We are now expert in rejections. We reject everything that comes our way. We rejected dialogue; we rejected interlocutors; we rejected delegates knocking our doors and now we are rejecting the ceasefire. The rejection has made us perfect in nothing but rejection itself.
The unilateral ceasefire declared by the union government in Kashmir is one of the biggest confidence building measures taken by the center so far in the trouble torn state. The decision has been appreciated by the international level and pointed out as a gesture of peace towards Kashmir.
The measure is also unprecedented as the Prime Minister Narendera Modi is said to have decided to go ahead with the proposal, mooted by the state chief minister Ms Mehbooba Mufti, on his own despite adverse opinions from the people at the helm of affairs. The security forces were asked to stop all their operations by the union government just few days after public disproval by all the stake holders in New Delhi – the Defence Minister, Army Chief and even the BJP leadership in the state and center.
The demand of ceasefire in the All Party Meeting was followed by critical politicking. Instead of putting their weight behind the demand the mainstream political parties tried to gave an impression that the proposal was not unanimous. Former Chief Minister and Working President of National Conference Omar Abdullah even did not wait for the final disapproval from the center and suggested the Ms Mufti to step down. He was sure that such a decision will have no takers in New Delhi.
While people in Delhi are busy in creating a perception that the unilateral gesture to reach out to Kashmir and Kashmiries is bound to fail, the separatist leadership in Kashmir has out rightly rejected the move calling it a “cruel joke”. The response was quick like replication of a past pronouncement. “People of Kashmir as a peace loving nation who believe in permanent peace rather than a relaxation in killing for one month”, claimed the statement issued the day the union government issued directions to the security forces operating in valley.
The violence has done no good to us. It has obliterated generations. It has taken away from us everything once we were proud of. It has forced us into oblivion where every move is to be doubted and every gesture is to be rebuffed. Truth is the real victim and conscious is the causality.
The grim situation in Kashmir must not be the sole concern of the mainstream political parties or those who are governing the state. Each death in the narrow lanes of the Valley must shatter our hearts, irrespective of the ideology we follow or the slogans we coin. Deaths don’t win wars but it only leads to cycle of more deaths.
The rejections have only made us impulsive. It has serves no purpose.
As rightly put by Ajaz-ul-Haq (GK May 20, 2018), “We can – for a while – rise above the statements of rejection and condemnation which we have fed on for long. Rejection originates from excitement, acceptance demands application of mind and courage to face the unpleasant. Rejection may earn us a temporary popular support, but it can’t be a one-answer-fits-all solution. A positive response to the move may have immediate negative results, but the reverse can also be possible. We know we have tried and failed, we can (as Samuel Beckett puts it) `try better, fail better.’”
The initial outcome of the unilateral suspension of combat operations seems to be positive. The normalcy is returning to Kashmir. The Chief Minister has made similar attempts. The appointment of interlocutor and amnesty to stone palters is part of the process. “One step at a time”, she has made it clear but the success of the process itself depends on how even a single step makes change on the ground.
The ruling parties are not solely responsible for peace but it has to be the concern of every individual. We will have to strive together. We cannot wait for permanent solutions to be visible. If lives are saved, peace even in piecemeal is worth.
(The writer if Member Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council)
takfirdous@gmail.com