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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Kashmir - aftermath

Fence sitters of the world unite! Let us stop talking of the Kashmir situation - this has been going on for 63 years, with no solution.

Most people don't carry their patriotism on their sleeve. And most will not actually take up a gun and kill just to put a name on mud and stone. Enough blood has been spilt already, and I am also talking of the security forces. Tragically, the colour is all the same.

I am disappointed with the people of Kashmir. I am disappointed because, they have failed to reconcile and deal sensibly with the unfortunate situation history has placed them in. I am alluding to the Muslims of Srinagar and the valley, who have kept this situation on the boil and simmering all through this 63 years. They kept chanting the mantra of "injustices" and "historical atrocities" and it has become a part of their gene and DNA, multiplying with each child, and reinforced with every orchestrated violence.

I am not disappointed with the Government. I never expected anything good from these puny gentlemen, we have inflicted ourselves with. They could have used this time to improvise the lot of the people and shown some real progress, which could have brought prosperity to the land and the people. Instead, they dealt with them in the only language they know. Draconian brutality with the aid of security forces on one hand and bribing another section of people who make the loudest noise, thus pouring in disproportionate wealth into the lining of pockets of the local aristocrats and crooks, to keep a select few happy, and ignoring progress altogether.

So, let there be a discussion on the realities of the future. Let us assume that a plebiscite is carried out and large sections of the valley opt for “freedom and secession”.

Let there be a debate on what the next steps should be, so that this is implemented within a short period of say, 1 year, with no liabilities on both sides. I am not advocating that this happen, neither am I averse to it happening - but let there be a discussion on that.

Let us also picture the scenery 10/20 years from now, whether the people of Srinagar and Kashmir valley would have actually realised their dream, or how far they would have traveled in their quest for utopia.

More on Kashmir - as situation worsens..

For years, one part of India has been brought up with a type of patriotic fervor which blinded the normal citizen to the actual agenda of the ruling parties, and politicians in general. After over 60 years, if they have not been able to bring some semblance of decent livelyhood to the people of this country, then something is drastically wrong. The people are now awake. I am sure the government has realised that. If not, please wake up and start acting fast to get thing right - because, all said and done, the form of government we have is perhaps the best form - only it has to deliver. So, rise above youself and deliver.

Today, over half the population is living in misery - barely able to eke out a living. Over a third of the country has seen no governance at all in 63 years - and is now discovered to be governed by some other elements. Now, so late in the game, the real "elected government" wakes up to establish the "rule of their law" with the help of our great army and arsenal. In any such moves, who is being crushed? Caught between the devil and deep jungle-raj, vast number of human beings are being killed, for no fault of their own.

So, what is more precious? - Human life, or blind patriotic fervor?

In effect, what has happened to the law and order machinery of this great country? Can this so called sham of a democracy deliver "justice" to it's citizen? Look at the state of our Judicial System. Can any self respecting democracy, have a Judicial system that is not able to deliver justice? For anyone questioning this - please check out the number of litigation that is pending for generations. And the guardian of law and order - the Police? Will any self-respecting man want to be seen near a police station?

These are the people we rely on to bring "normalcy" in Kashmir and elsewhere? As an individual, the policeman is also  a miserable wretch. He did not join the force because he had the zeal and love for it. He did not join it for the meagre income it provides. He joined it knowing full well, that if he can sell his soul - he can make a lot of money in that profession - outside his normal income. He also knew, nobody will question his performance - because all he had to do to keep everyone happy was to route a percentage of the loot upward through the ranks!

Away from home, abused and harassed by his superior, frustrated with his situation in many ways - we set him up as the guardian of law, in places far away from his family. What would he do when he sees a mob of people approaching, throwing stones? He becomes an animal - and takes recourse to animal behavior. A normal intelligent animal will retreat and run for his life - but this animal has no brains, a gun in his hands, and only trained to use it!

For the citizen of Kashmir, what are the options? Torn between this reality on one hand, and on the other, religious fundamentalism, political schemers,  militanncy, Pakistan and China - all of whom have their own designs and agenda. My request to them is don't get killed. Don't be voilent. Adopt peaceful methods to protest - and I am sure you will garner more support from the rest of India - and that is a sure way for achieving what you want!

For the politicians - please act. Set up real institution in Kashmir and other "disturbed areas", so that they can govern themselves eventually.

On the Kashmir situation

It is indeed heartening so much written and aired about the plight of Kashmir even as the protests and violence continue to grow - garnering so much attention and sympathy. With dismay, we read about police firing and stone throwing mobs, and youngsters being killed in police beatings and firing. Day in and day out, it has become the staple diet of the mainstream media in India, which is now thankfully showing a bias towards the "underdogs" - the citizen of Kashmir.


While I have been following this tragedy with great sadness, I am yet to understand the cause for all this mayhem. Nor is it clear, what those few actions, if taken, will go towards a solution to the problem. I just see people in hundreds defying curfew orders, and throwing stones at policemen, and destroying property. What does any armed person do when cornered? They fire and kill. It almost becomes self-defense. I am sure most of those miserable fellows, in such duties are themselves fed up with their "postings" - and merely continuing because they have a job to do - and mouths to feed back home.


It is an accepted fact of life in India, in all states and at the centre, that the Government is totally inept, corrupt, inefficient, self-serving and only interested in amassing wealth, for personal gain and to keep themselves in power. They are least bothered by the sufferings of people. They know, time will take care of everything and people get used to suffering. In fact, it serves their purpose - since you can keep these people happy by handing out occasional doles nearing election times.


Yes, by and large, things are not perfect here. Even in the better and advanced states, there is injustice metted out to the so called "common man" and police are uncultured and brutal everywhere. Yes, there are a lot of things that need to be correct, and this will happen. Some changes are already in the pipeline and more are due. Slowly, things will fall into place, because, we have a structured democracy - which, with all its disconcerting warts, is the most acceptable form of governance.


So, what is unique to Kashmir? I know, it must be several degrees worse, because it has been having various "problems" for donkey's years. So, the government has a seemingly  legitimate excuse to continue with status quo - so, more resources keeps pouring in from the centre to counter the "bad elements" - while ignoring governance altogether. If you dig deeper, those resources go into the pockets of those very element who want the status quo to be maintained!


Now the youth's who are protesting, why don't you come out and state what you want? I am sure, this sympathy that has been created in the media, and the rest of India, should be used to get what you desire. Don't let yourselves be exploited by people who have other goals to achieve, because, then you are letting yourselves fall from the frying pan into the fire!


This is what I would like to tell the youth of Kashmir, who have lost all hope for a better future, caught between very unsavory elements and situations. Stop getting killed. There is no cause more precious than your life. Utilise the current situation to voice your demands. Stop the protests and set up an open, transparent dialogue with your Chief Minister. Keep other politicians and mischief mongers out of it. Omar may be most inefficient in terms of governance, but he is one of the few honest persons in politics we have. I am sure, with your backing he will be able to set a table to work out a formula to start a new journey. Whatever, you do, don't let emotions get the better of you. There is no utopia that you can achieve overnight - but give it a chance to happen in your lifetime.