Mind reading in J038;K

It is in this context that a recent poll 8212; conducted this April by one of Britain8217;s largest media organisation, Mori International 8212; assumes relevance. The idea of the poll was to gauge what the citizens of the state have to say about issues as varied as infiltration, militancy, Pakistani involvement, the division of J038;K along ethnic lines, and so on. The results come as a welcome surprise 8212; to the extent that Mori International even felt constrained to deny that the Indian government had a hand in them. For one, 61 per cent Kashmiris believe they are, both politically and economically, better off as Indian citizens. In contrast, only 6 per cent plumbed for Pakistan. That8217;s not all, an overwhelming 92 per cent of Kashmiris expressed their disagreement over dividing the state along ethnic and religious lines. But the real surprise was on the issue of popular support for militancy 8212; 86 per cent Kashmiris, including 78 per cent Muslims, want an end to militancy, and believe that the militants must leave the state for peace to return.

It8217;s very unlikely of course that General Pervez Musharraf will pay much attention to these findings, convinced as he is that Kashmir runs in the blood of the Pakistani and, possibly, vice versa. But New Delhi, at least, should read the insights that emerge with some care because they have portents for the future trajectory of the state and provide important clues on what the people here really desire. Even a casual reading of this data indicates that people are fed up with the mindless militancy of the past few years, that what they want is a government that can actually deliver good governance and development, and that ultimately people here still swear by the overarching value system of Kashmiriyat.