‘The report of the interlocutors has proved right the approach of the seperatists in refusing to meet them…. They merely acted like employees of the central government only to buy time…. They only raised hopes of the people but finally came out with nothing that could satisfy Kashmiris’. These are the words of Ghulam Nabi Ratanpuri, senior National Conference leader and parliamentarian. The party that believes in the finality of the accession. The party that Delhi trusts the most, whenever the situation in Kashmir seems to slip out of hand. Even after Delhi threw to dust-bin the autonomy resolution, this party passed with majority in the assembly, relationship remained honeymonic. It even continued its efforts at improvising the hip-gyrations to please Delhi.  The recent lip-lock show of loyalty on Guru’s mercy petition after tweeting by CM on Tamil Nadu assembly resolution, shows how it values this relationship.
      The above mentioned comments on the report, the interlocutors submitted on October 13 last week to Union Home Minister P Chidambaram, reveals the disappointment even among the loyalists of the loyals in pro-Indian camp. And when the trusted lot takes such a terrible fright and lurches in the direction of ‘seperatists’, the very fate of the report is all but pre-determined.
      The appointment of three member interlocutors had come at a time when unrest in Kashmir was at its peak. Irrespective of Chidambaram’s pointed reference to Kashmir demanding a ‘unique solution’ and the very hype created on interlocution, the underlying aim, however, was to wrest political space from pro-resistance camp which was calling the shots . Unfortunately for Delhi and the political groups it wanted to groom, the very purpose has failed and the move has boomeranged. At the end of the day, it is ‘off-stream’ (in Padgoankar’s words) political groups which have the last laugh. It is the moment of vindication in their camp. And Delhi has herself proved them right. The Hurriyat Conference need not consume their vocal energy. Padgoankar’s group is greeted with howls of derision by the very political class Delhi depends so heavily on. If any tangible thing interlocutors delivered, it is this: it created advocates from pro-Indian camp to lend credence to the detractors of this exercise. Not just NC’s Ratanpuri, here are the words of Mehbooba Mufti: ‘It is ridiculous and seems they are trivializing the whole issue’.
      The report recommended developmental councils for all the three regions – Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh – and devolution of powers to the sub-regions. It also recommended ‘massive economic package’. Not only it rejected demand for Azadi, stating ‘clock cannot be turned back’, pre-1952 position and self-rule too were out rightly rejected.
      The question is what then lies in Padgoankar’s report for the people of Kashmir. Autonomy and self-rule are ‘within Indian constitution’ political arrangement.  If these two demands are not accepted, does it mean only complete integration in Indian fold satisfies the New Delhi? And Padgoankar’s recommendation slyly and gingerly makes sate to walk to that end.
      Already in Leh and Kargil hill developmental councils have been constituted. Now recommending  development councils for Kashmir and Jammu means, as rightly said by NC spokesman Mustafa Kamal, creating three independent power structures which, inevitably, shall lead to trifurcation of the state. And that exactly is what the sections of people in Jammu and Ladakh have been pursuing the agenda of. Obviously the report ignores the aspirations of the Muslim majority of the state whereas it reflects those who voice complete integration or demand separate state for Jammu and union territory status for Ladakh.
      ‘The ‘seperatists’, Padgoankar remarks, ‘missed the bus.’ When, one would ask, they showed inclination to embark on it. Kashmir is exposing sincerity, integrity and intellect of people from Delhi.  The whole pack seems to be jinxed.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 21 Oct 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 21 Oct 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 22 Oct 2011 00:00:00 IST