KASHMIR SITUATION

A.N. Dar on A New Life in J&K

We have not yet estimated how the currents and cross currents of thinking crossing the minds of the people who have gone through the ordeal in the last seven years will be stilled or directed along new channels. Not only the new rulers of Kashmir but those who govern the rest of the country should know of it so that their actions go along the right lines. This depends upon the calm, satisfactory rehabilitation of not only the physical but also the psychic condition of the people.

First the Valley. There are still a large number of people who are not reconciled to association with India.

They fall into two categories. One of them is the hard- core Pakistani adherents. They would all like to create trouble. Their hopes will be pinned on the mistakes the State Government makes. Their way will be Islamic fundamentalism. Their point of activity will be the mosque; their example will be the Taliban. The Indian and Kashmir Governments should know of their ways. The trouble from them is not over.

The other faction is formed of those who were somehow drawn into the former's fold. They can as well come out of it and be part of the mainstream. They should not be doubted. They can be an asset in bringing new life into Kashmir. They lost some fine leaders like the Mirwaiz of Kashmir and the Mirwaiz of South Kashmir. If they see the writing on the wall, people like Shabir Shah and Yasin Malik can still be part of this section. Sure, they cannot be a part of the administration but that would not make them enemies of the State. They can provide the right correctives to those in power. They can help hold Kashmir democratically together. These are the political folds. There are also others There is a vast majority who just want to live a life of daily work and honesty in what was once but still can be a Happy Valley. They should be given justice and order. They should get good roads, schools, hospitals, electricity, tourists and export of handicrafts. This work is a challenge for the administration. The good of Kashmir lies in doing this at breakneck speed with a kind of honesty that Kashmir has not often enjoyed. It is not going to be easy. Both Muslims and Pandits who stayed on despite odds and those with courage in their hearts and having braved much distress outside return there (are) the hope of the return of peace in Kashmir. (They) will welcome their old neighbors back to their hearths. The people of the rest of India also played a part. (No) Kashmiri salesman was hampered even as gory accounts came out of Kashmir. When they would go back to Kashmir with their earnings, they would tell their people that India was truly a secular country. Everyone deserves a thank. The people of Jammu would need a greater say in the administration. Ladakh will also need greater autonomy.

All three must know that some kind of a Taliban, composed and inspired and funded by Pakistan, will be waiting for a moment of weakness. The danger will not go for a long time.

When peace fully returns, Kashmir must start work on a monument to those known and unknown who fell to the bullet, (those) were brutally done away with and (those who) did their duty like true soldiers and (those) whom militancy drew out and (who) died in inhospitable situations. This monument should commemorate them all.

(Source: The Hindustan Times, 11 October, 1996)

Anand K. Sahay on Tasks in J&K

The people in the Muslim-majority State (have) revealed their preference for what Pakistan might call "Hindu" India. "Hindu" India, with all its shortcomings, is actually still a functioning democracy in which there i better chance of the rights of citizens to be safeguarded than in a military-guided plutocracy operated in the name of a faith. But Indian rulers must recognize it was a near thing. The Centre must now engage in serious and meaningful dialogue with the elected dispensation in Srinagar.

The people of J&K, the Valley included, are not prepared to countenance an option other than the one that exists and has done so for nearly half a century, transient lures of Azadi or merger with Pakistan notwithstanding, viz. that they still prefer to be in and with India no matter what may have happened in the last 10 years or so.

Farooq Abdullah appreciates this reality. It is now the turn of the Centre to carry out its part of the deal imposed by history and  play true and fair with the Kashmiri people, and show it has a large heart. With the Taliban today sitting pretty on the periphery of Central Asia, ambition can only be leaping in the bosom of the powers rearing to fashion a new world order. And given Islamabad's track record, it will be no surprise if it signed up in aid of the great powers game... These nuances of elections in Kashmir show that, whatever the propaganda, the ordinary folk in the Valley never did go over to the ideological wares peddled by the ISI and its local subservient. And, although with some hesitation, it can now be believed that the phase of "insurgency" - implying a noticeable measure of popular support- is over. Thus, any residuary violence now can only be ascribed to naked, anti-democratic terrorism.

But the new Government in Srinagar must drive home its political advantage with speed. It must make sure there are representatives of Kashmiri political forces besides those of National Conference on the committee to negotiate with the Centre the quantum of autonomy and related issues. Further, Farooq Abdullah must attend to some people-level difficulties on an urgent basis, before winter sets in deep so that the ordinary folk are delivered some fruits of democratic existence.

Pushp Saraf on NC's Historic Opportunity

 It is true that the NC chief has been pleading for greater autonomy for the State. But the margin and sweep he victory must convince him that the vote for his party is not a vote so much for his demand for greater autonomy but in the hope that he will find a way out of the present mess.

The Buddhist-dominated Leh district and the Hindu-dominated areas of Jammu region would have never placed trust in him if the elections had been contested solely on the issue of greater autonomy or the return to the pre-1953 dispensation.

This factor makes Farooq's task more delicate but should also give him the required courage to take the bull by the horns. A major challenge would be corruption in public life which had even before terrorism erupted in 1990, alienated the Valley's urban educated youth who first identified with the anti-establishment Sheikh Abdullah and then with the militants against the Sheikh's self-appointed heir, Farooq.

The thrust during his poll speeches, has been on providing a responsive administration. That will equip him with an effective tool to fulfill other promises which include: the release of militants in jails for minor offences after they and their parents give a written undertaking of good behavior, industrial growth including power generation in private sector, rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits and promotion of regional harmony.

The National Conference on the political plane has admitted top leaders like Mian Bashir and Abdul Aziz Zargar from the Congress and Abdul Qayoom from the Janata Dal into his party. All three of them are moderates and should help Abdullah balance the influence of the hawks in his party.

At a different level, he has welcomed with open arms the entry into the organization of a former Chief Secretary, Sheikh Ghulam Rasool, a bureaucrat with a formidable reputation and reach to all sections of society. The concern over the role the local bureaucracy may play-particularly at the lower level- is justified because it is the symbol of the government's authority. But in the Valley, it has invariably collapsed under the threat of militants. However, the local police has been slowing recovering its confidence. It is heartening to note that Farooq has publicly stated that steps will be taken to further upgrade the local police "to make it one of the best in the country.

Adequate security paraphernalia, spearheaded by the local police, will be reassuring for private investors to resume their activity in the State to tackle his political opponent like the Hurriyat Conference effectively.

The majority of the constituents of the Hurriyat Conference will like Kashmir's Sufi tradition retained Dotted with Sufi shrines, the Valley has so far resisted all onslaughts of Islamic fundamentalism, Sooner or later, the Talibans across the border will target the Valley. They will meet their waterloo if the National Conference and the sympathetic sections of the Hurriyat rise above petty politics.

History repeats itself for wise men to learn lessons from their first bitter experience. Farooq has got a historic opportunity now to live down the charge of having allowed militancy to gain ground during his previous tenure as the Chief Minister.

(Source: The Pioneer)

Arun Joshi on Farooq Abdullah's Last Opportunity

Stung by remarks describing him as "undependable", Farooq Abdullah had lashed out at the Press during electioneering, but he has yet to prove that he has the capacity and will to deal with highly challenging tasks ahead.

Aware that people expect a lot from him, he has listed assignments which he wants to undertake immediately.

Farooq Abdullah is conscious of all this. But will he be able to deliver?

While Farooq Abdullah has promised that he has learnt many lessons from his past, his critics do not agree with him. Within the party too there is a feeling among senior leaders that he is being carried away by the euphoria of massive mandate. He has to start addressing basic issues without wasting any time.

This time, party leaders say, is the "last opportunity for him to deliver". There will be no other opportunity as they feel that "Kashmiris who were seeking azadi or accession with Pakistan have settled for an acceptable promise of Conference, if Farooq Abdullah fails the secessionist restoration of greater autonomy to the State by the National voices would gain credibility.

However, amidst this not so optimistic scenario, there are hopes too. Dr. Abdullah is cautious in making observations For Hurriyat leaders, most of whom in jails, he pauses and promises that their cases would be reviewed. Nor he makes wild promises of doing things overnight.

Critics and commoners while hoping that Dr.Abdullah improves do not hesitate in voicing fears that if he falters, not only he and his government but the entire State is doomed. The doomsayers, however, want the Centre to back him fully in the fight against militancy, poverty and backwardness.

(Source: The ?????????,8 October, 1996)