Kashmir’s future

Kashmir’s future

New Delhi must now show that the region’s reorganisation is the best way forward.

As Jammu & Kashmir officially gets reorganised into the two new Union territories of J&K and Ladakh, it is now crunch time for New Delhi. The process which started with the nullification of Article 370 on August 5 – thereby scrapping the special status enjoyed by J&K – is yet to fulfil its goal of bringing normalcy to Kashmir. Many Kashmiri politicians and activists – including former chief ministers – remain in detention. Meanwhile, a fresh spate of terrorist attacks against non-Kashmiris and ‘outsiders’ has begun, as exemplified by the recent killing of five labourers from Bengal.

The Centre should utilise the closing of Kashmir’s passes in winter, which deters infiltration from across the LoC, to normalise its security situation as soon as possible. Simultaneously, it’s best to recognise there exists a great deal of disaffection in the Valley, and many took the nullification of Article 370 and scrapping of statehood as an insult. Militancy cannot be addressed unless Kashmiris are assuaged. For this, Kashmir’s political space needs to be opened up and issues worked through – no matter how bitter and contentious – even as the government makes it clear that violence and terrorism are not acceptable. Disaffection in Kashmir and Pakistan sponsored militancy are related but independent variables. While the latter has to be neutralised, the government must also work hard to win the hearts and minds of Kashmiris. A two-pronged approach is thus needed.

For the same reason the government should welcome foreign delegations and be confident enough to handle questions from them, even if they are tough. Such visits are essential to counter the propaganda offensive unleashed by Pakistan and give the world a sense of Kashmir’s ground reality. In this regard the recent visit of a 23-member delegation of European Union lawmakers, while a welcome first step, has come under criticism because many of the delegates were from far-right parties. New Delhi should therefore look to enable visits from more diverse foreign delegations in the future.

The government has clearly indicated that there is no going back on the nullification of Article 370, marked as a temporary provision in India’s Constitution. But Union home minister Amit Shah has said that it wouldn’t take long to restore J&K statehood once normalcy returns. New Delhi should walk this talk and leave no stone unturned, to restore normalcy and make J&K a state again.