Peaceful Kashmir

Bikash Choudhury

What is, or who is, standing on the way of a peaceful Kashmir? There is no easy answer to this question. Politicians and people from the valley are still scared to face such a question and precisely that is one of the stumbling blocks that prevent peace to return to the valley. Kashmir is called “heaven on earth” and our politicians and some separatist who break Pakistani bread at home are standing on the way to peace at heavenly valley. Kashmiri people have long realized their folly for supporting separatist group in 1980-90 apparently, as each Kashmiri family lost at least one member to the terrorist bullets. With the election of Omar Abdullah as Chief Minister of J&K; there was all round hope and an actual opportunity to offer a healing touch to the peace loving people of Kashmir valley. Opportunity was lost for ever. Timing is very important to resolve such complex issues. The undue delay in starting a credible political dialogue by the State and Central Govt. is the genesis of current impasse as separatist groups got a chance to arouse passion among the youth; who are suffering due to lack of development and poor job opportunities in the valley. After normalcy return, Omar Govt. would do well to impress upon central Govt. to announce J&K package to deal with the challenges of development in the Valley, Jammu and Ladakh regions in larger interest of India’s international image; as untoward events in J&K badly bruise global reputation of the country as an emerging global power. That is, just to cool the frayed nerves of separatist groups and their hanger-on’s; as they would consider that as their own victory, let it be that way. But, permanent and durable political solution of J&K lies in uninterrupted and sincere dialogue among cross section of people including those who are financed by Pakistani establishment with the State & Central Government to look for common grounds. At the same time, State and Central Govt. must start a parallel communication with emerging leaders from separatist groups & others to educate them about the current developments in Pakistan and perils for Kashmiri people in the company of Pakistani establishment. A country (Pakistan) that can’t govern itself properly; how can they come to the aid of Kashmiri people? Birth of Bangladesh & sufferings of Mohajirs inside Pakistan are live examples. Hurriyat conference and its leaders have sold themselves to Pakistani establishment in the greed for political power; as they are ignorant of Indian history and what happened to Mirzafar at the hands of British forces. However, talks must continue in spite of set backs if any; at least to preserve modicum of normalcy to attract tourist and engage young people in lucrative business at places of tourist interest in the Kashmir valley. It is quite unlikely that Hurriyat conference would agree to any permanent settlement without an active involvement and consent of Pakistan; on whose direction and assistance they have survived this long without popular support. At a convenient time Hurriyat conference can be dumped during the process of consultation; which could be long and tortuous. Pakistan can be sounded out at an appropriate time to stay off or else face the consequence. Pakistan currently fighting internal civil war can’t have the stomach to engage with India in its eastern borders. UPA Govt. must and should learn from the past mistakes of earlier Govt. and therefore, invest time & money to resolve the vexed problem of J&K in collaboration with its coalition Govt. in the state and accommodating genuine Kashmiri concerns and aspiration within Indian sovereignty ASAP. Longer we stretch more complicated it would become.