The blood-tinged shadow of the Pulwama attack that left 45 CRPF men dead will linger on for quite some time, and perhaps till the elections are over. This is the consensus among many writers and thinkers in the country. But should this theory be advanced to ignore the basic reality that the attack did take place, and it had its origin, its logistics before it was executed in the most horrible manner that shook everyone around. A local militant was used to blow himself in the middle of the convoy and that too on Kashmiri soil. This also is a reality that cannot be denied by any of the theorists who are using this fact to deviate the attention from what the attack represented and what it has led to.
There is a narrative that the attack has manifested the fact that the attack drove home the point that Kashmir issue is unresolved and as long as the frozen status of the issue will continue, the explosions will continue killing people. The theorists who are reminding the 70-year-old history of the issue and adding their voice to the apprehensions and seeking divisive agendas, they perhaps have not reflected on the consequences that their words can bring about.
They should know that if they are suggesting that violence by any means can bring about the solution, they are a mistaken lot. If what they are trying to suggest humouring some forces is their theory, then it is clear that no lessons have been learnt from what is happening across the globe. The Israel-Palestine conflict is a living example of the issues staying alive despite heightened violence. The violence of all kinds leads to more violence and that consumes the real human lives and ideas of peace.
To my mind what Pulwama attack and threats of the repeat of such horrendous acts have done is to drag the Kashmir issue farther from any solution anytime soon. Those legitimising this attack and seeing outlet of anger and desperation of Kashmir on the scale of the suicide bombings have nothing but the text book theories to advance. The reality is different. Only those who lose their near and dear ones know the loss and the pain of the loss, rest is rhetoric.
It would be a mistake if the violence of the Pulwama type attack is not anlaysed in proper perspective far away from the rhetoric of revenge and retaliation, and how it has dealt a severe blow to the prospects of fruitful dialogue howsoever distant it might have appeared on the horizon. There are stakeholders with a genuine concern and need for pulling Kashmir out of the quagmire in which it is sinking.
First, is it possible that when Pakistan and India are talking in terms of teaching other a lesson- it is purely the military lexicon – an atmosphere for talks will emerge. A sensible answer is, No. Whether they actually go in for war or not is a different thing and if they do it would be courting epic catastrophe for the sub continent.
But their war –like rhetoric would certainly raise passions on both sides of border. Even if Kashmir becomes central to their exchange of threats, can any of the two nuclear powers in South Asia vanquish each other or settle the Kashmir issue. When wars take place , the survival of the nations comes first. Let’s recall the history when post 9/11 Pakistan was forced to turn its back from Taliban, the then President and military ruler Gen Pervez Musharraf had declared that to him and his army , ” Pakistan comes first”. In his September 19, 2001 speech, Musharraf had ridiculed all those Pakistanis who had gone to Afghanistan for ” jihad”, and had asked them to return or perish.
Pakistan, in the event of any unfortunate repeat of the past wars, would do the same thing. It will fight for its survival and India would do the same. Pakistan must have brought China into its strategic calculation, but no nation commits to war for the sake of others to buy permanent enmity with others. It is not mid-20th century and the American and Russian coalitions in Syria have seen the disastrous results. The consequences of any such eventuality would help no one, and least of all the people of Kashmir.
Therefore, it is important that Kashmiris sit and discuss what is the way forward. There is no other option.
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