With reference to the editorial, “J&K’s siege within”, former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s doctrine of peace, progress and prosperity in the state in the spirit of insaniyat (humanity), jamhuriyat (democracy) and Kashmiriyat (identity of the people of Kashmir) was acclaimed by political players of all hues, including separatists and extremist elements in the Kashmir Valley.
Despite the setbacks to his dialogue initiatives — including the Kargil conflict, highjacking of an Indian Airlines plane to Kandahar and the terrorist attack on Parliament — the then National Democratic Alliance government continued to encourage confidence-building measures and people-to-people contact.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi (pictured), during his visits to the state in 2014, emphasised development as his only agenda. He said, “I will return your trust in me with interest by ensuring full-fledged development in J&K.” The agenda of alliance of ruling state coalition partners Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), therefore, marked a welcome departure from the politics of anti-federalism and communalism that opposed any democratic or progressive action in the state.
It is unfortunate, however, that wrong policies of the BJP-PDP government have brought the situation to a head. Excessive use of force in the wake of protests over Hizbul militant Burhan Wani’s killing in an encounter followed by civilian casualties shows the lack of preparedness in dealing with unrest on the part of the civil administration.
It is time politicians stopped stoking the flames of hatred. A strong mainstream leadership is imperative for coalition harmony and development in the state.
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Despite the setbacks to his dialogue initiatives — including the Kargil conflict, highjacking of an Indian Airlines plane to Kandahar and the terrorist attack on Parliament — the then National Democratic Alliance government continued to encourage confidence-building measures and people-to-people contact.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi (pictured), during his visits to the state in 2014, emphasised development as his only agenda. He said, “I will return your trust in me with interest by ensuring full-fledged development in J&K.” The agenda of alliance of ruling state coalition partners Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), therefore, marked a welcome departure from the politics of anti-federalism and communalism that opposed any democratic or progressive action in the state.
It is unfortunate, however, that wrong policies of the BJP-PDP government have brought the situation to a head. Excessive use of force in the wake of protests over Hizbul militant Burhan Wani’s killing in an encounter followed by civilian casualties shows the lack of preparedness in dealing with unrest on the part of the civil administration.
It is time politicians stopped stoking the flames of hatred. A strong mainstream leadership is imperative for coalition harmony and development in the state.
Shreyans Jain New Delhi
Letters can be mailed, faxed or e-mailed to:
The Editor, Business Standard
Nehru House, 4 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg
New Delhi 110 002
Fax: (011) 23720201
E-mail: letters@bsmail.in
All letters must have a postal address and telephone number