A Different Kashmir

Every Indian and for that matter every Pakistani too born in late 90s or early 2000s has grown listening to the Kashmir issue, trying to figure out right and wrong in the valley, trying to choose between the leftists and rightists. There was a time when there was nothing right and wrong in the valley. It operated in the grey zone and the majority of it does now too. But the course of geopolitics and diplomacy have changed the situation in the region.

Now Pakistan’s Islamic victimization, which was played to raise funds for Kashmir and did not missed a single opportunity to highlight the issue on global platform has taken a U turn. Many nations have regarded it as internal matter of India and do not wish to get engaged in it. Still the road is long and the region faces a new set of challenges. First , the new set of technology has blended with militancy live examples of which are the drone attacks on the air force station in Jammu. Terrorists are choosing the low cost strategic way to launch the attacks now and the threat is multiplied exponentially as they are hard to detect and eliminate.

Second is the political turbulence in the valley. Removal of article 370 has changed the political course in the region but now there is the need for long term political situation rather than short term administrative fixing. Third is changing the center’s narrative.  Although center has been successful in changing the narrative of Kashmir in India and globally, but now the step ahead is to change it’s image inside Kashmir, as the people still feel alienated with the government. Fourth is cultural integration of the valley with the nation. As highlighted by our PM , “Dil ki Doori” needs to be covered by building the roadmap which helps in blending of the people.

Solutions to the problems are multi-dimensional. The change in the course of attacks requires prompt technological development to counter future drone attacks and this need to go hand in hand with strict surveillance and identification of the suspicious locals helping LTs and FTs. Secondly, communication will play a major role in de radicalization and showing the side of the armed forces which is being tormented by fake news and videos by various non state and state actors. Also this will help in changing the narrative and eliminating “dil ki doori” .

Education has always been an important aspect of change and will definitely play a deciding role here also. The focus should also be on skill building and vocational training camps should be promoted to build a pool of competent workforce for the upcoming corporates and industries. The most important aspect which is needed to be checked with the arrival of industries in Kashmir is nexus between 3Cs that is corrupt corporate, corrupt politicians and corrupt bureaucrats and replace it with 3D model that is defense , dialogue and development. The region requires aid not the disease of corruption.

A much better political engagement is required to fix the issues and provide visionary political solution and establish political stability in the valley. The cultural integration with the help of government policies and promoting the products of valley under schemes like One district One product and providing GI tags to products will enhance their trade and their demand might see a hike as a result of the flourishing trade relationships with other states.

A visionary approach, political will, strong bureaucracy and people’s engagement is required to bring the long awaiting change in Kashmir. The gap is no doubt big but can only be covered by starting with a small step.