Prof A. N. Sadhu
Life is a long journey but when destination becomes visible, one feels that it has been too short. Everyone aspires that its speed recedes so that there still is enough time to overcome the shortfalls. It reminds me of the poetic expression “Ahista chal oh zindagi, abhi kuchh farz nibana baki hai, kuch karz chukana baki hai”. It aptly applies to the present day leaders or you may wish to call them so called leaders who assuming that role neither realize their ‘Farz’ nor ‘Karz’. To be a leader is not an easy affair but the present day socio political environment is such that it has become quite an easy job to wear the garb of a leader; thanks to social media and public indifference and acceptance both. The leaders in our country are excellent innovators; skillfully innovating slogans that sound sweet but are devoid of any substance. The common man is neither that well educated nor intellectually that sharp as would understand the hollowness of such slogans and even those who understand it (mostly some poets) laugh it away by some poetic verses.
The State of Jammu and Kashmir has had its share of leaders who had realization dawning at them at a stage too late to offer them time to correct their wrongs. The State witnessed all models of Government viz. single party rule, coalition Government, an alliance Government and governor’s rule but its problems, both economic and political, remained without achieving any breakthrough.
The latest model of Government in the state was an alliance model resulting from a belief of extra intelligence of the political management by those who engineered it. It is irony when politicians think that they will make the meeting of south pole and north pole a distinct possibility. Experimentation is good but not in a sensitive situation and certainly not in a situation full of imponderables. People have been writing during the last three years explaining the futility of an initiative that is embedded in contradictions. The tall claim that it will bring about a revolution in political management and open new vistas of governance, were ill conceived resulting in a political atmosphere of uncertainty. The people did neither witness the development nor the governance. One wonders as to how persons who neither know the history nor the geography of the state, claim to be the experts an Kashmir affairs and venture into making the miracles. New permutations and combinations are in the offing which may be yet another experiment with oblique outcome.
It has been suggested a number of times that it is the affected people who need to engage themselves with a farsighted approach to hammer out a solution for the largest interest of the state. This alone will show a way out. The invisibles always work with invisible objectives. History is a continuous process with its twists and turns dictated by the time. Time is neither stoppable nor recoverable. Managing time, is difficult and those who succeed in the process are the leaders of all times. The history is passing through a critical phase and an efficient and honest time manager is the need of the hour. Let us find him and follow him.
The exodus of almost entire community of Kashmiri Pandits is a sad story with a telling effect on the history of the period since 1990. The displaced community has undergone serious trials and turbulations but has withstood the storm with firmness demonstrating to the world their inherent merits to manage adverse situations with courage and dignity. That the reversal of their displacement has so far not been managed is equally a sad story of the leadership. It has its own effects, adverse of course, on the state and the country as a whole. The displaced community has also thrown up its leaders, perhaps more than was required but not with any significant achievement. Reasons are many but the struggle has to continue. The Governments, both, state and central have failed to address the major issues of displacement, either, out of lack of proper insights or perhaps because of compulsions emanating from expediency rather than ideology. As a result the trust deficit has widened and no serious effort has been made to reduce this deficit.
The hindus of Kashmir have been pressing for the passage of temples and shrines bill, for bettering the service conditions of package employees and for providing viable employment avenues to the overaged youth but it has all been falling on deaf ears. Delays can occur but denials have no place in a democratic set up. The Governments must address these issues immediately so that it is not too late to realize the fall out of this negligence to the disadvantage of the state and the country as a whole. The Hon’ble Supreme Court observes in one of its judgements; ” There is no doubt that proper management of pilgrimage centres of great importance is a matter of public interest. These centres are of undoubted religious, social, historical and architectural importance, representing cultural heritage of our country”. The Temples and Shrines Bill of Hindus of Kashmir should have been passed by now to preserve the rich cultural heritage of Kashmir. Political sagacity demands that dignified return of the displaced community takes place without further delay. The statesmanship rather than political expediency is required for enduring peace and prosperity. Time is a swift and silent escaper and this fact can’t be overlooked.
Jammu and Ladakh have also suffered from neglect for various reasons which may not need an explanation. The hopes of things going better in the alliance arrangement were belied. The distortions resulting into lopsided development need to be corrected.
History is replete with numerous instances where small lapses, at times, have resulted in lasting disadvantage. Doing right things at the right time manifests the man’s understanding of the concept of realization and, on the contrary, doing right things at the wrong time and wrong things at the right time, reveals the lack of this understanding. Not realizing the need of the hour has a serious negative fall out. Losing the direction at the crucial stages of history is fraught with lasting disadvantages to such communities. No community should ignore its foremost duty of preserving its identity and strengthening it further. An identity is like a fabric whose threads should never be allowed to break. A leader to handle these formidable challenges has to be a preacher, a philosopher, a friend and a guide and hold on to his people, sincerely and honestly. It is said, “Always have a successful exit than a favourable entrance because what matters is not being clapped when we arrive but being remembered when we leave”.
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