The Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Movement (JKPM ) headed byShah Feisal and Er. Rashid’s Awami Ittehad Party have made an alliance to fight election for the next Assembly in the State and named it as Peoples United Front – PUF. The leaders told the media that the alliance has been necessitated by the ” ongoing political uncertainty in the state, apprehension about the assault on its special status andabsence of any credible political alternative in the state that could addressboth political vacuum and lack of good governance.” These are standard wordsuttered by every politician who deserts the ship, or wants to create his ownpolitical outfit.
PUF reminds us of MUF of 1987. The agenda of PUF outlined by the leaders alleys fears that, except for the rhyme, PUF won’t match with the MUF of 1987, in as much as the mew alliance has an inclusive character. We hope the government agencies will not deal with this politicalcombination the way they dealt with the MUF in Assembly elections of 1987, whose disastrous side effects we are still reeling under.
The political actors in the state have behaved in such a manner as to make people really cynical and weary about their intentions. The two leaders, therefore,must convince a common man about genuineness of the move. ErRashid has been in the business for a while now, Shah Faisal being new entrant to the game of politics, may have to face some odd questions. Questions which in normalcourse won’t be asked. But we live in abnormalworld. People say why there is mushrooming of politicaloutfits in the Valley, only. True to our habit of finding ‘conspiracy ‘ everywhere, the theory is making circles about emergence of JKPM and PUF. People asking questions can’t be faulted. Apprehensions are not misplaced. GoI did try to introduce so many ‘ stake holders ‘and extraneous factors to the K problem, only to deflect the real issue.Attempt is still on.
Despite the relentless military action, security situation in Kashmir has shown no signs of the improvement. Violence continues to devour young and old. Somedaydialogue process will have to start. It is becoming problematic; who will hold dialogue on behalf of Kashmiris. True, PM Modi has so far betrayed no sign of beingin urgency to have a dialogue but,given the rising death toll of civilians and the security forces, it can’t be the usual business for long. Other option must be exercised. Someone will have to be located to start talking with, soonerthan later, to find a way ahead. To be fair, many a ‘ stake holder ‘ have ruled themselves out for their espousal of a blatant one sided view. Having let loose NIA after some prominent Separatists, Modi can’t be seen talking to them, so soon.
It is heartening to note that Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has urged Centre to holddialogue, to which he will respond positively.Governor Malik has appreciated the stand.
Hurriyat never conceded a right to the NC and PDP to speak for Kashmiris. In turn, later denied former the sole agency torepresent the people in the Valley – for not having a verifiable mandate from them. Centre has same argument to exclude the separatist from the scene. Thoughnone can deny that both Syed AliShah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq command a huge following in Kashmir and some places beyond the Valley. For sure, no peace effort will succeed in absence of their Ashirwaad –explicit or implicit.
It is a good omen that young and educated are joining politics. It is naturalthat old and entrenched political forces feel threatened. The threat isreal for those who treat political partyas a propertied concern, managed bythe family that shows utter disregard for theaspirations and sensitivities of a common man. While there is no denying that NC, PDP and other Valley specific political parties have a role toplay, space has to be made forothers to bring in fresh ideas and to jolt those who claim it their hereditary right to rule us. They must be thrown out of the comfort zone.
PM Modi and Amit Shah are galloping in thepolitical landscape of the country.Well, none can deny them a right to spread political wings across India – J & K included. We have only to tell them that their political march to the Valley must be conditioned with due regard for the Constitutional provisions that underline Centre – State relations. This must betold to them in one voice, keepingaside egos and petty political interests.
We trust Er Rashid and Shah Faisal won’t drive us to North Pole – South Pole convergence in the aftermath of Assembly elections.
(B L Saraf is theformer Principal District & SessionsJudge)
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It is a good omen that young and educated are joining politics. It is naturalthat old and entrenched political forces feel threatened.