Letters to the Editor, The Hindu, August 25, 2008
Kashmir issue
This refers to the article “Need to rethink our Kashmir policy” (Aug. 22) and the letters published in response to it (Aug. 23). It is a matter of serious concern that a grave issue such as the Kashmir imbroglio has not been resolved by successive governments for 60 years.
There is no doubt that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of the Indian Union. Being a border State, it is strategically important for us. We cannot discard it under any circumstance. The immediate thing to do is to abolish Article 370 and encourage people from neighbouring States to settle down in Kashmir.
Yohannankutty Mathai,
New Delhi
This refers to the article “Need to rethink our Kashmir policy” (Aug. 22) and the letters published in response to it (Aug. 23). It is a matter of serious concern that a grave issue such as the Kashmir imbroglio has not been resolved by successive governments for 60 years.
There is no doubt that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of the Indian Union. Being a border State, it is strategically important for us. We cannot discard it under any circumstance. The immediate thing to do is to abolish Article 370 and encourage people from neighbouring States to settle down in Kashmir.
Yohannankutty Mathai,
New Delhi
The article says that despite all their promises to the Kashmiris, the governments in Srinagar and New Delhi have done almost nothing in the last four years to resolve the problem to the satisfaction of Kashmiris. As citizens of India, I think we ought to shoulder the responsibility for the actions of the governments we voted to power. It is “our” promises, made to a particular section among us.
Sanjoe Tom Jose,
Mumbai
The Centre needs to adopt a people-centric approach to the J&K crisis, failing which the situation in the State may escalate further. Kashmir is not a colony of India. It is as much an integral part of India as any other State and the Centre cannot allow anyone to manipulate this.
The ISI and some sections in Pakistan are trying their best to present a view that does not reflect true public opinion.
Sarvesh Kumar Dubey,
Jamshedpur
The Kashmir issue has been hanging fire for 60 years and more, and no solution is in sight. The peace initiatives and dialogues have not produced the desired results. The agitation which started over the Amarnath land transfer issue has flared up beyond control. The conflict is now between Hindus in Jammu and Muslims in the Kashmir Valley. The clamour for azadi is growing louder in the Valley. How long can the government allow the stalemate to continue? It should allow the people of the State to decide their fate.
E. Sivasankaran,
Coimbatore
Since 1947, India has espoused a self-righteous attitude and pretended to know everything from democracy and secularism to modernity, and rejected all good advice even from its best friends to let Kashmiris live peacefully. It has continued to militarise J&K. A basic shift in the Indian approach to the Kashmir issue would mean letting Kashmiris have their sovereignty. Demilitarisation and force withdrawal should begin now.
Reehana Kabeer, Dharapuram
******
Letters to the Editor, August 23, 2008
Kashmir policy
The article “Need to rethink our Kashmir policy” (Aug. 22) is one of the best articles I have read on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. It rightly points out that even though Kashmir is legally part of the Indian Union, Kashmiris do not feel part of it and that it is the flawed policies of the Indian state for 60 years that are to blame. Although shouting slogans of azadi is no solution to the problem, implementation of an undiluted Article 370, which was the basis of Kashmir’s accession to India, is one of the best practical solutions.
Azhar Yasin,
Srinagar
* * *
The article rightly pointed out that Kashmiris feel let down by the Indian government. Much of this sentiment can be traced to an aspect of the conflict that is generally overlooked: lost economic opportunities due to misguided policies in the region since Partition. The epicentre of the present insurgency and the regions most affected by it are marked by low levels of development and governance. There are many potential solutions but unless India and Pakistan abandon the combative mindset, no progress is possible.
A. Bhagavathi Meena,
Valliyur
* * *
While various explanations such as the ISI hand, the communal divide, and the strengthening of the separatist movement are being advanced for the unrest in J&K, the fact is India’s political leadership has lost the confidence of the average citizen of the State.
The people feel that the Central leadership lacks credibility and moral authority. The UPA government will be blamed by history if separatists have their way in Kashmir. It should immediately constitute a team of senior people who enjoy credibility, and are not in politics, to visit J&K to find a solution.
N.S. Venkataraman,
Chennai
* * *
Ever since the accession of J&K to India, the demand to hold a plebiscite has been turned down. Article 370 which promises a special status for Kashmir has become a political tool for the BJP, which is bent on abolishing it. The Amarnath land transfer row and the economic blockade have given enough fodder to the separatists to sway the Kashmiris to demand azadi. It is time a political consensus was evolved to grant de facto autonomy to Kashmir within the framework of the Indian Constitution.
Syed Sultan Mohiddin,
Kadapa
* * *
The problem in Kashmir is deep rooted. Roundtable conferences and formation of working groups won’t do. Kashmiris feel alienated and betrayed because the Centre has reneged on many promises made to them.
Faizan Qadir,
Srinagar
* * *
A special status, economic packages and other blandishments are mere palliatives and do not address the deeper malaise afflicting the Kashmiri mindset. If the Indian leadership makes a bold attempt to find a meaningful solution to the Kashmir issue, it is sure to have the backing of the people. It will make way for durable peace in the subcontinent and give a fillip to the confidence-building measures between India and Pakistan.
R. Ravichandran,
Chennai
The article “Need to rethink our Kashmir policy” (Aug. 22) is one of the best articles I have read on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. It rightly points out that even though Kashmir is legally part of the Indian Union, Kashmiris do not feel part of it and that it is the flawed policies of the Indian state for 60 years that are to blame. Although shouting slogans of azadi is no solution to the problem, implementation of an undiluted Article 370, which was the basis of Kashmir’s accession to India, is one of the best practical solutions.
Azhar Yasin,
Srinagar
* * *
The article rightly pointed out that Kashmiris feel let down by the Indian government. Much of this sentiment can be traced to an aspect of the conflict that is generally overlooked: lost economic opportunities due to misguided policies in the region since Partition. The epicentre of the present insurgency and the regions most affected by it are marked by low levels of development and governance. There are many potential solutions but unless India and Pakistan abandon the combative mindset, no progress is possible.
A. Bhagavathi Meena,
Valliyur
* * *
While various explanations such as the ISI hand, the communal divide, and the strengthening of the separatist movement are being advanced for the unrest in J&K, the fact is India’s political leadership has lost the confidence of the average citizen of the State.
The people feel that the Central leadership lacks credibility and moral authority. The UPA government will be blamed by history if separatists have their way in Kashmir. It should immediately constitute a team of senior people who enjoy credibility, and are not in politics, to visit J&K to find a solution.
N.S. Venkataraman,
Chennai
* * *
Ever since the accession of J&K to India, the demand to hold a plebiscite has been turned down. Article 370 which promises a special status for Kashmir has become a political tool for the BJP, which is bent on abolishing it. The Amarnath land transfer row and the economic blockade have given enough fodder to the separatists to sway the Kashmiris to demand azadi. It is time a political consensus was evolved to grant de facto autonomy to Kashmir within the framework of the Indian Constitution.
Syed Sultan Mohiddin,
Kadapa
* * *
The problem in Kashmir is deep rooted. Roundtable conferences and formation of working groups won’t do. Kashmiris feel alienated and betrayed because the Centre has reneged on many promises made to them.
Faizan Qadir,
Srinagar
* * *
A special status, economic packages and other blandishments are mere palliatives and do not address the deeper malaise afflicting the Kashmiri mindset. If the Indian leadership makes a bold attempt to find a meaningful solution to the Kashmir issue, it is sure to have the backing of the people. It will make way for durable peace in the subcontinent and give a fillip to the confidence-building measures between India and Pakistan.
R. Ravichandran,
Chennai
Source: The Hindu, August 24, 2008.
