Namta Gupta
There have been arguments against holding elections so close after months of sudden volatility in Jammu and Kashmir. The Election Commission may have made a bold decision to go ahead with the polls; the gamble may also turn out to be a good one.
But the basic question about the status of the Valley still stares us. Most Indians are bewildered as to why Kashmir continues to erupt despite preferential treatment given to it; at least as far it relates to monetary concerns. And why we continue to sacrifice so many of our jawans to maintain peace in a region which in turn contributes very little to the country.
The Muslim argument raised tacitly time and again rankles Indians all and sundry.
Well, this point actually has no ground because if religion were to be the basis then there should have been just one Islamic country, and not countries that have nothing besides religion in common.
And if religion is the ground of union then despots like Saddam Hussein wouldn’t have unleashed a reign of terror on their brethren. But then rationality is a dirty word when passions run high and that is exactly what keeps happening in Kashmir.
Of course blame does not rest with Kashmiris alone. Their refusal to join Indian mainstream has also something to do with Indian leadership, which is found wanting in attempts to assimilate the state with the rest. The rigging of elections by Indira Gandhi, the increased isolation Sheikh Abdullah, and lack of foresight on part of the Indian leadership have also contributed to the growing frustration that is enough to wreak tumult in the nation.
Thinking that Kashmiris can be won over with money is nothing but foolhardy. No one can buy loyalty with few pieces of silver.
A healing touch that makes them rightful stakeholders in our motherland is necessary. Kashmiris must be made to understand that violence and hatred only beget hatred and consequence into failed state like Pakistan. The common man in India must also learn to grow suspicious less about them and their intentions.
The recent agitation against the Amarnath land issue only goes to prove that Kashmir remains unsettled and the supposed success of the recent government was only a perception. The other error lies in our belief that Pakistan alone contributes to all the problems in the troubled state.
For the first time Kashmiris en masse joined separatists in their demands to secede. What is worse is that the mainstream political players either joined them or else played to the gallery in the game of India bashing.
Plebiscite not an option
Examples like East Timor are cited where referendum was called and people were given choice to ascertain their own future, so why the same can’t be done with Kashmir? Pakistan’s argument squarely rests on this very argument that people of Kashmir do not believe they are an integral part of India, and demand plebiscite. The hidden motive behind this propaganda is amply clear; they want partition on the lines of 1947. And unfortunately, some separatist leaders of J&K are toeing the same line.
What they forget is that while the area of the state of Jammu and Kashmir is 222,236 sq kilometers the area illegally occupied by Pakistan is 78,114 sq kilometers. The Islamic state governs the Northern Areas as well, but still the people of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) have no representation in Pakistani Parliament and are oppressed. But Pakistan does not bother about the land that it has acquired by deceit, and thanks to its propaganda machinery, it has successfully diverted world attention towards India’s portion of Kashmir instead of the plight of Kashmiris living under its shadow.
Religion as a factor to disintegrate does not hold for the state also belongs to the Pandits, Sikhs and Buddhists. This has been the case from the very beginning. Just because they have been made refugees in their own land, why would they want the land of their ancestor at break away or merge with Pakistan?
What about PoK
Even if for one moment one were to consider the option of plebiscite, then why would it apply to India alone? If PoK were also included in the exercise, would the Pakistani citizen agree to it? People from both the sides of border have been brought up on daily dose of “Kashmir is an integral part”, hence any move towards freedom or azadi will evoke passionate and fanatic responses.
Sufficient autonomy has already been given to Indian Kashmir, but that is not taken into consideration. All PoK Prime Ministers are puppets of Islamabad with little or no say in the internal working, leave aside having a say in foreign or defence policy. PoK’s Constitution itself is enough to intrigue any one!
It has all the trappings to prove that Pakistan recognizes it as a country with a President, a Prime Minister and also a Legislature, but then PoK is neither a country nor even a province. The Karachi Agreement that was signed on April 28, 1949 between Pakistan, PoK and the Muslim Conference handed over matters related to defence, foreign policy and negotiations to the then UN Commission for India and Pakistan (UNCIP) and co-ordination of all affairs relating to Gilgit to Pakistan. Residual powers were kept vague. Pakistan retained control of defence, foreign policy of PoK, rehabilitation of refugees and control over all affairs of Gilgit.
The PoK President and Prime Minister have enjoyed only titular power. So is this the kind of Azadi that Kshmiris seek after enjoying democratic and fundamental freedom under India’s domain? Do they want to live under constant fear and angst that Sindh, Balochistan and other areas of Pakistan feel as they doubt the very intention of Punjab dominated Islamabad.
Whose loss?
The people of Jammu and Kashmir must bridge the gap between what they want and what is in their interest? The contrast during and after the Amarnath agitation between ‘Jammu’ and ‘Kashmir’ was clearly visible when Pakistani flags were raised in Kashmir and Jammu was decorated with Tricolour.
Kashmiriyat, that they so vociferously espouse, itself is under threat. No one also seems to talk of the minorities. India, including Kashmir, is paralysed by amnesia when it comes to the question of the displaced Pandits and Sikhs. The demographic shift that the militants achieved through consistent slaughter seems here to stay with no hope of rehabilitation for refugees.
Does going to a nearly failed state, a state that is considered a hub of terror and chaos, a state whose future is uncertain and is living off on dollars thrown at it by its American masters in lieu of sovereignty and democracy and promising economic future a sensible bargain? Well, if ever that happens then that would be the ultimate blow to innocent Kashmiris, who unwisely believe that their welfare lies in accession to Pakistan.
A country with no history of democratic and sovereign set up cannot claim to be a frontrunner for the cause that it itself does not believe in.
About international pressure, while the European Union or United Nations may claim that J&K is a disputed territory, they also acknowledged the successful conduction of J&K polls in 2002. In any case, is Pakistan also willing let go its hold on the portion it is occupied? What can be expected of a country that can raid another state and pass it off as an popular rising. Large parts of the Kashmiri territory have already been gifted by Pakistan to China.
The carnage on the streets therefore saddens every Indian, because none would want the heaven on earth to turn into a stinking hell. But it is also important that separatist forces be curbed, not by bullet but by the ballot. Sane voices must be heard, and the time is now.
Leaders like Omar Abdullah and Mufti Mohammed Sayeed should exercise restraint and try to pacify people. The mainstream parties like BJP and Congress should also pitch in to douse the fire, and not add fuel to the rage. Slowly but surely, we must make sure that members of the minority community are rehabilitated in their land.
An atmosphere of peace and tranquility must be restored through a comprehensive dialogue process between Kashmiris and Indians. Pakistan can be tackled later. We need to put our own house in order first. A free and fair election should be priority.
|
