From J&K to J vs K

It’s a journey that is one of its kind with no parallels. There have been conflicts, brutal wars, ethnic cleansing happening all around with hardly any corner of the world untouched by it. But here’s a journey unmatched, a transition It’s a journey that is one of its kind with no parallels. There have been conflicts, brutal wars, ethnic cleansing happening all around with hardly any corner of the world untouched by it. But here’s a journey unmatched, a transition from heaven to a sort of hell like situation. A journey from a paradise to a paradise lost.Jammu and Kashmir is on the boil again. And yes no point saying that it’s a sense of déjà vu. Now, it’s not even that. It has become too painful and hurts like hell to witness the painful situation in which Jammu & Kashmir finds itself in. It’s bleeding again and the region stands divided like never before.We have a very wide and diverse range of opinion on the burning issue, courtesy the strength of our democracy. There is an opinion and a solution for the imbroglio coming from all possible quarters. Political commentators, human rights group, international experts, and everyone in his or her individual capacity has a ‘vision’ for the place once described as a paradise on earth.The Valley is divided and the split is wide enough for the entire world to see. The gulf is wide and this time round, the provocation is ‘100 acres land’. And as is the politicians’ wont, rhetoric is at an all time high.We Indians take great pride in our democratic credentials. But, unfortunately, and ironic it may seems, the root of the problem lies there only. The compulsion of getting power at any cost, thereby, compromising on any issue howsoever dear to the country. The journey from Jammu and Kashmir to Jammu versus Kashmir is fallout of this compulsion.Pointing fingers across the border is the easiest and the most convenient option which we happily indulge in. But the time has come for some serious self-introspection. We must be intelligent enough to realise that the time to act is now. It’s a question we need to ask ourselves: Do we want to burden the future generations with a last century problem?It requires a lot more maturity from across the political spectrum which is definitely lacking as can be seen from the rhetoric which is at display.Peoples Democratic Party supremo Mehbooba Mufti who has the habit of referring Central Govt as Govt of India doesn’t thinks twice before pleading on national television not to make a ‘Palestine’ out of Kashmir. A rhetoric we can certainly do without in the current volatile situation.And it’s less said than better about the conduct of our two national political parties, Congress and BJP.The point is, do we have the political maturity and flexibility which is expected of a vibrant and pluralistic democracy like ours to deal with the issue which is very much under the international scrutiny, much to our discomfort.It will require a lot more out of us and some out-of-box ideas to outline a vision to reconstruct the paradise on earth. But the question is: Are we ready for it?We might not have a definite answer but the fact remains that the time is running out fast and we must be intelligent enough to spot it.Our traditional approach to the issue leaves a lot to be desired and we need to be flexible rather than sticking to the stated positions.No movement or agitation can sustain without the local support. There is definitely a sense of alienation in the Valley. We’ve erred big time and its time to rectify past follies instead of continuing with it. Let’s face it, we have failed in taking people along. Despite pumping huge amount of money, there’s still a sense of anger and dissatisfaction prevalent in the Valley.The unlimited power given to the Army under the Armed Forces Special Power Act has done more harm than good to the cause of Kashmir. It has led to widespread resentment, thereby, fuelling separatist tendencies. A dilution in the power is urgently required.Despite claims by senior BJP leader L K Advani that Amarnath issue is about ‘nationalists versus separatists’, on the contrary.