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| Separatism sells in contemporary Kashmir | | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Apr 25: Pro-accession and anti-accession political parties have to pursue a separatist agenda in Kashmir necessarily for their survival. During past one decade staunch separatist have fallen from grace for their proximity with New Delhi.
And on the contrary, pro-Indian parties have gained ground by chanting separatist mantra. This is what renowned columnist aptly calls stark reality of Jammu Kashmir.
Mufti Mohammad Sayeed could not even win a municipal election in Kashmir. It was Dr Farooq Abdullah who facilitated his berth in the Raj Sabha in mid 80s. However, in 2002 Mufti and his party emerged as a strong force in Kashmir. The party formed the government with Congress support. What made the Muftis a force to reckon with?
Immediately after forming the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mehbooba Mufti assumed the role of `Rudhali of Kashmir’. She would go to far flung and remote areas to mourn the death of militants killed with encounters with the army. The PDP entered into an understanding with some separatist organizations and managed the win seats by their tacit support especially in South Kashmir. But after occupying the seat of power, the PDP had to play to New Delhi’s tune.
The top brass of Hizbul Mujahideen was wiped out during PDP regime. But, the authors of healing touch policy, which slowly became the party’s philosophy, did not abandon the practice of shedding tears on the demise of militants. The PDP came out with Self Rule proposal and sought active engagement of militants in any parleys concerning the future of Kashmir. At one of point of time, the PDP became a staunch separatist organization and almost pursued Hurriyat agenda.
Even the National Conference changed its strategy. For six decades, Sheikh Nazir, who was an active member of the Plebiscite Front, was ignored. But last year, the leadership suddenly made him the party’s poster boy. He was chosen to kick off party’s membership campaign. Sheikh Nazir boarded an Indian plane for the first time last month to get treatment in a New Delhi hospital.
He has never applied for a passport and does not consider himself an Indian. The largest party in the state felt the need to field him last year to present a separatist face of the organization. The National Conference has gone to the extent of seeking resolution of the dispute.
Now former Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed expressing concern over `alarming increase in human rights violations’. He even seeks a solution to the vexed Jammu Kashmir problem to remain in good books of the people who have been nurturing and pursuing separatism for the past six decades.
On the other hand some separatists fell from grace for diluting their stand. Some of them contested elections and vanished from the political spectrum of the state. A senior and most respected separatist was shot at for welcoming New Delhi’s offer of secret talks.
Syed Ali Shah Geelani has his hands on the pulse of Kashmiris now. The Bar president, Mian Abdul Qayoom’s recent statement in the high court has made him the darling of Islamabad and the people in general. Asiya Andrabi too has become important for her stand. It is separatism that sells in contemporary Kashmir
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