Date:- 03 Aug 2020
Arun Joshi
Pakistan has drawn its plans for August 5 to demonstrate what it calls “solidarity with Kashmiris” in a bid to stir sentiments to highlight its version on the scrapping of Article 370 that granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
It is marking the first anniversary of the decision in a grossly awkward way: Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan delivering a speech in the POJK Assembly in which he would make some provocative statements, renaming of roads, Islamabad-Kashmir road to be renamed as Srinagar road. It is a new shape of its proxy war.
It has never recognised Article 370 as a bridge between India and Kashmir, now it has become champion of the special status of J&K on this side of the LoC, wittingly or unwittingly saying that it had a hand in causing problems in the Valley on the issue.
This term solidarity defies logic: Kashmiris did not ask Pakistan for it, for they know what this “solidarity” since the eruption of armed militancy in Kashmir has done to them, expanded graveyards.
Delhi, in its wisdom, did a long-pending course-correction in the Constitution: giving citizenship rights to the deprived sections of West Pakistan refugees, Valmikis, Gurkhas and others who, despite having lived in J&K for decades together, were not entitled to the basic rights. It also bifurcated the state into two Union Territories.
There are some fault lines left by the August 5 announcements: unemployment, depression, non-restoration of the statehood so far, faltering economy etc.
These issues and the detention of political leaders, including the PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, can be addressed by Delhi alone. Delhi knows that simmering proves fatal too. The militancy had started in 1990 because Delhi-Srinagar inspired gaps gave Pakistan opportunity to step in and fill the gaps with its proxy war.
Pakistan will do a great service to itself if it comprehends the real meaning of “mind its own business” and starts repairing its own house before showing “solidarity” with others.
Courtesy: Daily Tribune: 3rd August, 2020