By; Syed Adnan
The politics in Kashmir has seen a slew of ups and downs over the years, especially since the abrogation of Article 370 by the Government of India in August 2019. However, regardless of the pros and cons of such politics, it is the former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s Kashmir policy that seems to find a constant echo in the Valley’s political landscape—regardless of the political hues and ideologies.
On Tuesday, November 5, the chief minister Omar Abdullah put a fresh spotlight on Vajpayee’s Kashmir policy, saying on the floor of the Assembly that if “the BJP had followed in the footsteps of Vajpayee ji in Kashmir, we wouldn’t be where we are at present.” What the chief minister apparently seemed to imply is that the perceived muscular policy adopted by the BJP-led government in Jammu and Kashmir has caused more problems than solving any. And it is here that Vajpayee’s Kashmir policy would’ve helped bridge the hearts and minds in the Valley that seem to have gone far from Delhi.
The chief minister is not entirely wrong. But before making an effort to analyse his statement, it is important to broadly reflect on Vajpayee’s Kashmir policy that still finds a resonance in the Valley years after the former prime minister passed away. It is not only leaders from mainstream camp who often quote Vajpayee’s policy on Kashmir, it is the separatist leaders like Mirwaiz Umar Farooq who many a time urged the Centre to review its Kashmir policy and attune it with that of Vajpayee’s “who had realised that military or muscular policy” on Kashmir may not be an option to win over Kashmiris’ hearts and minds. Broadly, Vajpayee’s Kashmir policy was one that was realistic. It had a touch of humaneness. It had a tinge of pragmatism. And, as many political pundits believe, it was rooted in the desire to address the aspirations of people of J&K within the ambit of the Constitution. Vajpayee’s policy also included softness along borders and a realistic dialogue involving all shades of opinion.
If today, the BJP finds itself having lost Valley (at least on the political turf) to its political rival, many believe the blame lies in its abandoning of the Vajpayee’s Kashmir policy and adopting a much hardline stance against Kashmiris “where ordinary people found themselves caught up in a quagmire worse than ever.” The BJP lost Kashmir’s electoral battle to the National Conference, which swept the Assembly elections across the Valley. This is despite the BJP’s heavy investment in the Valley in the last 10 years, and a recurring narrative that people have embraced the party in the Valley, which however hasn’t been the case. That BJP was able to win over hearts and minds in Kashmir is far from reality. Some BJP leaders tacitly acknowledge this, but are unable to make an impact felt at the national level to urge the Central leadership to revert to Vajpayee’s Kashmir policy of Kashmiriyat, Insaniyat and Jhamooriyat.
The BJP’s all muscular policy is perceived today to have hit ordinary people in Kashmir, who have given their verdict against it by voting against BJP and its proxies in the Valley and showing them the door. As much as the Lieutenant Governor would attempt to make people believe that people have endorsed Centre’s policies on Kashmir, the electoral verdict was clearly against the Centre’s muscular Kashmir policy. It may not be a verdict as much in favor of the National Conference as it was against the BJP. But it requires a Vajpayee Ji to get realistic and shun denial. It requires Prime Minister Narendra Modi to become Vajpayee and reorient the Kashmir policy and adopt a more humane approach to win over Kashmir. The BJP leadership may do well to immediately heed to the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and revisit its Kashmir policy. Because Vajpayee’s policy is one milestone that none in Kashmir would ever miss to mention. Not even a separatist leader like Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who has been a vocal votary of Vajpeey’s policy on Kashmir.
There couldn’t be a better time than this. What the Centre can do to follow in Vajpayee’s footsteps would be to restore the Statehood and show its willingness to accept people’s mandate. Because while the entire Central leadership is beating the drum of having restored democracy in Kashmir with people’s massive participation in the elections, it would be a great mistake on its part to delay restoration of Statehood and civil liberties to people and spoil its own narrative at the national and international level. It is appropriate time to shun the muscular policy at grassroots, allow people to breathe easy and let democracy flourish and take its roots in the Valley.
Easing passport verifications, addressing the job crisis and reviewing unjust termination of government employees could go a long way in building the BJP’s humane image in Kashmir, which Vajpayee said is a heaven of possibilities for the country. These could be big confidence measures to boost the party’s prospects in the Valley. But the broader question is: is Modi willing to tread the Vajpayee’s path? For now, the chief minister Omar Abdullah has made a clarion call.
(NOTE: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Kashmir Dot Com, its editorial staff, or its affiliates. KDC does not endorse or guarantee the accuracy of any claims made in this opinion piece.)
