The news of far-reaching significance in Kashmir is the vice-like grip over the current anti-government agitation established by the relatively small but determined group of pro-Pakistan separatists, now guided by a younger leadership in the main.
The new hegemony appears to have come into its own, comprehensively eclipsing the pro-independence outfits. The pro-Pakistan parties had played a key part in creating disturbance over the question of facilities for Amarnath pilgrims two years ago, but on that occasion the other parties and groups had been no less dynamic.
Remarkably, the Congress Working Committee, which met here on Monday to review recent developments in the Valley, missed the point entirely.
Cabinet ministers associated with Kashmir affairs chose instead to speak more generally of young Kashmiris being involved in protest, giving currency to the mistaken notion that the virulent protest has been a spontaneous — rather than a carefully designed and meticulously executed — upsurge.
Numerous observers in Kashmir suggest that matters are unlikely to have come to the present pass if the ruling National Conference-Congress combine had been politically active and alert.
Chief minister Omar Abdullah, although well-meaning, relied only on the administrative apparatus to get things right. In the event, the option was foredoomed in the absence of a strong political back-up of his own party and the state Congress.
With the pro-independence groups and other mainstream parties having been ideologically and politically beaten into submission by far right elements who tend to border on extremism, it was up to the NC and Congress — chiefly the former — to bestir themselves to counter the extreme right politically, especially in the four or five worst affected towns. But they didn’t even try. The chief minister just did not assume that crucial responsibility.
Some in Srinagar believe it may still not be too late. But the chief minister must dust himself up and move politically. To begin with, a Cabinet reshuffle is in order so that the more astute elements in the NC — said to be upset with the CM — may be given a stake in the running of the government.
Administrative changes at various levels, not just change of guard for chief secretary and the police chief, are also clearly warranted. The government further needs to ensure that its employees come to work even when there is a curfew. Curfew passes need to be issued and respected by those on security duty. Those who still stay away need to be called to account.
Any government offer for a political package was to have flowed from discussions in the Valley — as New Delhi had envisaged when union home minister P. Chidambaram mooted his “quiet diplomacy” which never took off, not out of panic following the recent violent demonstrations by extremist elements. This error too needs to be reversed so that the horse is not put before the cart.