Jammu, Aug 22 (KNS): Speaking to civil society groups organised by Global peace Forum through webinar Ashok Bhan a distinguished fellow USI & Chairman Kashmir (Policy & Strategy) Group said, It is important to, first, recognise a paradox of the Kashmir policy. While everyone agrees including the army top brass that Kashmir is a political issue, that needs to be dealt with politically, the government’s efforts, to achieve peace and tranquillity, have been centred on reducing Pakistani influence in social and political Kashmiri life and neutralise terrorism.
According to statement issued to KNS reads, three decades of violence has brought about colossal death & destruction and the people of J&K are longing to see the normalcy to return, in the real sense of the term. They want business, especially the tourism industry, hit by both the developments of the past year and the Covid-19 pandemic, to revive. People would like to be part of the Indian Democracy not only physically, but economically and emotionally.
At a time when China is flexing its muscles in eastern Ladakh and is understood to want Pakistan to increase terrorist activities across the border, it is time to focus sharply on finding a political mechanism in Jammu & Kashmir.
The Country’s strategic and democratic interests lay in people of the UT in general and the Kashmiris including exiled Kashmiri Pandits in particular and not in land alone .Therefore Kashmiris would like to have and exercise all the democratic rights enjoyed by citizens elsewhere, and elect their own representatives.
The time is now ripe to complete the electoral delimitation process at the earliest to facilitate the holding of elections. End of Governor rule as in democracy it is no substitute to people’s government.
Till elections are held ;
at least the political detainees shall be released.
The process to have engagement and talks with the stakeholders should be initiated.
The political groups those have chosen to be away from mainstream democratic process so far for whatever reason need to be reached out to be part of the mainstream polity.
The exiled Natives need to return to their homes, LG administration should engage with them to plan their return, rehabilitation and restitution as Kashmiris back in the Valley.
Over the years particularly from past one year there is a serious emotional disconnect between New Delhi & Kashmir.It is imperative to win over the people’s trust & confidence. Kashmiris ask for peace & Justice.
Pt.KALHANA has long back around 1200 years back has said :-“Kashmiris can be won over only by love and with sword never (KNS)