"Meri Jaan, Pakistan" Slogans in Kashmir :Can it Happen anywhere Else ?
Kashmir Burning
Kashmir is on boil and whatever is happening is a chilling reminder that the problem is not solved and perhaps never will be. One is reminded that always the problems in Kashmir are accentuated by a lack of will of the central government and now it looks like the position is back to 1947. It's a pity that 67 years down the line the Indian leadership has allowed Kashmir to fester as an open wound.
The present problem is squarely at the door of the BJP government. Firstly, it jettisoned its own election plank of abrogating article 370 and the Uniform Civil code.Secondly it formed a government with the PDP headed by mufti Sayeed and in the bargain shot itself in the foot.
The Mufti and BJP failed the nation
Right from day one when the Mufti thanked the Pakistan government and the militants for the success of the elections to the release of a known history sheeter like Maqsood the fat was in the fire. The BJP in it's eagerness to share power failed to exert itself and allowed the separatists to set the agenda. This resulted in a motley crowd of some 3000 persons out to welcome the Hurriyat leader Geelani shouting slogans like " Meri Jaan, Pakistan" ( My life, Pakistan) and raising the Pakistan flag .
Awkward Questions
I have traveled all over the world and spent considerable time in the USA and presently in the UAE and I have never heard of a such an agitation in any other country. Can one think of such a episode in say the USA or China?. How was it allowed in India.? In the bargain Pakistan has got a great propaganda material and India made to look like a occupying power without a backbone. In fact so many friends asked me in Abu Dhabi as to how your government is allowing such activities. The Chief of the UAE army who I met at the Army club mentioned that why didn't the Indian army open fire.
Example of Burma
I am reminded of an incident when General Ne Win was in power in Burma. Now Burma is a Buddhist nation, but when the chips are down the army acts. At that time a student agitation was started egged on by the USA. General Ne Win warned the students to disperse otherwise he would ask his soldiers to fire for he maintained " I am not here to tolerate anarchy" or words to that effect. The army opened fire and killed and Burma survived and now Ne Win is gone but the army still is the dominant power. The point I am making is that for 67 years the indian governments approach of trying to win over the terrorists has failed , so why not give the military a hand ?
Solve the Issue
I can talk from personal experience having served in the valley. The valley is only about 100 miles long and 50 miles wide. This is the hotbed of the Kashmiri terrorist activity. To neutralize this area a force of 2/3 divisions with helicopter gunships is all that is required. In fact a proposal was given to the Indian government but hastily shot down as we cannot " kill our own people" or similar balderdash. Remember sometimes blood has to be split to maintain the sanctity of a nation. If Indians do not wish to use force, then why not have an accommodation and hand over the valley to Pakistan? this I am told was part of a solution that Atal Bihari Vajpayee had in mind when he met Musharraf at the Agra summit, but hats of to LK Advani,the then Home Minister who shot down the proposal.
People are with India
Let me assure readers on Boddunan that people in the valley at least 75% of them want to be with India. They are held to ransom by the terror groups and the failure of the Indian government. I have toured the valley extensively and even common villagers around our airbase were fed up of the mujaheddin who came on nocturnal visits married Kashmiri ( Muslim ) girls and divorced them in the morning. I am also aware that the Corps Commander was restrained from acting by the government.
Last word
To be a great power, a degree of ruthlessness is essential. No empire was built on Ahimsa and non-violence. Its about time we awoke to the reality, otherwise the design of Pakistan may well succeed. In this the BJP will have to lead and the Mufi consigned to the dustbin.Overall the Kashmir policy has to be rewritten
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