The New Delhi, by all stretch of imagination has been  absolutely insensitive towards the sufferings of about seven million people of Kashmir valley; those who are living a caged life for about past two months. Political rallies, demonstrations and street protests are not a new phenomenon in the State, they have been an inexorable part of the political landscape of this State for over six decades. But the repressive tactics used in dealing with these protests   has no precedence. There is no history of placing entire Kashmir valley under curfew without any relaxations even for fetching the essentials of life, for weeks together. The State administration is conspicuous by its absence and the Central government callously unconcerned about the miseries and sufferings of the people. True the cabinet committee on security has been regularly meeting in New Delhi not for finding ways to mitigate the sufferings of the beleaguered people but for deciding harsher and harder measures for dealing with the public protests in the State. It has so far been only meeting   for deciding about sending of more companies of the Central Reserve Forces, bringing more men in olive green on the roads, carrying out flag marches; brandishing the might of the Indian State by airlifting more and more companies Rapid Action Force (RAF) and parading them ferociously through the streets of Srinagar. Its approach has thus has been instilling fear in the hearts and minds of the people.  So indifferent is New Delhi   towards the human sufferings that it took the Prime Minister two months to decide on convening an all parties meeting to debate and discuss Kashmir situation. It seems that New Delhi is yet to realize that the arm twisting tactics are not an answer to the political urges and aspirations of the people. Such tactics can only push the State from one gorge into yet another ravine.  Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh just two months back, during his visit to Kashmir, in his speech at the SK Agriculture University had endorsed the hard fact that the problem of Jammu and Kashmir was not about the economic packages but addressing the political urges and aspirations of the people of the State.

There is no reason to doubt the sincerity of Prime Minister but it seems that his initiatives on Kashmir are getting bogged down because various ministries in New Delhi having emerged their own islands of power and authorities. It seems that the Defense, Home and External Affairs ministries are not on same page in addressing the Kashmir problem. The Prime Minister needs not be hostage to the predilections of different ministries but take some bold initiatives for finding a lasting solution to the problem. India cannot afford to keep its emerging as global power captive to the Kashmir problem. Statesmanship demands wading through the quagmires and taking bolder decisions on Kashmir even if they may not be palatable to political parties pursuing myopic, chauvinistic and communal political agendas.

There are indications that conducive mood is building in the country for taking some bolder initiatives on Kashmir. The Indian civil society does not seem in sync with some chauvinistic voices being aired by some New Delhi based satellite television channels but is looking forward to not keeping country hostage to political uncertainty in the State. The rally by Indian civil society on Saturday evening at Jantar Mantra is an indicator that Prime Minister will have mass support for bolder initiatives on Kashmir. The civil society unequivocally demanded demilitarization of the Valley, revocation of laws like AFSPA, J&K-PSA, Disturbed Areas Act, and release of all political prisoners arrested in last 21 years.

The participants comprising, teachers, journalists, students, businessmen also demanded allowing an international agency to investigate into the mass graves in Kashmir and the crimes against humanity committed by armed forces and holding of dialogue with Kashmiris. The all parties meeting in New Delhi can become historic if it, instead of adopting a cosmetic approach towards the Kashmir issue takes bolder decision of addressing the political urges and aspirations of the people of the state. 

Lastupdate on : Mon, 9 Aug 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 9 Aug 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 10 Aug 2010 00:00:00 IST