Innocent Kashmiri Lives in confusions :PDP´s self rule a "New Dish": New Delhi appears serving it?
Daya Sagar Sharma
March 16, 2009
A Look Through the Mist
The affairs in J&K are not that simple this day. May it be a Jummuite or a Kashmiri both have been exploited on regional basis and are suffering. Duty now rests on the common man, the king maker in a democracy where even a mother breaking stones on road could give birth to the KING of the day. The conventional political leadership has nearly failed to deliver honestly.
On the RSS Resolution opposing J&K Assembly Autonomy Resolution Dr. Farooq Abdullah had been quoted as having said on 3rd July2000 at Bangalore that the RSS has always been against the Muslims of India. How being against the J&K Autonomy Resolution( having pre-1953 facelift) could be termed as anti Muslim has not been explained till date. The people of J&K should not now onwards take such issues casually since they have already suffered a lot in the hands of the local leaders And to add to the mental agony of the common man separatist elements are now additionally active in J&K. Very often leaders belonging to Kashmir Region of J&K get disturbed as and when leaders from Jammu and Ladakh Region seek involvement in vital affairs concerning J&K State. So strangely some leaders from Kashmir Valley who want the locals innocent masses to remain confused and ill informed about intentions of India have gone more active over last one decade. Such leaders are not concerned for the common Kashmiri but have succeeded in attracting the attention of New Delhi.
Regional objections /protests/ are often disposed of as communal by those who are in the power seat.. Strangely some protests against alleged discrimination / neglect by LAHDC and the people from Jammu Region (spreading over 3/4th of J&K State ) have been termed by some as efforts to divide J&K State on communal lines. It is surely not fair since it could even damage the socio-religious matrix in Jammu and Ladakh regions as well.
Mirza Abdul Rasheed, M.P. (Rajya Sabha) while welcoming ( New Delhi 28thJune 2000 ) the Autonomy Resolution ( J&K Legislature 2000) had said that Autonomy was the only solution to assuage the sentiments of the Majority Community of J&K State. And the Majority community of J&K is of course of Muslims. One could infer ( even allege) that National Conference targets the Muslim sentiments in Kashmir for political survival. Such statements would have deeply hurt Sheikh Abdullah, had he been with us today. Dr Farooq Abdullah surely at his level would have seen welfare of all the people of J&K ( not only the muslims of J&K ) in Autonomy Resolution . But National Conference did not correct Mirza Abdul Rasheed.
Many from New Delhi and from other parts of India who often comment on J&K turmoil/ affairs address Turmoil as Kashmir Turmoil, J&K Unemployment as Kashmiri Unemployment, J&K Sentiments as Kashmiri Sentiments, J&K Identity as Kashmiri Identity , J&K leadership as Kashmiri leadership and even "Erosion" of Autonomy of J&K simply as erosion of autonomy of Kashmiries. These people have rather done more damage to the cause of Kashmir masses than doing some good. This has helped the separatist elements and the anti India forces to cultivate anti India thinking / separatist ideologies / and concept conditional 1947 accession of J&K . This has resulted in landing the common innocent Kashmiri ( majority of whom are muslims ) in conflicts of ideology , disliking about the Indian intentions, a state of ignorance about the facts on ground and turmoil hit environment .
The education, development and social security has fallen back in Kashmir valley inspite of New Delhi pumping in thousands of crores of rupees for welfare programmes . The money spent has been "shared" by the elite. Where ever the works have cost extra or the works have over run the time schedules , the government machinery and the executing agencies have sought condoning of delays / extra costs in the name of militancy / disturbed conditions. The same government machinery every next day spends lakhs of rupees issuing advertisements in news papers claiming fast development and return of peace in J&K. Such expenditure is made simply for self advertisement and winning the favours of some media through heavy payments.
And how will the June 2000 Autonomy Resolution of J&K Legislature ( if is also endorsed by Indian Parliament) free J&K of the blood shed, as of rampant corruption, redress the wounds of over 7 Lac displace Kashmir Pundits, and make the soil free of insurgents ? This has not been answered yet by those who claim the solution to Kashmir dispute lying in acceptance of Autonomy resolution by India Government.. JK Peoples democratic Party that has ruled J&K for 6 years along with Congress and has partnered UPA at New Delhi has out rightly rejected the claims of National Conference that solution for restoration of peace in J&K lies in the Greater Autonomy Resolution as drafted by National Conference. Mufti Mohd Sayeed has mustered reasonable political support on the floor of the Assembly from Kashmir Valley after 2002. Mufti has gone to the extent of suggesting that Kashmir be treated not like other Indian States and affairs relating to J&K as of International significance like currency, movement across borders etc for J&K be jointly administered by India and Pakistan. But suggestions of PDP have not been seen with serious concern by those at New Delhi. No doubt the weakened Pakistan has provided some relief to Indian Government since the separatist elements and their supporters have gone some what weak. This was time to encourage the nationalist elements at the social level and reach the common man through non governmental agencies with right information on the J&K affairs and intentions of India. But still the issue is attended without serious ness and more importance is being given by UPA Government for winning some favours and support for Congress to rule the roost in J&K and keep national Conference under pressure.
Constituent leadership of Hurriyat too has been openly saying that proposals like moving to the Pre-1953 position or J&K Assembly Resolution of 26th June2000 are no where in their Agenda. Hurriyat has some banned organisations as it´s members / supporters ( including JKLF) but it appears that GOI has ignored this fact. Even Atal Behari Vajpayeejee the then Prime Minister had confirmed that efforts with Hurriyat would continue. And Farooq Abdullah had earnestly prayed Vajpayee to spell out what Jethmalani ( as part of Kashmir Committee, an unofficial group said to be having given some mandate by the then GOI ) was going to discuss with groups like Hurriyat Conference , is it Azaadi for Kashmiries or option for handing over Kashmir to Pakistan or retaining it with India. I don not Farooq has got the reply till date.
Dr. Farooq Abdullah was accused of for having rushed through the Autonomy Resolution to steal the show from Hurriyat Conference (as far as possible) by trumpeting restoration of rights and identity of Kashmiries in pre-1953 position. Mr. V. P. Singh was first quoted as having opposed the Autonomy Resolution but he while at Delhi was quoted on 3-7-2000 having disowned any such statement. Even a clear quote from on board P. M´s special Aircraft (30-6-2000) appeared in the media on 1-7-2000 from Atal Behari Vajpayee terming the demand in J&K Assembly Resolution as being within the Indian Constitution ( even K.V. Krishna Rao ,ex-governor of J&K, in a press interview made reference of the same on 3 July ). No doubt the PMO later made a "big" correction stating that what Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee had actually said was that Autonomy Resolution would be considered in accordance with the Constitution of India .
Slogans for trifurcation Of J&K from Jammu and Ladakh regions have been well heard and have recently fallen in to the ears of people of other Indian States , though it has been after five decades. Mutual trust appears to be weakening > It is bad. Falling apart in the matters of local governance may not be that damaging but falling apart socially will be disastrous for times to come. Any effort to divide the people of J&K on social communal lines will have to be defeated. But after 2000 AD confusions in the minds of people ( particularly in Kashmir Valley ) have further grown. PDP´s self rule is a new dish in the tray and the UPA government at New Delhi has surely added "sauces" to it.
( Daya Sagar is leading colomnist on Kashmir affairs and a social activist . dayasagr@yahoo.co.uk)
The affairs in J&K are not that simple this day. May it be a Jummuite or a Kashmiri both have been exploited on regional basis and are suffering. Duty now rests on the common man, the king maker in a democracy where even a mother breaking stones on road could give birth to the KING of the day. The conventional political leadership has nearly failed to deliver honestly.
On the RSS Resolution opposing J&K Assembly Autonomy Resolution Dr. Farooq Abdullah had been quoted as having said on 3rd July2000 at Bangalore that the RSS has always been against the Muslims of India. How being against the J&K Autonomy Resolution( having pre-1953 facelift) could be termed as anti Muslim has not been explained till date. The people of J&K should not now onwards take such issues casually since they have already suffered a lot in the hands of the local leaders And to add to the mental agony of the common man separatist elements are now additionally active in J&K. Very often leaders belonging to Kashmir Region of J&K get disturbed as and when leaders from Jammu and Ladakh Region seek involvement in vital affairs concerning J&K State. So strangely some leaders from Kashmir Valley who want the locals innocent masses to remain confused and ill informed about intentions of India have gone more active over last one decade. Such leaders are not concerned for the common Kashmiri but have succeeded in attracting the attention of New Delhi.
Regional objections /protests/ are often disposed of as communal by those who are in the power seat.. Strangely some protests against alleged discrimination / neglect by LAHDC and the people from Jammu Region (spreading over 3/4th of J&K State ) have been termed by some as efforts to divide J&K State on communal lines. It is surely not fair since it could even damage the socio-religious matrix in Jammu and Ladakh regions as well.
Mirza Abdul Rasheed, M.P. (Rajya Sabha) while welcoming ( New Delhi 28thJune 2000 ) the Autonomy Resolution ( J&K Legislature 2000) had said that Autonomy was the only solution to assuage the sentiments of the Majority Community of J&K State. And the Majority community of J&K is of course of Muslims. One could infer ( even allege) that National Conference targets the Muslim sentiments in Kashmir for political survival. Such statements would have deeply hurt Sheikh Abdullah, had he been with us today. Dr Farooq Abdullah surely at his level would have seen welfare of all the people of J&K ( not only the muslims of J&K ) in Autonomy Resolution . But National Conference did not correct Mirza Abdul Rasheed.
Many from New Delhi and from other parts of India who often comment on J&K turmoil/ affairs address Turmoil as Kashmir Turmoil, J&K Unemployment as Kashmiri Unemployment, J&K Sentiments as Kashmiri Sentiments, J&K Identity as Kashmiri Identity , J&K leadership as Kashmiri leadership and even "Erosion" of Autonomy of J&K simply as erosion of autonomy of Kashmiries. These people have rather done more damage to the cause of Kashmir masses than doing some good. This has helped the separatist elements and the anti India forces to cultivate anti India thinking / separatist ideologies / and concept conditional 1947 accession of J&K . This has resulted in landing the common innocent Kashmiri ( majority of whom are muslims ) in conflicts of ideology , disliking about the Indian intentions, a state of ignorance about the facts on ground and turmoil hit environment .
The education, development and social security has fallen back in Kashmir valley inspite of New Delhi pumping in thousands of crores of rupees for welfare programmes . The money spent has been "shared" by the elite. Where ever the works have cost extra or the works have over run the time schedules , the government machinery and the executing agencies have sought condoning of delays / extra costs in the name of militancy / disturbed conditions. The same government machinery every next day spends lakhs of rupees issuing advertisements in news papers claiming fast development and return of peace in J&K. Such expenditure is made simply for self advertisement and winning the favours of some media through heavy payments.
And how will the June 2000 Autonomy Resolution of J&K Legislature ( if is also endorsed by Indian Parliament) free J&K of the blood shed, as of rampant corruption, redress the wounds of over 7 Lac displace Kashmir Pundits, and make the soil free of insurgents ? This has not been answered yet by those who claim the solution to Kashmir dispute lying in acceptance of Autonomy resolution by India Government.. JK Peoples democratic Party that has ruled J&K for 6 years along with Congress and has partnered UPA at New Delhi has out rightly rejected the claims of National Conference that solution for restoration of peace in J&K lies in the Greater Autonomy Resolution as drafted by National Conference. Mufti Mohd Sayeed has mustered reasonable political support on the floor of the Assembly from Kashmir Valley after 2002. Mufti has gone to the extent of suggesting that Kashmir be treated not like other Indian States and affairs relating to J&K as of International significance like currency, movement across borders etc for J&K be jointly administered by India and Pakistan. But suggestions of PDP have not been seen with serious concern by those at New Delhi. No doubt the weakened Pakistan has provided some relief to Indian Government since the separatist elements and their supporters have gone some what weak. This was time to encourage the nationalist elements at the social level and reach the common man through non governmental agencies with right information on the J&K affairs and intentions of India. But still the issue is attended without serious ness and more importance is being given by UPA Government for winning some favours and support for Congress to rule the roost in J&K and keep national Conference under pressure.
Constituent leadership of Hurriyat too has been openly saying that proposals like moving to the Pre-1953 position or J&K Assembly Resolution of 26th June2000 are no where in their Agenda. Hurriyat has some banned organisations as it´s members / supporters ( including JKLF) but it appears that GOI has ignored this fact. Even Atal Behari Vajpayeejee the then Prime Minister had confirmed that efforts with Hurriyat would continue. And Farooq Abdullah had earnestly prayed Vajpayee to spell out what Jethmalani ( as part of Kashmir Committee, an unofficial group said to be having given some mandate by the then GOI ) was going to discuss with groups like Hurriyat Conference , is it Azaadi for Kashmiries or option for handing over Kashmir to Pakistan or retaining it with India. I don not Farooq has got the reply till date.
Dr. Farooq Abdullah was accused of for having rushed through the Autonomy Resolution to steal the show from Hurriyat Conference (as far as possible) by trumpeting restoration of rights and identity of Kashmiries in pre-1953 position. Mr. V. P. Singh was first quoted as having opposed the Autonomy Resolution but he while at Delhi was quoted on 3-7-2000 having disowned any such statement. Even a clear quote from on board P. M´s special Aircraft (30-6-2000) appeared in the media on 1-7-2000 from Atal Behari Vajpayee terming the demand in J&K Assembly Resolution as being within the Indian Constitution ( even K.V. Krishna Rao ,ex-governor of J&K, in a press interview made reference of the same on 3 July ). No doubt the PMO later made a "big" correction stating that what Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee had actually said was that Autonomy Resolution would be considered in accordance with the Constitution of India .
Slogans for trifurcation Of J&K from Jammu and Ladakh regions have been well heard and have recently fallen in to the ears of people of other Indian States , though it has been after five decades. Mutual trust appears to be weakening > It is bad. Falling apart in the matters of local governance may not be that damaging but falling apart socially will be disastrous for times to come. Any effort to divide the people of J&K on social communal lines will have to be defeated. But after 2000 AD confusions in the minds of people ( particularly in Kashmir Valley ) have further grown. PDP´s self rule is a new dish in the tray and the UPA government at New Delhi has surely added "sauces" to it.
( Daya Sagar is leading colomnist on Kashmir affairs and a social activist . dayasagr@yahoo.co.uk)
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