Mufti igniting dangerous fires even as the BJP naps
As they say if you don’t learn from mistakes, you are bound to repeat them. Back in the 1980s, Pakistan flags were seen during cricket matches in Jammu in Kashmir. From sporadic incidents that eventually grew into a pattern, it finally reached its climax in form of Armed insurgency at the behest of Pakistan, which marked one of the horrendous episodes of ethnic cleansing in the history of Independent India forcing lakhs of Kashmiri Hindus to become refugees in their own country. After fighting three wars with Pakistan and loosing what is now called POK due to the blunders of the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, India was once again at the brink of a break up. But our Army and paramilitary forces saved the day by giving heavy sacrifices.
After the Kashmiri Pandit Exodus of 1990, the Army has, at a great price, not only saved our boundaries, but has been successful in subduing insurgency; of course, we are not yet near achieving normalcy in the troubled state but by every means we have managed to thwart every dirty trick of Pakistan. The huge success of the Indian Army and Intelligence agencies in dealing with the Pakistan-sponsored proxy war may be gauged from the simple fact that the erstwhile USSR and US-led NATO have successively failed to quell similar Pak-sponsored Islamist insurgencies in Afghanistan despite great arms superiority and economic might.
That is why when a common citizen of India once again sees a parade with Pak flags by bunch of marked Pakistan stooges collectively known as Hurriyat on the streets of Srinagar, he or she finds it worrisome and lots of questions arise in the mind about what the PDP-BJP coalition government is doing. Sadly the answer doesn’t appear very promising at the moment. The way the present PDP-BJP government in Jammu and Kashmir is being run is in complete disregard of the painful history without paying any heed to the fact of the cost our Armed forces have paid and are still saving the state from Pakistan-sponsored Jihadi locusts.
The coalition experiment whereby the BJP and PDP have been cobbled together through the CMP text for “greater good” and development of Jammu and Kashmir, has so far proved to be utterly superficial as far as the Indian National Interest is concerned. To start with, Chief Minister Mufti Sayeed began his tenure by thanking Pakistan and Hurriyat for creating a “conducive atmosphere for peaceful assembly elections ” to the horror of all Indians. Through this statement, he as the Chief Minister of an Indian state officially acknowledged the nuisance value of Hurriyat and the ability of Pakistan to interfere in Jammu and Kashmir.
As far as PDP’s courtship with separatist elements is concerned, there is nothing new if we go through the history of Jammu and Kashmir. To quote from “Kashmir: The Storm-Centre of the World” by former President of Bharatiya Jan Sangh, Prof Balraj Madhok: “The communal violence of 1986 in Southern Kashmir in which scores of Hindu temples were destroyed and thousands of Hindus of Anantnag district were rendered homeless cooked his goose. It was alleged that Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, the President of Congress (I) who coveted the Chief Ministership and was as unscrupulous as G.M. Shah had a hand in organising that communal carnage. It gave Hindus of Kashmir a foretaste of what was in store for them.” [Emphasis added]
Again in 1989, when Mufti Sayeed was sworn in as Union Minister of Home Affairs just five days ago, his daughter allegedly was kidnapped and the nation saved her life by releasing five notorious terrorists which later resulted in the flaring up of militancy in the state. Suspicious circumstances surrounding the incident are too well known to be repeated here.
Even if one doesn’t know the history of PDP and Mufti, even a cursory reading of PDP manifesto will make things amply clear. You will find ideas like “Self-rule”, “Shared sovereignty,” and “open boundaries” with Pakistan and allowing Pakistan’s currency to be used in Jammu and Kashmir. All these are available in public domain and even a politically naïve person can understand the brand of politics Mufti Mohammed Sayed espouses. In effective terms, the PDP manifesto chalks out a plan for strengthening Article 370 and the dilution of accession of Jammu and Kashmir with India. This is the exact opposite of the BJP’s nationalist ideology and manifesto with regard to the revocation of Article 370 as espoused since the days of Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee. It would also be worth noting that the PDP’s manifesto is very similar to General Musharraf’s proposals to solve the Kashmir issue. Therefore, it is not difficult to guess for whose benefit these will play out in practice.
In view of all the aforementioned facts which clearly underline the risks the nation faces because of an alliance with PDP, the power sharing deal between the two is plainly shocking. In spite of being an almost equal partner in terms of the number of seats, the BJP failed in getting any important ministry for itself and has allowed itself to become a sorry and mute watcher in matters of larger national and state interest.
The BJP failed to see the importance of getting strategic ministries like Home and Revenue which could have been instrumental in implementing its important agenda points like curbing separatists and the rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits. For instance, had the Home ministry been with the BJP it would have become near impossible for Syed Ali Shah Gilani and Masrat Alam to hold a pro-Pakistan rally in the heart of Srinagar. The BJP would have got the effective sway over the issues like AFSPA review, defence lands, rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits and refugees and prosecution of separatists and terrorists. This was an important but a simple way of managing political risk while forming government with a party like PDP which has a well-known soft corner for separatists and terrorists.
To make matters worse, the BJP-led Union Government reopened secretary level talks with Pakistan, taking a U-turn on its much appreciated tough stand that terror and talks can’t go together amid continuous ceasefire violations by Pakistan and attacks on our Army. So, while the BJP diluted its stand at every stage, the PDP got all the key ministries and has stuck to almost all its key agenda points. And what PDP ceded on paper, it will try to obtain at each step using the nuisance value of separatist groups like Hurriyat.
While the CMP does contain certain salient points about issues like rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits, the PDP has devised ways to evade their implementation through a backdoor understanding with Hurriyat. This became evident this month when Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh reportedly pushed for a separate township for Kashmiri Pandits during his meeting with CM Mufti. While the PDP publicly committed to such a township, people like Yasin Malik sprang into action with their stone pelting gangs, and the very next day, Chief Minister Mufti backtracked on the issue. Amazingly, both Yasin Malik and CM Mufti said that such a township will be based on the Israeli model and “we will not let that happen to save the ‘composite culture’ of the State”!
Proof of the nefarious working of the Mufti government is also evident from the pro-Pak rally in Srinagar. It was well-known to the State government that Syed Ali Shah Gilani was returning from New Delhi to the Valley after three months. It is impossible to believe that the state government was unaware of the plans of Masrat Alam and his supporters to organize a rally in the reception of Geelani. And even a layman can guess that pro-Pakistan slogans would be raised in that rally. Yet, the Mufti government did not move its little finger to stop the rally despite fully knowing the fact that Prime Minister Modi was on a foreign tour and a pro-Pakistan rally in Srinagar might prove to be a major embarrassment for him.
Repercussions of Mufti’s antics are unlikely to bring any sweet fruits for the BJP or for the country. No matter how hard one shall try to reconcile with a secessionist outfit like Hurriyat, it has in the past, and it will in the future, continue to play to the tunes of its masters in Rawalpindi. Talking of providing a “healing touch” to people like Yasin Malik who have shared stage with Hafiz Saeed is bizarre. Furthermore, the release of separatists and terrorists may lead to another flare up in the Valley and discontent in Jammu. The recent showdowns of Hurriyat have serious implications for the Centre’s larger efforts to stabilise the State. A weaker Pakistan and waning Pak-sponsored insurgency in the State provides an ideal opportunity for the Modi government to turn the tide of history but if the PDP is allowed to have its way, India may miss that opportunity once again.
The effect of latest political developments in Jammu and Kashmir requires an objective analysis. The Mufti government has started to allow separatist gatherings on which the previous government had placed a de facto embargo after the 2010 stone pelting incidents. The hardline separatist leaders like Syed Ali Shah Gilani, Yasin Malik and Masrat Alam have been on the forefront of these “protests.” This may push the so called “moderate” faction of the Hurriyat towards taking a hard line on various issues. With the likes of Masrat Alam chanting pro-Pakistan and pro-Hafiz Saeed slogans in Srinagar, Pakistan has got a reason to smile without any effort.
Even Hafiz Saeed is going to benefit inside Pakistan in terms of popularity by showcasing his “influence” in the Valley to his support base. Allowing separatist rallies like these may start a new wave of radicalisation among Kashmiri teenagers who took birth in an era of waning militancy and a failing Pakistan. In past, such separatists gatherings have invariably led to triggering of a series of unfortunate events in the Valley.
These developments are also to be seen in a larger national context. The soft policies towards the breaking India forces and pictures of Pakistani flags being waved in Srinagar will have a nationwide negative effect on the image of the Modi government. The BJP needs to craft a smart policy for dealing with PDP at the State level. So far the BJP has been caught napping on every occasion and scrambled at the eleventh hour to control the damage done by shrewd PDP. The State leadership of the BJP has so far proved to be totally ineffective in dealing with Mufti’s manoeuvring and every time the Central leadership had to put its foot down to control the situation from going out of hand.
If they want to bring development to the region, the BJP will have to ensure a crackdown on a handful of anti-national elements who’ve held the State to ransom for their vested interests.Only time will tell whether BJP will be able to do it. Currently what we can deduce from the happenings is that Mufti is igniting dangerous fires and if the BJP does not put its act together soon, it will completely lose the plot in Jammu and Kashmir.
This was jointly authored by Urvi Dave and Diya Soti. Divya is a Lawyer and National Security Analyst and can be followed on Twitter @DivyaSoti.
You must remember Mufti, he is the same guy who got his own daughter abducted to get bad guys released, that was in 1980’s when he was a central govt minister and now bjp is sleeping with the same person.
The solution for kashmir will never be solved, kashmiri muslims love indian money and prasie pakistan, this is normal, delibrate,religious ethics that normal kashmiri muslim carries from their birth, so what you do as an Indian?
In this process kashmiri pundits have lost homes, made refugees, wandering around the world in search of their own home which is occupied by muslims in kashmir.
Bottom line solution for kashmir is that all kashmiri muslims want to go to pakistan or have their whatever, an honest peblicte is needed what they want to do and let them go but a Home land for kashmiri Pundits is ultimate must…..Once for Ever.
It is sad…I return to India after 30 years and the same story of insurgency, separatism and extremism are playing out in Kashmir. In all my life, born in post Independence India, Kashmir, with its breathtaking mountains, lakes and woods, has been mostly a celluloid enjoyment to dream about. I could not go there…and many Kashmiris I knew left the State, like Sindhis leaving Pakistan, with broken hearts, tears and fears. I wish nothing but joy and happiness for the wonderful people of Kashmir of my country. My heart breaks to hear stories of betrayal and forced torn loyalties. I do not want to disparage anyone…but those who wish to leave for Pakistan should. Let them go…but the land that belongs to all will not go with them. Our Kashmiris will not be forced to become like the Palestinian people…Stateless. Pakistan needs another “house to rob or mob or lob” than Kashmir. How come they are not asking for Turkmenistan, though there is a history there, which is why Turks cannot stand Pakistani politics as well?
Indian Government should take an iron hand now. So many decades of negotiation with Pak and the result is not only zero but going negative. Send troops to Pak border and put an iron foot there. Learn from.USA (in the case of Osama Bin Laden).!
Shoot down when any terrorist holds Pak flag in Indian territory.
Indian Government needs to put down its iron foot down even if it escalates into a worst situation.
Wait for Action on Kahmir after new BJP nominated President of India is sworn-in in 2 yrs from now … till them endure Mufti
I have a few observations and some points that need pondering over:
1. Any alternative coalition (from among PDP-NC-Congress-Independents), would’ve resulted in a similar scenario. I’d say, BJP at least has made inroads into the polity of the state. One can not really expect results in the first few months. In any case, center is in a better position to arm-twist the state, if it comes to that, rather than taking some “important” portfolios.
2. Release of Masarat Alam was a consequence of the SC ruling, that one can not be indefinitely detained in absence of a charge sheet. This would’ve been carried out regardless of a government in the state. Reports suggest that the paperwork of his release had already been initiated even before the government was formed.
3. You talk about a generation that has grown up in an era of waning militancy, well the last time a similar incident happened was in 2010, just 5 years ago. Unless you are talking about 5 year olds, not sure which generation you are talking about.
4. Granted that some of the bullet points from BJP manifesto might have taken a back seat (Article 370, AFSPA), but issues like Kashmiri Pandit rehabilitation have just evoked an expected response from all quarters in the valley. Were you expecting anything else? Do you believe that the protests are happening in isolation and have nothing to do with the issue and just focussed towards detaining of Geelani/Alam?
5. Pakistan & Hafeez Saeed would toe the same line as they’ve done in past. Do you expect them to give up this asymmetric warfare tactics in Kashmir, even if one takes away Alam from the equation? There have been incidents of Pakistani flags being waved in Kashmir since 1947, has Pakistan been able to leverage it in the international community?
6. I’d say that the recent developments have left Mufti in a predicament. Even the Kashmiris would call out his bluff that on one hand, he expressed the wish that separatists be given a voice, on the other, he is detaining them. This may not help the Indian cause eventually, but why should BJP take the blame for his policies? Army wasn’t involved in this incident, so let the state (essentially Mufti) take ownership.
7. Please note that this is a war of ideologies and not personalities. Geelanis/Alams are merely a side-effect of this phenomenon, taking them away would bring more. We have to be in it for a long haul. I’m quite sure there is more to it than meets the eye and our NSA, Ajit Doval is not a stupid man that he won’t have anticipated this.
It is amazing that these anti national jerks want to be third rate Arabs. Instead of respecting their own past and rising to greatness as humans they want to be 7th century Arabs living and doing what 7the century Arabs did in the name of religion!! On the one hand Balochistan wants to leave Pakistan, there is a demand for Pashtunistan & Sindhis feel discriminated against and on the other hand you have this anti-national bunch from Kashmir who wants to join Pakistan. It is fairly clear that these fellows need to be tried for treason and penalties imposed. The people who think that the “issues” quoted so often by Pakistan against India are all just because of a real estate problem in Kashmir are living in a fool’s paradise. The solution long terms is to have Balochistan raise their own flag & set up a Pashtunistan. Pakistan now considers itself as the guardian of islam with its nuclear bombs bank rolled by the Saudis!! With such grandiose views of itself and a bunch of jerks in the sub continent who buy the story – it will be perennially creating instability in the sub-continent. The fiction of a strong Pakistan being in India’s interest is something spread by the West and Nato . It is definitely in Nato’s interest!!
Even after 1000 yrs of Islamic terror on Hindus, Hindus still have no strategy or rule book to counter Islam due to non winnable policies like tolerance, ahimsa, etc.
You judt hit the nail on the head. Ahimsa, non-violence etc work whenyou are dealing with civilized people, but not with those in stone age still.aAneye for aneye, policy, like those tactics of Israel will only get results.
Wake up before it is too late,.And don’t depend on politicians, all are there for only making billions.Every one is from the same gutter.
Arise, Awake.
Country doesnt have to suffer these traitors. If the government of J&K fails, then Kashmir only deserves the Sardar Patel solution that was applied on Nizam and Hyderabad. Solution which Nehru did not allow to be executed.
With the release of Masarat I see the snakes having been smoked out. Now they can be and should be picked without reservations. These are the killers of Pandits and deserve no restraint. These traitors should be told to leave with no guarantee of any safety.
If push comes to shove, now is the time. Patience of Indians has grown thin. If Pandits could be driven out by Kashmiris then it can be done to them also by rest of India. Take terror in to the terrorists like Russia does. They must be terminated for they are liability in jail too.
Trifurcate J&K and distribute the revenue to the proportion of each region’s contribution. All problems will be solved. Let PDP, NC or whosoever they choose lead them to prosperity. Let the other region not suffer these fools.
Quadrificate J&K. Jammu will be integrated wholly into the Indian union as a full fledged state. Laddakh will be made union territory, the valley will be divided into two with one portion exclusively for Kashmiri Pandits. The other segment can continue to have article 370 and its sunni jihadi political structure.
That off course is the perfect solution. Modi talks of clearing the mess left behind by others. If Obama can resolve the Iran and Cuba issues, Modi should clear the Kashmir mess and Quadrificate the state so that the rest of the region can progress and is not held back by these Jihadi Bigots.
No chance.I expeted Modito deliver.But it was allhot air. We haveto pray forhim yo stay a month in India instead of globe trotting.. No use. This a Businessmens Jolly Party ruling.Nothing will be delivered for the betterment of common man.
The BJP is not napping. Just as Gandhi tied the millstone called Nehtu around the neck of the Hindu nation, the BJP has tied the jihadi Mufti and his jihadi PDP around the neck of the Hindus of Jammu and the Buddhists of Laddakh. The BJP and the BJP alone put Mufti on the throne.