Time to act beyond charming phrases

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was quite emphatic  in emphasizing  that “embracing the people of Kashmir  and not the bullets” was the only way to address the Kashmir problem. His speech from the ramparts of Red Fort on the 72nd Independence Day and mention of Kashmir sounded like an echo of what he had  said on this occasion last year from same iconic place where  dawn of Indian Independence came alive on August 15, 1947.

This statement of hugging the people and not using the bullets to resolve the problem  often is read in its literal meaning that the military approach against the militants   would be replaced by taking the people into a tight embrace.  This is oversimplified interpretation of the PM’s statement. The use of the metaphors of embrace and  bullets  needs to be understood in perfect sense of the intentions with which these phrases were spoken  by  the Prime Minister.

   

If looked at closely, it reveals the divisions that exist between this State and the rest of the country, and at the same time it talks of reconciling the differences between the two. It is only when the differences and divisions become too alarming to handle that the talk of reaching out to the people  starts taking a meaning and shape. This is a difficult task  that Prime Minister has assigned to himself and   his government since August 15, 2017. Last year, the phrase ” embracing the  people of Kashmir” and discarding the abuse  sparked off excitement and anticipation. This time there was  skepticism, and it is evident to everyone why this  doubt  has been cast  on the  expressions that should have  been received for their richness. There is a gap and it cannot be bridged overnight.

As a matter of fact, this reflects that the divisions do exist  between Jammu and Kashmir and the rest of the country. Despite his speeches courting outreach to Kashmiris, the emotional disconnect is  a stark reality  staring at the  well –intentioned people  in the country. This disconnect  did not emerge under Mod. i’s  watch. It was there  already. But it did  widen further in the past over four years  of his rule at the Centre. The standoffs have become solid and seem unbreakable because the words  lost meaning somewhere.

It is pointless to count the reasons – there are plenty of them  at  the  Indo-Pak axis  and also at  the J&K- Delhi axis.  The start of Modi’s innings was very high on symbolism  of friendship with neighbouring countries, and Pakistan, by all means, is the neighbour that figured prominently on his  agenda. He had invited all the heads  of the state and  government of the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation ( SAARC) to his  swearing-in ceremony  on May 26, 2014. The overwhelming  view within the SAARC  is that  the wrangling over Kashmir by the two countries has prevented  the goal of larger cooperation of the regional grouping.

Pakistan considers Kashmir as a “core issue”. India does not entertain this position  because of the historical and geographical reasons. There is a need to find a way out by seeking  middle path.. The dialogue should  aimed at ending all the irritants but  unfortunately the prospects of  talks are marred by the bad-mouthed accusations.

New innings must begin  with regard to Kashmir  and  Pakistan also Pakistan. The triangle is  an inescapable reality. Delhi   needs to embrace Kashmiris without losing  a moment. The troubles are deep and the time is limited. More civilians are getting killed by the militants and the encounters have become order of the day. These troubles are more worrisome than  these were in 1990s, reckoned as the  most violent and disturbed period in the history of Kashmir.

Time is limited. Three generations have  lost their future and  as the things stand, we have cast a thick shadow of darkness on the newer generations. This is unacceptable. We cannot  set off  newer generations on the path of self-destruction.

If the timely steps are not taken, the whole blame will come to  India  and there will be more of international censure  that no country can afford in the world struggling to steady itself   against the rising tide of  right-wing politics and declining economy.

Coming back to the words of  Prime Minister Modi, it is now imperative for him to follow the path laid out by his Guru Atal Behari Vajpayee. The man who  sought to traverse the path  of humanity in Kashmir is no more. Modi’s responsibility  to  follow the path of  Vajpayee  vis-à-vis Kashmir has increased. 

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