Brij Bhardwaj
Betrayal small or big is betrayal which is exactly what a large section of Kashmiris are feeling today. They are feeling betrayed because they wanted to be a part of India and work within the limits of the Indian Constitution. For this they suffered as they defied the call for boycott given by the pro-Pakistan elements during the polls for the State Assembly and Lok Sabha. The participation in these elections were shown to the world as a proof that Kashmiri people were a part of India by choice.
It was also maintained that state has a Constitution of its own and article 370 of the Indian Constitution protected the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. During the last half a century many elections have been held some witnessed irregularities while few were free and fair held under the supervision of the Election Commission of India. The members of the pro-Indian political parties in many cases had to suffer social boycot and in some cases the members got injured and many were killed.
The scenario over the years was that any political leader who tried to talk to Indian leaders or tried to find a solution of Kashmir problem within the Indian Constitution was killed. They included Mr A.G Lone whose son was a minister in Jammu and Kashmir in the BJP quota as well as the father of Present Molvi Farooq. There were many more who became victims of militants in Kashmir. The fight against militancy was not only fought by police and para military forces but by members of political parties like National Conference and PDP and others.
Let us not forget Kashmiris during the invasion by raiders in 1948, infiltration attempt in 1965, war in 1971 and Kargil war in eighties, by and large stood with India. In these attempts in some cases supporters of Pakistan had reached the outskirts of Srinagar and could have cut off Airport the only link of Kashmir with India at that time. By ignoring these sacrifices India has damaged its own case on Kashmir.
How can we forget the role played by Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah who turned down the overtures made by founder of Pakistan Mohammad Ali Jinnah and two nation theory on basis of religion projected by Jinah and joined hands with first Indian Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru and secular India. He never went back on his promise and commitment. Even during emergency in seventies he maintained his independence and declared that he could never accept that leaders like Jayaprakash Narayan could be anti-national.
Not only those serving in police and civil service served the cause of India but also many in political life. During this period links between Kashmir and India were strengthened. Article 370 was diluted. Agreed that there were trouble makers who were supported by Pakistan. But many more were coming into mainstream. Getting educated in best institutions in the country. At present all of them feel threatened because they are cut off from their families.
Even those who topped in civil service examination are becoming threatened today and may join ranks of agitators if not militants. It is strange that we have always maintained that number of militants is in hundreds and same number is being killed every year. The question to be asked is why they can not be controlled as we have a large force present in Kashmir.
The answer is simple. The sentiment against India is much stronger irrespective of the number of militants. The solution of Kashmir problem is by holding a dialogue and not by force. The experience of last few decades is during the period when good governance was provided to Kashmir it remained peaceful and also not a issue to be highlighted in international forums. This included the rule by Mr. G.M Sadiq, Mr Sheikh Abdullah and Mr Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.
So the solution is good governance and it can not be provided by Center directly. Kashmiries are proud of their identity and they want to preserve the same and something closer to self-rule. This is the urgent need. Sooner Center realises it better it will be. Pakistan threat can be met easily but we can damage our own cause.
(Brij Bhardwaj is a veteran journalist and commentator)