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| Obama hits J&K more than local polls | | Geelani loves him, BJP hates him; academicians say he is ‘hope’ | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Nov 6: As media expansion brings global affairs to discussions in living rooms of modest urban homes and even in the countryside fields, the election of Barack Obama as 44th President of the United States of America has not only been keenly watched in Jammu and Kashmir but is also being actively debated particularly in context of Indo-US relations and Kashmir issue.
Separatists in Kashmir are elated over his election as has indicated willingness to mediate in the Kashmir issue –something always opposed by India. Parties like BJP have strongly reacted to his statements on Kashmir while academicians are guardedly optimistic about the due change of guard in US.
Separatist hardliner Syed Ali Shah Geelani has hoped that the Kashmir issue would become the center of attention on a priority basis after the transfer of power, and the anti-Muslim policy of the US would change under Obama regime. "Though I in no way agree with the US foreign policy, but the disciplined and peaceful manner in which the American public have elected Barak Obama in a historic verdict should be a lesson not only to the US but to the entire world because the people have displayed maturity and non-violence in this extra-ordinary election," Geelani said.
Geelani hoped that Obama would focus priority attention on the Kashmir issue, though he repeated that US policies had not been fair and had always been a cause of worry for Muslims because of its pronounced anti-Muslim overtones.
The BJP, however, described Obama’s reported stand on Kashmir as potentially dangerous. "Obama's statements on Kashmir, especially about sending a special envoy is a dangerous thing," senior BJP leader Prof Chaman Lal Gupta said.
"Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and this statement by Barack Obama is fraught with serious consequences," he said. He blamed the Congress party's "weak foreign policy and soft stance on terrorism" for such statements.
Academicians, however, have a different perspective to look at Obama’s election. “Indians should celebrate change in the political structure of the US. Obama’s presidency begins a new chapter in America’s political history, a new chapter in America’s engagement with the world and a great opportunity for India to combat terrorism in its region,” says Prof. Kulwant Kour from Political science Department Jammu University.
It could be a mixed kind of proportion. On India-Pakistan issue, he would be favourable to India, citing his statement, “Pakistan’s biggest threat is not India but the terrorism inside its own territory.". He has been a supporter of Indo-US nuclear deal despite early reservations. “While on the economy front, he is not a supporter of outsourcing. So, it may result in lesser jobs for Indians in US companies” she further added.
“Presidents of America belonging to Democratic Party like Obama and before him Bill Clinton have had a very positive approach towards India”, says Ranjeet Kalra Associate Professor of Political Science at Jammu of University. “With Obama’s election as 44th President of USA we are surely to witness a lot of changing in International relations specially because of the declared war on terrorism by America at the face of if it seems that Obama intentions visa-vis India are quite positive but there is also an impression that he at the moment is misinformed about Kashmir Issue”. Since Kashmir and Afghanistan cannot be clubbed together. India has always made it clear that Kashmir is a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan and same as also been inked 1972 in Shimla accord. “Nevertheless America’s super power status and its influence over Pakistan can be chaneelize to diminish the prevalent tensions in south Asian regions. After all it was America’ intervention that was instrumental in bringing an end to Kargil war also”, Ranjit added.
According to Prof. Keshav Sharma, Director Business School, it is too early to comment on his statements on Kashmir issue. “We must all be optimistic nevertheless not forget that Barack Obama has become the President of The United States of America at a very critical time when the US economy is facing a recession”, Keshav said and added, “no doubt Indo-US relations have improved at a rather encouraging pace but, as we all know and shall agree that there are know permanent friends or permanent enemies in diplomacy but permanent interests”.
Barack Obama has hit a raw nerve in India by suggesting the United States should try to help resolve the Kashmir dispute so that Pakistan can focus on hunting down Islamist militants on its north-western frontier — who in turn threaten stability in Afghanistan — rather than worrying about tensions with India on its eastern border. “India is extremely sensitive to any suggestion of outside interference in Kashmir, which it sees as a bilateral dispute, though Pakistan itself has long chafed against this positions”, says Prof Naresh Padha, Head Department of Computer Sciences at Jammu University. |
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