Modi in kashmir

Modi in kashmir

Strategy to keep Kashmir burning ends up frustrating peace efforts.

The unravelling of the Centre’s unilateral ceasefire within days of the announcement does not bode well for the Kashmir Valley. Yet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on a one-day visit to Jammu & Kashmir to inaugurate multiple infrastructure projects, renewed the peace offer. The Centre was responding to chief minister Mehbooba Mufti’s call for peace during Ramzan in the hope that the holy month would help the Valley break out of its vicious cycle of violence. Unfortunately, those with stakes in the violence have sought to actively thwart this opportunity.

Terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba was first off the block rejecting the ceasefire. Hurriyat was next terming the Centre’s offer “illogical and unfortunate”. Pakistan was not far behind escalating firing from across the border and supporting an infiltration attempt, both of which were countered by Indian forces leading to a heavy death toll on both sides. That cross-border escalation also coincided with the Modi visit to all three regions – Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh – effectively ended any hope of a détente that seemed a fleeting possibility last week.

Such concerted attempts to keep the Kashmir pot boiling reveal the Centre’s limitations. The targeting of tourists and escalation of tensions during the launch of big ticket development projects are part of a maximalist political agenda to keep economic revival out of the discourse. CM Mufti recalled the withdrawal of thousands of cases against stone pelters and the latest decision to promise the PM that the Kashmiri people would respond to the gestures. So far this strategy is yet to see results, mostly because Kashmiri politicians, stumped by the new phase of religious radicalisation, are turning increasingly defensive. With Modi evoking his belief in Kashmiriyat again, the onus is now on the Valley to reciprocate. BJP too can help by dialling down on Hindutva in the rest of the country.