Ashok Bhan
A State which is the mosaic of different ethnic, religious and tribal groups united together in a culture of mutual tolerance and creative interaction,has got engulfed in the worst phase of political instability ,intolerance and distortion by the self-serving myths of competing political interests.,
The 2014 elections in J&K had brought in hope and aspiration in the people, and particularly the youth of Kashmir valley – that they would benefit from the economic development and progress promised by Prime Minister Modi to the aspiring young India. The youth in Kashmir got inspired and joined the mainstream agenda by a larger participation in the elections. People decided to give peace and positive economic development agenda a priority and through their large participation in the elections, defeated all the incumbent ministers and the previous Government. Such was the fervour of hope and positive participation of the youth, in particular.
A volatile security atmospheric and political instability has already set in the State,The Governor rule has been imposed,as the political parties have not put up any combination for the formation of a political Government.
It was expected, after the formation of the PDP-BJP Coalition Government, that it would follow a policy of containment, to limit and scale down the violence and open a peace process with inclusive political discourse and also bring in the economic prosperity through uniform and sustained development and open up avenues of employment for the youth. The Government rose to the power behind these expectations of the people.The death of the Chief Minister has been a great set back politically and for the time being governance is rested with the Governor Vohra who is an able & experienced hand.
The elected Coalition Government has been in place from May 2014 onwards and the disappointment in the people has already set in, Lack of governance, broken promises, intra-regional conflict, the pernicious propaganda biz of fringe elements and contradictions – both, political and ideological within the Coalition Government – are attributed for the despondency, despair and disappointment of the people.
The pro-Pakistan sentiment had lost out and marginalized which was replaced by positive hope and modern economic development agenda, but again that has not come true . The promised smart governance and space for battle of ideas by the coalition government fell flat.Neither the semblance of governance nor the space for any ideas is visible. Instead the radicalised political discourse and violence was allowed to replace the civility, sanity and tolerant socio- political space. Resurgence of intolerance and violence is a cause of great concern to peace loving citizens and the civil society.
The revival of militant activity in the state is a grim reminder to all concerned that the militant outfits are still present and active to strike any time and anywhere. Though the public support to militancy had considerably reduced but it has not disappeared. The bold attacks on army, paramilitary forces and the frequent incidents of infiltration from across the border are on the rise. Civilian casualties and the highly militarized border clash between India and Pakistan are also on the rise.
The phenomenon of terror, panic and disinformation is back in the Valley. Security scenario, both inwardly and on the border is not very assuring.Even Governor Vohra recently expressed deep despair and caution on the boarder terrorist activities. Darker clouds of uncertainty are on the horizon.
Pakistan is always at the root of destabilizing and subverting any of the mainstream dispensation and the governance. She always describes Kashmir as an unfinished agenda of partition and has launched a proxy terrorist war in the State by unleashing death & destruction .
In the past some youth would also join militancy out of curiosity .The nature of new militancy is – lots of boys attracted are from good families,conscious and educated.I ask a question -why are the educated boys getting into militancy-? that is really a scary part and matter of grave concern . The militancy is on the rise.Huge participation in the funerals of the slain militants may be expression of anger but it is greatly worrying and disappointing,Militancy is once again gaining peoples subtle support and legitimacy.
PM Modi has reached out to Pakistan for a comprehensive dialogue, Pakistan is gradually responding on the expected levels. . It is expected that Pakistan establishment will rein in the militants and extreme elements and bring perpetrators of Mumbai attack,Gurdaspur and Pathankot militants to Justice.
To defeat the enemies of people, the civil society has to rise to the occasion and defend the peace process and development agenda.It must ensure that the fruits of development reach out to every deserving citizen.Till the time any political Government is put in place,the Governor has a huge responsibility to effectively,transparently and astutely govern the State.The financial health of the State is too bad,the central Government has to be sensitised for release of funds required in the essential sectors without much delay,Meetings after meetings by the top civil servants of the state with central government in the past did not yield desired results these facts are in public domain.
Emotionalism has no place in politics .The State appears to be on the edge and in for instability thus, the State needs a Chief Minister and his/her team, with robust political sense to manage the challenging affairs without any ambivalence,the political wisdom and ideological commitment to the basics of secular democracy and constitutionalism of the Country. The political parties which can form the combination of the required numbers for a stable government are mandated and obliged to form the Government and put an end to Governor rule, which is a” rare of the rarest” option in democracy. The people have not voted for Governor rule but for a Political Government.
It is expected that the Governor may lay a plan for fulfilment of the promises of PM Modi and the expectations and aspirations roused by by him,of the youth, other suffering sections of the State and the promised dignified return of the exiled Kashmiri Pandits back in the Valley.This exiled community is living in internal displacement in various parts of the Country for the past 26 years and is longing to return to its roots back.
All right thinking citizens of the State and the country, including me, are worried and concerned about the current political and economic affairs of the State. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has time and again flagged the promises of hope, peace, co-existence and a massive economic development
While people in State are anxiously waiting for economic welfare of the people.Eyes are also set on the PM Modi to act as a statesman to put a people”s Government in place with an agenda, for promoting peace process through meaningful dialogue and invite all the stakeholders by opening doors for talks with those elements and groups also who have, for some reason, chosen to remain outside the democratic mainstream of the country.It is expected that PM Modi will recall his assurance reiterated in his speech during the campaigning of Assembly Election of 2014 that : “We will talk within the ambit of Insaniyat, Kashmiriyat and Jamhooriyat”.to all the suffering sections.
The Prime Minister and the Central Government has to reinforce and implement all the schemes like Udaan, Himayat etc., to augment the employment avenues along with the special scholarship schemes launched by MHRD and creating opportunities for empowerment by the genuine process of “Sab Ka Saath, Sab Ka Vikas”. there has to be a liberal financial support package for realization of economic entitlement and political rights of the people of J&K.
State Government has to strongly continue the hot pursuits against the terrorist and terrorism and the war-like scenario on the border.
There has to be a concrete plan and decision to facilitate secured,dignified return and rehabilitation of the exiled Kashmiri Pandits population back in the valley Without the physical presence of Pandits in the Valley, Kashmir is incomplete as a civilization and a society.Without them being in the Valley the peace is bound to elude and political turmoil to continue.
The Government has to permit intra-regional cohesion and balance of power and resources within the three regions of the State; launching a Government sponsored propaganda biz in terms of the unanimous resolution passed by the State Assembly recently to counter and blunt the radicalised political discourse. There is need for increased synergy between central agencies and the state police for combating terrorism.
Last, but not the least, that women constitute more than 50 per cent electorate in the State.There has to be some special package for socio-political and economic empowerment of the women.
” WILL a woman Chief Minister be an appropriate political answer in the present scenario of Jammu and Kashmir”-?
(The author is a Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India,A political analyst & Chairman, Kashmir Policy & Strategy Group)
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