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| The hidden agendas of powerful lobbies in Kashmir | | | Karan Bandesha | 10/24/2011 11:16:04 PM |
| The value that Kashmir enjoys is a derivative
of its strategic location in South Asia as a meeting point of what is emerging as one of the most dynamic part of the world strategically, politically and economically. Pakistan, for instance, looks at Kashmir covetously so as to gain strategic depth as well as access to river water resources. China wishes to use part of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) to gain access to the resource rich Central Asian Republics and deny a similar access to India. It has also furthered its economic agenda by gaining access to the Indian Ocean at Gawadar port in Balochistan through POK. The US looks at Kashmir as an important link in its grand design for the Central Asian and South Asian regions. China and India are both emerging world powers with ambivalent relations with the US. Pakistan and Afghanistan together form a hotbed for propagating terrorism most of which is directed towards the US. For the US, an independent land locked Kashmir would be a suitable region where it can put its money power to good use to gain a much needed operating base and a foothold in the region. All actors are employing different methods to gain control over Kashmir. Pakistan sponsor's terrorism and separatist movements through paid stooges in the Kashmiri polity who advocate Kashmir's integration with Pakistan. China is using Pakistan as a tool to gain ingress and strengthen its presence in POK much to the distress of the beleaguered people of the region. Every now and then the US purports an interest in Kashmir by expressing concern over alleged human rights violations over there and simultaneously hinting at an independent status for the region.
All these actors, unrelated to Kashmir yet harbouring vested interests in its future, do not hesitate in exploiting the situation while having no love lost for the people or interest in their well being. While Pakistan alone is engaged in an evil attempt to gain control over Kashmir through terrorist sponsored violence the rest of the players are utilising soft options to further their agendas. These inimical intentions can be countered only by a unified front and sensitive handling. Sadly, the political leadership in the state has been found wanting on this front. The emphasis is more on personality driven political agendas rather than looking at the larger picture. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, plagued with low political ratings, is all set to force the issue of diluting the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in the misplaced belief that this magic wand will resurrect his waning popularity. He has taken the battle to the media without taking the Union Ministry of Defence on board. This will serve no purpose other than creating fissures in the otherwise smooth functioning of the Unified Command of which he is the chairman. The proposed areas where the act may be repealed have been speculated upon by the media and have already been rejected by the PDP. This should serve as an indicator to Omar that the flak he is drawing from the opposition will only increase with this action of his. Experts and intellectuals have been consistent in their views that AFSPA should go eventually but this is not the time for such precipitate action. The situation needs to stabilise further before such a step can be deemed to be appropriate. The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has, recently, exhibited an inclination to bring out such skeletons from the closets which specifically target the security forces. Two such instances are reopening cases of unmarked graves and the alleged mass rape said to have taken place in Kunan Poshpora village in Kupwara district some twenty years back on the intervening night of February 23 and 24, 1991. Undoubtedly, such instances haunt the collective Kashmir psyche and also that of the nation, yet, reopening them is unlikely to reap any tangible benefits. Not much can be expected to emerge from special investigations mainly due to the long time span that has elapsed since the violations are alleged to have been committed. The predominant fallout will be heartburn for the Kashmiri people and creation of avoidable friction in society. Some of the alleged rape victims would be married and would have grown up children; an investigation of this nature will devastate their lives. Kashmir's strategic significance, its inherent God gifted beauty and unique natural endowment is also its bane. It is incumbent for the India and the people of Kashmir to understand the challenges, the hidden agendas of powerful lobbies, and stay ever vigilant to counter the same. Kashmir's culture, economy, integration and most of all security remains under constant threat. Under no circumstances can the level of security in Kashmir be lowered; under no circumstances can divisive political voices be allowed to gain centre stage. One wrong move can jeopardise the fragile political and security structure and have devastating consequences. The well-being of Kashmir and Kashmiris lies within the Indian Union. The security of Kashmir can be guaranteed only by the Indian Army, the Indian Para-military forces, the JK Police and the people of the region. This fact has been established unequivocally over a sustained period of time. Nothing should be done which upsets this structure. No doubt, every now and then individual egos and petty political gains dictate acts contrary to Kashmir's interest, such aberrations have to be identified and nipped in the bud. All those hinting at changing the security paradigm should sit up and take note. J&K needs honest and unified effort to come out of the trauma and turmoil that it has faced in the last two decades, instability created by political opportunism cannot be to the benefit of the people |
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