Jammu & Kashmir is back to limelight and this time it is for good as we could find gigantic changes happening here. After the UT witnessed lot of trouble and uncertainty, this time it is a different story to be narrated; a story that changed the narrative of the troubled area.
Kashmir witnessed lot of trouble in the past three decades because of the issues already known to almost entire world. It was bloodshed to which we lost precious human resource, not to talk about the overall disaster we passed through. We had guns roaring throughout the UT that made life miserable for one and all. Successive regimes at the centre and erstwhile Jammu & Kashmir state could not control the deterioration in the various areas as such we slipped on multiple fronts.
Kashmir is much more than we casually discuss; it is not just an issue between India and Pakistan that we usually had been fed with. The major powers in the world have their stakes in this region and such their overt and covert roles have been taken note of since long. It is here we see usually proxies working and as such things very difficult to control. Usually in these situations only proxies are being attended that leaves the masters free to roam and continue with the nefarious designs.
Over a period of time things in Kashmir have changed to the extent that even critics acknowledge that a lot has changed; situation as well as narratives. On the ground it is peace; the best part is that we don’t see kids dying on the streets anymore. That is what matters a lot for common people as there is sigh of relief for them regarding the young ones who could turn potential victims in the conflict falling from both the ends.
The present government attended Kashmir in its own context and the results narrate how it has been attended. For the first time the potential voters are given an absolute freedom to choose freely whom to vote for. People are openly supporting their favorite candidates without any interference from power corridors. Strange enough we see banned Jammati Islami allowed participating in the election in the way that their top ranked leaders are openly campaigning for their candidates of choice, as such around ten such candidates are seriously taken as Jammat candidates for the ongoing elections. Their rallies, campaigning on social networking may be headache for those who fear their vote bank may affect them; however it has given a different message for common people that even diverse thoughts can be accommodated and that is huge change witnessed.
This election has another good sign to be cherished as we see no pressure to necessarily come out and vote. Nowhere could we find any such instance where any locality is forced out to vote. At the same time there is no pressure from any side for not to vote and that is worth appreciation. There is no violence even while bitter opponents are campaigning for their sides. All that people vote and hope for is that the region flourishes in due course of time as it has suffered badly in the past. People want their grievances attended, issues resolved and region stepping towards prosperity. That is the general feeling that is witnessed in the masses all over Kashmir.
Dispute brings along lots of miseries on various fronts and economy is the major casualty that in itself is the threat on multiple fronts with the time. Kashmir is at economic bankruptcy and there is no major plans traced as on date to overcome this challenge. We have tourism industry as one of the very potent factor in our economy and it was worst hit. Recently we find a spurt in tourism and all accommodations were running house full. Tourism brings in money for hoteliers, taxi operators, houseboats, shikaras, small food courts, restaurants and more. Besides you find potential customers for world famous Kashmir Arts and thus the flow of money is widespread. The flow of tourists means feeling of security amongst them and that is a great achievement.
Another change that is witnessed at micro and macro level is that Pakistan is rendered irrelevant in Kashmir issue. Abrogation of Article 370 may not go well with the majority of Kashmiris; however, it has made Pakistan irrelevant in Kashmir issue. People coming out to vote is a sign of the same and hardcore supporters of Pakistan are also not happy with the Pakistan as well. This is a clear reflection how India dominated the scene at national and international level. The balance is awesome; despite multiple domestic challenges, India could easily steer through tough diplomatic challenges that show strong leadership where it matters the most.
An important point is that peace needs to be nourished from all possible angles. Once you are trapped in a complex situation for a long time, truth and reconciliation is the only viable solution to steer through. All it needs is to look forward towards better understanding and accommodation of diverse thoughts so as to make it a heaven for all living here.
Kashmir’s Changing Narrative: From Conflict to a New Dawn of Peace and Prosperity, by: Professor Geeta Singh, Director, CPDHE UNIVERSITY OF DELHI
