Mufti146;s long year

From any account the government of Jammu and Kashmir has made unprecedented progress during the past year it has been in power. And there ar...

From any account the government of Jammu and Kashmir has made unprecedented progress during the past year it has been in power. And there are objective reasons for it, the key one being the respect and pursuit of the democratic principle by all major political parties of the country in and outside the state. There are numerous empirical studies that emphasise that violence as a tool of politics has far less scope in democratic polities than those run by the fiat of a small band of elites. The very logic of answerability, accountability and responsiveness to the aspirations of the people Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed talks of is the most powerful instrumentality for better governance at one level, and for engagement with the people at the other. Everything has obviously not changed, but the situation is clearly much improved.

Mufti has said that the 8216;8216;return of normalcy is still a dream8217;8217;. The gains of the past should give his regime confidence to convert those dreams into reality at an early date. The most importance asset in this process is the widespread belief among the state8217;s political leaders, especially the younger lot, that they simply have to perform if they are to remain relevant. The legitimacy of the elected government, which derives support in different ways from both the major national parties otherwise in opposition to each other, is a powerful factor that must not be lost sight of. Regardless of who claims success, the real credit for transforming dreams into reality would finally rest with the people themselves.

There is no doubt that the violence directed from across the borders is still a major handicap in turning the situation around to sustainable peace and prosperity; and there are few signs, if any, of any desire to end cross-border terrorism. The fight to end this will have to go on. But every bit of progress toward normalcy within the state is a force-multiplier in the war against terrorism. This is where the survey report of MORI International in the spring of last year assumes relevance, especially where it pointed to more job opportunities through economic development as the primary expectation of 85 per cent of the people of the state. The time may be ripe for innovative approaches like enhancing the recruitment quota of people from the state in the Indian army and central police organisations, perceptible steps for the return of the Kashmiri Pandits, investments by people from the rest of the country to generate economic activity and employment. Dialogue with separatist groups may take time, but should be pursued with resolve and the hope of finding mutually acceptable solutions.