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| Kashmir dispute: A new dimension | | | Col J P Singh, Retd | 11/14/2010 9:59:43 PM |
| Kashmir dispute is a problem of the past and legacy of the partition. It has its own dynamics which continues to steer this dispute because of the division of Kashmir itself. With interesting regularities, Kashmir dispute dances to the tune of violence; more interestingly it happens when we see the things getting better and better. Every now and then new problems and challenges manifest in some new trend / trouble and seek new solution. More often than not, a small intrigue becomes an explosive bomb just about to explode on the press of a wrong button. One sees one action being aggravated by a similar another one. Admittedly violence in the valley is led by an indigenous dynamic which presently is Azadi. Kashmir where disillusionment is an industry, does not allow anyone downtime; not even to the 3rd generation heir apparent. To my mind many golden opportunities have been allowed to fritter away.
Let’s look back to the day when young CM took the oath of office. He symbolized a ray of hope, a new pathway, an emotional reconnect with public, re-orientation of centre state equation and a great opportunity for heralding an era of peace and prosperity. How has every thing fallen to the way side so soon after an enthusiastic election process? This lost opportunity indicates that Kashmir dispute is as much a leadership issue as anything else. When we look outside and away from our state we find a glaring example of able leadership in late Y S R, popular Andhra CM, who handled volatile Telangna issue & Naxal menace single handedly by going into the masses. Another example is Beant Singh who eradicated secessionism from Punjab. Despite his dynastic legacy, Omar on the contrary failed to resolve any crisis at its infancy. Terrible and complex issues should agitate minds more on how to set about remedying them. Shamash-Ud-Din who replaced Bakshi Ghulam Mohd would have been equally bad but none else has been so ineffective under similar situations. It is therefore solidly clear that role of leadership is too crucial in the Kashmir dispute. Hence there is need to look for an able leader and it is now for the youths to do that. Army Chief reinforced the need by saying that normalcy available prior to the election was not encashed. Hence a golden opportunity was lost. Autonomy one day, self rule the next day and Azadi the 3rd day has disillusioned the people in India because Jammu and Ladakh have not been taken on board. Kashmir movement without the support of Jammu and Ladakh will be a futile exercise which the Kashmiri leaders must fully understand. Unless they are taken on board towards any solution, the state may even disintegrate.
Nothing much has been lost for ever as yet. Any one who looks at the evolution of Kashmir dispute over 63 years must accept that nothing extraordinary has been done to resolve it despite many golden opportunities offered by events in the region and sub continent. A glaring example is acceptance of ceasefire in 1948 without getting the occupied areas vacated when the invaders were on the run. If one looks carefully into the diplomatic swirls, a golden opportunity was lost after 1971 decisive victory over Pakistan. India returned 5000 sq kms of captured territory and 97,000 Prisoners of War without settling Kashmir issue. We are entering such defining moment again after President Obama’s state visit. Pakistan put pressure on America to meditate on Kashmir dispute which Obama has candidly declined. Addressing Indian Parliament he said that America cannot enforce any agreement but will like the dispute be resolved amicably by the two which will be in their own interest and in the interest of world peace. Our Prime Minister’s sincere commitment towards resolving this issue bilaterally has been appreciated by Obama in the joint press conference. Hence the window of opportunity has been thrown open by the statements of President Obama. Pakistan has to take a call on his advice. Need for a stable Pakistan is important to US to disengage from Afghanistan. Hence American pressure on Pakistan to work amicably with India is inevitable which offers us another opportunity. Urgency of settlement of Kashmir issue, therefore, is more compelling on both sides than before. Assertions of two world leaders that India has already emerged as a great economic power and both are global partner to face global challenges together including terrorism is a new message to Pakistan. So far as Kashmir is concerned the message is that a sustainable settlement to the vexed issue is in the offing which will be in keeping with the requirement of regional peace and stability and not Kashmir centric alone.
President Obama has come to India to avail of tremendous opportunities for his youths. Why should not the youth from Kashmir avail of these opportunities rather than misled by the anti India elements. Hence the changing world order offers another opportunity to the CM to reconnect with the masses and educate them about the bright future that India offers to the world in general and Kashmir in particular. To get best out of Indian growth story people of J&K have to be part of it. Providing corruption free, public friendly and transparent governance should be his objective. Security and AFSPA be left for security experts. Any risk taken in the public interest will add to his dynastic credentials and longevity like YSR. This regained opportunity should not be lost out. Rather than managing the crisis the effort should be to resolve the crisis at the nick of the time by personal indulgence. The effective leadership of Army Chief is a glaring example of making his authority felt and reinforcing integrity of his command.
The secular fabric that enriched Kashmiriat was torn to shreds by growing fundamentalism on the one side and lack of respect for human rights of the minorities on the other. The theocratic fanaticism that the Azadi Seekers are demanding; if not challenged, the Islamic fervor attached to it will surely turn Kashmir into another Afghanistan. Let me tell the youths that we do not want Afghanistan in our country and Obama does not need one more. Than why are we agitating? Unless we understand that we will get the story wrong if we keep discussing about street fights when the battles are elsewhere. There are leadership driven solutions to every dispute if there is a will. Singh-Obama leadership is best available option at the moment to settle Kashmir issue. A solution within in Indian Constitution assuring more political empowerment of the valley within Indian Union short of Azadi with similar autonomy to the other parts may be better than stalemate. It should be explored if nothing short of that is acceptable to the majority in the valley while Indian leadership settles Kashmir issue with the estranged neighbour.
( Author can be accessed at [email protected] )
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