RAJESH SINGH
In the backdrop of the continuing unrest in Kashmir valley, various experts have been demanding that the Government of India should communicate with the Hurriyat Conference in a bid to restore normalcy. They believe that the outreach can lead to a breakthrough. But they are mistaken. They ignore the ground reality and live in a world of delusion.
It is said that the Hurriyat commands the support of a section of the people in Kashmir valley. That may be so. Leaders of violence always do, more so when money and arms generously flow from masters across the border. The Hurriyat sheds crocodile tears over the loss of innocent lives in violent confrontations, but its leaders are the ones who egg the impressionable minds to take to the streets and target security forces. They expose innocent citizens to bullets (and pellets), while remaining safely ensconced in their homes, surrounded by security details.
Supine appeasement of hardline elements is destined to backfire. This is more so when these elements are self-styled leaders of the people, neither elected nor commanding support anywhere beyond their immediate backyards. If the Government were to engage with them, they would gain legitimacy and use the privilege as oxygen to further promote their divisive agenda against the country.
As Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee had opened lines of communication with the Hurriyat Conference. His Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister LK Advani met a delegation of its leaders in 2004. Vajpayee’s “Kashmiriyat, insaniyat” slogan had been received with acclaim in Jammu & Kashmir, particularly the valley. To this day, the separatists do not tire of invoking those words and heaping praise on the former Prime Minister.
But did the Hurriyat leaders have a change of heart as a result of Vajpayee’s sincerity? No. Had the change of heart happened, they would have at the very least recognised and condemned Pakistan’s role in fomenting trouble. They would have stopped speaking the language of secession from India. They would have shunned from backing agitators who seek to harm state agencies such as the police and Central security forces.
The Hurriyat didn’t reform despite Vajpayee’s bold initiative. On the contrary, over the years, its ‘moderate’ leaders have joined hands with the ‘extremists’ to give added thrust to the anti-India campaign. They haven’t offered one single indication which gives even a face-saver to the Government to engage with them. They believe that the power of the gun will make the Government bend before them. They are confident that the force of violent agitations will compel the Government to crawl. Meanwhile, they call the Indian state names and praise Pakistan.
It is said that the Hurriyat commands the support of a section of the people in Kashmir valley. That may be so. Leaders of violence always do, more so when money and arms generously flow from masters across the border. The Hurriyat sheds crocodile tears over the loss of innocent lives in violent confrontations, but its leaders are the ones who egg the impressionable minds to take to the streets and target security forces. They expose innocent citizens to bullets (and pellets), while remaining safely ensconced in their homes, surrounded by security details.
If these Hurriyat leaders believe they have the support of the people, they must contest elections and demonstrate that support. They won’t because they know they will lose. They refuse to contest because they do not believe in the Constitution of India or the reality of Kashmir being an integral part of India. But they have no hesitation in accepting the benefits of the Indian state — security, even pensions — that are paid for by the country’s public exchequer. They use an Indian passport to travel abroad to spew venom against India.
Iranian leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad once remarked: “Extremism gives birth to following, and subsequent extremism.” This is exactly the Hurriyat’s recipe. It’s true that various extremist organisations across the world have opted to join the mainstream and turn their backs on violence following negotiations. One can, if one wishes, entertain similar fond hopes for the Hurriyat. But let’s not give them respect they don’t deserve.
Writer is editorial director of nationalistonline.com