The debate on Kashmir in Parliament was perhaps the most significant reminder of how far the political class in Delhi is from the happenings in the Valley. The speeches by BJP and Congress members in particular were completely disheartening, as they reflected a crassness of approach that highlighted a depressing disconnect. The BJP laced its comments with the usual dose of communalism, the Congress said essentially the same thing but tried to skirt around the Hindu-Muslim mind set without much success. And went on to speak of employment, dole, jobs without a word about the real issues of justice and security of the people of Kashmir.

A senior official in Delhi in an influential position, who is conversant with Kashmir and clearly of a more sensitive calling told this columnist the other day that the handling of Kashmir by the central government was completely different from its attitude towards protests in any other part of the country. He said he could sense a strong discrimination in the attitude, and mind you he is not a Muslim but a good secular citizen of India. The bias, he said, is visible.

National Conference president Farooq Abdullah made his usual emotional intervention in the House. And played to the gallery as always. Unfortunately this time the gallery was Delhi and there was little in what he said that could work as balm for the agitating youth in Kashmir. Again the disconnect was visible, as the distance between the National Conference has grown to a point of being almost unbridgeable. Of course, the Congress that prefers to work with the NC---both sharing a certain arrogance of approach as parties-----has decided to back the state government to the hilt regardless of the total unpopularity of the father and son duo, and the party itself in the simmering Valley.

There is concern in Delhi definitely. But it varies from a BJP-Congress kind of reaction where officials who have probably never visited the state speak in a well managed whisper, that the the capital’s drawing rooms pick up…”you know they are being backed, there are all these other groups and governments behind the protest.” Fortunately there are many who rubbish this as forcefully, making it clear that until and unless the government recognized the gravity of the situation, it would only worsen.

The advice filtering in from the security and intelligence agencies seems to have shifted from ‘Lashkar e Tayaba’ to ‘indigenous’ protest. From trying to fix it on the former, as was evident in the responses of all those in power in the state and the centre, the realization that this would not work on the ground this time finally sank in. But there is no strategy to tackle it, no understanding, no political will. It is just not evident as the Home Ministry under P. Chidambaram knowns only the ‘lathi and bullet’ approach and the Prime Minister who was seen as more humane has fallen silent. He does not speak any more, or only very occasionally as if the words were being dragged out of him.

In this context the Chinese activity in Gilgit-Baltistan and of course the denial of the visa to the Army general has come as very welcome to the official circles in Delhi. They needed a bogey, could not find it in terrorism this time, so now it will be China and its plans for the region. Of course, Beijing is not innocent and given the Indian flirtations with the Dalai Lama has decided to use the Kashmir card, in addition to Arunachal Pradesh. The Pakistan-China nexus is of course, of added concern. But it again highlights the absence of strategy with New Delhi rushing into knee jerk responses, in the hope that the crisis will wither away. It will not, because as is well known, China does not move without considerable thought and planning and does not move away easily either.

The political outcome of the Chinese signals could generate a response from Kashmir though. These are early days still but given the disillusionment with Pakistan, the alienation from India, the anger and a certain suspicion of the United States, the young people on the streets could be looking for new support. Perhaps China could become the card they pick up, at least for bargaining purposes. In a completely fluid situation, any one could fill the current political void and the Indian state will have to monitor the situation carefully to ensure that it is not the Chinese who make their way on to the streets of Jammu and Kashmir. After all China still commands awe and respect in the north eastern states, a sentiment that is very evident during large scale protests in that part of India.

The point here is not that this is going to happen. But without justice and a political solution, the Kashmir field is pretty open for all kinds of interventions. New Delhi that remains in a state of total drift, about everything including Kashmir, has to wake up. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will have to go. He is a nice man but unable to handle the Valley, with the result that he and his father are cutting into the basic efficacy of the National Conference. Not that this will make a major difference, but will give some breathing space for effective action for the people of Kashmir, if those in authority are so inclined.

Two, Justice and Transparency go hand in hand and the government, the army, the security agencies will have to order immediate enquiries within specified time frames, and publicly punish those found guilty of the terrible encounters. All those involved in the encounters and the cover up must be identified and tried and put away. “Security” agencies are expected to provide security to the people. In Kashmir they are taking away the security of the people, and hence are totally redundant and useless. The people cannot become the enemy, the state has to correct its perception and its strategy.

Three, work on a political solution should begin on a war footing. Not in the half hearted, callous, ‘let us buy’ time fashion that all these politicians are so good at. But in a manner where all sections of Jammu and Kashmir are represented, serious work is done, and done along with credible voices from the state. Autonomy has to be put firmly on the table, and no one will grudge a discussion and a settlement that is fair, honest, and sincere. What really turns people against governments is when there is evidence of double dealings, of skullduggery, and a meanness of approach that has unfortunately been the case in most, if not all, New Delhi-Srinagar dealings.

I am trying to include solutions in every column I write on Kashmir. As now there is no point in writing without at least some suggestions that could douse fires, begin talks, and open the way to a political solution to the problem. Whatever it is. Cheap dole in the form of money and more money, and empty promises have led to this pass. Tampering with the peoples aspirations, fooling around with their sentiments has led to this pass.

Discrimination and arrogance has led to this pass. A refusal to acknowledge that the people have rights, that the people are supreme, that the people matter has led to this pass.

One can only write, even though one knows that now the governments have, like the three monkeys, stopped seeing, hearing and now, as the good Prime Minister has shown, even speaking.

The author is National Affairs Editor, News X.
(Feedback at seemamustafa@gmail.com)

Lastupdate on : Sun, 29 Aug 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 29 Aug 2010 18:30:00 GMT
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