This is in reference to the write up titled "and we stand stunned!" by Tanvir Sadiq. The writer has raised several questions and touched upon many facets of governance in Kashmir. I, for one, disagree that Omar Abdullah is the best CM among the whole lot that the writer has mentioned. I will give my reasons for the disagreement and also offer my explanations for the person I think is currently best in managing the state of affairs of the state.

First of all as head of state, it is the responsibility of the Chief Minister to protect the lives of its people and to provide good governance to them. He simply cannot pass the blame to anyone else be it the separatists, the opposition, or the CRPF for their conduct, under any circumstances whatsoever. He is elected to represent us and our interests at all levels and under all circumstances. How he does that it's for he and his team to figure out. He cannot offer any excuses for failing in his responsibilities or failing to deliver. Head of a state can be likened to the CEO of a corporation. Have you ever heard of a CEO who fails to deliver for whatever reasons and then justifies it by saying he would have delivered but such and such elements created friction and hurdles in his functioning! As a head you are bound to be troubled by self interest groups and people across all levels who are opposed to change or have the fear of losing their power and position. But as a head you not only need to have the right vision but also the ability to push through that change and achieve what you have envisioned for your stakeholders who hold you in trust to do that. If you fail on any account you have a moral obligation to step down.

Let’s talk about the leaders of "chalo" policy as mentioned by the writer. I wonder why the government puts them under house arrest every time they announce a program? Let these be the very people who lead these marches? Could they be the real leaders of the common Kashmiri who enjoy their support and backing? Could be yes, could be no. I really don't know and I am sure neither do most of them. But I am certain that they are equally keen to know about it. There is a halo of leadership surrounding most of them and this needs to be tested if it is for real, and  not necessarily through electoral politics. They should be let free to reach out to people and also to lead them. Over a period of time we can get a sense of whether they are the ones who have been chosen as leaders by Kashmiris.

Surely Kashmir is a tough place to govern with so many groups and elements active at all times. So we need a person with an uncanny ability to carry everyone along. I think from the current lot the person who has proved that he can do it is Mufti Sayeed. When I say Mufti Sayeed I mean him and not necessarily his party or party men. Surely he was the home minister who played havoc in Kashmir during that phase and is probably more Indian than all Indians put together (on a lighter note).  However in his limited tenure he somehow succeeded in creating hope in the minds of people. He somehow bridged the gap between the government and the common people. He somehow created a sense of peace and normalcy in the valley and removed fear from the minds of people. People felt that there was a government which is functioning for them as compared to the sense of alienation again existing today. Recently Omar Abdullah raised a question in his press conference that why was the issue of curtailing Amarnath Yatra not raised in the time of  Mufti Sayed’s government? Maybe he knew how to carry everyone along and really understands the nuances of governing a place like Kashmir!

In reality Kashmir needs new leaders to arise from amongst us who truly understand the complexities of global politics and can pragmatically usher Kashmir in a new era of peace and stability. We don’t want, in the words of Mr. Abdullah, "any more traders of death"

(Feedback at ‪g_ghaus@yahoo.com)

Lastupdate on : Tue, 6 Jul 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 6 Jul 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 7 Jul 2010 00:00:00 IST