The post-partition Kashmir has had a turbulent political history. Partly because of the fact that future of the state was left undecided and partly due to the bickering between different political organizations and their leaders amongst themselves. Personal interests got a priority and national interests were put on the back burner. Central government in Delhi owing to its ambiguous policies has always been in the dock accused of being a stumbling stone for the developments besides creating factionalism amongst the political functionaries of the state.
  Because of the murky politics our politicians have mastered the art of ‘pot calling the kettle black’. Kashmir has a unique special status in so many ways. It allows men in uniform to play politics and politicians play the role of gunmen. Amarnath incident was utilized to settle the scores with the then chief Minster at the cost of peace in the state disturbing the secular fabric and resulting in to loss of scores of innocent lives. We need to understand in a democratic setup nobody is indispensable. It would have been advisable to let the Congress headed coalition government to complete its tenure and play its role as the first half of the game was already over and we needed some more tulips to blossom in Kashmir.
The valley of Kashmir as we know is mostly dependent on tourism and tourist season mainly starts with the dawn of summer. No doubt despite chief Minster’s opinion against the ‘darbar’ move government has to shift its offices to winter capital in Jammu as per past practice but surprisingly all the political leaders of other shades feel it below their dignity to share the biting cold of winter with the common masses here in the valley and return like hoopoe and doves with the dawn of spring. Unfortunately unlike these migratory birds that add beauty to the magnificent valley our political leaders, ‘constructive criticism apart’ leave no stone unturned to spoil the tourist season in pursuance to settle their scores with the people in power. At the same time it is interesting to note people who don’t get an official berth in the ruling party on their exit see all sorts of faults like corruption nepotism and moral degradation in the same organization that had been their abode for years. Apparently this ‘war within’ the political activists and their organizations in the state is responsible to a great extent for the prevailing uncertainty and lack of developments in the state.
Practically speaking, the valley of Kashmir has only six months of working season and if we need developments in terms of building our roads, telecommunication, hospitals or industries etc; and if we have to allow our students to concentrate on their studies we need to provide a congenial and peaceful atmosphere for that. Despite a functional Jhelum valley road for almost six years now it is a pity our Srinagar-Muzafarabad trade is still on barter system. Keeping in view the larger goals that ‘freedom fighters’ are pursuing it becomes difficult to believe that they were involved in stone pelting movement last year. At the same time with the decline in infiltration we have no reasons to accuse militancy for the sudden upsurges of violence in the valley. Hence the finger is bound to point towards the home grown naughty boys that you call the mainstreams or- our custodians. Some seem to be interested in power while others in AFPSA.
Looking in the past the pre fifty three administrative set up in the state looked like the present coalition of NC Congress alliance where the government in Delhi was giving a tacit support to the then NC government in the state. Suddenly one fine morning on the eve of 9th; August 1953 all the agreements came to a naught and NC government was sent ‘lock stock and barrel’ behind the bars. Keeping in tune with its past practice Present statements by congress leadership for a demand for a rotational head of the state and browbeating NC headed coalition government on the pretext of slow developmental works or empowering the Panchs etc; reminds of pre fifty three atmospheres in the state. Consequently the response of the NC leadership to fight with its back to the wall confirms the doubts of the ‘Aam Aadmi’ that something sinister is brewing up. It remains to be seen if the rivals take a pity on the suffering masses ‘stop the war within’ and keep their ‘stones for constructive works’ thus save the forthcoming summer and long cherished tourist season in the valley.

(The columnist is the writer of the book, ‘Kashmir in search of peace’. The book is available on amazon.com Feedback at drashrafbeg@gmail.com)

Lastupdate on : Wed, 2 May 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
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