain apprehensions. What was totally wrong on their part was to kick off sort of a row at their own party and their failure to appreciate that the journalists by virtue of the compulsions of their job have to be in touch with all sections of society. Evidently they were in the dark about the fact that the SAFMA did not depend upon any agency (an all-encompassing expression and not in the sense it is generally understood in our suspicion-charged atmosphere) for financial assistance and it paid for its activities.

In the process, one must regret that Wazwan has been a casualty. It may not have gone waste at the JKLF office because the weather around this time is fine in Srinagar to ensure that it lasts for a few days in natural environment. In any event there is a healthy practice of people taking food home in small quantities to use it at their convenience. However, the relevant question is what is Wazwan’s fault if a person does not conduct himself or herself in accordance with the demands of the situation. Why should it have to cut a sorry figure for its no fault?

Complicated coalition politics

From Arun Nehru

Political changes take place gradually and when the politics of vendetta and confrontation begins to take place then ‘change’ is in the ‘air’. Coalition politics is complicated and there are constant conflicts on future strategy and I think in coalition structures these cannot be avoided and at the same time does not mean the government is in danger. The Congress gain in confidence but seem confused on future plans = they can either try for a outright majority and fight on all fronts in the near future, the second choice would be a attempt at a ‘near’ majority with the Left as a ally but a fight in UP with SP/BSP is inevitable as 80 seats cannot be ignored but the Left may oppose this =the third choice is to continue the current coalition, share power and forget about issues and ethics and draw a virtual blank[ currently have 25 seats] in West Bengal, Kerala, UP, Bihar, Tamil Nadu [total seats 220 seats] in the Lok Sabha elections. None of these options are easy and the power centers within add to the confusion. Time is running out as inflation and declining law and order will make things difficult. There may be a temporary relief as the Maharashtra result may be positive in a tight fight but the pressures will revive as soon as elections become due in Bihar and Jharkhand where Lalu Yadav and Shibu Soren will both give little to the Congress in the Assembly election.

The BJP is on the defensive and clearly ‘leadership’ of the future is a issue and cannot be wished away. There is great respect for Atal ji cutting across party lines and whilst he is the Leader he cannot be expected to be present in many area’s at the same time and clearly a younger lot of leaders in the 50’s/60’s have to carry the fight for the future and I don’t think that ‘conflicts’ can be avoided unless all the ‘contenders’ are given a specific task and clearly the ‘window of opportunity’ will come and go as political warfare continues. The leader of the opposition LK Advani will have to lead the charge and it is a good sign to see ‘meetings’ being held by Atal ji with the senior leaders and in ‘opposition’ you cannot but put your best talent in the ‘field’. The BJP alliance structure is also changing in the short term and clearly many in the NDA and others aligned with the BJP can look at alternative structures for the future where the Left/SP have interest and in this category are the TD, BJD, NC, TC and possibly the AIDMK/DMK [neither want Congress to dominate] and leadership here can evolve around either Mulayam Singh or with Chandra Babu [ cannot rule out Jayalalitha or Karunanidhi] and if the Left cannot enforce their agenda with the Congress then they have another group to support for the coalition!

All this and more will happen as in ‘coalition’ politics there is constant churning and with 145 seats the Congress simply cannot enforce their will and we can see tension building up in states where elections are over = look at Karnataka and the chaos between the JD[S] and the Congress and ‘harsh’ words are being exchanged and look at Andhra where the Telengana issue is far from over and the TDP begins to gain = the North East is spinning out of control as over a 100 are dead in terrorist violence in the past week and in J&K there is renewed violence and little is being done for the Hindu minority who continue to be ‘refugees’ in their own country! There are elections in Bihar and Lalu Yadav will require all his political skills to ‘survive’ the legal positions on his ‘assets’ case as the matter has reached the Supreme Court and his selection of Pappu Yadav to fight the Madhepura seat makes mockery of good governance statements by PM Manmohan Singh. There is also the question of a ‘alliance’ with the Congress and seat sharing between the two or will the Congress align with the LJS which has separated from the RJD = what will the BJP/JD[U] do and what are the intentions of Mulayam Singh in this area? The situation in Jharkhand is equally complex as Shibu Soren clearly wants to be CM and the BJP are a house divided and despite the efforts of Yeshwant Sinha may still lag behind unless off course Shibu Soren makes a agreement with the BJP = can this happen if the Congress take a hard line on the CM issue and the answer is ‘yes’.

Coalition politics is about power sharing both at the Center and in the States = the BJP with 182 seats and little confrontation in the states were in a better position to govern than the Congress who have 145 seats and conflicts with all their major allies in the Assembly elections. The Left will not surrender their interests even in a by election as we see in Punjab and the Left will not take kindly to Congress efforts in West Bengal and Kerala = Lalu and Karunanidhi cannot give more than the bare minimum and all these elections take place in 2005/2006 We can expect fireworks but there will be little danger to the government unless one major ally defects = there is however a difference between governance and survival!

The situation in the North East is desperate and I have written about this for the past three months = the situation demands national attention and Shivraj Patil with a great deal of experience over the years needs a great deal of assistance and it would be a good idea to involve the opposition leaders including Purno Sangma to deal with the situation and I think that the situation demands ‘extraordinary’ measures as things are going out of control in Assam and Manipur and there can be serious repercussions in Tripura and Nagaland = the situation is very critical and there cannot be partisan politics in dealing with the situation in the North East.

Golden Chinar enriches Kashmir autumn!
TALES OF TRAVESTY

By Dr. Jitendra Singh

Kashmir revisited can never be an unpleasant experience. Even if it is in the month of October.

One of the several unique features of Kashmir is that its autumn is as beautiful as its spring. If Kashmir spring is the ultimate destination for young honeymooners and lovers exploring mysteries of romance, the Kashmir autumn is the ultimate destination for unrequited passions, nostalgia and memories of a withered bygone symbolised by the ''Golden'' Chinar. Remember--even Indira Gandhi---the acknowledged warrior and victor of many a battle in political and personal life--made it a point to quietly unwind herself before the autumn Chinar of Kashmir year after year till 1984 before she fell to an assassin's bullet just a few weeks after one such visit.

With the arrival of mobile phones and other hi-tech niceties, the local people of Kashmir are inclined to join the mainstream of rapid developmental strides undertaken by the rest of the world. ''Azaadi'' or ''No Azaadi'' is a separate issue which an average Kashmiri is not interested to rake up for the time being and that is why he consciously avoids engaging himself in any public discussion on the subject. He is also not much impressed by the loud rhetoric of politicians of various hues. His immediate priority is to ensure that his children are not left deprived of the global avenues of education and employment.

It is now up to the true well-wishers of Kashmir and particularly the well meaning Muslim intellectuals to gather courage and raise their voice against Pak-sponsored designs to disrupt the peace and prosperity of the Muslim brethren living here.

Export of terrorism has emerged as a worldwide phenomenon threatening to devour the very perpetrators of this phenomenon which means that Pakistan too cannot remain unharmed for long. The fight against terrorism needs to be undertaken unitedly with a vociferous support from Kashmiri masses. The will of Kashmiris and the soul of Kashmiriat is bound to survive very much like the Golden Chinar which survives Kashmir's blood tainted autumn thus heralding the eternity of common man, the inherent viability of Umapathy unintimidated by every hostility, a La Iqbal '' Kuchh Baat Hai Ke Hasti Mit-ti Nahin Hamaari........''

Let the world chew in its old age juice!

By S.V. Vaidyanathan

It is often mentioned that demography is destiny. There has been a debate about demographic trends in India as revealed by the 2001 Census. Equally interesting developments are happening in the demography of developed countries, which will have far-reaching implications for us, particularly for the Proprietorship and Partnership (P&P) sector and the households.

The age bomb is ticking in the West. It will significantly affect the "white-collar workforce" there. In the next few decades, there is going to be an explosion in ‘outsourcing’ or ‘offshore’ work, since onshore work creates what is politely called ‘social costs’. A look at the possible demographic profile of Europe and the US in the next few decades taken from UN population projections. In 2000, the average total fertility rate in the developed countries was 1.57, and in the developing countries 3.05. The rate for Europe is 1.4 and 1.3 for Japan. The US is at just 2.1, India at 3.1 and China at 1.72. It is felt a rate of 2.1 is an appropriate replacement rate, including some death of infants. Over the next decade, the situation could worsen.

Estimates suggest that in the next 50 years, the US will grow by 100 million numbers and Europe will be less by 100 million numbers. For instance, in another 40 years, the German population would be less by nearly 30 per cent. One-third of the population will be more than 65 and will outnumber children two to one. Italy’s rate is 1.2, and in that Catholic country, in another 40 years, more than 40 per cent of the population will be above 65 years.

In Russia, two out of the three pregnancies are terminated before birth, and the women average 2.5-4 abortions each, and their death rate is 70 per cent more than the birth rate. The Russian President, Mr. Vladimir Putin, warns that in 15 years there will be 22 million Russians, that is, seventh of its current population. Japan is already facing the age crisis.

The developed countries with a hexagonal age structure are slowly moving into trapezoid or inverted pyramid-shaped structure. In the case of developing countries, they will move from a pyramid age structure to, perhaps, the hexagonal structure.

This is the nature of the crisis. The labour force will be extremely scarce and expensive in the developed world. The elderly will also demand better protection, and the state will spend all its money to become the new caring ‘child’ for these old people. Since societal norms (in terms of caring for the elderly by the off-springs) have gone for a six, the aged are the responsibility of the state, and this implies more taxes and a lesser amount available for other activities of the State. Hence, there is a massive crisis in "social security" funds in Europe and the US.

It is not only an issue of low wages; it is the pool of talent available in a country such as India. The role of this demographic pattern has some interesting results. Again, there are several layers of this pool and so no worry of it over-pricing itself. Indian youngsters in this IT world are enthusiastic and willing to put in 70-80 hours, including Saturdays and Sundays. That is a story which is yet to be written. The story of sacrifice, work culture and simply ‘enthu’ to get things done. Another issue relates to the increasing content of the ‘outsourceable’ portion in many activities. In service sectors such as banking, it is more than 60 per cent, including software/voice/audio, etc. In some of the manufacturing activities, the software content is more than 30 per cent. This would induce large firms to go in for more and more outsourcing.

Already, we find that the remittances by the labour of developing countries at more than $ 70 billion is higher than the net private capital flows from the developing to the developed countries at around $ 65 billion. This is primarily flow from blue colour workers from West Asia, the US, the Europe to other parts of the world. This will undergo an interesting shift, since by the process of outsourcing, the labour will not move, only the work will move.

Offshore work centres are increasing exponentially. Thousands of young men (and, of course, women) are already found in cities such as Chennai, Bangalore, and Gurgaon with plastic identity cards around their necks (men with mangalsutra or MWM) doing the work for those old persons mentioned earlier.

The ‘offshore’ centres are slowly shifting to smaller towns to bring down wages, as also to tip a larger pool of youngsters. The P&P sector will be tremendously impacted in the coming decades because of this tectonic shift taking place in employment scenario of young persons. Companies manufacturing for the domestic market are already finding it difficult to get capable youngsters who prefer the IT sector.

It will substantially increase the cost of domestic labour in these activities to ‘dollar’ levels. Plus the impact on infrastructure. There is a tremendous need for society to calibrate this explosion in the coming decades.

Remember that the unemployment rates for the below-25 age group are 30 per cent for Italy, 21 per cent for France, 9 per cent for the US and 12 per cent for the UK in last few years. Now, the issue is the reaction of the "Aged Empire" to these developments. Hence, this would make nation-states in the West unhappy with the global corporations as already seen in the Kerry campaign and the legislation to ‘control’ outsourcing in many States.

In 2001, the developed countries imported $ 250 billion more merchandise than they exported and the US imported $ 435 billion more. China’s share in some segments of the American market (such as toys, sports goods, camping gear, household items) was more than 60 per cent. Developing countries were net exporters with $ 165 billion more merchandise export than import.

So, the process of globalisation has created a severe twist in the Western tail. This gives rise to the following possibilities. One is to encourage a large inflow of such skilled professionals into these countries from India, but the events following 9/11 are proving that this is not the solution the US or Europe are going to adopt. Hence, there could be lot of noise about "security issues" in outsourcing and there may be demand that Indian labour be screened by American security before being employed in BPOs.

This would create a pool of RNIs (Resident Non-Indians) who live in India but hold US greencard of "security cleared category". One need not be surprised that in a few years there will be huge pool of young men and women who are "US security cleared" (USC) but living in India. This will create a "sub-divide" within the digital divide.

Large areas of land are needed to create these offshore centres and already farmers on the outskirts of Bangalore have held agitations seeking "fair price" for their land. One possibility is to treat their land as an equity investment and provide them long-term benefits in the form of share in profits. Since most farmers do not possess interchangeable skills to be fruitfully employed elsewhere, social cohesion will be established. Time has come for agencies such as Nasscom to ponder over these issues.

The other issue is regarding the culture, language, eating habits, family values of these mass of men and women. Already, there are several reports to suggest that fast-food is the norm and casual attitude to family is seeping in the system of these youngsters.

Of course, there are arguments about India moving up the value chain in all these cyber activities. That could take place, but in this business where ‘knowledge’ is the capital, it is always easy for large corporations to buy persons at an attractive rate. Hence, our efforts may not bear fruit in the ‘traditional’ sense.

Civil society needs to debate the issues and calibrate the change since Indian society has always dealt with challenges in a spirit of tolerance and evolution and, sometimes, lost out. Hence, we need to be proactive and let the world chew in its old age juice!

For at least 40 years, the global cycle is ours, simply because no one else, including China, has numbers, language and skills. And, of course, the other neighbour, Pakistan, is more known for the export of the other IT, namely international terrorism. Let the holiday, attitude, language, manners, culture and work issues be dictated by us, namely the global back office. Thomas Babbington Macaulay, English historian and author, mentions about creating men with Indian body and British Souls but in the emerging scene, unless we are alert, we may end up with men with no soul and obese western bodies due to fast-foods. INAV

Terrorists' threatening tactics in J&K

By B L Kak

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) does not rule out the possibility of more suicide attacks by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir in coming days and weeks. And the MHA has let it be known in unambiguous terms: "The timing and place of occurrence of such attacks as well as ever-changing hideouts to terrorists have inbuilt element of surprise and, therefore, cannot always be anticipated".

If the detailed analysis available with the Minister of Home Affairs on the Islamist terrorist groups and operatives in Jammu and Kashmir were any guide, most of the suicide attacks are being carried out by foreign mercenaries-dominated terrorist outfits' bases across the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB). That the Government of India sees Pakistani hand behind the fidayeen strikes is borne out by New Delhi's reiterated appeal to Pakistan to put an end to cross-border infiltration and permanently dismantle the infrastructure of support to terrorism in that country.

The Government of India has reasons to refer, more often that not, to Pakistan President, Gen. Parvez Musharraf's assurance that he would not permit any territory under Pakistan's control to be used to support terrorism in any manner. But the Ministry of Home Affairs did not hesitate to make public its displeasure over the unconcealed fact: Pakistan has not taken any credible steps so far to dismantle the infrastructure of support to terrorism in that country on a permanent basis.

Under the circumstances, the Government of India has been left with no option but to enhance security measures for countering suicide attacks in Jammu and Kashmir on the one hand and, on the other hand, strengthen border management and multi-tiered and deployment along the LoC and International Border and near the ever-changing infiltration routes. It is officially admitted that a series of events triggered by anti-India groups and operatives in the restive State in recent years have already marked a significant change, of course for worse, in tactics of Pakistan-trained militants to further their undisguised plan of keeping this sensitive North Indian region in a perpetual turmoil.

This is part of their "armed struggle to liberate Kashmir from India''. Even after the understanding reached, in New York recently, between the Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, and Gen. Parvez Musharraf, on the urgency to take forward the peace process to bring about complete normalisation of relations between the two countries, Pakistan's new Prime Minister, Shaukat Aziz, declared in Islamabad that his country would continue to provide "moral, political and diplomatic" support to the Kashmir cause and help the Kashmiri people achieve the right of self-determination.

When the Chief of Army Staff, Gen. NC Vij, made a significant revelation, in Srinagar recently, about the interception of a large number of messages to terrorist outfits in J&K from across the border from time to time in recent times, it was meant, obviously, to make the people and the authorities vigilant against further terrorist attacks. So of the intercepts suggest that the terrorists' exercise will continue to be confined to making selective kill here or there or bombarding residences, mainly of the mainstream political parties and alleged police informers, besides Government offices and installations and schools and bridges.

What is worse, militants have been able to strike terror among general public and cause some kind of demoralisation among the local police personnel, which is evident from the latter's inability to prevent trouble and nab tormentors, although one can hardly forget the fact of several local policemen having paid with their own lives or those of their near relations by daring heavily armed desperadoes. These and other desperadoes, official surveys have destablished, continue to be funded substantially by sources and agencies inimical to India in Kashmir.

It is official: A few voluntary organisation such as Kashmir Medical Trust, Islamic Welfare Society and Iqbal Memorial Trust have reportedly been involved in funding of terrorist Trust have reportedly been involved in funding of terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir. In fact, the Ministry of Home Affairs, while stating that some voluntary organisations have come to notice for their support to terrorist groups in India, has let it be known that at least five NGOs have their linkages with terrorist organisations in the North-East region. They have been identified as Manab Adhikar Sangam Samiti (MASS), North East Coordination Committee on Human Rights (NECOHR), United Committee, Manipur (UCM), Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) and Naga Students Federation (NSF).

It is also official: Pakistan has not so far dismantled the infrastructure of support to terrorism, including the funding of terrorist activities in India. On the basis of intelligence inputs, a number of terrorist financing modules have been busted in many parts of the country. The Governments initiated action to streamline and strengthen the present law governing the receipt and utilisation of foreign contributions the voluntary organisations.

As many as 147 organisations operating from various parts of the country have already been debarred from obtaining foreign funds without prior permission from the Government of India. The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued fresh instructions urging all States and Union Territories to endure that the organisations of "political nature" do not contravene Section 5 (I) of the Foreign Contributions (Regulation) Act, 1976 in their search for foreign funds or contributions. Of the listed 147 organisations, 44 are functioning in Delhi, 22 in West Bengal as against 13 in Jammu and Kashmir and 5 in Hyderabad. Organisations registered across the country, including Jammu and Kashmir, under Foreign Contributions (Regulation) Act, indicating their nature are available on the Home Ministry's website mha. nic. in/fcra. htm. Associations cover under the Act are required to furnish intimation of receipt and utilisation of foreign contribution by them, duly certified by a chartered accountant for each financial years.

Statistics available with the Home Ministry reveal that 28 associations in Jammu and Kashmir received foreign contributions to the tune of Rs. 1012764000 in 2000-2001. During 2001-2002 and 2002-03, the situation in the restive state was totally different-33 associations received Rs. 146666000 in 2001-02, while as many as 36 associations got Rs. 177495000 in 2002-03.

Since Mufti Mohammad Sayeed took over as Chief Minister of J&K, he has the least enviable job in the world. He was expected to restore respect for law and affection for India in a land which has little trace of either. The official view is that the security forces are preserving law and order and protecting the people from fanatical Muslim subversives. The overwhelming impression in Srinagar is much more uncomfortable. It is now difficult, if not impossible, to make Kashmir people under stand why secular democracy is preferable to the theocratic set-up.

Our Pakistani journalist guests

K.N. Pandita

The 16-member delegation of Pakistani journalists has realised the dream of their life in their colourful visit to the State of Jammu and Kashmir. Throughout their interaction with various segments of civil society, they have demonstrated a good level of responsible scribes adhering to the established norms of their profession.

It is heartening that the hosts everywhere have offered them the warmth and affection they deserved. After all, the delegation is motivated by a desire of ironing out angularities in the exchange of information and opinion between the journalists of the two countries.

The people in the State have noted each and every word the delegation members or their leader said especially in the context of Kashmir dispute, which has bedevilled relations between the two important countries of the sub-continent.

The guest delegation is fully aware of the sensitivities involved on both sides in regard to Kashmir question. As such, they have confidently and rightly pulled themselves away from the peripheries of the conflict and reiterated time and again that they have no solution up their sleeves for the tangle. They have asserted that as journalists they would like to present to the people on both sides the other side of the picture as they called it. In short they would not like to deviate from the accepted norms of unbiased journalism. Bravo.

But the fact of the matter is that now that the Government of India has given permission to the delegation to visit the State of Jammu and Kashmir with all the freedom they want, we would naturally like to put some questions to them in order to help them streamline the cause of bringing political education to people everywhere.

Pakistan is a country carved out of former Hindustan on the basis of religion. This is the country of the Musulmans as is indicated by its official name viz. Islamic Republic of Pakistan. As against this India is a secular state as is enshrined in its constitution. The first question, which the distinguished team of journalists will have to explain to the people in both the countries, is whether this ideological divide is right or wrong. In responding to that question they will have to displease one or the other country. Have they the courage to do so? They will have to answer whether religion is and should be the only binding force for the people?

The second question is that India is a democracy. We do not claim that it is a perfect democracy. No democracy is perfect. Military rule was never imposed in this country even for a single day. On the other hand Pakistan has seen more than 40 years of military rule out of its total life of 57 years. Even today it is under the heels of a military dictator. The pseudo elections are simple nonsense. The question is this: is the distinguished team of impartial journalists prepared to open an intensive debate on the choice of the government in each country. The discussion has to be of academic and scholarly level and not laced with meaningless rhetoric. Which of the two regimes, viz. a democratic or a military, is best equipped to address and resolve serious social issues like ethnicity, sectarianism, language and regionalism.

The third question is whether the distinguished delegation is able to open a serious debate on the use or abuse of a wide network of religious seminaries controlling a civil society with a clear objective of building a strong religious militia to enforce the agenda of the orthodox groups? This will necessitate an academic debate on the issue of building a militarised society as against the spontaneously developing civil society.

During its interaction with the people of various shades of opinion and ideologies in Jammu and in Kashmir, the delegation will have marked the great variance of perception particularly in regard to the settlement of Kashmir issue. What will be the contours of reflecting the non-homogeneity of perception for the benefit of saner elements of society on both sides of the dividing line? How the custodians of public opinion will respond to this question is what we are seriously interested to know.

Lastly, it is hoped that the delegation will, in all probability, generate very healthy response to minority issues in both the countries. The primary test of good governance is how the minorities are carried along without coercion and intimidation. This is an issue that invites serious attention of the governments and the civil society in both the countries. It will be admitted that minorities are receiving a rough deal in a system that involuntarily supports the reality of "the tyranny of majoritarianism" Even the very definition and parameters of "minority" need to be defined. There are national minorities and there are "reverse minorities" apart from minorities in the context of social anthropology. The delegation will have marked the serious drawbacks of vote-bank democracy and how it denies the minorities their status, their civil political and economic rights in a claimed egalitarian political structure.

We hope that the delegation will transcend regional and parochial trappings. Indo-Pak issue is not a West Punjabi versus East Punjabi issue. It is a human issue involving the future of 1.12 billion people or one fifth of the entire human population on this globe.

Finally, it is hoped that the delegation will look at the current Indo-Pak relations in the background of a century of political struggle waged by the people of the sub-continent to get rid of colonial rule. The role of the people of Jammu and Kashmir as supplement to that struggle cannot be either ignored or underestimated. In no state of the former British India did a nationalist movement develop as intensely along secular and democratic lines as did in the State of Jammu and Kashmir. This movement was the result of acute consciousness of State’s geographical, social, economic and demographic realities on the part of its leadership. To ignore that reality and the historical momentum flowing from it just because someone gains publicity by trifling with it, will be only a travesty of honest journalism.



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