GOOD SIGN
| Date :01-Oct-2019 |
THE fact that the Centre is getting ready to hold elections for local self-government bodies in Jammu and Kashmir is good enough an indication that normalcy is returning to the State faster than expected, no matter the politically-driven anti-propaganda that Kashmir is sinking on the law-and-order index following the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution of India. This proposed move by the Centre indicates certain thoughtfulness and purposefulness. Even as some elements keep complaining that the situation in Kashmir is far beyond normal and will continue to be so for a long, long time, the Government is working silently and determinedly to re-establish order in the troubled region.
Holding elections to the local self-government bodies is one good effort that needs not just political acumen but also enough of courage to dare disruptive and divisive elements in Kashmir and across the border in Pakistan. In fact, proposing the local polls is an effective answer to the vicious propaganda Pakistan has unleashed in the international arena post-370. The dirty designs of Pakistan are obvious. It is more than clear that Islamabad is meddling in India’s internal affairs by raising the issue at the United Nations -- though to the chagrin of everybody else including many in Pakistan. It is obvious that Pakistan Prime Minister Mr. Imran Khan is trying to lead personally an anti-India campaign with a specific focus on Kashmir. His hope is that he would be able to create a massive internal disturbance in Kashmir by his diatribes. May Mr. Imran Khan live in a Fools’ Paradise, but factually, the situation in Kashmir is returning fast to normalcy. Steadily and surely, the common people are realising how good things are going to be in a short while. The State kept losing countless dozens of lives every month for the past 30 years due to divisive disturbances. In sharp contrast, in the past two months since the abrogation of Article 370, the security forces have fired not a single bullet, and not a single life has been lost in any incident.
True, the security forces are attacking terror modules proactively and are killing many ultras in well-planned encounters. In the process, they, too, are losing some bravehearts. Yet, not one civilian has been killed or hurt in the past two months. The Centre is taking into account all these dimensions while taking the decision to hold local polls in Kashmir. Those polls will certainly pose some challenges before the administration and security forces all right. But they will also prove one point -- that the common people want the democratic processes to be re-started the soonest possible. Once those local bodies get elected and start functioning, the Centre proposes to pump into the rural systems funds worth Rs. 70,000 crore to kick-start the stalled developmental process.
That would give a true impetus to the process of integration of Kashmir with the rest of the country since there would be no draconian provisions -- via Article 370 -- to segregate the State from other parts of the country. Let us not miss a reality that even when Article 370 was in effect in Kashmir, the Centre had held elections to the thousands of posts of Sarpanch (Village Heads), thus showcasing to the divisive elements the power of the democratic resolve, which Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi and Home Minister Mr. Amit Shah had verbalised so effectively during parliamentary debates on Kashmir. A similar resolve is in evidence at this stage as well, much to the happiness of the entire Indian nation. Kashmir is an emotional issue for India, and the common people respond to positive moves with enthusiasm. In that mood, they realise how nonsensical some antagonistic propaganda is. This rejection of divisive politics by the people will be reflected well when Kashmir goes to local polls in a few days.