In June, to which the genesis of the current troubles in Kashmir can be traced, few would have thought the prejudicial events in the Valley would take one serious turn after another, leading to more than 30 deaths in firings by the state police and the CRPF at the last count. Within the space of a month, the Cabinet Committee on Security presided over by the Prime Minister has seen it fit to meet twice to discuss Kashmir developments, and there is no end in sight. With Independence Day coming up, it may be safe to assume that the troublemakers will be encouraged to step up the tempo of their “protests” which have little to do with the aspirations of the people and become carefully staged opportunities to vent the separatist sentiment of a small minority mostly fuelled by elements across the Line of Control. Some have sought to compare the current events with the turbulent 1980s and early 1990s when terrorist outfits nurtured by Pakistan ruled the roost and caused mayhem. This is an exaggeration. The circumstances have changed fundamentally since then, and the popular mood now is underpinned by a long-term desire for normality, peace and progress within the ideological framework described by India and the assurances extended to the people by New Delhi. It is the transformation to this stage — marked by the successful conduct of two parliamentary and state elections, not to mention the relative prosperity in Kashmir in relation to many parts of the country which stands out in sharp contrast to conditions in parts of the state seized by Pakistan in 1947-48 — that also underscores, however, the obvious failure by the state government and the Centre to keep the wheels of normal life turning.
Chief minister Omar Abdullah, unlike certain other leaders Kashmir has known, is earnest, sincere and transparent. But he has to demonstrate the ability to place this invaluable asset in the effective service of the people. Such an effort would necessarily involve galvanising the machinery of his party and that of his allies, and neutralising the machinations of the narrow but vicious pro-Pakistan constituency and its camp followers. The latter do not lack for wile, guile, or resources. New Delhi must continue to extend the young chief minister every support and help defeat reactionary moves aimed at imposing governor’s rule or mid-term elections on the state. The emergence of either option will bespeak of the failure of governance and detract from the mandated opportunity to improve the lives of the people of Kashmir within the framework of democratic politics and respect for human rights.
The chief minister is correct in his assessment that the problem in Kashmir is political. But this is incomplete; he needs to complete the equation by pointing out that the “anti-social” elements he refers to — those responsible for orchestrating the current disorder, which has the potential to go out of control — are in reality remnants of the defeated pro-Pakistan end of the political spectrum that must be identified, exposed and isolated. If this is left undone, the delivery of the politics — and the economics — needed in Kashmir will be thwarted. Indeed, it will not be permitted to succeed if street violence continues to have a field day over a protracted period. The Manmohan Singh government has so far not demonstrated the political suppleness and administrative footwork needed to come to Mr Abdullah’s aid, and has been content to state routine banalities that do not address the problem. The time may have come to deploy big-ticket political reforms along with effective steps to rein in criminal elements intent on anarchy.