Kashmir: Way Forward

The separatist movements in Kashmir have shaped-up from decades of non-developmental politics of our “democratic governance”. The lack of opportunities, daily hardships & sufferings of family members misguides youth towards external opportunist leaders, who whip-up their emotions to gain political ground and claim themselves as “voice of Kashmir”. We assume time to heal wounds & keep procrastinating conclusive action with never-ending dialogues. We have long standing border & other issues with almost all our neighbours, not just with China & Pak. The Indian leadership should no longer avoid but face it & take decisive steps towards time bound conclusion & lasting solution.

The separate flag, special Rights, land holding, assembly tenure etc appeased under Article-370, akin to autonomy, have barely integrated Kashmir with democratic Indian Union, instead has counter-productively isolated the valley. Further, two decades of militancy ensured skewed demographics with ethnic cleansing of pundits. What an irony for India, while it has to stem militancy in Kashmir, it has to also bring other freedom fighters like Maoist in Nepal, Tamils in Lanka, Taliban in Afgan & Lamas in Tibet on table for an inclusive democracy.

We managed to weed-out separatist sentiments in Punjab and somewhat curbed tribals & naxalites in other parts of the country. Probably we can not administer same prescription in Kashmir. It definitely calls for different approach. Let us not try to contain but engage Kashmiri youth with enhanced opportunities of education, employment and cohesively connect them with rest of the main land people. We have to address both, the grievances & aspirations of the people in the state.

Let’s come up with a Special Environment Zone Act on the lines of SEZs. The notified geographical area underneath should carefully allow Business houses to deal directly with locals for land lease and start business which suits & knits-well with the Himalayan fabric like tourism & horticulture with huge tax breaks & infrastructural support. We need to quickly build strategically important rail-roads deep into valley hinterland for better connectivity & security. Once we eliminate isolation of troubled areas with “facilitated business activities & connectivity with main land”, we can substantially meet aspiration of locals. Let’s flood the news & entertainment media – print/ FM radio/ television in valley with national players. At the same time, we should also carefully educate them with the Indian democratic value systems, institutions, Rights & facilities they enjoy by being integral part of India in the event of possibly inevitable plebiscite. All political parties at the same time should also adhere to nationalism- 'Politics stops at the LoC fence'. Strategically improved rail-road and entertainment media connectivity, exposure to world outside valley, am sure will bring fresh breeze in the Paradise.

Let’s go all out and connect Kashmir with the rest of India like never before. Let the inherent policy vacuum not stumble and paralyse us anymore. A strong India with its economic properity, credible military power and strong development political will can easily take-on any challenge.