Dr. Sudershan Kumar
On 26th May 2018, 4 years of Modi Government were completed. These 4 years witnessed new achievements and success stories including revamping of India’s global image but Kashmir problem still remains as the bone of contention and a herculean task to accomplish. Government’s flip flop policy in tackling the Jammu and Kashmir problem has been unable to yield much dividends. So it can rightly be said that the Government at the centre is still groping in dark with a torch in hand to find a shinning spot, which could bring peace in Kashmir valley. With BJP Government’s ascendance to power, the scenario in Kashmir region certainly did change. At one end, the centre although took some stern decisions coupled with some developmental plans in an attempt to bring back normalcy in state whereas on the contrary, its coalition partner in the state Government adopted a soft paddled approach towards riot mongers, stone pelters, terrorists, over ground workers and anti national elements,which nullified the effect. This contradictory approach adopted by centre and State Governments in quelling unrest in Kashmir valley further pushed it into chaos rather than approaching anywhere near to solution. The operation all out launched by armed forces in flushing out militants from the valley had started giving dividends. In the year 2017 itself security forces triumphantly eliminated around 218 militants including their top commanders. The backbone of militancy was almost broken, but the sudden decision by State Government regarding the release of 11000 stone pelters neutralized that effect. This action of State Government further emboldened youths to pelt stones not only to cause deterrence in combing operations but they also started attacking on army convoys and patrol parties etc. Furthermore, filing of FIR against the service officer whose team had fired in self defence while protecting the human life and state property further vitiated the environment. It is heartening to note that even the political parties, their leaders and spoke persons also left no stone unturned by giving contradictory statements unmindful of national security and sovereignty of country. Their audacious criticism against the armed forces for their valiant actions or portrayal of stone pelters and terrorists as innocent youths is condemnable.Their advocation for dialogue with rogue nation Pakistan is a reflection of appeasement policy, whereas the global image of Pakistan is already disreputable. Being a safe haven for terrorist organisations Pakistan is actually inciting innocent Kashmiris facilitated through social media and pushing of lot of funds through hawala and various other means to keep the pot boiling to attract international attention. Moreover, it is even deplorable that even some TV channels are seen criticizing the valiant action of our armed forces and also echoing anti India sentiments influenced by their vested interests.
Furthermore, the gimmicks of internal contradictions were at last understood at certain quarters of power corridor in Delhi. The marriage of convenience solemnized in Jammu and Kashmir between North pole and South pole three years back ultimately ended with divorce on 19th June 2018. This paved the way for imposition of Governor rule, which was subsequently imposed on 20th June,2018. Needless to mention here that Jammu and Kashmir issue is a legacy of partition between two nations of India and Pakistan, which happened on 15th August,1947. To comprehend the origin of this issue, one will have to turn the pages of seventy one year old history. One must also analyse, what went wrong and when, who were at the helm of affairs during this long period of seven decades both at centre and at State? Were decisions taken at times in the interest of nation’s security and sovereignty? Or they were only for the appeasement of a certain section of the society. As is well documented and acknowledged that the hundred years of Dogra rule right from Maharaja’s Gulab Singh to Maharaja Hari Singh was a period of social reforms, all out development, and educational growth. These Dogra rulers ruled the state with secular mindset and tried to build a cohesive and composite society. This whole period witnessed only one incident of a worst communal riot in the year 1931 under Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah’s Muslim league (Now National Conference).
Subsequent to India’s independence on 15th August,1947, nearly 563 princely states merged with India. Maharaja of Jammu & Kashmir State also signed an instrument of accession on 26th October,1947. Thus Jammu and Kashmir became an integral part of Indian Union. Parallelly Pakistan tried to annex Kashmir through invasion. It pushed thousands of tribal men, Pakistani army regulars and captured a large chunk of territory from the Maharaja’s forces. But by timely intervention, the Indian armed forces not only pushed them back but also recaptured Jammu and Kashmir’s territory from Pakistani invaders. The contingents and armed columns advanced from all directions enforcing Pak. Army to retreat. The premature announcement of cease fire and its acceptance by then rulers of India especially when Indian forces were advancing with complete dominance sowed the seeds of Kashmir conflict. Because by that time Indian army had retrieved only 2/3 of territory of erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state from the clutches of Pakistan, where as remaining 1/3 was still illegally occupied by Pakistan.This unholy bisection provided an opportunity to Pakistan to stake its claim for an already settled issue. This problem was further compounded when Indian rulers took this issue to United Nations. As a result Jammu and Kashmir dwelled and prevailed as a badly handled land mass with appeasement to Kashmir region and betrayal with Jammu and Ladakh regions respectively further fuelling the already existing intricacies. Even though these two regions constitute nearly 44% state population and occupy nearly 60 to 70 percent of area, this prejudice with Jammu and Ladakh region started immediately after Independence and is still going on irrespective of any party or Govt. at Centre and also in Jammu and Kashmir state. Furthermore, after cease fire, J&K State faced new challenges both from external aggression and internal turmoil. Notable among these were the occupation of Shasksgam valley, a long chunk of inhabitant area and Aksai-chin by China after brief Sino India war in 1962. Pakistan also launched operation Gibraltar by pushing 30,000 infiltrators in Kashmir valley, and full fledged attack at Chhamb sector to capture Akhnoor in Jammu province on 1st Sept.1965. But yet again regrettably when India was in a very commanding position, cease fire was forced upon at the behest of United nations on 23rd Sept.1965, following Tashkent agreement on 10 January 1966. As per the agreement, Indian armed forces returned the captured areas including strategically important Haji Pir pass to Pakistan.
Reasons for return were not known. Further, the 1971 war saw a new dimension with liberation of east Pakistan as a new nation named Bangladesh and confiscation of 90,000 Pakistani soldiers as prisoners of war (POW) and with 5139 Sq Km Pakistani territory being seized. This was superseded by Shimla agreement in 1972 and Indira Sheikh accord in 1975. Besides in 1999 Pak. Army violated an unwritten agreement and occupied the forward posts deep 5to 6Kms inside the Indian territory. This misadventure of Pak.army and ISI back fired .Pakistan again suffered a crushing and humiliating defeat at the hands of Indian army.
Leaving aside these external aggression, the people of all the three regions also had at times raised voices of internal discontent on numerous issues pertaining to their regions. . Prominent among them were Praja Parishad’s civil disobedience in Jammu province in the year 1952, mass unrest in kashmir valley due to missing of holy relic in Hazratbal shrine on 27th Dec.1963, rising of separatist movement and Islamism in Kashmir valley internal discontentment among the muslim youths and their affiliation with JKLF, Muslim league and rising of insurgency among the Kashmiri youths, their losing faith in democratic elections etc. especially after 1987assembly elections. This situation was fully exploited by Pakistani army, ISI to their advantage They started sending Afghan Mujahideens and other foreign missionaries to instigate unrest in Kashmir valley. They also established large training camps for providing training to disgruntled Kashmiri youths to fight against Indian armed forces. Besides, valley also witnessed the period of fundamentalism, radicalization and fanaticism expedited by the excessive use of internet,word app,sermons by clerics at the behest of Pakistan. Besides stone pelting became a routine affair going on for the last three decades on the name of azaadi. Further in Kashmir valley, various political, religious organisations came under one umbrella and formed the All Party Hurriyat conference(APHC) with sole agenda of separatism. This was also exploited by Pakistan to lit the fire of unrest in Kashmir valley. Their actions created complete anarchy in state. As a result, in early nineties nearly 1.7 lakh Kashmiri Pandits were driven out from their homes in Kashmir valley.But no body raised any voice against this exodus. The proxy war initiated by Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir state is still going on. This all happened under the noose of various governments at centre and in state. Every body tried to buy peace at any cost rather than evolving national policy for establishing permanent peace in Kashmir valley.Their seems to be no consistency in handling ground situation in valley.Each stake holder has its own perception about the precarious situation in valley. Every body is exploiting the sentiments of innocent masses for its own benefits. The militancy in valley has also adversely effected the other two regions viz Jammu province and Ladakh. Moreover successive governments in state have always shown discrimination in terms of allocation of funds,setting of infrastructure and recruitment of youths from Jammu and Ladakh regions in government departments.More over certain vested interests are also trying to alter the demography of Jammu region by establishing unplanned colonies around the periphery. As a result, existing infrastructure can no longer bear the additional load and has crumbled. All this is falling on deaf ears. Most of the political leaders are busy in mudslinging against each other for the sake votes without gauging the gravity of the problem. .
The author is of the view that it is high time that the government of India adopts a consistent national policy on Jammu and Kashmir considering the aspirations all communities of three regions.First and fore most the regional discrimination which is going on for the last seven decades has to be stopped by forming the three regional councils with clear mandate. Secondly, a multi pronged approach to tackle radicalization and militancy in Kashmir valley is needed.Thirdly, an effective innovative and technological strategy is essential to counter Pak’s nefarious designs. Fourth and most importantly, India must show its spine to Pak.army generals in dealing with cross border terrorism so that its impact is felt within the valley and other parts of the country.
(The author is former Director General & special Secretary DRDO, MoD GoI)
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