Kashmir Solution?

Dr Amitabh Mattoo's ten commandments for saving Kashmir.

(5 for the centre, 3 for the state government and 2 for the people of Kashmir)

For New Delhi

1. Do not live in Denial: accept that there is an uprising, and admit your mistakes!
2. Understand what the youth want: conduct a stakeholder analysis and build trust
3. Create the conditions for an uninterrupted sustained dialogue
4. Recognize that autonomy or self governance in J&K will not balkanize India
5. Create a Truth and Reconciliation Commission

For the state government

1. Recognize your own failures, do not always blame Delhi
2. Reach out to the opposition, mainstream and separatist
3. Create the conditions for an internal reconciliation

For the people of Kashmir

1. Recognize the limits of the possible
2. Discover the other India beyond security forces and corrupt politicans and make use of the opportunity it offers.

Above is Dr Mattoo's solution to the Kashmir crisis. This appears very reasonable, in fact, too reasonable. If this is what the youth wants, then why are they getting killed? They already have it. Let them use their energy to make a corruption free state. Then there will be prosperity for all - and all India will thank them and perhaps, follow them too.

Dr Mattoo also exposes on the unfettered freedom that this democracy offers by that one last statement. Remember, a nobody in Jarkhand became a minister when the new state was formed. In five years time, he exploited and sold off mines of the state for personal gains, and made thousands of crores - and did not know what to do with it and his ignorance landed him in jail. He will soone come out of it "rule" Jarkhand again even as the Enforcement Department is struggling to count the thousands of crores he made in five years. He will come out because of the power of the money he has stashed away, and because of the whole system (political, judicial and all other democratic institution - all have great affinity to wealth!) will bend backward to accomodate him in part exchange. Unfortunately. That is the unfettered opportunity this democracy offers - at one end of the spectrum.

I only hope you guys will choose the other end.

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