The true picture of Kashmir is still being seen through a ground glass. Even though the weather is clear, the political climate in Srinagar is hazy, misty and not clear despite the claim, that all is well. The whole picture can emerge only after “normalcy” and transparency returns as nowhere in the world under the scan of heavy security, can the real mood of the place be gauged.
The Union government had the opportunity to clear the thin film of ice when on an invite by Governor Satya Pal Malik, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi along with a delegation of various Opposition leaders, reached Srinagar on Saturday afternoon to review the situation in the State but were sent back to Delhi. This came days after they held a protest rally at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi to demand the immediate release of political leaders, which included three former Chief Ministers, Farukh Abdulla, his son Omar Abdulla and Mehbooba Mufti who have been detained in Kashmir. Governor Malik has made it clear that his invitation was given to Rahul Gandhi but the Congress wanted to make a political issue putting national interest at the backdrop.
The delegation which accompanied Rahul Gandhi included Communist Party of India leader D Raja, Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Sitaram Yechury, Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad, Anand Sharma and KC Venugopal, Loktantrik Janata Dal chief Sharad Yadav, Trinamool Congress leader Dinesh Trivedi, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader Tiruchi Siva, Nationalist Congress Party leader Majeed Memon, Rashtriya Janata Dal MP Manoj Jha and Janata Dal (Secular) leader D Kupendra Reddy.
It should also be noted that the Jammu and Kashmir administration had on Friday asked the leaders not to visit J&K as it said they would be “putting other people to inconvenience”. The state’s Department of Information and Public Relations had said that they would also end up violating restrictions imposed in several areas. “Senior leaders should understand that top priority would be given to maintaining peace, order and preventing loss of human lives,” the statement mentioned.
On the other hand the delegation termed their detention at the Srinagar airport as “undemocratic and unconstitutional”. In a signed letter to the Budgam district magistrate, they wrote: “We are responsible political leaders and elected representatives and our intentions are entirely peaceful and humanitarian. We are here to express solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh as well as to expedite the process of return to normalcy.”
Yes, even though the situation prevailing in Jammu and Kashmir is unprecedented, the delegation has every right to travel as it is an integral part of India and political activity must be allowed to build the confidence of citizens. In fact, keeping in mind the imposition of Section 144, Rahul Gandhi even proposed that they will travel separately and not in a group but no heed was paid to their request. Also, the opposition tried this move to get some media attention but then came the news of Arun Jaitley passing away which led to a damp squib event.
The State has been under an unprecedented lockdown ever since the Union government decided to revoke its special status which was bestowed in J&K through Article 370 and 35 A. Thousands of Army and para-military forces have been deployed to prevent law and order situations in the region and communication lines have been cut off for nearly three weeks now. The authorities have claimed that the restrictions would be phased out gradually. However, stray skirmishes and protests in the Valley is making it difficult to do so.
Administration in J&K has conveyed that from August 17 there has been a steady decline in skirmishes and incidents, adding that, the threat of cross-border terrorism, however, continues to exist and relevant security forces are maintaining a state of high alert. Nearly 1,500 primary schools and 1,000 middle schools have been opened but the attendance remains thin.
Whatever be the case, it is amply clear that the Union Home Ministry is keeping a very close watch on the developments taking place in J&K which is also drawing much media glare internationally. The process to bring in peace and normalcy in a violence prone Kashmir is likely to take longer than expected and the Union government is only hoping that political parties in India should end bantering and come to fight together this menace which has been lingering since ages. Too much of militarization also leads to fear and can also fuel rumours if communication lines are down for long.
