India’s Kashmir
By Poonam I Kaushish
The travails of picturesque Kashmir continue. Post the dastardly killing of security personnel in Kulgam and Kathua recently standing testimony to ongoing wave of fresh terrorist violence exacerbating, sending alarm bells ringing within India’s security establishment, comes the disquieting news Friday of the Centre expanding the Lt Governor (LG) powers. Indicating, that it wants to bring key powers under its own domain before impending State Assembly elections 30 September after a gap of six years as directed by Supreme Court. Thereby, raising apprehensions vis-à-vis powers of an elected Government.
Raising a moot point: Where is J&K headed? As the amendment has also put a question mark over Statehood being restored, something Centre has promised ‘at the earliest.’ How would over-arching central authority work if J&K is granted Statehood again?
As per the amended ‘Transaction of Business Rules of UT of J&K (Second Amendment) Rules, 2024’, it enhances the powers of the LG on Government departments and over appointments and transfer of senior civil and police officers All India Services read entire top rung of administration, public order and specifies his approval is a must in key departments.The Government must seek LG’s approval to appoint Advocate-General and other law officers, besides having the last word on grant of prosecution sanction.
The Centre justifies the changes to “avoid any ambiguity” as they would provide “better clarity on processes so as to enable smooth administration.” However regional Parties NC, PDP etc have sharply reacted to these. Said Abdullah “This is anti-democratic. People deserve better than powerless, rubber stamp Chief Minister who will have to beg LG to get his/her peon appointed.” Added a PDP leader, “It’s a huge structural disempowerment, the elected Government would only be a glorified municipality now.”
Undeniably, the insurgency-ridden UT represents a special case and needs an efficient administration if violence has to end in the region. More so, as it has sharpened fears among locals amidst increasing radicalization revealing how deep terrorists have dug in without getting noticed in the porous border area. Rupturing the semblance of peace and vitiating the overall environment.
Worse, fear psychosis is getting aggravated ominously and becoming politically sensitive with leaders questioning the Centre’s one-step-forward-two-step-back policies. Given these incidents have exposed the Government’s fallacy that militancy had been ‘nearly wiped out’ from the Valley, security strengthened and there is a sense of safety among different sections of people as a result of which development works were gaining momentum.
If anything, the killings have exposed the ominous vulnerability of the post-2019 volatile political vacuum on the ground coupled with militancy feeling bold enough to resurface with a bang. Hence it is important to restore the democratic process. The high turnout in the recent Parliamentary polls is indication of what people want.
New Delhi is confident that its measures to amalgamate Kashmiris into the mainstream will bear fruit. Namely, extending reservation in State Government posts and educational institutions to socially and educationally backward classes to help eradicate discrepancies suffered by them, along-with allowing people to contest and vote in nagar palika and panchayat.
Besides, the Government needs to plug Kashmir deeper into the economy and create more broad-based stakeholders in the Valley who will benefit from greater economic interactions with the rest of India. It has put in place various developmental projects. Towards that end investment summits are being held.
With the ban on outsiders living, working and buying property lifting, Kashmir is slowly but surely ushering greater business investment like IT to relocate to the region, promote world class tourist facilities and build new infrastructure for modern industries. Bollywood, Telugu and Tamil film industries have returned to the region thereby ushering a new era.
Even as there is a tourism boom, Government needs to be sensitive to locals needs. Certainly, a lot depends on intensified movement of people for business and investment from across India. Given J&K’s social and economic indicators are much better than UP, Bihar etc, it will require sophisticated interventions to leapfrog development.
It remains to be seen if people will be appeased by promises of development as growth is not the biggest grievance of Kashmiris. It is the unacceptable heavy veil of security forces which makes it difficult to win people over.
More than more of the same, money, men and muscle what Kashmir needs is an emotional package, a parcel that will allow Kashmiris specially youth weaned by Pakistan to give vent to their grief and frustration, anger and even hatred. A wrap up which will treat them with respect, restore their dignity and heal accumulated humiliations. India needs to connect with Kashmiris and win their hearts and minds.
Despite provocation by Pakistan and its agents to ensure any emotional connect does not take place and a veil of security, happily Srinagar is abuzz with youth strolling down Dal Lake or women shopping at Lal Chowk late at night. BJP and allies are sending student delegations to visit Kashmir and spend time with Gen Next listening to them. Certainly, there will be bad eggs, but one hopes Kashmiris will not spurn a genuine hand of friendship or treat it with violence.
For the medium term, Government needs to put in place an educational package, not only formal but educating people of Kashmir’s reality. Example: Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir aka Azaad Kashmir, Pakistan has sold the idea that Azaad Kashmir is really azaad. But this is a lie.
It is time for Modi-Shah to arrive at a Modus Vivendi with locals by gathering lost threads from the baggage of chequered history and keeping ones ears to the ground. The need of the hour is imagination, innovation and impetus.
Remember, Kashmir is not a place where destiny seems to shadow events like a madman with a razor in his hand. Nor a toy to be frittered, twisted, discarded or dumped. It is a national issue, which transcends political planks, ideology, philosophy and thesis. Modi has to leave no ‘stone’ unturned to further its national interests and make Kashmiris’ truly feel they belong to India. The Kashmiris’ too need to rise to the occasion.
Over the decades Kashmir has been a favourite playground for our politicians to carry out experiments, weave magical myths about their political dexterity and innovations, success in nipping Pakistan’s devious designs, tales of heroic valour in annihilating cross border terrorism notwithstanding the simmering cauldron of discordant voices of Opposition and regional players mingled with discontent among Kashmiris.
Modi must take the lead as deepening the trust between Jammu and Kashmir and between Jammu and Kashmir and Delhi must be the core goals for ‘Naya Jammu Kashmir.’ A slow and steady work in progress which calls for transparency.
The Prime Minister has been promising to abide by his slogan Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas Sabka Vishwaas and deliver jannat in Kashmir’s paradise. He needs to take the leap of faith, apply balm, plug inequities and injustice and lay a platform for a stronger and cohesive J&K.
It remains to be seen if he can get the cherry blossom to truly bloom again and make the Kashmir dream a new reality. It is a long haul to everlasting peace. — INFA