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| KASHMIR PROBLEM:STONES IN THE HANDS OF WOMEN | | (KASHMIR MISSION: TO WIN HEARTS AND MINDS OF WOMEN) | | By Col J P Singh, Retd | 8/11/2010 10:53:44 PM |
| A lot has been said, written & spoken about the Kashmir issue lamentably by some Kashmiri, vast Pakistani and a trifle Indian media. The transcripts have assumed the style of a running commentary of a tri series test match between India, Pakistan and Kashmir. Every effort is made by these commentators to project prolonged flouting of rules by the powers that be Indian. They justify anger and stone pelting and condemn the actions of security forces. Unfortunately some politicians too have become commentators and are doing the same inside and outside the Parliament. In addition we hear the debates on Kashmir and Kalmadi daily on prime time TV channels. One hears more of the past unfulfilled promises and betrayals than Article 370, appeasement, trust, development and the future. It is indeed an irony of fate that for most of the commentators, Kashmir has become a game of intrigues, political maneuvering and wild goose chase. Such venomous chess moves make the issue sensational and stand as stumbling block in the restoration of normalcy. To justify debating, writing or suggesting anything on Kashmir, for that matter on any subject of public interest; the interested personalities would know it better, that a review of its geographical, historical, cultural and ethnic perspective is very essential for correct representation of Kashmir tangle. These factors called ground realities or faulty assessment of ground realities should be an overriding factor on any debate on Kashmir including inside or outside the Parliament.
On 5th August, Home Ministers told Rajya Sabha that mission of the Govt is to win the hearts and the minds of the people of Kashmir. This is a welcome statement. To light a torch in the dark tunnel and to show the way to those who have either lost the track or shut their eyes is the need of the hour. He also reiterated that Kashmir problem was ‘unique’ and required ‘unique solutions’. Dr Karan Singh too has issued an appeal through Rajya Sabha debate to end the Kashmir stalemate. A respected senior leader, diplomat and intellectual par excellence has urged the powers in Delhi to initiate a serious dialogue for reconciliation with all those who matter in J&K. He also said, “the current turmoil throws a series of political questions with regards to the actual position of J&K in India as well as separate aspirations of people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.” Other assertions of these political stalwarts send a signal that this govt is seized of the mosaic of J&K, understands the problem and is serious about a workable solution to the satisfaction of one and all.
Home Minister has appealed separatist leaders and Mr Geelani in particular for a dialogue to find a solution for lasting peace and normalcy. Geelani has rejected the offer out rightly on the grounds that unless Kashmir is accepted as disputed territory and the armed forces are withdrawn, he will not talk. Offer of dialogue has also been rejected by other faction of Hurriyat and PDP. They want to rule J&K as personal fiefdom but cannot tolerate any one else ruling the state and hence don’t accept dialogue and multi party democracy. Hence continuation of agitation to the PDP means fall of Omar Govt and holding of fresh election under the Governor rule. Hurriyat considers Kashmir as disputed territory. Intelligentia has to constantly remind Geelani Sahib and the ilk of the historical reality of Kashmir which he seem to have forgotten, as a result of advancing age and growing frustration despite knowing it better than any one else,.
Kashmir; as many of us know and believe to be true was part of Indian empire under emperor Kanishka, Ashoka and Mughals. During decline of Mughals the valley of Kashmir became part of Sikh empire of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and remained under his rule till March 1846 when the British handed over the rule of the Kashmir valley along with adjoining areas to Maharaja Gulab Singh, then ruler of Jammu state. After the partition Maharaja Hari Singh, great grand son of Maharaja Gulab Singh acceded this princely state of Jammu & Kashmir to the Indian Union under the document of accession signed between him & the govt of India on 26 October 1947. Sheikh Mohd Abdullah, most popular Kashmiri leader, accepted the accession on behalf of people of Kashmir and the same was ratified by duly elected state constituent assembly. Therefore J&K is one of the federal state of Indian union like any other princely state and hence an integral part of India. Where is the dispute or for that matter scope of disputing its accession and calling it disputed. Jinnah was party to the agreement that with the lapse of British paramountcy every Indian ruler had the right to join India or Pakistan or be independent the way he wished to and his decision was to be legitimate and final. How can any Indian or for that matter any foreigner can raise the boggie of dispute.
For decades Pakistan has been criticising accession of Kashmir and exciting separatists and hard liners to raise the slogan of Azadi. Pak media calls it Indian held Kashmir. They call POK as Azad Kashmir; the crooked name given to its enslaved and militarily occupied portion of Indian territory. The inhabitants of POK are denied their democratic and fundamental rights. Pakistan gets lot of revenue from POK by way of taxes and natural resources while ignoring its poverty and development. Does India make any demand of revenue from Kashmir? Pot calling the kettle black need to be reminded that the fact that India does not make any revenue from Kashmir is because it is its integral part. Territory if annexed / held, in the past or at present, as is the case of Iraq / Afghanistan, is to generate revenues and to take away its natural resources. India does not do it from its integral states. So for as the slogan of Azadi is concerned they have been heard in the past from North East, South and within J&K. Ladakh and Jammu have raised slogans of Azadi from Kashmiri domination through worst of agitations in the past. Kashmiris have been raising slogans of Azadi on the drop of a hat. Such slogans do not threaten sovereignty of the nation. But the inclusion of women and violence in the agitation does make the problem unique. This is the first time that the women in large numbers have chucked stones at the security men and burnt govt vehicles and property. It is not the slogans of Azadi but these additional dimensions which make the problem / solution unique. Tamils sought Azadi in Sri Lanka through a violent agitation and ruined themselves. Baluch are demanding Azadi from Pakistan and face the wrath of their military might. India is a perspective super power. Such hiccups do not upset the applecart for India.
Kashmir rightly or wrongly is a bitter fallout of Indian partition on the basis of religion. The dispute if any is a creation of M A Jinnah in connivance with those who wanted to fragment India. The current unrest is manifestation of last ditch effort of such elements who cannot see Kashmir as part of India. It assumes importance because after failing to achieve its objective through military means Pakistan has now embarked upon a new strategy. It is a methodically planned strategy to undermine Indian state’s legitimacy in Kashmir. By whipping up the emotions of people to the tirade that justice has been denied to Kashmiris all along and hence they must agitate for Azadi; they are putting them on the path of self destruction The sinister objective of Pakistan is to colonise Kashmir after its independence, if that ever happens, as they did in Afghanistan through Tallibans. When Pakistan talks of Kashmir, the world knows that the rhetoric is to divert the attention of its masses from other pressing problems and unprecedented political instability. Geelani and other politicians also know it. The new strategy of ISI therefore is call of Azadi by Kashmiris by putting women and youths in the front line of violent agitation.
Delhi is keen to address the grievances and aspirations of Kashmiris, Ladakhis and Dogras. Sectarian problem, if any, is internal matter of India and a minor hiccup. Russia, China, Pakistan and many other countries have bigger sectarian uprisings than us. Under the circumstances the restoration of normalcy at the earliest and tough talk with all sections of society are natural course of action in the best interest of nation. The policy of appeasement adopted by various govts and political parties for Kashmiri Muslims is dangerous for the nation because it has created division and rift in three regions as well as among different sections of society. Policy of appeasement must be abandoned at the negotiating table because it has failed to win the hearts and minds of Kashmiris. The best solution may lie in withdrawing special treatment being given to Kashmir in terms of political and economic packages.
Historically Kashmir is a closed chapter. Any attempt, no matter how tentative, by any person or party to revive the subject of dispute violates Indian Constitution. Parliament is the custodian of constitution. Therefore a clear message must go from the Parliament for those who are vitiating peace in Kashmir that enough is enough. Should they not join in the efforts of reconciliation, as debated by Parliament, they must be taken to task under the law. Govt is alive to local irritants like human rights violations, unemployment, rampant corruption and psychological trauma of women. It is trying its best to solve these problems. It has been trying to ensure that security forces use maximum restraints while handling protests. Chinese, Americans, Russians and Pakistanis have no such precedence in which any of their jawan has been lynched publicly and culprits allowed to go scot free. This can’t be one way traffic. Those who are pelting stones including women are also expected to exercise restraint and be reasonable to the security forces and innocent masses; more importantly to their own future.
Fears which must be lurking the mind of Parliamentarians is participation of women in violent agitation and stray case of violence against Sikh Community. Longer and violent strife curbs freedom of innocent masses. Such strifes force migrations to peaceful places causing ideological cleansing. We have already had ethnic cleansing of Pundits. If Sikhs and moderate Muslim are forced out of Kashmir, alleged object of ISI of colonization / Tallibanisation of Kashmir will be achieved. This dimension also makes problem unique. J& K is integral part of India and will continue to remain so. Chief Minister did squander the opportunities of establishing a chord with public when the militancy was lowest after the election. Still he must be given time and opportunity to rule and minimize agony of women, youths and innocent masses. The centre and the State govts must continue to invite all interested parties to the negotiating table and find answer to various political questions suggested by Dr Karan Singh to the best interest of all regions and sections of society even if it means giving thora-thora to each one but not as appeasement.
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