TOUCHY TIME

 

 

 

 

 

 

IN KASHMIR, it is touchy, delicate time testing everybody’s patience -- and faith in the process of reconstruction now underway there after Special Status was abrogated from the region four years ago. A lot of good things are happening, all right, in Jammu and Kashmir -- like massive developmental initiatives, firm handling of terrorism, promotion of national and international tourism, launching of several industrial projects, opening of new schools and colleges, revival of cultural activities ...! Yet, a few undesirable issues also crop up, giving the critics an opportunity to blame the Government -- like the suspected wrong treatment to three civilians at the hands of the Army, resulting in their death. These issues only spoil the overall good impact of the new initiatives in Kashmir. In these touchy times, therefore, such issues need to be handled with much care, much caution. This is the message of the moment in Kashmir. For, when things generally are going well particularly in areas as sensitive as Kashmir, even a small irritant can act spoil-sport. Hence the caution.

 

Hence the need to handle all matters with a delicate touch. This is so because of the burden of the moment -- of reconstruction, of correction of historical wrongs, of setting in motion the right processes, weaving a right narrative in larger national interest. True, Defence Minister Mr. Rajnath Singh has assured justice to the families of the three civilians killed suspectedly at the hands of the Army personnel -- out of misunderstanding or out of anything else. Yet, the sad fact that the Defence Minister had to step in to assure full justice to the families of the three slain persons in an anti-terror operation, does not seem to go well with the flow of the moment in Kashmir. Hence the word of caution. The trouble with Kashmir is that the political community there has been dominated by separatist elements that are least bothered about India as a nation. Many members of this community are on record saying, in effect, that they would rather love being governed by the Chinese than by India after the abrogation of Special Status. The lobby of such persons is all along looking for every possible spot to blame the Government for even a small mistake. It is this lobby that is now trying to whip up a lot of dust as regards the unfortunate deaths of three civilians. Such a situation needs a very careful handling by the Government.

 

It must be said with a sense of satisfaction that the Government has handled the situation -- of the three civilian deaths -- quite efficiently. The immediate visit of Defence Minister Mr. Rajnath Singh and Army chief General Manoj Pande to the Kashmir area and offering direction to the Army not only as regards one case but in overall conduct of itself, should be considered as critical to finding effective solution. The Defence Minister stated categorically that he had full faith in the Armed Forces and they should smash terror with firmness. Mr. Rajnath Singh was also clear in his assurance to the three families that justice would be made in the case of the deaths of their kin. This does show that the Government is sparing no effort in rectifying whatever wrong might have been done. This is welcome. The Kashmir situation has improved a lot in the past four years, but much distance is yet to be covered. The road ahead, however, is full of challenges, each of which needs a careful and delicate handling. That alone will ensure a fuller success of the reconstruction programme now underway there. This concern is totally apolitical in nature. For what is at stake is the larger national interest of complete integration of Kashmir with the rest of the country.