The changing face of Kashmir politics 04 Nov 2020 The Excelsior
The changing face of Kashmir politics 04 Nov 2020
The passing of new land laws for J and K is the latest in the string of changes being pushed by the centre. Under these laws, outsiders can purchase non-agricultural lands, enable contract farming in agricultural lands and the state can set up industrial development councils. Omar Abdullah criticized this decision, stating, ‘J and K has been put up for sale and left bereft of any basic protections.’ He also expressed fears of demographic changes. He was speaking on behalf of the Gupkar Declaration.
‘The People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration’ was officially launched on 15 Oct, post a meeting at the residence of Farooq Abdullah. Valley political leaders met after the release of the last detainee, Mehbooba Mufti. The alliance comprises of the NC, PDP, CPI, CPM, People’s Conference and other regional parties. The intention of the alliance is to restore the special status of J and K, which was revoked in Aug last year. The alliance described these amended land laws as ‘a huge betrayal’. Its spokesperson stated, ‘It is a massive assault on the people of J and K and is grossly unconstitutional.’
Mehbooba Mufti, after her release, hurt national sentiments when she commented that she would not contest elections nor hold the tricolour till the constitutional changes enforced last year were rolled back and the Kashmir flag was reinstated. She had, never through her tenure displayed this flag. In anger, members of her party from Jammu resigned and the national flag unfurled from her party office in Jammu.
Farooq stated in a recent TV interview that Kashmiris ‘do not feel or want to be Indian’ and they would rather prefer to be ruled by China. Post strong criticism, the NC sought to offset national anger by stating that he had been misquoted.
These comments by mainstream Kashmiri politicians are a cry for attention, in an environment where they have been ignored and made to feel redundant. Kashmir’s history is replete with long bouts of central rule. However, never have Kashmiri politicians been made to feel so helpless, incapable and isolated as at the current time. Kashmiri politicians appear to be clutching at straws seeking to regain some semblance of political authority and power which they exercised prior to the government’s action of revoking article 370. In the process, they have failed to read the tea leaves and are stumbling along, largely ignored by the masses.
The Hurriyat on which they depended for support is currently a non-entity, unseen and unheard. Its leaders who sought to draw masses into violence have been removed from the scene. Its source of funding, hawala through Pakistan, has been curbed by regular NIA raids. Its paid overground workers are now underground. Terrorism has been largely curbed across the state.
With one year of no political speeches and anti-national comments, the valley youth who were instigated by political narratives, have witnessed periods of relative peace, with signs of development visible. Scales of violence, support to terrorism and protests have reduced. Infiltration is down to a trickle forcing Pak to drop arms and ammunition by drones and push narcoterrorism as an alternative.
During the same period, the common man has understood the difference between being exploited by local politicians for their own gains versus benefits of central schemes which were denied to them. He has heard about palatial residences of politicians constructed by diverting development funds meant for his benefit. He has become aware of his exploitation by the state machinery for filling pockets of all in the chain. With the conduct of local level elections, development is currently in his hands, which was denied to him earlier.
Pakistan, which promised to unite Kashmir with POK and sought to utilize the Hurriyat and select politicians for its benefit has been left high and dry. It can only scream in empty desolate halls without an audience. The message from India that J and K is no longer on the discussion table has caused internal panic in Pakistan. Imran crying in every international forum that India would stage a false flag operation on Kashmir has found no takers. Pakistan has been forced to realise that it is to their benefit to accept reality, which they cannot do easily, after feeding its population a different narrative for seventy years.
The BJP which was non-existent in the valley has emerged as a challenge. Its membership has risen from 4.5 to 7 Lakhs, of which 2.5 Lakhs are in the valley itself. They currently have 14 Municipal Councils and 63 block development chairpersons. In addition, in Kashmir alone they have 1266 panches and sarpanches. They will now be a major challenge to traditional valley political parties.
The government has, over the past year, issued over four and a half lakh domicile certificates including to 3.7 lakh permanent residents, who were denied benefits because of article 35A. It has implemented central reservations and seventh pay commission salaries, which had not been accepted by earlier state governments. None of these can now be rolled back. The delineation exercise currently underway, would provide a true representation in running of the UT. Things can only move forward, never in reverse.
It is in this environment that recently released political leaders now find themselves in. They no longer possess the power they once had. Their masks have been removed. Few opposition parties continue to support the Gupkar Declaration, aware that decisions which have been taken are a one-way ticket and can never be reversed. If the PDP and NC leaders assume that they would gain sympathy for their incarceration, then they are living in a fool’s paradise.
The only logical way forward is that instead of continuing to be stumbling blocks for development of the UT, valley based political parties must look to join hands for its betterment. They must now seek to push the region forward, rather than reverse. The transition is well on its way, with no turning back. It would be best if they join the bandwagon, rather than attempting to stop it.
About the Author
Maj Gen Harsha Kakkar
Retired Major General Indian Army