Create “I Love My India” Feeling

I have been reading with despair what Indian thinkers have been writing on Kashmir following renewed calls for independence of Kashmir, led first by a few separatists and soon culminating into hundreds of thousands of people from all parts of the valley coming on to the streets of Srinagar chanting anti-Indian slogans and demanding independence. As a common man, I may not possess even a semblance of political, historical or language prowess to be able to make a logical destruction of what these thinkers have articulated in support of the notion that it is time India should accede to what they term the “popular” demand of Kashmiri people for independence, but as a concerned Indian citizen, I have my right to say my two bits here. Many of those who are advocating giving independence to Kashmir are saying so out of frustration, being fed up of the problem that has become security, economic and human rights nightmare for India. And there are others who are known to become torch bearer of civil society on issues that would enable them to grab international attention, and probably some international recognition, including Nobel for Peace. Anti-establishment rabble rousing is subsistence for the people in the second category described above. One of them has even declared self as an independent, mobile Republic! With the first group, I can sympathize because there are times when driven by exasperation at the helplessness of the situation facing us, we tend to do or say things which are not intrinsic to our character. But later, when we get time to introspect, we realize our blunder and feel sorry.

As for my two bits, let go off Kashmir to either become independent or merge with Pakistan is a big “NO.” Some would argue that I too am in denial mode that there are no problems in Kashmir, which I am not. I agree there are problems. I agree that there is deep-rooted feeling of insecurity and alienation among Kashmiris, which successive governments in Delhi, and in J&K, have failed to address. I agree that every Indian government treated problems in Kashmir in a “first-aid” kind of approach. I agree that there are human rights violations. But which country in the world can boast of zero human rights violations when faced with similar security situation as it exists in Kashmir and in the rest of the country. Again this is not to skirt or justify the issue, but just to make a point. I agree that there is lack of sincere efforts, or at least the efforts are not realizing benefits for the people of the valley as they are intended to. But the solution is not, therefore, shrug your shoulder and let go off a chunk which is an integral part of India. It is like, as Prem Shankar Jha had mentioned in an article relating to not Kashmir but another problem, cutting your nose to cure the cold!

The solution is to create conditions for overall development and growth of the valley, Jammu and Ladakh. Transfer a huge amount of funds to the state to create state-of-the-art infrastructure in forms of roads, railways, schools, colleges, universities and education institutions of higher learning. Establish three new IITs and IIMs, one each in the three regions of J&K. Give them best of civic amenities. Create opportunities for entrepreneurship development and employment. Open alternate trade routes for people in the Valley so that they don’t have to depend on only one link to access markets for their produce. Ensure good and transparent governance. Invest resources in such a committed resolve that it will help open several vistas for the people of the valley, and the rest of the regions of J&K, to augment their quality of life. This kind of efforts seen realizing on ground would not only placate the feeling of alienation among the Kashmiris and making them feel as equal partners in the Indian growth story, but also bridge the dangerously growing divide between the Valley and the rest of the regions. Instead of mulling over problems, our intelligentsia, media including, would do the nation a great service by lobbying hard with the Indian government and persuade them to engage resources in a big way in creating conditions conducive for overall well being of the people of the Valley, Jammu and Ladakh. It is doable for a country that has witnessed robust economic growth for past several years in succession, for a country which can afford providing subsidies on petroleum products and fertilizers which will soon cross Rupees 200,000 Cr., for a country which can afford to waive Rupees 60,000 Cr. in farmers’ loans and for a country which has some of its industrialists in the list of top ten richest persons in the world. To find money in such a country should not be a problem. The government can raise portion of the required funds through special corporate and individual tax measures. No one in right mind who wants no further division of India should have any problem with that. After all, preserving national integrity is everyone’s responsibility. The technicalities of transfer of funds should be worked out in an innovative manner. Such special arrangement should not be politicized because in a civilized society governed by democracy, problems of even the smallest of smallest group should be effectively addressed, even though it would require giving special treatment to that group. It is a well-known fact that economic and human developments are cure to all misgivings. We will have no more call for “Azadi,” instead will have Kashmiris singing in unison, “I Love My India,” just like the people in rest of India do.