First, J038;K elections

There is a strange disconnect somewhere. For one, the Kashmir Committee8217;s initiative of establishing a dialogue process with the Hurriy...

There is a strange disconnect somewhere. For one, the Kashmir Committee8217;s initiative of establishing a dialogue process with the Hurriyat Conference appears to have met with some degree of success, yet it is taking place against the background of elections in Kashmir that the Hurriyat has been steadfast in rejecting.

For another, the Kashmir Committee KC began its deliberations against the much publicised support extended to it by L.K. Advani but the deputy prime minister has since lost no opportunity to clarify that its stance in no way represents the thinking of the union government. As if in response to the Committee8217;s avowed willingness to talk to the Pakistan-based National Kashmir Committee, Advani has stated categorically 8216;the day we decide to hold talks with Pakistan, the government will do so on its own8217;.

Yet, no matter what the formal posture of the Indian government appears to be, some ground has been covered by the KC, which could translate into gains in the future. The very fact that the Hurriyat Conference, which enjoys the support of 23 political parties in state, has asked for the abandoning of 8216;all extreme stands8217; that were coming in the way of arriving at an 8216;honourable and durable peace8217; is significant, even if it is regarded only as rhetoric. But an important qualification has to be emphasised at this juncture. There is an election process on in the state and every effort must be made to ensure its success. Therefore the KC and, yes, the Hurriyat Conference as well, must ask themselves three questions. One, how does it hope to dovetail the peace process it is trying to promote so fervently with the democratic project? Two, how does it intend to involve the government that emerges from these polls in the deliberations? Finally, and most important, how does it intend to win the confidence of the Centre?

Clearly, this is a long-distance race and nothing will come out of forcing the pace artificially. Clearly, too, a great deal will depend on the government-to-government initiatives between India and Pakistan. The first step then is to await the results of the polls, due to begin next week and staggered over three weeks. Going by preliminary reports from the election field, there is a mood of public expectation 8212; and this despite the tragic outbreak of violence occasionally. After the lost decade of the nineties, the people here are looking not just for peace but for the dividends of peace in terms of improved lives. It is unclear if the 23 parties of the Hurriyat Conference even notice this. They are either oblivious of these developments or are studiously ignoring them. Such a foreshortening of political vision is most unfortunate, especially when it is exhibited by an entity that sees itself as the guardian of the state8217;s political future.