Measures on Kashmir resolution could be initiated to accommodate minorities interest, but no more could majority be held hostage to how the minorities views it
Dr Javid Iqbal
Worked-up or may we call it a played-up contradiction implies diluting the aspirations of Kashmiris by bringing to fore other regions of Jammu & Kashmir State, where people’s natural inclinations stand to contradict or remain at cross purposes with those of the people hebetating the valley of Kashmir-the geographical bowl endowed with the best nature could bestow-of which Iqbal said in a state of ecstasy:
Mountain, river & sunset engraved
Nature therein ever stands naked!
The study of conflict resolution in J&K might have to be compartmentalized, before a holistic view emerges. Sir Owen Dixon, the UN envoy or arbiter in early 50’s tried to resolve the puzzle by coming up with Chenab line formula, visualizing a region by region study and formulation. Over the years, many analysts have concluded that a region by region study provides a solution in itself, for example Jammu division is clear, where do its priorities lie, so is Ladakh, as also Pakistan administered Kashmir-called Azad Kashmir, northern territories have emerged virtually as a province of Pakistan. Such a wholesale conversion of the political status of northern territories was ill thought, as it might give ideas to the other player in the equation, if at all it needed one. It is rumoured and even imaginable that the muted Indian reaction might have been an acceptance of fait-accompli, a message that what you have done has already been accomplished on our side, albeit without naming it so.
The dilution of Article 370 by measures like 356 and 357, wherein the central control on state was widened, erasing the special status the state enjoyed-the nomenclature of head of the state and head of political executive was changed, from Sadr-i-Riyasat and prime minister to governor and chief minister, as the cry from extremist circles got shriller with slogans like-Ek Vidhan, Ek Pradhan va Ek-Nishan! The Indian head of state and by implication the federal government in Delhi was provided a greater constitutional field of operating in the state with impunity, as Sheikh Abdullah was imprisoned-his crime-supporting state’s accession to India!
We may return to a region by region study and pose a question-does a study of Jammu provide a readymade solution? Jammu includes the Chenab basin’s Doda, Kishtawar and Buderwah and Pir Panchal’s Poonch Rajouri, where perceptions are different. These are Kashmiri speaking regions in the area. However we may not indulge in any socio-political tailoring or talk of diluting the present geopolitical scenario. Realistically the separate Jammu perception is how people in two and a half districts out of twenty two districts perceive the situation. Geographical size may however not form a part of our consideration; the emphasis ideally should be on the unity of the state. Religion, language, cultural traits may form the basis of a nation-state; economic considerations override. It is futile to choke accesses; rather new ones should be explored.
The same holds true for Ladakh. It is often projected that Ladakh wants a holistic union with the Indian state. Yet again, we are talking of a region, which includes Kargil, where perceptions are different. However we may not talk of differences, the saner course would be to talk of assimilation and yet again accesses count. Kashmir might over centuries have emerged as a mountainous South Asian enclave. However, it might not be forgotten that our trade, cultural and religious link had a greater Central Asian hue than the South Asian one. Nevertheless, South Asia has come to us in a big way over the last few centuries, putting new shades to our century’s long existent cultural hue. This cultural enrichment has been to our advantage, yet the choking of old accesses hurts. So, taking of either two and a half districts of Jammu or the Ladakh district as entities that could go their own way would be politico-economically damaging. To contain the damage, we need to interact, we need to talk, an effort is needed to maximize pros and minimize cons.
Omar Abdullah and even P Chidambaram confines agitation for rights to a few parts of valley- Srinagar, Sopore and Baramulla, where stone pelting occurs, even with the present valley wide agitations, with deaths reported beyond above mentioned areas. Omar and Chidambaram might live in their world of make belief, if it comforts them! The news reports that administration in J&K, a few months back was thinking of employing the present day stone pelters to engage them, who might emerge tomorrow is indeed laughable. It might get into a vicious circle of employing the stone pelters of tomorrow to combat the ones that might crop up day after tomorrow. Highly articulate Chidambaram however continues to back Omar, in his press conference and parliamentary speeches. About a week or two back, he talked of J&K government having taken some steps. This is just the old wine in new bottles…compensations for victims of violence, investigations-fruitless probes with zero input result wise. As for zero tolerance to human right violations, less said the better…a tale too sordid to relate! But lately there is an apparent change of tone, a change of political vocabulary, a talk of wider accommodation for assimilating the views expressed so vociferously on the streets of Kashmir, though within the Indian constitution continues to be the unmistakable emphasis.
In his election campaign, Omar asked for a vote on an administrative and developmental plank, even after election, he held to the same proposition for some time. Exercise of power later gave his talk a different dimension. Just a few months back, on the eve of Prime Minister Singh’s visit to the valley, he was hinting of his disinterest in pursuing talks unless and until separatists knock the Delhi door. Though on the day following, he tailored it down a bit, however the tone implied the thinking-a measure to enhance his own political space, irrespective of the hard fact that if ever the centre were to concede anything, it would not fall in his lap. It would rather be a measure to accommodate the separatist sentiment. In politics, you don’t buy what is already in your pocket! How much of political space he enjoys could be gauged from the state of affairs, as it exists in Kashmir of today. All the political outfits should keep it in mind that effort to dilute the problem, which exist and craves for a solution, amounts to political naivety. Bringing up repeatedly the contradiction inherent in two and a half districts of Jammu or Leh district in Ladakh or 5% Pandit brethren in the state having a different perception and with it getting into a needless exercise of trumping and trampling political aspirations of Kashmiris is a zero sum game-merely a measure to delay a solution. Once ‘K’ resolution takes hold measures could be initiated to accommodate minority interest, but no more could majority be held hostage to how the minority views it. Moreover J&K State has existed for 164 years in its present state, with all its contradictions and logically there is no reason to assume the role of a prophet of doom by predicting that a move to amend the present state of affairs would necessarily entail a dooms day scenario. The delaying tactic has been overplayed; it is high time to roll it back.
Tailpiece: Heard a wit commenting-do you still believe those who made it their business on electronic channels to limit the present agitation for rights to five ‘Thanas’ of Srinagar City?
Yaar Zinda, Sohbat Baqi
[Reunion is subordinate to survival]
Feedback at Iqbal_drji6217@yahoo.co.in or javid.iqbal46@gmail.com
