Prof A N Sadhu
The state of Jammu and Kashmir (Now UT) has been witnessing formidable changes during the last over three decades. Although it has remained in news since 1947 itself, more for wrong reasons than for the right ones, but the last three decades have remained as a period of serious tensions. The historians will record all that happened since independence and its impact on the present situations. The reportedly rigged elections in early eighties triggered the troubles for the J&K region and its trailer was witnessed in 1986 and the full picture screened in 1989-90 resulting into ethnic cleansing of the entire community of KPs, the aboriginal inhabitants of the valley. The common man is still confused about what happened, why did it happen and who is responsible for all this. Did the administration fail to act in time and stall the crisis; did the intelligence agencies fail or did everyone responsible connived with the disruptive elements and let the things happen. Time eventually will reveal the truth without any political or social point put on it. The fact of the matter is that quite a lot has changed. The people of J&K are watching both with eagerness as also with anxiety, the fall out of all these socio-political transformations. The winds of change started blowing through the region in 2015 when a coalition government was formed to the utter surprise of the people. That this did not last for too long was a foregone conclusion because it was never an honest effort of stabilizing the political environment of the state. Both the coalition partners wanted to maximize their political gains at the cost of the common man who was helplessly watching the jugglery. The Governor’s rule imposed after the fall of the coalition government was never expected to last so long because in any rational democratic arrangement it is not an alternative to the popularly elected government. With Governor’s rule continuing and the abrogation of the special status during this period has given rise to a number of issues, political and legal as well. It is better to leave it to the political Pundits and their objective analysis. A few thing can however, be assessed and analyzed objectively, to reflect on socio political environment.
The social environment of the valley has been dented by the recent happenings. All the events of 1989-90 resulted into the breach of trust on the social front. But some efforts were being made to rebuild the bridges of confidence and voices from the valley were being heard of its people regretting the displacement of Hindus and their prolonged absence impoverishing the social and cultural environment of the valley. The recent developments of targeted killings has caused a fresh dent on the confidence building exercise. Some other initiatives by the Government have also added to the political turbulence which may be visible in the simmering of different sections of the society and may not be appearing in a robust manner on ground. Things happening elsewhere in the country, don’t go un-noticed. As a result, the emerging social situation is not only becoming complex but confused as well.
The Return and Rehabilitation of displaced people is not getting any policy direction. It has been a repetition of statements and no concrete measure, have been spelled out and put in public domain. 32 years is not a small time. The social gulf widens, the distances enlarge and the emotions weaken over time. Left unattended, any more it will have serious repercussions. The priority on current political gains may result into lasting pains; if not pursued on rational basis and in the larger public interest. KPs have a history and a rich heritage of which the whole country has been a great beneficiary. Undermining that historical and cultural heritage for too long will be significantly detrimental to the future of the whole south Asian Region.
Displaced persons are anguished that even the Kashmiri Hindu Temples and Shrines Bill has not been so far passed. Can any civilization and culture be so indifferent to such and important instrument? Sharda has been the knowledge fountain sprinkling the drops of knowledge, awareness and spiritualism all across the country. These religious and spiritual monuments, temples and shrines are lying in a dilapidated condition and government is not making any serious effort in getting the Bill passed so that these linkages are not last to the detriment of posterity.
The PM package employees are not mainstreamed and their basic amenities are not augmented to enable them to perform their roles peacefully and competently. They should get proper accommodation, schooling facilities for their children and health care for ailed and aged so that they serve as a strong confidence building measure for others to return under a well designed policy by the Government which is awaited for a long time now. Mere experimentation and sloganeering will not help as the people are harbouring disgust and mistrust on these exhibitions. The social scenario is visibly overshadowed by the media reports on continuing violence along with the contrived peace and development scenario talked of, no so often . In real terms the much talked of social equations leave much to be believed.
That tourism has picked up is a promising sign for economic rejuvenation but can it be held as witness to the return of normalcy. It is, at best, seasonal activity which hinges on weather conditions, road connectivity and security environment. The much talked about investment flow into the UT is yet to materialize and make an impact on the regional economy. The issues related to net working, management, and recruitment are yet to be addressed. Regional imbalances, particularly with respect to Jammu, have to be examined and intensified and carefully addressed to give a fair deal to Jammu, which has been aggressively raising this issue and seeking justice in this regard. That the regional issues are not objectively analysed, do have a significant bearing on the social and political environment of J&K.
The political scenario is also fluid as of now. The wisdom of downgrading the state to the status of a Union Territory is being questioned. The restoration of Statehood, although promised, is not likely in immediate future. The mighty State of Jammu and Kashmir build by the competent Dogra rulers, has lost that sheen after it was downgraded. The Delimitation Commission will soon present its final report and that it will satisfy all the political aspirations is not likely. The political scenario will witness some changes in the coming months. Whatever may be the performance of any Government, it does create an incumbency effect, more so when several things have been happening, both, in the country and across the globe.
The elections are likely to be held towards the end of the year. These elections, obviously are the first, after reorganization of the State. It is natural that new political alliances will come into being. The mainstream regional political parties as also the National party BJP,will be on test. Voters will keenly look towards new initiatives and new alternatives. There is adequate awareness among the electorate to make their choice and exercise it independently. There have been defections from the mainstream parties, new parties have been formed and every political organization will seek to maximize its gains from a fluid political environment as is prevailing in the UT. It will be politically immature to ignore the clout of the mainstream parties, even if anguish against the dynastic rule has been continuously fueled during the last three years. The Pakistan factor as also its political situation can’t be brushed aside. Even though Pakistan Chief of the Army Mr. Bajwa has been forcefully seeking to shift from Geo-strategic to Geo economic focus with India, not much will change when it comes to political dispensations. Therefore not only the social scenario but political scenario as well is under a transformative mode, for better or worse the time will tell.
(The author is former Dean Academic Affairs Jammu University, Jammu)
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