Opinion Talking it over

True, the people voted in the government, but it is important to realise that the state government in Kashmir is seen more as an administrative set-up rather than as entirely representative of the people’s aspirations. At the time of UPA-I, the government held a series of “round table” discussions that brought together the widest possible spectrum of representatives from across the three regions of the state, including mainstream and separatist politicians, and members of the civil society. The exercise did not go anywhere, and for this reason, ended up discrediting those who participated in it. Any dialogue now will have to be at least as widely representative as this.

The shelved recommendations of the committees mandated by the working groups of the round table may provide a starting point for the dialogue that the government proposes to hold with Kashmiris. Among them is a recommendation that the Armed Forces Special Powers Act must be reviewed or revoked, and those jailed for minor offences be let off. Another recommendation called for the strengthening of human rights. Almost 10 years later, Kashmiri grievances continue to be built around these unaddressed hot button issues.

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Of course, dialogue with Kashmiris alone does not complete the picture. Though the present unrest in the Valley has been largely spontaneous, normalising relations with Pakistan is crucial to resolving the Kashmir issue in the long term. The UPA’s round table initiative was part of a two-step, of which the other was a peace process with Pakistan. It has resisted all attempts at revival, including a commendable move by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reach out to his counterpart Nawaz Sharif with a visit to Lahore, which ran aground on the Pathankot attack. New Delhi must continue attempts to retrieve the process. The situation in Kashmir today is a reminder that it is in India’s interests to do so.