B L Saraf
Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh has just concluded his latest visit to the State. He spent good time in Srinagar and Jammu where he met with cross -section of the society and, as reported by the media, has had a positive interaction with leaders of various political parties. Generally, there is nothing unusual for the Home Minister to visit states as it is part of his job to have a periodic assessment of the ground situation, interact with security forces – entrusted with the job of maintaining law and order at the place- and enquire about their welfare so necessary for retention of high morale. Home Ministers from Delhi have been coming to J&K since the onset of armed militancy. But this time a special strand runs through the visit. It comes when so many positive developments in and around the country are taking place which give hope that things will settle down in the strife torn J&K. Encouraging one, indeed, comes from the Valley where present summer has been relatively less bloodied .
A distinct purpose is discernable in the visit when HM stresses on utilization of 5 ‘Cs ‘ – Compassion, Communication, Confidence building Measures, Co-existence and Consistency – to address the problem that has bedeviled peace in the state.
Moreover, this visit of Rajnath Singh to Kashmir may be counted as one in the series of events that have started to unfold, hopefully, for ensuring return of peace and tranquility to the State. It assumes added significance as it comes within a month of PM Narendra Modi’s Independence Day reach out to the people in Kashmir where he emphasized the need to take ‘ alienated ‘ sections of society in an ‘ embrace ‘ for a purposeful interlocution , rather allow pellet guns do the talking. Next, that followed, has a huge international implication and is a big impetus for the Indian efforts to combat terrorism which had made life miserable for its citizen. BRICS nations conference held very recently in Chinese city of Xiamen, has unanimously named Pakistan based terrorist out fits, like Lashkar e Tiaba and Jaish-e- Muhammad as a global scourge that must be challenged. Significance of the declaration lies in the fact that it happened in China, with the host country’s full support which on earlier occasions it had held back in deference to its protégé, Pakistan.
Home Minister spoke to the media in Srinagar where he sounded passionate and earnest to address the problem. He struck a conciliatory note. There is many a significant take away from the press briefing. Major one was his unequivocal assurance to the people that regard will be had for their genuine concerns about retaining special status of State within the Union; and that Centre will not go against their sentiments on Art 35A. Coming at a time when many in the State feel concerned about the fate of Art 35 A, this statement should allay fears. He has been clear in his message to the security forces that “children should not be treated as criminals but as juveniles. They should be sent to juvenile homes and not to a jail and properly counseled with compassion.” HM’s invitation to all stake holders to come forward to settle the problem must be welcomed by all. He was “willing to talk with open heart and mind to anyone who is willing to help us in resolving the problem of Kashmir.” HM sought help of the media fraternity to restore peace in the state.
This pious declaration will come good, only, if Pakistan behaves. We see some light in the BRICS declaration which has cautioned its establishment. One hopes it may trigger a real change in Pakistan and, consequently, in the Sub- Continent. Thanks to the US President Donald Trump’s strong displeasure on the Pakistanis duplicitous role in Afghanistan, and China and Russia adding voice to other BRICS nations in Xiamen China, in their recently concluded Conference, against Pakistan based and sported terrorist organizations like Lashkar -e Taiba and Jaish -e Muhammad, a new thinking is on among the saner elements in that country. Realization has begun to dawn on Pakistan that while they could ward off US threat as a mere bluster, it cannot ignore China and Russia. So, calculations are underway to find out cost of “hanging on the anti-India anti-Afghanistan jihad.” Commentators in Pakistan are of the view that as both are against jihad, China and Russia are sure to raise cost on Pakistan should it continue to shield jihadis. They have started to ask questions, “What the jihadis are worth to us and what they mean to us?”
This is the question which will soon confront those in Kashmir who still want to rely “on our boys with gun in hands?” Next will follow; is poor Kashmiri ready to bear the cost of sheltering these jihadis whose stock has dwindled in the land of their birth?
Home Minister may have seen “The trees of peace not dried out completely in Kashmir “. However, for him and the unfortunate residents to “see green shoots of pace in the Valley “there is an urgent need for total actualization of 5 ‘Cs’ on the ground , so that they can prove their worth in plains and mountains of the state called Jammu & Kashmir .
(The author is former Principal District & Sessions Judge)
feedbackexcelsior@gmail.com
Follow our WhatsApp channel
