Youth and security have to part ways. We are not fighting a war. We must stop using force as a tool to separate the aspirations of the youth, or treat them as specimens in an interrogation laboratory. Force can’t solve problems. Force can only cause temporary normalcy, whatever that means in the Kashmir Valley.
Force creates compromise. Innocence needs to be treated with innocence. An approach based on love and mentorship must be conceived. Youth can’t be branded into categories or sub categories.
Many including myself have foreseen the gradual alienation of youth towards extremes. Anger is consuming them. Helplessness is alienating them. A mind locked in a room can’t flourish. It can’t aspire for prosperity. Consequently, there is only one imagination and that is to emancipate, what in Kashmir becomes ‘Azadi,’ Freedom, what ever that means in reality.
We stand at a crucial juncture and there is no space for deliberate murder, such as driving a paramilitary vehicle over Adil Ahmad Yatoo, 18 years of age, which sets up a chain reaction of bloodshed and hopelessness. Similarly, the murder of Thirumani, 22, who was on a holiday tour in the valley, originates from a common problem.
Years of turmoil have affected stability and governance in the state of Jammu & Kashmir, particularly the Valley. However, the focus of authorities is mostly on the armed struggle and insurgency. Why is the youth disenchanted, how to engage them in the political processes, economy and society? The response of successive regimes in Kashmir is dismal.
Yet the state can’t be expected to play the role of a harsh father without giving a gentle mother a chance. The youth is not an expert on science of politics, international relations, government affairs or governance.
It is the moral responsibility of the state to involve the youth in state affairs and connect with the youth over confidence building process. Policies projected to improve situation in the state of J&K have to come out of closed rooms within its real stake holders.
A demand for a cease-fire during holy months won’t solve the issue rather it will delay permanent normalcy in the state, or pause the ongoing mayhem.
Instead, we should focus on initiating a discourse on the nuances of Kashmir dispute and gradually move ahead on a political platform. A discourse that is clear in its terms and agenda. Young people who are potential agents for setting up the socio-political infrastructure are insecure to come out. Their voices remain frozen in the absence of free spaces where one could bring forth his or her aspirations.
The armed forces can’t solve the issue. They can only contain the problem. It is clear by now that central government is not tackling with a handful of people whose concerns have been of underdevelopment or lack of employment opportunities.
Recently, we have seen a brigade of young, highly qualified recruits in the extremist camps who are not even trained to be there. This is frightening.
Delhi must stop looking at Kashmir through Pakistan’s green-tinted spectacles. In fact, Jammu and Kashmir is one of the many states in India that has handed electoral power to the ruling BJP government. It is one of the rarest possibilities to have emerged in the last many decades of Kashmir history that a right wing Hindutwa party is a ruling partner a a Muslim majority state.
If not now – then when can peace and stability emerge out of the mighty Himalaya that guard the valley from the Indian mainland? Modi has the majority mandate at the Centre as well as in J&K to make substantive moves, and once for all try put an end to the Kashmir problem.
The valley is a test for Indian democracy and all eyes are focused on Modi himself. Setting up of dialog with stakeholders in the valley is good news and makes many Kashmiris optimistic. It is time for boli to overcome goli.
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