O.P.Modi
Jammu & Kashmir is the only state, in our country, that comprises of three regions; each having completely different language, different culture as well as different religious majority. Despite this people of this state live peacefully with amity and regard for each other. Recent elections are a proof of that statement. After protracted and difficult negotiations the state now has a Government that represents all the three regions.
With BJP and PDP, setting aside their differences over Article 370, AFSPA and West Pakistan refugees, a stable Government in Jammu & Kashmir is now in place. While Armed Forces Special Powers Act remains in force, the Jammu & Kashmir state Disturbed areas Act of 1997 has lapsed and is not effective excepting in some notified areas. Army has described revocation of AFSPA as premature. It has said that “it is an enabling legislation that empowers its troops to conduct counter terrorists operations effectively in the strife torn state.”
While the AFSPA might take some time to go, for the present Government the first task should be to abrogate the traditional mindset, namely, “Kashmir versus Jammu or Jammu versus Kashmir”. This should not be difficult with Mufti Mohamed Sayeed as Chief Minister, and Dr. Nirmal Singh as Deputy Chief Minister. After nine years Mufti has once again taken over as Chief Minister of the State. He is India’s former Home Minister too. He is a mature person, an experienced politician, and a versatile statesman. Dr. Nirmal Singh is known for his long service to the people of Jammu and is the right choice for the post of Deputy Chief Minister. He is PhD. and was engaged as a Professor of history in Jammu University. From day one he has been an active and trusted member of the BJP. Mufti has described coming together of PDP and BJP as a historic opportunity for Regional Integration. In an interview he said it was not a dilemma on the other hand it was an opportunity for him. He was interacting with Sagarika Ghose, a media person. Mufti as head of the new Government has tried to strike a balance between the two regions. He further said that people of Jammu have given a mandate (to BJP); they have a right to participate. “There is a sense of patriotism in Jammu which I applaud”, he added. Most importantly he reminded “We have never wanted Jinah’s ”Two Nations theory in Kashmir.” In 1948 Mohammed Ali Jinah returned empty handed from Srinagar. Friendship between Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister and Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah is well known. It is the common ideological background of the leaders that has kept J&K cemented with rest of the country.
All these factors contribute to people of Jammu & Kashmir having great expectation from the new Government led by Mufti Mohd. Sayeed and Dr. Nirmal Singh.
One of the best means to achieve regional integration shall be to create an atmosphere conducive to rehabilitation of over 60 thousand Kashmiri Pundit families in the Valley.
It has to be done as early as possible. They must be settled back in the Valley with love and due respect. Their properties should be restored. For this the State Government has sent to the Centre a proposal asking for an amount of Rs.5820 crore. As and when the funds are made available the State Government should vigorously begin the process of settling them in the Valley. When this is done the people of all three regions shall feel satisfied.
As it will show how well the new Government can handle difficult pending issues. Pundits had to migrate in a great hurry and distress, leaving not only their homes and other assets but even their household goods. It was an unprecedented tragedy that took place in the Valley.
Another ticklish problem is that of granting citizenship rights to the West Pakistan refugees. Central Government, reportedly, is not averse to it. However, it seems that the State Government has reservation over it. This problem may take time to resolve. Patience and restraint is needed. It is a humanitarian issue and it needs to be handled accordingly.
Regional Integration also requires equitable disbursement of funds for all the three regions. It is well known that on its own the State Government cannot meet the huge demand of funds for badly needed projects that are in hand or are on the drawing board.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that Jammu & Kashmir shall be made a model state of the country. Obviously, that will need adequate financial assistance from the Centre.
A model state would be the one where 24 hours supply of electricity is assured to every home; it may be hydro electric, solar energy or the one which is generated by installing wind mills. A model state should provide free education to every child as their fundamental-right, as also where easily approachable schools and colleges are established. Where, irrespective of caste, creed or religion, everyone is treated on equal footing and there is no discrimination. Where clean and pure water is made available to all homes. Where the dignity of women is upheld and they are treated as equal to men. It is well known that there exists a reprehensible practice of destroying female fetus which needs to be curbed. Those who indulge in it should be awarded exemplary punishment.
In a model state medical assistance has to be free and is easily available. Well equipped hospitals are set up in every village and town. All cities are provided AIIMS like institutes and number of Supper speciality Hospitals.
To promote regional integration, towns and villages of all regions should be connected by road or rail and wherever possible by air; so that people may be able to travel freely and thereby promote mutual relations, trade and other commercial activities across the model state. This would also encourage people of the three regains to learn each other’s language.
Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu has earmarked in the Budget proposals for 2015-16 an outlay of Rs. 2 crores for updating survey for laying rail lines between Baramulla and Kupwara. 50 crores shall be the total cost of the survey project. More funds have been earmarked for surveying railway lines from Jammu to Rajouri to Poonch and from Jammu to Bhadarwah Doda and Kishtwar. Rs.56.2 crores have been reserved for surveying rail links to Leh via Himachal Pradesh and another via Srinagar.
These ambitious projects are expected to connect all the three regions one day thereby completing the regional integration in a big way.
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