Heaven knows whether the glass is half empty or half full, my compulsive optimism notwithstanding. Political processes are in flight not like a bird on a steady course but rather like a Snipe on an untraceable trajectory. The splendid manner in which the people of J&K have set the state on a historic path calls for celebrations. This is the best news from the state in 15 years. The prime minister and the deputy prime minister have described it as a success of democracy. Demonstrating considerable self-assurance, the Cabinet Committee on Security has without too much fuss decided to withdraw troops from the International Border. But all the celebrations over Dussehra were stalled by the incendiary outburst from Bal Thackeray. He has spelt out the recipe for uncontrollable civil strife. Some of us have been anxiously looking at the prime minister and deputy prime minister for a response. The Sangh Parivar grapevine indicates a slight unease but finds it politically unwise to reprimand the Shiv Sena supremo. Home Ministry memos are cited to sustain cautious inaction. In fact so inflamed is opinion in certain pockets that taking on a Thackeray or Togadia ‘would result in a massive explosion’. So the tolerance level for continued anti-minority rhetoric will continue at current levels until the Gujarat elections — due most probably in December. Against this frightful backdrop, what scope for rejoicing at the turning point Kashmir has offered? Even in Kashmir, the Ghulam Nabi Azad-Mufti Mohammad Sayeed sideshow threatens to erase some of the basis for current optimism. Some political situations demand a certain boldness not slow deliberation nurtured in the political context of the past. What a message we would have sent out had Mehbooba Sayeed, an energetic, educated, young woman from the valley, emerged as the chief minister. What a contrast it would have provided to the Islamicists, some extremely intemperate, who have been returned in large numbers across the border! We would not have needed our spokesman to talk of Pakistan’s flawed elections. The contrast in political cultures between the two nations would have been eloquent enough. Of course Mehbooba is inexperienced. But then what are advisers for? What Kashmir needs most is compassion, a healing touch. Twelve years of militancy, estranged youth, disturbed families and alienation demands a realistic appraisal of the past. On this theme I am always tempted to dust up a rare document a sensitive director of the National Archives, Dr Rajesh Kumar Pruti, has left behind. These happen to be letters Maulana Abul Kalam Azad wrote to various members of the cabinet on a range of issues including Kashmir. Once Sheikh Abdullah complained to Azad about the lack of employment opportunities for educated Kashmiri Muslims in departments like Defence and P&T which were central subjects. The Maulana sent the letter to Jagjivan Ram, then P&T minister. Upon receipt of the P&T minister’s response, Azad wrote: ‘‘It quite beats me that of the 43 applications for lowly, clerical jobs from Kashmiri Muslim graduates, only one has been recruited. The imbalance in the recruitment policy has a deep psychological impact on the people of the state.We are asked if this is the way job avenues are being blocked in departments under the centre’s jurisdiction, what hope can we have for the future?’’ It is noteworthy, of course, that this was the state of affairs not under a BJP government but when Jawaharlal Nehru was at the helm! This is how deep Kashmir’s grievances run, and this is much before Pakistan-inspired militancy struck at the heart of the state’s Sufi traditions by creating a divide with Pandits who now find themselves in Jammu’s refugee camps. The election results have created an opportunity to address some of these grievances. Once a government is installed, there will be a dialogue with the elected representatives, of course, but also with other sections in the valley. Unfortunately, Pakistan’s circumscribed election has thrown up forces whose attitude to India may not be conducive to progress a bilateral front. Prime Minister Vajpayee, meanwhile, has belatedly given some credence to the Kashmir Committee under Ram Jethmalani’s chairmanship. Not only did he have discussions on the committee’s mandate during his recent journey to New York where some members of the group were also on board, but he also encouraged them to find ways to engage groups on the other side of the border. But this must await greater clarity on the government that is emerging in Islamabad. Also the Sangh Parivar has to be persuaded that salvation for the nation as well as the BJP lies via the Kashmir route and not in the extremism mistakenly believed to be the recipe for possible success in Gujarat. Once must again look to Vajpayee and Advani in tandem for clarity.
