Ashok Bhan
Jammu and Kashmir is the most delicate State in the Union of India;it requires to be handled with great care,with regard to every nuance of every political development.Deciding about the fate of the State and Kashmir in particular by Government of India without taking on board all the stake holders and without due deliberation amounts to behave as a bull would in a China shop.
In the past, unlike present, Kashmir used to enjoy the glory of rich civilizational plural ethos popularly known Kashmiriyat all over the world .The situation in Kashmir now isthat the radical elements have greater appeal and the appeal of Pakistan which was noticeably very weak has also become apperanty strong.A section of youth of impressionable age is driven towards joining the militancy.Despite that still the craving and longing for the strengthening of Kashmiri sub-nationalism ” Kashmiriyat” is gaining societal acceptance. Kashmiri population at the societal level has the understanding that Pakistan and separatism have failed them and brought about only death and destruction and colossal socio-economic miseries.
It appears from the current orchestrated socio-political narrative that the aborigine natives the Kashmiri Pandits,whose roots are engraved in the soil of Kashmir for more than 5000 years and are longing to return home are not welcome. Even after being hounded out of Valley by the actors and agents of death and destruction through killings and using all the dirty tricks and disinformation the Pandits have been are forced to live in exile. Kashmiri separatist leadership Mirwaiz,Yasin Malik and Syed Ali Shah Gilani who are known to have little love for each other and have a history of under cutting each other ,surprisingly have struck a chord of so called unity on the issue of opposing on one pretext or the other the return of natives who were forced to leave by militants through targeted death and destruction .
Kashmir society is in deep suffering, almost a generation is in grave yards,yet the Separatists , negative and anti-democratic leadership is not being made answerable for failing the Kashmiris. Instead of promoting a positive political process they are hell bent to further distort the glorious history of Kashmir and pursue divisive agenda for their own political aggrandizement, fearing their irrelevance in due course of time. To effectively blunt and reject the resurgence of such intolerant and hate groups the peace loving Kashmiris have a democratic choice to rise to the occasion and stand up for peace and development of plural Kashmir and also to protect the Kashmir”s distinct entity within the larger entity of Union of India and the sub-continent.It is the strength of Kashmiriyat ethos that has withstood the alien socio-cultural way of life being thrust on them by the radical elements..The Kashmiri Pandits are longing to return to homeland and wish to settle in mixed and secured settlements in the long run. Mirwaiz Omar and his team have to live upto his past glorious traditions to create a social atmospherics and help Governmental measures for the return of the natives.
It was expected, after the formation of the PDP-BJP coalition Government that it would follow a policy of containment, to limit and scale down the violence and open a peace process with inclusive political discourse and also bring in the economic prosperity through uniform and sustained development and open up avenues of employment for the youth, but that did not happen. The government rose to the power behind these expectations of the people.
The disappointment in the people set in due to lack of governance, broken promises, intra-regional conflict, the pernicious propaganda of fringe elements and contradictions – both, political and ideological within the Government . The separatists are hell bent to fail Ms Mehbooba. They accuse her of facilitating the entry of right wing RSS-BJP idealogical moorings into the Valley to promote their divisive agenda and fear the change of demographic profile of the Valley by creating secured habitats for the state subjecst and Ex-army personal.They oppose the return of the aborigine Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley their homeland in separate townships even after 27 years of the exile but pretend to welcomethem in the composite enclaves.They have forged so called unity for these two issues,to hoodwink the peace loving peopleand Hartal is the smokescreen.They fear getting marginalised that is why no concrete agenda for either the settlement of the conundrum of Kashmir or any substantive progreme of positive debate of all the stake holders including exiled KPs is ever given to public.They don”t wish to give peace and peaceful life to Kashmiris a chance fearing their irrelevance therefore resurgence of intolerance and violence is the product of so called brand of their new socio-political narrative which is a cause of great concern to peace loving citizens.
The revival of militant activity in the state and elsewhere is a serious issue and a grim reminder to all concerned that the militant outfits are still present and active to strike any time and anywhere.The public support to militancy had considerably reduced but it has not disappeared. The phenomenon of terror, panic and disinformation is back in the valley. Security scenario, inwardly is not very assuring. Darker clouds of uncertainty are on the horizon.The militancy is on the rise,the frustrated youth are joining militancy.Huge participation in the funerals of the slain militants is worrying and disappointing. It reflects the people”s subtle if not the express support to the revival of militancy.
The time ahead for the first ever astute and passionate woman Chief Minister seems to be tough, not only because of the challenges of the separatists but also for the huge expectations of the youth and the people in general.She is still grappling and grasping the nuances of good governance and it is hoped she delivers to the best of her political and administrative abilities in due course.Her speeches in the Legislature and commitment to the peace and devolopment agenda manifests her passion and direction she wants the Govt. to move in.The State deserves special attention and support from the PM and his team and also from the political spectrum of all the parties.
To defeat the enemies of people, the civil society has to once again rise to the occasion and defend the peace process and development agenda with a caveat that the Government must ensure that the fruits of development reach out to every deserving citizen. The elections and the subsequent formation of PDP-BJP coalition Government has thrown up very limited choice. People have to accept it and make it deliver.As a political pundit I wish to convey to my fellow Kashmiris that Modi as PM has still good time in power and he can address the Kashmiri aspirations, at least keep the window open. The State and the country are worried and concerned about the current political, economic and security affairs of the State.I strongly feel as more time passess, the trust between the two major partners PDP and BJP is bound to reach a positivism. The PDP has colossal burden to further strengthen it. If the coalition fails mid stream,which is being attempted by the enemies of JK State that would be the dark day for democracy and betrayal of people”s votes.
There may have been teething problems both political and ideological between PDP and BJP and with the Central Government for quite some time in the past but in the changed context those must be sorted out from time to time by rising above party interests by both Parties.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has time and again flagged the promises of hope, peace, co-existence and a massive economic development .While people are anxiously waiting for economic welfare of the people, eyes are also set on the PM Modi to act as a tall leader of the Country for promoting peace process through meaningful dialogue with all the stakeholders and financial aid to the State. It is expected that PM Modi will recall his assurance reiterated in his speech during the campaigning of Election of 2014 that “He will talk to every section including the Kashmiri Pandits within the ambit of Insaniyat, Kashmiriyat and Jamhooriyat”.
The most important issue to timely deal with is ;-Issue of exiled” Kashmiri Pandits”.The current phase of their exile is leading towards the most calamitous misfortune.They are longing to return to their Home-Land. This illustrious community is disintegrating fast and the rootlessness is colossally traumatizing. It is now or never syndrome.There has to be a concrete plan and decision to facilitate their secured,dignified return and rehabilitation.Without the physical presence of Pandits in the Valley, Kashmir is incomplete as a civilization and a society..
The intra-regional cohesion is in jeopardy and balance of power and resources within the three regions of the State have questionable imbalances;That needs to be set right by Ms Mehbooba.
The gulf between Srinagar,Jammu & Ladhak and Delhi needs to be bridged..Jammu Ladakh & Kashmir Valley are on different orbits rather than part of the same State.The political uncertainty in the State has become part of grand militant strategy.The political leadership has to take a call that State does not slip back into the olden abyss. Therefore the leadership in Delhi and Srinagar has to be on the same page to work together with focus on the affairs of the State rather than their own predispositions.
(The author is senior advocate, Supreme Court of India, a political analyst & Chairman , Kashmir Policy & Strategy Group)
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