S D Pradhan  

The imposition of Governor’s rule has enormously increased the tasks of J&K Governor. It is both an opportunity to improve the situation and an onerous responsibility to manage the state facing a difficult situation. The ex-Chief Minister Ms Mehbooba Mufti was becoming unpopular despite her pro-separatist approach. Her appeasement policy had not resulted in raising her image among the population. The separatists were expecting greater role which they did not get. In her party, cracks had become palpable in the past few months over the manner in which she was controlling the party. Recently in a TV show, she admitted that several members of her party were unhappy as they did not get what they were expecting. In fact, the problem is different. Her own party members were unhappy with the continuance of one family rule. If media reports are to be believed, about 18 MLAs are willing to leave her and form the government with BJP. Common people were getting disenchanted with the number of bandhs adversely affecting their daily life. She also neglected Jammu and Ladakh regions that made her unpopular in these regions.

The security forces were unhappy with her pro-militant and pro-separatist leanings. There was a perception that she was not allowing the implementation of rule of law. She ensured that the stone pelters who were involved in the incidents for the first time were let off. There was no involvement of their parents or educational institutions while withdrawing the cases. She was insistent for opening a dialogue with Pakistan. Her only motive was to remain in power by promoting the cause of militants, whom she euphemistically call them as ‘bacche’ (children). She was bothered about their pain (takleef) but did not bother about the killing of Kashmiri soldiers, policemen and civilians. To a sane mind, her logic would appear strange.

The situation in J&K has deteriorated significantly because of several factors. Pakistan continues to sponsor terrorism, Mufti’s pro-separatist attitude that allows the separatist leaders to remain important players in the J&K politics, attempts of opposition parties to fish in the troubled waters to improve their electoral prospects, lack of good governance and soft approach towards criminals who were receiving funds from Pakistan. BJP had also admitted that during the last three years radicalism has risen leading to the killings of civilians and security forces while withdrawing the support to PDP.

It was distressing though expected to see the former Chief Minister of J&K Mehbooba Mufti issuing a threat to ‘Delhi’ against attempts to form the government with the support of their MLAs who are willing to leave her as that would create more Salahuddins. Such statements reflect her frustration and her motive to stall any attempt to form the government without her. Is it a democratic process? The National Conference too is playing ball with the separatists to garner their support in elections. The Congress party support the National Conference mainly to oppose BJP. This presents a very bleak picture and limits the options available to the Governor.

The powerful group of human rights, media experts, security analysts at the TV shows and leftist academia determines the intellectual discourse and projects that the problem is mainly a political one and not of terrorism. Their narrative projects a lop-sided view. They argue vociferously in favour of separatists. A few who try to see the problem in proper perspective get sidelined.

While the situation has deteriorated significantly and a solution is not easy to find when there is continued foreign support to militants, the responsibility to improve the situation has come on the shoulders of the Governor. He has to steer the course in such a way that the violence comes to an end. The task of Governor is indeed formidable. He needs to re-set priorities urgently.

First, he must see the situation in proper perspective and objectively. The current situation demands complete elimination of violent incidents. The attempts to hold dialogue should not divert the attention. Under the present circumstances, these are two different issues. The rule of law should be enforced without any bias while ensuring that common and innocent citizens are not harassed. The culprits and their supporter, who has caused a disturbance in the state should be penalised under the law.

Second, he has to place a system of good governance. It entails replacing dirty party-politics by proper management of the state with no biases and ensuring equity and transparency in the system. He should ensure insulation of policymaking from chaotic pressures in the name of democracy.

Third, the pressure to have a dialogue with the separatist should be firmly refused till the normalcy is restored. It should be ensured that those who are fomenting trouble are not rewarded for inciting youth. The separatists may have street power but they do not support of the majority of people in the State. Moreover, they are supported by Pakistani establishment to create problems in the State. The dialogue must be with all sections and regions in the state whenever it is held.

Fourth, it needs to be recognised that the concept of ‘Kashmiriayat’ based on Sufism has been replaced by ‘Islamisation’ promoted by the Wahhabi and Ahl-i-Hadith sects. The latter is working to radicalise the youth in the state. This creates a favourable situation for ISIS to penetrate. The raising of ISIS flags is indicative of this dimension. He would be required to keep a sharp focus on this emerging threat.

Fifth, there should not any hurry towards the formation of the government. Any such attempt is unlikely to have a stable government. The best course is to wait for some time and if required recommend fresh elections.

There are reports that the term of the current Governor has expired and he is likely to be replaced. The new Governor would have to weigh the options clearly and take suitable action. He should be an equally matured and experienced person with an understanding of growing radicalisation of youth by Wahabi sect supported by ISI. It must be understood that for the Pak intelligence even the support of ISIS would be acceptable to create problems in J&K.

S D Pradhan has served as chairman of India's Joint Intelligence Committee. He has also been the country's deputy national security adviser.

 

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Courtesy: Times Of India:  July 17, 2018,