subject: The Kashmir Issue, What Next ? [print this page] The Kashmir Issue, What Next ? The Kashmir Issue, What Next ?
After 62 years of the accession of Kashmir to the Indian union the valley is again in turmoil. Widespread protests have taken place and the Indian Governments policy on Kashmir is in shambles. It does not help that the Indian state is headed by a weak Prime Minister who has no notion of power politics and military power. The result is a policy of drift. This has been the bane of Indian leadership right down from the time the Indian Prime Minister was Pandit Nehru.
Nehru had shown his naivety by making some concessions on Kashmir that are like an anchor round the neck of the Indian state. Firstly he agreed for a plebiscite to ascertain the wishes of the people of Kashmir and secondly he agreed to give special rights under article 370 of the constitution to the people of Kashmir. In addition his decision to accept a cease fire when the valley was being cleared from the invaders in 1948 was a blunder. The policy of Nehru has percolated down to the present rulers .The Kashmir separatists have been treated with kid gloves and the government would like the agitation to end by giving more concessions. The Indian government just fails to realize that any concession will be meaningless as the separatists want unity with Pakistan or an independent state. I do not see any compromise on this. The policy of the Congress government to try and dampen the agitation is coming to naught.The separatists supported by militants with overt and covert support of Pakistan knows that they have India on the ropes. Perhaps, they feel a strong jab will make the Indian government to bend and agree to their demands. The Indian government has tied itself in knots. The ineffectual leadership is unable to counter the Kashmir seperatists.It is a Hobsons choice as the Indian state is looking down an alley with no exit. The only solution is that a Bishmark or Fredrick appears on the scene,but that is only a fond hope.
