An unprecedented dialogue on Kashmir Tarun Vijay, 18 August 2010, 11:33 AM IST

source: http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/indus-calling/entry/an-unprecedented-dialogue-on-kashmir

In an unprecedented turn of events, it was for Nitin Gadkari to make a move and have us invite the youth of Kashmir and have them engaged in an dialogue, which was described by the vice-chancellor of Islamic University, Prof Siddiq Wahid, as unprecedented and the most useful interaction ever held. Nitin Gadkari said: "Why don't they speak what they want to speak in a free and frank atmosphere, and we will say what we think and believe to be the best solution for Kashmir." It set the tone of the dialogue and the students — all brilliant, power-packed with views, pursuing their master's and PhDs in various subjects including journalism, engineering, MBA and science — gathered in Delhi on August 17 in what can be termed as a historic ice-breaking moment. 

They spoke as much as they wanted to, met Nitin Gadkari in a two-hour thrilling Q&A, chatted across the board with the president of Delhi University Students' Union, Manoj Chaudhry, and a group of senior students from JNU, had discussions with Balbir Punj, MP, questioned P Chidambaram, the ubiquitous home minister, and capped the day with a visit to Akshardham temple, enjoying the boat ride exhibition depicting the great achievements of India and had "prasadam", and ended the day's "roza" there. Earlier they were taken to Hazrat Nizamuddin Chishti dargah to offer namaz and obeisance.

The programme began with floral tributes to Bharat Mata and Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee. A minute's silence was observed in memory of all the innocent people, including the security personnel, killed in Kashmir, and then a free flow of view began. If Kashmiri Muslim students spoke about what they termed political repression of Delhi, atrocities of the forces, the Kashmiri Hindu students — Radhika Kaul, Aditya and Suneida Kachroo — challenged the other side's view, stone pelting, pain and anguish of the Hindus exiled, violence and Pakistan's sponsorship of the separatist agitations. Gadkari displayed amazing patience and resilience to listen. Prof Wahid had said earlier that "all that we want is to be heard. We are often given sermons and everybody wants us to listen, but we too want to have a say." 

The professor and his students were not disappointed. Everybody was in a mood to listen. And then, before leaving, Gadkari said: "We want you to make progress as proud Indian citizens. All the problems and grievances can be understood and addressed within an Indian constitutional framework. There is a plethora of complaints from Indians residing in various states. No one can ever be satisfied in a democracy. So is true of  Jammu & Kashmir. The integration of Kashmir with India is final and non-negotiable, from this point of a devotional faith to our nation, all other issues can be discussed. Education, economic development, better governance and a happier social milieu are what we wish for Kashmir and all our states."

So was the view of P Chidambaram, who spoke to students like a wisdom tree. He listened to the students patiently, in spite of his urgent engagements in Parliament and said: "Be part of the Indian story. The rest will follow naturally. Shun violence and aspire for development. I will immediately withdraw the security forces and send them back to barracks."

He said: "Can you expect a soldier, crowded by a dozen stone pelters and feeling helpless, just about to be lynched, not to open fire to save his life?  You pelt stones, make security personnel targets, burn government  property and expect us to remain silent and do nothing?"

Everyone lamented the killing of innocent people in the valley, and felt that violence must come to an end. Manoj Chaudhry was at his best to put the scenario in perspective. He said: "You think such incidents happens only in the valley? What about the killings of Gujjars in Rajasthan and the brutalities of Naxals in Chattisgarh and Bengal?"

Tejinder Singh, a student leader, said: "Four thousand Sikhs were massacred in Delhi and elsewhere in 1984. Should that mean they demand separation from India? Why do Sikhs remain loyal to India and democracy,  but Kashmiri Muslims demand azadi?" 

Prof Jahangir Tantri of Kashmir University spoke about the pains of Kashmiri Hindus and said Muslims wanted them back. "They were the happiness and raunaq of Kashmir. We feel deeply anguished not to see them in Rainawari and other places of the valley."

Rakhshanda, Lubna, Afsana, Nazeer, and their "just returned from a 20-year stint in the US" professor, Fouzia, were at their strongest putting across a different view, a view which Delhi won't agree to. The spoke for azadi and an end to "repression of Delhi". "All governments are puppets controlled by Delhi," they said.

What about the Mufti government, which was an outcome of a universally hailed free and objective election? I asked. Balbir Punj said: "You hate a government that you elect. Always, the valley leaders have ruled J&K, which includes Jammu and Ladakh, but you never care or agitate for their woes and pains and complain against Delhi and not against your own valley leaders?"

  

Yatindra Jit Singh, who belongs to Kashmir, said: "Burning of the tricolour is as unacceptable and provoking to me as burning of the Quran is to any Muslim. You burn our national flag, stone-pelt soldiers, demand a quivered azadi, and still want to enjoy the fruits of Indian democracy and the freedom the Constitution provides. Why don’t you protest against the separatists who are spoiling the future of a common Kashmiri and sending their children to abroad for better careers?"

Shehla Masood, president of Muslim Women’s Progressive Society, challenged the separatist viewpoint and asked: "Where are the issues of women's empowerment and unshackling them from the clutches of the Taliban and mullas? Why are the separatists silent on the educational and economic development of the society? Their agenda seems to be guided by factors other than the real welfare of Muslims."

The beauty is that the dialogue continues. Sharing and engaging in decent, logical exchange of views is certainly an Indian trait, a universally acceptable way to find solutions. (To be continued.)