The 'Kashmir Question' always remains at the crossroads when the bilateral relations of India and Pakistan are brought into public discourse. But issues related to Kashmir goes beyond India-Pakistan rhetoric. According to the present Chief Minister of the state, the Kashmir issue is an idea and thus the solution lies in addressing that idea or coming up with a better idea.
The seeds of the current issues were sown during the post independence consolidation of India when Maharaja Hari Singh of Kashmir signed an 'Instrument of Accession' with the Government of India in the wake of cross border attempts to annex the state. Accession of Kashmir valley to the Indian union marked the watershed of current cross border tensions. Article 370 of the constitution was framed during this period to give special status to Jammu and Kashmir region. Presently the Kashmir valley is reeling under communal tensions, frequent violence, clashes between state forces and the public, poor livelihood opportunities and other which have weakened the socio-economic fabric of the state.
Several issues lie at the core of Kashmir Question, that need to be dealt adequately to find a correct resolution.
The first issue is 'economic uncertainity'. Due to decades of violence and political instability, the investment climate in the state has dwindled. Corporates are reluctant to invest in the state leading to loss of opportunities for employment and revenue for state machinery. The residents of the state prefer to invest in gold than in real estate as the brunt of disorder in the state is primarily faced by the public properties. No wonder, a lot of primary schools were damaged by the assailants in the recent upsurge in the state.
This economic uncertainity also leads to 'stockpiling tendencies' among the residents. Residents buy goods in bulk and stock the essential commodities to insulate themselves from food crisis in case of situations like curfew or communal clashes.
However, the recent clash between the state forces and the public has brought some emerging issues in the limelight. These issues involve the demand for independent Kashmir (azaadi), revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), self rule and political solution to Article 370 of the constitution that provides special status to the state.
Besides these there are social aspects involved in the Kashmir issue. Lack of quality jobs and lack of adequate livelihood opportunities mainly affects the youth of the state. These factors lead to migration of youth to other progressive states in the country or they may lead the distressed youth to join militancy. Both of which have the potential to break the socio-economic fabric of the state.
In the recent upsurge, some anti-state elements have used the young boys as a shield against the state forces. In lieu of small amount of money these boys were made scapegoat to pellet guns. However there is an alternative view that the state forces should have been more cautious while dealing with this demography.
Hence the 'Kashmir Question' is a multipronged issue and there can not be a single solution for its resolution. The key to the resolution lies in continuous dialogue with all the stakeholders at all the levels and engaging them in political mainstream.
Further three pronged approach can be adopted to effectively deal with the Kashmir issue. The first being the 'reconciliation' through focusing on several confidence building measures such as Indus Water Treaty (IWT) and Wagah Border trade. There is a need to create a conducive atmosphere so that dialogue, discussion and negotiation can be conducted with all the stakeholders. Current tactics of creating disorder, distruction and violence are by no means effective in meeting the demands of opposing groups.
The second way could be: making 'borders irrelevant'. This can be done by opening borders for free movement of goods and people. The world is fast moving towards globalisation and independence has taken a different meaning now. Increasing trade with neighbouring countries like Pakistan and China and building roads that can connect Kashmir valley to Central Asia and China will ensure better resolution to the Kashmir issue. However for this to happen there is need to bridge the trust deficit between the countries by investing diplomatic capital.
Lastly, there is a need to persuade the young boys of the state that have recently joined militancy to come back. This can further be corroborated by efforts to integrate them in political and economic mainstream by providing them adequate livelihood opportunities through quality education and required skills for better future. In addition to this the state forces need to be sensitized towards youth. The youth being vulnerable get easily influenced by the divisive propaganda of non state actors and consider destruction of state machinery as Jihad.
Further Reading : Indus Water Treaty
