The more things change, the more they remain the same. Or, in some cases, they get worse! This truism applies to the current worrisome situation in Jammu and Kashmir that is, once again, on the boil — only this time with an intensity not seen in the Valley in the past few years. That this rage is primarily propelled by external machinations and, equally, self-inflicted, shouldn’t surprise anyone. Armed with a massive mandate in the 2014 elections, the Narendra Modi government was all primed, by its own pre-election promises, to provide strong and efficient governance within the country and inject much-needed oxygen to the so-called sluggish foreign policy of the fatigued UPA government. Over two years is a reasonable time period to gauge one’s achievements and do course correction in matters affecting the nation’s well-being, particularly in security, before things get out of hand.
Despite some well-thought-out foreign policy initiatives and energetic forays in nations impinging our strategic interests, both in our neighbourhood and beyond, New Delhi’s policies towards Pakistan have bordered on inconsistency and lack firmness. The problems in Kashmir, to a large extent, are due to Pakistan’s mischief, stemming from its well-known strategy of “bleeding India by a thousand cuts”. As is widely accepted, Pakistan, the fountainhead of global terror, has been fuelling insurgency in Kashmir for 25 years through its agents and zealously pumping in infiltrators to carry out terrorist attacks. The killing of Burhan Wani, the young “poster boy” of militancy in the Valley, was just the trigger that Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence was waiting for. It had liberally funded the “separatist” conglomerate for years, and unsurprisingly the Valley is witnessing an extraordinarily adverse law and order situation not seen since at least 2010.
Before matters go totally out of hand, the Centre and the state government must synergise all actions and resources swiftly, and cool down raging tempers in the Valley. It can be done if India sheds the action-reaction routine, heavy-handedness by some badly-trained paramilitaries and Central forces, a recourse to pious statements and offers of increased economic assistance which, in reality, mostly never reach citizens anyway. Today Pakistan has a fertile environment in the Valley to sow mischief; and while we should definitely warn that country to keep its hands off and stop meddling in our internal affairs, we have to do much more diplomatically and otherwise to sort out the current Kashmir conundrum.
First and foremost, India must convey unequivocally to Pakistan that if it persists in its evil machinations, we will downgrade its diplomatic representation with immediate effect. In addition, let Islamabad be reminded of its many faultlines, which India, owing to its peaceful orientation and civilised values, has not exploited so far. Further, the Indian government should actively discourage all contacts with Pakistan — in business and sports, as well as in literary and cultural activities. Our firm resolve to nip such Pakistani mischief in the bud will find resonance even in the saner elements of Pakistani civil society. Back home, we also need to set our house in order before the Kashmir issue becomes too precarious to handle. It must be accepted that despite huge sums being spent to boost economic and social growth since Independence, we haven’t succeeded in emotionally integrating a large number of Kashmiris with the nation.
Nevertheless, all is still not lost — most Kashmiris are fully aware that the rights, privileges and freedom they enjoy in a democratic India are in stark contrast to the barbaric repression that the Pakistani state inflicts on its citizens. This aspect must be drummed into Kashmiris — our official information and propaganda organs often appear to be slumbering, and they need to wake up! Mehbooba Mufti’s government must be fully supported by all parties in India, and emphatically by the Centre. A stern warning should be personally sent to all Pakistani henchmen, such as the separatist leaders in the Valley, that their days of spreading discontent and indulging in anti-India activities are over, and they should fall in line.
Their passports and those of their children, many of them employed or studying abroad, should be cancelled if they persist in further seditious activities. The J&K police, the CRPF and other Central forces deployed on security tasks in the Valley must be counselled restraint while dealing with stone-pelters and other misguided Kashmiri youth. It will be advisable for the Centre to dispatch an all-party delegation with a liberal sprinkling of Muslim clerics to travel around the affected parts of the Valley and instil some sense into the agitated Kashmiri youth. The Indian Army will have anyway reinforced the existing counter-infiltration and counter-insurgency grid and would be ready to thwart any Pakistani mischief.
When matters somewhat cool down, it would be a good idea for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take the top leadership of all parties to Srinagar and issue a clarion call to Kashmiris that their future lies in a secular India and not a failing, extremist state like Pakistan. The world must also be firmly told that J&K is not only the symbol of our inclusive nationhood, but also its guarantee. India would also do well to bring Pakistan’s record in fostering terror, its barbaric persecution of the people of Balochistan and Occupied Kashmir, and the extermination of Shias in the Gilgit-Baltistan region to the notice of the international community. Pakistan’s support to various terror groups within its own territory and in neighbouring Afghanistan makes it a suitable candidate for global ostracism. It is high time Pakistan is administered a dose of the medicine that it so freely dispenses to others.
