After Ufa, AG NOORANI
COLLAPSE of the
short-lived Ufa peace process caused deep depression among people in Indian
Kashmir. They know only too well that the key to their liberation from the
oppressive stagnation there is an accord on the Kashmir dispute between India
and Pakistan which satisfies their aspirations as well.
Gen Pervez Musharraf
(retd) faced strong opposition in his own country in the last months of his
presidency, while most in India were critical of him. The reaction in Kashmir
to his problems provides an instructive contrast which explains the Kashmiri
mood.
Right across the political
divide, both the unionists and the separatists saw him as one who could clinch
a settlement on Kashmir. In November 2007, chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad
praised him as a unique conciliator. Earlier in the same month, the People’s
Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti, said: “Naturally we are
concerned. We have a sentimental and geographical affinity with Pakistan.” She
defended Musharraf’s Provisional Constitution Order of 2007.
Meanwhile, Shabbir Shah, a
separatist, said at the time that the Emergency was a necessary step for
Pakistan’s stability.
The Mufti regime has shown
no concern for Kashmiri self-respect.
Now the omission of any reference to Kashmir in the
Ufa statement has been sharply criticised. The Narendra Modi government is
unlikely to take any substantial steps towards restoration of the autonomy of
Indian Kashmir.
The PDP, supposedly the
senior partner in the coalition, bows to the BJP’s diktat for fear of offending
the BJP government at the centre and losing power. Indian Kashmir is unique.
There was complete shutdown on two Independence Days; on Aug 14 (Pakistan) and
on Aug 15 (India).
The Mufti regime has not
only abandoned all its electoral promises but also all concern with Kashmir’s
identity and self-respect. Section 144 of the constitution of J&K refers to
the latter’s flag, saying it “shall be rectangular in shape and red in colour
with three rectangular white vertical strips of equal width next to the staff
and white plough in the middle with handle facing the strips”. All holders of
office under this constitution are required to “bear true faith and allegiance”
to it.
The PDP-BJP coalition
assumed office on March 1 this year. But in less than a fortnight there was a
retreat on several issues. Kashmir’s flag was one of them.
On March 12, a government
circular said that it had, under Indian Jammu & Kashmir’s constitution, the
“same sanctity and position as the national flag”. “The flag shall always be
hoisted jointly with India’s national flag on the buildings, housings, and
shall be used on the official cars of constitutional authorities.” The circular
was swiftly withdrawn.
The highly respected Syed
Ali Shah Geelani has long been under house arrest. He is not permitted even to
join the congregational prayers in a mosque on Fridays. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has
also had to put up with curbs of all sorts. If the PDP held out any hope of
relief, that hope lies shattered today.
None had the slightest
expectations from Farooq Abdullah or his son Omar. Their eyes have ever been
transfixed on New Delhi with hopes of grabbing any crumbs which the men at the
high table of power in New Delhi choose to throw at them.
Farooq Abdullah told a
former chief of RAW, A.S. Dulat, “I’m not like father; I’m not going to
follow my father’s politics. I don’t intend to spend 23 years in jail. I’ve
figured out that to remain in power here you have to be on the right side of
Delhi and that’s what I’m going to do.” He cannot conceive of life without
power and will sell his soul to secure it.
This stripping of all
subterfuge has resulted in the appearance of unionist leaders, Mufti Mohammed
Sayeed and Farooq and Omar Abdullah in the stark hideous shape of carpetbaggers.
But, the separatists are hopelessly divided.
Is it, then, surprising
that there has been a surge in militancy ever since the PDP-BJP coalition came
to power? The majority of recruits are locals of whom very many are highly
educated with scant deference to the old leadership.
Dulat noted:
“Significantly, of late Kashmiri boys involved in militancy are more highly
educated and from better stock.” Kashmir INK, a new Srinagar monthly, carries
this month a revealing report on the new militant. He is bold, and very adept
in using modern gadgets to spread the word and enlist support.
The Modi government is
unlikely to reach out to Kashmiris to address their concerns. Their only hope
lay in improvement in relations between Pakistan and India. The fortnight after
Ufa has shattered it. The consequences will be dangerous and far-reaching
unless and until the two countries begin seriously to resolve the Kashmir
dispute.
The writer is an author
and a lawyer based in Mumbai.
Published in Dawn,
September 5th, 2015
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