The decision of the central government in doing away the special status and dismembering the state of J&K is hailed as ‘bold and historic’. The brazen and indecent move has only insulted the Kashmiri psyche and made the pro-Indian mainstream political establishment irrelevant. There was never any doubt that the government with the kind of majority it enjoys, would tinker with the special status and semi-autonomy enjoyed by Kashmiris since independence. But the manner in which an extremely sensitive issue was dealt with has shocked the Valley into silence. Bhanu Mehta rightly has aptly put it as ‘annihilation of decency’.
Niceties of debate, discussion and dialogue vanished as the entire state and its leadership stood locked in. Constitutionalism took back seat. Reason gave way to populism. Liberal thought, of course is now a thing of the past. For them, democracy is all about numbers.
Celebrations were seen throughout the country without taking into account the socio-political aspirations of the Kashmiris for whom autonomy within the Constitution of India had been a matter of faith and psychological reassurance. In the moment of jubilation, the country forgot the spirit of ‘insaniyat, Kashmiriyat and Jamhooriyat’ so effectively brought on the table by AB Vajpayee.
The 1941 census showed 71.11% State population to be Muslim, which goaded Pakistan to stake a claim to the state. They lost out as the mainstream Kashmiris stood with India. In 1947 Shaikh Abdullah’s leadership over the Muslim dominated territory was unquestioned. He had a clear option to go with the neighbouring theocratic State, but to his credit he chose to remain with the secular country with an ‘assurance of freedom’ within the Constitution of India guaranteed by Article 370 which was also in terms with the instrument of accession signed by the Maharaja Hari Singh.
The geo-political situation where the erstwhile princely state of J&K was located made it a conflict ridden and the relationship of India and Pakistan revolved around the Kashmir question. For over 70 years there could be no permanent solution. Mainstream politicians stood firmly by the Indian flag and the India constitution though they all wanted the pound of autonomy assured in 1947. Art. 370 had only nostalgic value and the privileges were actually symbolic rather than substantial. During the past 70 years, most provisions of the Indian constitution were extended to the State which also led to the hardliners fermenting tension. Article 370 turned out to be a hollow symbol of Kashmiri identity but it had its own psychological reassurance.
The country believes that the decisive leadership of the PM shall usher in a new era in J&K. There is a belief that autonomy is the cause of all evils. They say at least now cross border terrorism shall stop. If the ‘historic’ move was through consent as against stealth and through discussion and debate without information blackout, the PM would deserve a benefit of doubt.
But the surprise element is the continuous celebration throughout the country except the Valley which is currently turned into a military garrison. The celebrations and the collective endorsement of the Kashmiris being shown their place can only be explained by the muscular nationalism built on majoritarian plank so ably marketed. Just look at Arvind Kejriwal whose principal agenda in the ensuing Delhi assembly elections is full-fledged Statehood for Delhi. He goes in reverse gear gauging the mood of the country. A royal ‘U’ turn by Karan Singh says it all. Look at Rahul Gandhi’s friends who were seen as the Congress’ future. They are directly in conflict with the party’s position. The narrative of national interest has been accepted by BSP, BJD, TD and TRS, YSRCP despite it being contrary to the federal principle. The valley now stands isolated.
The BJP shall certainly benefit politically from what is alleged to be a move to correct a historical wrong. The immediate impact shall be felt in assembly elections of Maharashtra, Haryana and Delhi. An English daily with a largest circulation in the country has already made Amit Shah a new Hindu icon and the digital war now tells us – ‘after Modi 2.0, it is Amit Shah 1.0’.
A sense of belonging can never be nurtured through the barrel of gun. We may win this round by sheer force but what is the use when there is bitterness, anger and desperation without a sense of belonging. That could only lead to rise in the militancy as the neighbour finds the Valley to be a more fertile ground than ever before. Wholesale alienation of the Valley could lead to the wounds to further fester. Those who stood by India – the State’s mainstreams politicians have also been weakened leading to the possible rise of new hardline leadership
The conflict ridden state has seen almost two generations under military occupation. The mainstream Kashmiris certainly desired to stand by India and with that desire they faced hostilities at the hands of the hard liners on hone ground. The problem of identity and insurgency took about one lakh lives. Over 8,000 national conference members lost their lives as they stood with India and the Constitution of India. Today they are shocked, dejected and betrayed at the manner in which their psyche is insulted and their emotions ignored. Farooq Abdullah had tweeted ‘Kashmir stood by India, hope Indians stand with the Kashmiris’. But from the public sentiment and the mood in the country, it is clear that we have betrayed them and the more we celebrate, their suspicion that we wanted Kashmir, not Kashmiris only gets hardened.
(The writer is practising advocate, senior faculty in law and political analyst).
