KASHMIR SITUATION

Bajraj Puri on Normalisation in the Valley

Limitations of gun to solve Kashmir problem have become fairly evident. Whatever achievements may be claimed by the militant gunmen, none in Kashmir is under an illusion that their guns alone will lead to imminent Azadi. Similarly, whatever achievement may be claimed by the Indian security forces, it will be an illusion to conclude that force alone can end popular alienation in the Valley.

Nor has politics shown much promise. Meanwhile there are problems which are more urgent as well as more important than on which militant movement and the Indian State are fighting a violent war. They are urgent as they demand immediate attention and cannot wait till the problem of Kashmir is finally resolved; even though they are the product of the dispute over the main problem. They also demand attention because their importance transcends the issue of the status of the State.

Till the armed fight is converted into a political form and eventual solution, the issue of innocent killings can be isolated. This realization should lead to institutionalization of checks on human rights violations. The official institutions like the judiciary and the S.No. National Human Rights Commission be made more effective and a state level commission be set up.

Similarly, the colossal problems of rehabilitation of women who have been widowed and children who have been orphaned during six years old insurgency- whatsoever be responsible for their plight - cannot wait till the end of the Kashmir dispute.

The impending environmental disaster is another issue which is urgent as well as important. Slow and steady death of the world-famous Dal lake should be a matter of as much concern as that of the political future of Kashmir.

Another unique feature of Kashmir's physical 7. personality is the majestic Chinar which is equally 8. threatened. With the collapse of administration and lack of self-discipline of the people, the king of trees has fallen victim to the axe of smugglers and traders of wood. What would be Kashmir like without the Dal and the Chinar which merely symbolize the environmental tragedy that being enacted in Kashmir.

The tragedy of Kashmir has been eloquently described and lamented by many in terms of human toll, physical torture of the youth and plight of migrants. But how do you measure the loss of children of the children, interrupted education of the youth, muffled muse of the poets, unused brushes of the artists, rusted strings of Santoor, crowded psychiatric wards of the hospital vanishing a rich and unique cultural heritage and fatal blows to the psyche and soul of Kashmir?

The Unless basic cause is removed, consequences cannot be cured. But certainly, they can be minimized. The process of curing the effect can often lead to the cure of the cause.

It is suggested that we should strive to create a "demilitarized and depoliticized" zone in Kashmir, not in a geographical but in a mental sense; where one should be able to breathe, think and act freely.

The urgent issue mentioned above could be debated. Such a dialogue cannot only repair a part of the damage to the physical, cultural and spiritual personality confidence which is a pre-requisite of a meaningful of Kashmir but would also be a vital measure of building dialogue on the basic problem of Kashmir.

(Source: The Radiance Viewsweekly, 3-9 March, 1996)

JK: Census 1981

S. No.  District            Area (sq. km)  Total Population         Muslim                        Hindu

ALL     2,22,236                      59,87,389                    38,43451            1930448

                                                                                    64.19%                        32.24%

Kashmir Division

3135804                           2976932                         124078

                                                                                           95%                 4%

Ladakh Division

134372              61882                          3538

                                                                                46%                                2.6%

Jammu Division

                                                      3206246            804637                                                          1802832

                                                                                25.1%                                                                  56%