Prolonged Governor’s rule is anti-Constitutional: Ashok Bhan

SRINAGAR — Speaking to civil society groups through a webinar organised by Global Peace Forum, Ashok Bhan, a distinguished fellow USI & Chairman Kashmir (Policy & Strategy) Group, said that it is important to first recognise a paradox of the Kashmir policy.

“While everyone agrees including the Army top brass that Kashmir is a political issue, that needs to be dealt with politically, the government’s efforts, to achieve peace and tranquillity, have been centred on reducing Pakistani influence in social and political Kashmiri life and neutralise terrorism,” he said.

“Three decades of violence has brought about colossal death & destruction and the people of J&K are longing to see the normalcy to return, in the real sense of the term. They want the business, especially the tourism industry, hit by both the developments of the past year and the COVID-19 pandemic, to revive. People would like to be part of the Indian democracy not only physically, but economically and emotionally,” Bhan said.

He further added that at a time when China is flexing its muscles in eastern Ladakh and is understood to want Pakistan to increase terrorist activities across the border, it is time to focus sharply on finding a political mechanism in Jammu & Kashmir.

“The Country’s strategic and democratic interests lay in people of the UT in general and the Kashmiris including exiled Kashmiri Pandits in particular and not in land alone. Therefore, Kashmiris would like to have and exercise all the democratic rights enjoyed by citizens elsewhere, and elect their own representatives,” Ashok Bhan said.

He added, “The time is now ripe to complete the electoral delimitation process at the earliest to facilitate the holding of elections. End of Governor Rule as in democracy, it is no substitute to people’s government.”

“Till elections are held, the government should at least release all the political detainees. The process to have engagement and talks with the stakeholders should be initiated, the political groups those have chosen to be away from mainstream democratic process so far for whatever reason need to be reached out to be part of the mainstream polity,” Bhan said.

He said, “The exiled natives need to return to their homes. LG administration should engage with them to plan their return, rehabilitation and restitution as Kashmiris back in the Valley.”

“Over the years particularly from past one year, there is a serious emotional disconnect between New Delhi & Kashmir. It is imperative to win over people’s trust & confidence. Kashmiris ask for peace & justice. Pandit Kalhana has long back around 1200 years back said that ‘Kashmiris can be won over only by love and with sword never’,” he said.