Wayahead for Normalcy in State :

Under the uneasy calm and the façade of normalcy that has returned to the Valley, the situation is simmering. Pakistan can use the resulting deep sense of alienation to serve its ends just the way they did earlier . Both the Kashmiris as well as New Delhi must introspect to forge a reciprocal relationship. Political gimmickry, and the rigid policies of New Delhi will only be counterproductive and further escalate the conflict in the coming months. For their part, Kashmiris need to rethink their integration with the rest of India rather than continue with their isolationism.

The following points can be included by government for policy implementation :

1. The foremost challenge for New Delhi is rebuilding trust. The way New Delhi annulled Article 370 has created an impact on Kashmiris of all persuasions, including the pro-India voices who have always remained neutral in this conflict. The decision not only delegitimised the pro-establishment political class in Kashmir, but also resulted in common Kashmiris having more sympathy for separatists. To rebuild the trust deficit and to win over the confidence of the Kashmiris, the government must immediately repeal the PSA – which should have become ultra vires, in the first place. This will create a sense of oneness among the Kashmiris and will help change their perception towards New Delhi.

2. Due attention must be given to address rural economic distress created after the unprecedented, unseasonal snowfall in November. While the farmers were not able to sell their produce to outside markets because of the communications blackout by the government, and because of militant threats, the snowfall caused widespread damage to the crops. To make matters worse, even the government’s alternative to rope in NAFED to buy the produce was marred by alleged corruption. The government should compensate all the farmers with a loan waiver if it is serious about regaining the trust of the people.

3. After changing the contours of conflict over Kashmir and the region’s political geography, New Delhi has to think beyond its hard policy approach. It will have to come out of the mindset that “he who rides a tiger is afraid to dismount”. The Centre should at least now work more on perception management through soft measures instead of adopting a hard-line approach. It should not waste any more time to make certain special arrangements for the people of J&K under Article 371 of the constitution. That will soothe nerves and address the rising ethno-cultural and economic issues of both Jammu as well as Kashmir. New Delhi should ensure that the land’s pluralism is defended by assiduously handling the identity, cultural and religious issues.

4. Kashmiris have to revisit their centrifugal tendencies like separatism and militancy, and learn from other nation states in the world that are adopting a more integrational approach. If they seek constitutional guarantees from New Delhi, they will have to stop falling prey to pro-Pakistani propaganda that is only too willing to exploit them emotionally and psychologically to continue to foment trouble in the Valley. For example, in demanding constitutional guarantees that the people of Kashmir must exercise their democratic right to protest – but by using the Indian Tricolour instead of waving Pakistan’s Parcham-e-Sitara. Kashmiris should use the turn of events to their advantage by strategically changing the narrative to suit their interests, and not those of Pakistan’s.

5. The government must immediately lift the internet blackout in all educational institutions. Prolonging the internet curfew any longer will only alienate the students and the youth, who are already hurt and angered at the Centre’s unilateral action. Without any delay, the Centre must also announce establishment of modern higher education institutions and IITs in its new UT. Quality manpower is a prerequisite for the promised economic growth of the region. Simultaneously, New Delhi should actively help to restore regular functioning of closed educational institutions that have been shut since 5 August 2019 and equip them with all modern scientific facilities. The Centre must also announce a new set of attractive scholarships for Kashmiri students.

6. The Centre must realise that now is the time to renew India’s ties with the region by initiating a series of serious and sincere interlocution measures to win over the confidence of the alienated Kashmiris. New Delhi should send a team of interlocutors to listen to common Kashmiris, especially in the rural areas, as well as the students. Such a team of interlocutors must be free of political interference. This will help New Delhi to focus on pressing local issues, nurture new local leadership and loosen the grip of the political elite on the Valley.

7. Other policy measures like the overhaul of the local administration should be taken as soon as possible as corruption, appeasement and nepotism have remained the biggest hurdles in the peace-building process in Kashmir.

8. New Delhi should learn from the mistakes of past governments and not selectively pander to the whims of a handful of local political leaders. In the present state of affairs, the political process is being hijacked and political leaders are under detention. The release of the political class, that has lost its dignity as well as their identity in the eyes of the people of Kashmir, will send a positive signal. However, New Delhi must ensure that in the new political process, it has to nurture subdued voices from within the Valley that will stress on an integrational approach and establishment of a clean and corruption-free administration.