Satya Dev Gupta
Many persons have this idea that after 5th August 2019, when article 370 dissolved in Parliament, the Kashmir problem is solved. But the ground reality is entirely different. The militancy is not only prevalent, but its hybrid form persists i.e., targeting, (as a lone wolf) the innocent people in different parts of the valley. A wave of panic and terror has spread far and wide not only in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir but in the whole country. Question stands for the guarantee of security and people put queries about their safety against the menace of the terrorism, they are facing in this region. Although they are right, but the answer is not that simple, as the problems developed in 70 years cannot be eradicated in a few months and years.
PRE-DISTURBANCE PERIOD
* Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru was having a high opinion and impression about Sheikh Mohmmad Abdullah, the National Conference Leader, and later, appointed as the Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir after the succession of Maharaja Hari Singh. In 1953 when Sheikh Abdullah was on house arrest because of alleged anti-national activities, Bakshi Gulam Mohammad, the successor of Sheikh, next in line was to be appointed as Prime Minister of the state. Pt Nehru asked Bakshi how many people are with him in support, Bakshi answered forty lakhs. Indian Prime Minister, Pt Nehru further inquired about the strength of people with Sheikh, the reply was again forty lakhs. Nehru again probed about the population of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, the rejoinder was still forty. Then Nehru told Bakshi to expand this enigmatic verses in clear words. Bakshi explained that the people of the state to the lines of New Delhi; they were with Shekh when New Delhi was with him and now shifted their loyalty to me as I shall be now heading the state on the direction of the Government of India. The Indian government gave the special status to Jammu and Kashmir state as Nehru wanted it for Sheikh Abdullah, whom he used to consider a most progressive, popular and secular leader at that period. Nehru’s friendship with Sheikh was so deep to an extent that he made it an issue and compelled Maharaja Hari Singh to give the reins of power to Shekh in the process of accession with India.
* Separate constitution of the state of Jammu and Kashmir was adopted on 17th November 1956 and came into force on 26th January 1957. However, enjoying the virtues of Article 370 and 35A the political junta of Kashmir leaving Jammu and Ladakh started considering themselves suppers. These two larger populated and vast regions along with the general public of Kashmir were neglected. It may be mentioned that for two decades the ruling elite after Sheikh were more or less inclined to India, although a few quarters had sympathy with Pakistan. Being a Muslim majority bordering with the Islamic State of Pakistan, the latter has always tried fishing in troubled water. After the 1971 war Pakistan was able to make in-roads in the state to fulfil its long-term dream and agenda for capturing Kashmir. This could be attributed more to the failure of Indian government policies than Pakistan misadventure. In world history, one wouldn’t find an example of misplaced generosity after triumph and clean sweep victory in 1971war. There was a great opportunity for India to solve the Kashmir problem once for all.
OPERATION TOPAC
* Taking full advantage of slackness and dereliction on the part of the Indian government, then Pakistan President Mohmmad Zia-ul-haq with the alleged codename “Operation Topac” launched an offensive military contingency program that had been active since 1980s and run by Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). This operation was having three facet activities to provide covert support to anti-India separatists, Islamic and other ideological militants in Kashmir. Pakistan took the full benefit of Article 370 to catalyse terrorism in Kashmir and exploited the political space. A major assault was inflicted on Indian supporters, particularly non-Muslim (mainly Kashmiri Pandits) of Kashmir valley. Scholars suggest that 1 lakh people out of 1.5 lakhs or more have left the valley in great agony. Between 19th to 21st January 1990, many Kashmiri Hindus were massacred on the directions of ISI and militant organizations. None of so-called secularists, human rights activists, so called secular political parties and even prominent Kashmiris raised their voices against the atrocities. Some instances can be quoted where the locals helped the militants in killing their decades and century-old neighbours. It is also a fact that many nationalist and peace-loving Muslims have to face hardships even death in this course of militancy periods.
* To be honest and straight forward it is not incorrect to state that for the drift of Kashmiri people away from national mainstream New Delhi is responsible. Too soft policy towards conventional and customary enemy country, indecisive, weak knee outlook, compromising with separatists, sacrificing the issues of national interests, extending the sympathies to terrorists (Batla House incident) etc. made the Indian position precarious and vulnerable to terrorist offensive misadventures and moreso as it was projected as a banana democratic and weak country.
When Congress led UPA government was democratically replaced by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government led by BJP (Bhartiya Janata Party) change in the political scenario of Jammu Kashmir state was significantly observed. The experiment of formation of government by pole apart political parties PDP (People’s Democratic Party) and BJP was done but this trial failed miserably, and Governor rule was imposed. The 2nd inning of the NDA government in the center was more assertive and aggressive. The long old dream of Jan Sangh, BJP, and RSS (Rashtriya Sawyam Sevak Sangh) i.e., abrogation of Article 370 of India constitution /was accomplished on 5th August 2019 with the agenda to control the deteriorating socio-political situation of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Right-wing organizations, who were nurtured and conditioned to inculcate an idea or opinion that Article 370 and 35A are the root cause of the trouble in the state. In fact, the seeds and saplings of anti-Indian agendas bloomed into trees after getting the requisite food, water, sap and shelter.
HOW TO REVERSE THE CLOCK
A lot of water has flown in Indus, Jhelum, Chenab and Tawi: more than 70 years (three generations time) have been wasted. It is a challenging task to bring back alienated people of Kashmir into the mainstream of national thinking. People who produced Maqbool Sheerwani to put resistance against Pakistan sponsored tribal invasion preferred to live in secular and democratic India, are now seen grouped on some occasions and somewhere in a notable number exhibiting their sympathy in favour of neighbouring Islamic country and anguish against their own secular and democratic country. The Government of India has always been very liberal, generous and favorable. The state of Jammu and Kashmir always got a lion, share of the exchequer from the central Government. In response the state political hierarchy has exploited the center to an extent they could, and obliged or supported their kith and kins, neglecting the general people and even Muslim public by and large. There was a lack of accountability on the part of the state as well as the Central Government. War dismembered wounded Pakistan was in waiting for an opportunity to revenge the defeat in 1971 by initiating “Operation Topac”. Nowhere in the world this type of situation occurred, where you are having your government, a powerful army and in your homeland a sizable people have been massacred, looted, humiliated, raped and driven out of their home and hearth, and furthermore travesty it is that when it was projected as “nothing much had happened”. This all had happened because of the spread of theories of Jihadism and Extremism. The people of majority community, especially the youth were bewitched by the fundamentalists in the name of Muslim brotherhood and pan-Islamism. The age-old traditional Kashmiri Sufism was set aside, marginalized and replaced by fanatic ideas. Kashmir once used to be a seat of knowledge of Sanatan and Buddhist literature and philosophy transformed into barbarian hell not only for non-Muslims but for Muslims also; separatists, extremists or terrorists started establishing their links with Pakistan and Muslim world. The feelings against India or India supporters remained simmering under the influence of the separatists and Indian Government hierarchies used appeasement as an instrument to contain their activities to a just passable extent with the concurrence and understanding with the dissidents. This was an eyewash for the public and a drama of hate and love continued for the decades and ultimately NDA government took a hard step i.e. Governor rule imposed, Article 370 abrogated, and division of state into two union territories was accomplished.
The NDA government endeavored for no trouble from Pakistan and her sponsored element in the valley for which they adopted pro-active and aggressive strategies. The Surgical, Airstrikes, All-out campaign for infiltrators camps was the part of its agencies. On the foreign policy front, India is able to marginalize Pakistan, which used to put India in dilemma on international forums, significantly. The BJP lead Government has succeeded in fulfilling its objectives to a great extent. Now the backbone of Kashmir economy the tourism is flourishing. The shores of Dal Lake are not mute and mum but have good cheerful hustle and bustle, hotels Shikaras and restaurants regained their glorious outlook. The government is also trying to win over the mindset of the youth by diverting them from the jaws and claws of miscreants by creating opportunities for jobs and other engagements like sports, cultural activities etc., although on the other side the militant groups are trying to turn the tide in their favor. A good amount of work has been done and a lot is yet to be done. The mindset of the people, who are facing turmoil, anarchy, disturbance and gun culture for decades needs solace and support from the ruling class. People should also do the endeavor to find pride in their links to the age-old Kashmiri civilization, valour of Lalita Ditya Mukta-pida, Avanti Verman, ancient Martand Sun temple, Parihasapura , world known hospitality, a gesture of Kashmir and Sufism of the valley. Let the philosophy of (Lalid) Laleshwari Didi and saint (Nund Rishi) Nur-u- Din, morals of Zain-ul-Abdin prevail in the land of Kashyap Rishi and bloodshed may end
(The author is Ex-Head of Intensive Care Unit & Department of anesthesia Government Medical College Jammu.)