Kashmiri separatist hawk Syed Ali Shah Geelani is reportedly poll-axed. He had perhaps hoped the last phase of the Jammu & Kashmir assembly polls would reverse the trend of high voter turnouts during the seven-phase democratic exercise. As he admits, separatists badly misread the popular mood. With the last phase clocking a 55 per cent turnout, the overall turnout for seven phases is an inspiring 61.5 per cent, far healthier than the 43 per cent of 2002. Srinagar, the main playground of anti-poll campaigners, saw a 20 per cent turnout which, though modest, is reassuring compared to 2002's meagre 5.06 per cent. From the start, Kashmir's voters defied the winter chill, poll boycott calls and terror threats to cast their ballots. Separatists and Pakistan sympathisers should read the writing on the wall.
True, sections in the Valley may not see electoral participation as diluting the cause of azadi. But, in this context, Geelani's comments are significant. He has reportedly said that the gun has always been a key factor in the separatist movement, which is marred by its absence. He thus inadvertently exposes separatism's real driver, which is violence and intimidation. It is time the separatists both moderates and hardliners paid heed to the growing popular consensus that peace will pay greater dividends in terms of addressing popular grievances than strife.
The message of J&K's demonstrated preference for the ballot over the bullet is that political solutions can be sought and found for any problem, be it bread and butter or identity issues. That Kashmiris voted on issues such as bijli-sadak-paani is positive in itself. That they rose above engineered inter-community conflict over the Amarnath land transfer further testifies to their wisdom. This is not to say their mandate is for a status quo in J&K. They want change in their daily lives and consider those within rather than outside the political system as better equipped to deliver. But improved material conditions alone may not assuage the disenchantment lingering from past subversion of democratic processes by politicians. The question of greater autonomy for J&K arises here. All mainstream parties could think in terms of formulating an autonomy package for J&K in keeping with local opinion.
Indo-Pakistani talks on Kashmir can wait since belligerents in Pakistan have all but wrecked the peace process. With Kashmiris repeatedly reposing faith in Indian democracy, Pakistan's propaganda about 'oppressed' J&K should ring hollow in its own ears. If it truly wants the Kashmir issue resolved, it should commit to constructive dialogue. Proxy war via terror sponsorship won't serve Pakistan. It will serve Kashmir's strife-weary people even less.
True, sections in the Valley may not see electoral participation as diluting the cause of azadi. But, in this context, Geelani's comments are significant. He has reportedly said that the gun has always been a key factor in the separatist movement, which is marred by its absence. He thus inadvertently exposes separatism's real driver, which is violence and intimidation. It is time the separatists both moderates and hardliners paid heed to the growing popular consensus that peace will pay greater dividends in terms of addressing popular grievances than strife.
The message of J&K's demonstrated preference for the ballot over the bullet is that political solutions can be sought and found for any problem, be it bread and butter or identity issues. That Kashmiris voted on issues such as bijli-sadak-paani is positive in itself. That they rose above engineered inter-community conflict over the Amarnath land transfer further testifies to their wisdom. This is not to say their mandate is for a status quo in J&K. They want change in their daily lives and consider those within rather than outside the political system as better equipped to deliver. But improved material conditions alone may not assuage the disenchantment lingering from past subversion of democratic processes by politicians. The question of greater autonomy for J&K arises here. All mainstream parties could think in terms of formulating an autonomy package for J&K in keeping with local opinion.
Indo-Pakistani talks on Kashmir can wait since belligerents in Pakistan have all but wrecked the peace process. With Kashmiris repeatedly reposing faith in Indian democracy, Pakistan's propaganda about 'oppressed' J&K should ring hollow in its own ears. If it truly wants the Kashmir issue resolved, it should commit to constructive dialogue. Proxy war via terror sponsorship won't serve Pakistan. It will serve Kashmir's strife-weary people even less.
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