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| Anna's silence on Kashmir incidents angers Mehbooba | | Political Corruption | | Rustam
Jammu, Oct 8: PDP president and Leader of Opposition, Mehbooba Mufti, who, along with others in her party, has unleashed a relentless struggle aimed at cleansing the state of "political corruption", is quite unhappy these days. She is unhappy because the ruling coalition in general and NC in particular didn't allow her party in the assembly to discuss the circumstances leading to the death of a NC worker on September 30 and expose those indulging in what she calls "political corruption". She is also not pleased with the New Delhi's attitude towards what has been happening in the state for days now. She has, in fact, accused New Delhi of making common cause with and shielding those who are allegedly involved in a "criminal conspiracy" leading to the death of the NC worker, as also involved in "political corruption". She has directly accused the Chief Minister and his father of indulging in "criminal activities" and "political corruption" and asserted that they are on a looting spree.
Significantly, she is also not happy with social activist Anna Hazare, who has unleashed a crusade against corruption and asked the Indian electorate not to vote for the Congress party because it has been opposing his Jan Lokpal Bill and shielding the corrupt. Her grouse with Anna Hazare is that he has not spoken a word on the "rot" in the state; on "corruption within the government and in the system"; and "corruption within the NC" as well as on the mysterious death of the NC worker. Anti-corruption campaigners like Anna Hazare and political leaders have turned a "blind eye to the rampant corruption and shocking political crimes in Kashmir," she has said, and added that "this apathy towards the state is the tragedy of Kashmiris".
"The apathy of Hazare or other activists or the political leaders in India towards developments (in the state) is the tragedy of Kashmiris. If an incident like the death of Yousuf happened in some other states, they would have shouted from the rooftops…If this is the approach, I am afraid those who indulge in undemocratic acts and corruption in Kashmir (read state) will have a field day."
Mehbooba Mufti does make a point when she takes on Anna Hazare and other activists and bemoans that they have left the people of the state to the care of god or anarchy. Where are other activists like Gautam Navlakha, Arundhati Roy, Prashant Bhushan, Barbara Rao and others of their ilk? Where are the human rights organizations like the PUCL? Where are they? Mehbooba Mufti's displeasure needs to be viewed in this context, notwithstanding the fact that the track record of the PDP is also not inspiring. There were various allegations against the PDP and the Congress ministers when the PDP ruled the state between November 2002 and November 2005 and people know everything. The then Finance Minister, who belonged to the PDP, had faced serious charges of corruption and he was then described by a section of political class an "epitome of corruption".
However, to say all this is not to undermine the pain and anxiety of Mehbooba and others who believe that the Chief Minister and his father and others have committed what she calls "political crimes". The issue is not whether the Chief Ministers and others are involved or not involved in undemocratic activities. It is for the commission of inquiry to bring out the truth and establish what led to the tragic death of the NC worker whose own credentials appear quite doubtful. The issue is one of perception and the perception is that something wrong has happened. Since this is the perception, people can point their fingers towards the Chief Minister and others. It's true that the Chief Minister and his father have explained their position but there are many, many questions which have remained unanswered. Besides reports are regularly emanating from Kashmir that the attempts are being made to "influence and intimidate the eye witnesses" and that telephones of certain persons are being "tapped".
It's natural that Mehbooba Mufti and others are demanding a "fair and impartial probe by the CBI" and not by the judicial commission because the judicial commission, if appointed, will have to depend upon the state police which is under the direct control of the Chief Minister and Minister of State for Home Affairs. The Chief Minister and others say that they have nothing to "hide". Fair enough. But it would be in the fitness of things if they "step aside" for a while, allow the CBI to conduct an investigation into the "murky" affair and present to the people a story of facts. Such an approach would in their interest as well as in the overall interest of the state.
Returning to Anna Hazare and others of his ilk they need to respond positively to the suggestion of Mehbooba Mufti. They should remember that Jammu and Kashmir is the second most corrupt state in India. Their indifferent attitude to this state does create doubts in the minds of the people about their intentions. Why are the likes of Annas so indifferent? People can ask such questions. They need to review their stand. Even otherwise, their intervention in the state at this critical juncture is a must considering the fact that New Delhi and the Delhi-based political class have never considered Jammu and Kashmir an integral part of India. Their intervention would surely help the nation bring Jammu and Kashmir closer to the national mainstream, whatever it is. |
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