Login Register
Follow Us

Hope in Kashmir

A sudden whiff of fresh air greeted Kashmir after a long spell of darkness that had dampened all hope of a dialogue, particularly after the February 14 Pulwama attack when militancy-related violence touched its peak.

Show comments

A sudden whiff of fresh air greeted Kashmir after a long spell of darkness that had dampened all hope of a dialogue, particularly after the February 14 Pulwama attack when militancy-related violence touched its peak. Violence had to be met with strong measures. On Wednesday,  Governor Satya Pal Malik spelled out contours of the reconstruction of the dialogue process with the announcement that the Centre had no intention to interfere in constitutional matters and that militants had the opportunity to give up arms and lead a normal life, including an offer of a seat across the table for talks. That the delimitation exercise was a rumour should go a long way in allaying the fears of the people and help in reaching a middle ground.

The Centre’s imprints on the assurances held out by Malik to the militants and to all political groups were too clear to be missed, as the announcement preceded the arrival of the Centre’s special representative on J&K, Dineshwar Sharma, on Tuesday. His meeting with the Governor prior to the announcement  is being read in J&K as a reassurance to the people of Kashmir that Delhi is keen on hearing them out and ready to respond accordingly. 

Reconciliation is always a difficult task. It cannot be achieved overnight, especially considering the violent history of the past 30 years that has consumed three generations. But a ray of hope changes attitudes instantly. The government has hinted that it would not touch the constitutional provisions. This could be the starting point, but only if the other side takes a step towards reconciliation. Unfortunately, the militants seem to have different plans. They struck at the CRPF deployment in Anantnag on Wednesday evening with a sinister design to kill the dialogue. Now, it is for the political groups that were urging the Centre to start the dialogue to step in and help create an atmosphere and admonish those working against the interests of the state and the people. The Centre has done its job, let the political leadership of the state do what is expected of it to bring about a change in the landscape.

Show comments
Show comments

Top News

Most Read In 24 Hours