B L Saraf
Media informed us that Core group of National Conference met few days back under the Chairman-ship of President Farooq Abdullah and “reiterated its demand to the Central Govern-ment that they immediately begin the process of political engagement with the State and its people that are desirous of seeking a peaceful solution of the vexed issue of Jammu and Kashmir.” An unexceptional statement, indeed. The course suggested is one which, sooner than later, governments at the helm will have to adopt to sort out the problem. So, no quarrel with it. But what disconcerts one is the rhetoric used in run up to the statement.
Prior to this statement, Farooq said “The boys joining militant ranks are sacrificing their lives for freedom of nation. They are not afraid of bullets and guns.” Coming from a person who, till yesterday, rightly blamed Pakistan for misguiding “our youth “and using “them” as fodder to the secessionist canon, this statement comes as a shock to those who hold NC a committed secular and nationalist political force in the State. Farooq may be known for his flamboyance and love for a good life but no one can accuse him of being a separatist, in the political ideology, or having belief in a sectarian creed. He belongs to a fast vanishing breed of nationalists, in the Kashmir Muslim society, who have with stood the armed onslaught of the militants espousing sectarian and secessionist cause. In fact, at times, he has appeared more secular and nationalist than his colleagues in the Party. Farooq Abdullah fought and won 1983 Assembly elections without evoking emotive issues, a norm in vogue then. He was forthright in defending India’s cause in the global fora, when, in 1990s, J&K was nearly slipping out of India. Then, he took bull by the horns, in 1996 and plunged into the election fray to form a popular government in the State – whiles many “nationalists “– past and present – played safe and remained aloof from the exercise.
It is natural for a politician to feel uncomfortable when out of power, as it is for a fish to be uneasy when out of water. Is absence of power, really, telling upon the unemployed Doctor? Many good things can be done and society served well where political power may not be required. A spirit of selfless service is required. We wish Farooq Abdullah learns something from those young men whose spirit of sacrifice he eulogizes, as “The boys joining militant ranks are sacrificing their lives for freedom of their nation. They are not aspiring to become MLAs or MPs.” We do not want Farooq to emulate these young men when they “fight for freedom of nation”, nor, restrain himself from becoming M L A or a MP. But he should do it on his time tested credentials and desist from banking on the perniciously bigoted ideology. Soft separatism will not suit him.
Doctor Farooq is right when he says Kashmir is confronted with a vexed issue which can’t be resolved by holding elections to the Assembly. But then, as per his own statement the elections are for providing Roti, Kapda and Makaan. Ever since 1996 NC has fought all the elections whether for Assembly or Lok- Sabha and remained in power for better part of last twenty years. Let the good doctor introspect a bit and think how far his Party has been able to provide these basic necessities to his voters. Hasn’t he and his son Omar squandered many opportunities they got to serve the people. They haven’t crowned themselves with glory while governing the State. Had the governance record of the mainstream political parties been fair the State would have definitely moved ahead in a direction to solve the “Vexed Issue “.
Known for his impeccable nationalistic credentials, we believe, to Farooq Abdullah the fight of these “young men for freedom of nation ” means freedom from bad governance, corrupt political and bureaucratic system, as also the end of dynastic rule in the State.
True, NC has lost sway among some sections of the people. Nonetheless, its core value still finds traction with significant numbers in the State’s population. Its pan JK influence may have weakened a bit but has not completely evaporated.
Therefore, it is incumbent on Doctor Abdullah to retain political poise and have faith in the syncretic legacy left behind by patriarch of the Party. Farooq and Omar have been long in the national political business that they should find enough strength to withstand the sectarian and fissiparous tendencies blowing in the Valley. NC and Farooq Abdullah are still capable to exert benign influence on the stinking sectarian atmosphere in Kashmir, and rebuild the impaired’ National narrative. J&K is, indeed, going through a very critical stage. The grim situation demands everyone, in a position, to come forward and help state sail through the turbulent times. Kashmir needs NC- not, necessarily, as a perennial ruling force. Its presence even in the opposition bench has a huge significance. Any wavering on the Party’s fundamental ideology and pandering to the separatist cause will be detrimental to the NC, as also to the very ethos of Kashmir.
At some stage, one should look beyond narrow electoral benefits and appear a statesman than the petty politician.
(The author is former Principal District and Sessions Judge)
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