Kashmir now needs a healing touch
The revocation of Articles 370 and 35 A, though long overdue, is now a reality, but has the process to do so been pragmatic, correctly timed and successful, only time will tell. Could the decision have been delayed by six months, letting the winter set in
A hundred days ago, on August 5, 2019, the Union government astounded the nation and the world with its “momentous” decision to revoke Articles 370 and 35A of the Indian Constitution from the strategic state of Jammu & Kashmir, reconfiguring it into two union territories. Several measures bordering on the punitive, including suspension of the internet, mobile and landline telephone communications, invoking Section 144 and, regrettably, placing three former chief ministers and other local political leaders under house arrest, were undertaken on grounds of security.
The outcome within the otherwise restive state of J&K, according to official media, appeared to be rather muted, barring a few incidents of stone-throwing and less than marginal terrorist activities within Kashmir.
Gradually, a few security restrictions have been reduced but, overall, the Valley remains in a clampdown. Security arrangements have ensured a deceptive calm and certainly not normalcy as desired. Educational and commercial activities, despite government encouragement, remain well below existing levels, with ordinary people confining themselves to their homes.
That people in the Jammu region and, even more, in Ladakh (except the Muslim dominated Kargil belt) were joyous was no surprise, owing to the psychological divisions which have unfortunately existed in these three regions since J&K state legally acceded to the Union of India on October 26, 1947.
Since August 5, that Pakistan, the traditional trouble-creator in the state, is leaving no stone unturned to stir the pot, especially in Kashmir, cannot be denied. Though affairs in J&K are an internal issue of India since the state’s tumultuous accession, yet the shadows of the UN resolutions on J&K, the 1972 Simla and the 1999 Lahore agreements loom large on India Pakistan relations and the Kashmir conundrum.
Pakistan’s illegal occupation of GilgitBaltistan (GB) and the area called Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK), its gifting of 5180 sq kms of this state’s territory to China in the Shaksgam Valley since November 1963 and China’s adverse occupation of 38000 sq km territory in the adjoining Aksai Chin region since November 1962, makes the India-Pakistan relationship fraught with distrust and perennial strife. That India and Pakistan have fought four wars, primarily over Kashmir (1947-48, 1965,1971 and 1999) should not surprise anyone. That Kashmir, though an integral part of India, remains emotionally not fully integrated with India, is a cause of worry and introspection.
The revocation of Articles 370 and 35 A, though long overdue, is now a reality, but has the process to do so been pragmatic, correctly timed and successful, only time will tell. Could the decision have been delayed by six months, letting the winter set in, and some psychological preparation, including consultations with local Kashmiri leadership, been subtly undertaken?
How does India bring back total normalcy to the troubled Valley is the moot question which needs being addressed with seriousness and alacrity by the government. Though some toe the government line of ‘wait and watch’ and easing of security restrictions in a graduated manner, yet the Indian state must realize that India has, in recent months, been subjected to an adverse international press. Forget most western nations or China, for its own geopolitical ambitions, even our strategic partner, the USA, has been pontificating about human rights and lofty values in our dealings with our Kashmiri people.
It is time for the Narendra Modi government to now face and deal head-on with the consequences of its decision. Whatever the final fall-out, India is strong, resilient and compassionate enough to weather all the spinoffs, adverse or otherwise. J&K remains one of the most strategic and significant parts of our vast nation.
First, in my opinion, the government must shepherd a genuine healing touch in the Valley. Thus, lift all security restrictions, bringing them at par with the parameters that existed before August 5, 2019. Second, the counter-insurgency grid and vigil on the border should be further strengthened to deter any Pakistani mischief. Modi must go to the state, meet
various sections of the Kashmiri society, announce a generous economic package and ensure its speedy implementation on the ground. If private industry is not currently forthcoming, for whatever reason, the government can immediately sanction the setting up modern public sector undertakings in the state. Third, recruitment into central security organizations from J&K should be increasingly encouraged - already the demand from local youth is overwhelming, which augurs well for the state and nation. Finally, the Centre must allocate additional vacancies and scholarships to students from J&K into various universities across the country and these students must be cared for and not treated as outsiders.
Additionally, India has to win the perception-management battle vis-à-vis a wily Pakistan. Kashmiri citizens have to be reminded that their age-old Sufism and Kashmiriyat orientation is far closer to the secular ideals of the Indian state than that practised by a fundamentalist Pakistan. Muslim clergymen from the hinterland must go across to the madrassas in the Valley and educate/ caution Kashmiri youth who are unfortunately getting radicalized by concerted Wahabi propaganda in the Valley.
Most importantly, it is time that political activities within J&K must be given a fillip, as earlier. Barring hardcore separatists, known trouble-makers and Pakistani agents, leaders like Farooq Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah along with other legislators must be released immediately from house arrest or whatever.
Personally, I feel that imprisoning these former chief ministers was a mistake, as these three, in particular, were nowhere being anti-national. With the government planning elections to the J&K union territory assembly sometime soon, it is imperative for a genuine electoral process to re-commence in J&K and the presence of the erstwhile political leadership is sine qua non. With Articles 370 and 35 A having been revoked, it is time now for the Indian state to embrace with warmth the Kashmiri people before they are overwhelmed with Pakistan’s evil propagandas. To me, Kashmir is not only the symbol of India’s noble secularism but its guarantor. A few genuine and compassionate steps now will speedily wash away any grievances which the Kashmiri people may have and emotionally integrate them fully with their mother nation.