Jammu and Kashmir is unstable at least for last twenty-eight years. The recent elimination of Burhan Warevived the violence and increased discontent in the valley. The security forces and the policemen of thstate of Kashmir have borne the brunt of public agitations. Kashmiri youths hurling stones at militarconvoys and armed personnel especially after Friday sermons is common. A Kashmiri Muslim policofficer, DSP Ayub Pandith was recently killed on the suspicion of being a Kashmiri Hindu agent of the statKashmir Pundits continue to raise voice against islamization in the valley. The state of India too has changits stance towards Kashmir. The old cordon and search operations are now back in use. Over 92 militanhave been eliminated in the first six months of 2017 itself. Militancy is crumbling once again after one yeof Burhan Wani's death. Kashmir and news emanating from Kashmir have already captured wide attentioKashmir is also a topic of clashing nationalis
We Indians, often attach a great deal of importance to the territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Many of the esteemed thinkers, historians and scholars in India have espoused the idea that India’s identity as a secular state depends on Kashmir being part of India. For Pakistan on the other hand Kashmir is an unresolved issue from the time of partition. Pakistan wants to settle it once and for all but not in the way that UN has prescribed. On the other hand there is considerably strong sentiment supporting separation of Kashmir which exists simultaneously with the democratic electoral process in Jammu and Kashmir. In such conditions a clear understanding of problem in Kashmir is of utmost importance.
The book, ‘Jammu and Kashmir: Politics of Identity and Separatism' authored by Rekha Chowdhary, (2016) gives us a good insight into the history of Kashmir. It comprises of three main themes or parts; ‘Conflict in Kashmir: background factors', ‘Militancy and Politics of Separatism' and ‘Locating conflicts in Kashmir within the larger context of Jammu and Kashmir.’ Under these three themes she covers a great detail.
In the first part of her book she has mainly elaborated the process of identity formation among Kashmiris and various twists and turns this process took. The changing nature of Kashmiri identity and various movements and political parties which represented this identity from time to time are discussed with impeccable factual correctness. Flawlessness as far as the facts are concerned is a constant feature of this book as the facts are put forth just cold and simple with little ideological underpinnings.
The book gives academic justice to all in Kashmir and their respective ideologies. Substantial information is provided about Sheikh Abdullah and his colleagues in the National Conference, Nehru and Congress and also of people who were on the other side of the spectrum, people like Syamaprasad Mukherjee. Their thoughts and acts have influenced the politics of not just Jammu and Kashmir but also of India as a union. In a more recent history separatists who later organized themselves under Hurriyat Conference and its numerous components acquired the center-stage. As far as democratic politics is concerned in the late 1990s, dealing with a subject as delicate and complex as ‘Militancy and Separatism’ the author has made a great effort of covering the most aspects of Kashmiri militancy. She studies an event, theme or development from various angles. Just to give an example, the militancy in Kashmir has been described with great caution paying attention to the most important events and causes that led to emergence of it. She explains under what circumstances and from which groups did it derive its support, what complexities and what kind of internal rivalry various militant groups had. The book exposes criminalization under the garb of militancy and the violence and fear perpetrated by them because of which a common liberal Kashmiri has suffered. The book also talks about Islamic radicalization and a part of militancy in Kashmir going hand in hand through her details of widespread attacks on liberal Muslims and violence against Hindus.
In the interim period, when the mass support for the militancy had drastically gone down, there was a feminist angle to women withdrawing their support to at least foreign militancy which has been articulated in this book. The otherwise blur lines of distinction between different militant groups get even obscure in the minds of Indians who are not aware of ground realities and political aspirations. It is really to the credit of the author that the book gives us a nuanced view of ideological inclinations and objectives of militant and mujahedeen groups.
The third and last part of the book sheds light on the internal social and sub-regional aspects of the state. It summarily touches the topics such as the political divide between Jammu and Kashmir, demands for regional autonomy. It also takes cognizance of issues of divided families, refugees from PoK and West Pakistan. An entire piece of the third chapter is dedicated to the peace process and contemporary politics in Kashmir.
The only flip side of the book is that it rarely reflects the opinion of the author in case of many seemingly controversial issues. All that a reader can do is to deduce it on the basis of choices that the author has made with regard to the words and topics.
The logic of not assuring autonomy to the state of Jammu and Kashmir and treating it at par with other states in the union did have some substance to it when the Maharaja of Kashmir approached India for military support. But once the autonomy has been accorded it becomes India’s responsibility to protect it so long as the people of Kashmir get a chance to choose their political destiny. Rather it was a promise that India made to Kashmiris, that it will conduct a plebiscite. For any mature democracy keeping a promise that it has made to its people is of primary importance. It’s true that unless Pakistan withdraws from the occupied territory there cannot be plebiscite. But if such a day comes, India shall not shy away from facing it. To the Indian conscience one fact should matter, that is, ‘a plebiscite is due’. We should really think twice about the assumption, that Kashmiris are participating in India’s electoral processes which tantamounts to their legitimacy to the state.
The author provides a deep insight into the Center-State relations, India’s efforts to bring uniformity in its federal structure. ‘Asymmetric relationship’ of the state of Jammu and Kashmir with union of India and the state’s divided existence between India and Pakistan (and China) have been two tough realities that Indians are yet to make peace with. Democratic and electoral processes in Kashmir are ridden with malpractices. They run the risk of having scarce legitimacy. Kashmir, ever since it became a part of India has rarely seen free and fare elections. India being the largest democracy under the sun, has failed to install and strengthen the democratic institutions in the state.
The problem in Kashmir has multiple facets. Unless and until the Indian state takes all of them into consideration, the resolution of conflict and stabilizing Kashmir will become more and more impossible. In general discussions on TV and through newspaper article it is often expressed that there is a great psychological gap between Kashmir and the rest of India. The perception of India among Kashmiris has always been shaped by what Delhi had been doing to them for years together. Delhi, for many years has been seen as the oppressing force which has been meddling with the internal affairs of the state notwithstanding the various agreements that it has had with the Kashmiri leaders and the Kashmiri populace. On the other hand the rest of India and their representatives in Delhi have definitely failed to understand the concerns of a normal Kashmiris and refraining them from taking up the guns. Having said so, the wave of radical Islam is very much visible in Kashmir. It certainly poses a threat to India. Indian government will have to come up with a formal policy to deal with the Kashmir issue. Steps must be taken to contain violence of any kind. The government has to strengthen the democratic institutions. It must strengthen the state government by giving some autonomy if not all that they have demanded. It will have a pacifying effect and will lead to reduction of space of separatist politics.
India has tried its hand in implementing militaristic measures but if the government has to win hearts and minds of people then they will have to find out political solutions to the problems in Kashmir. Beginning with negotiations with various groups would be a good idea in that direction
