Fed up with no let up in violence, in 2002 elections, people of Kashmir came out of their homes under the fear of gun to cast their votes. This was a good sign of democracy returning to the valley. India got a chance to integrate the common Kashmiri within the mainstream. People kept their faith in governance and Indian democracy. A common kashmiri was fed up of poor governance by previous governments. He came out, defied anti-India voices and with a hope to see a change after the elections, he voted. But unfortunately, the politicians in Kashmir and the centre have failed miserably to deliver ever since. I am ashamed of my faith in Indian democratic setup as far as Kashmir is concerned.

Twenty years after that popular violent uprising that changed the political landscape of Kashmir, India still hasn’t learnt the lessons. India has failed on every front. Governance is more important than just elected government. Mistakes done in the past can be undone provided you step forward to do it. Politics in Kashmir has not been able to undone the damage caused by years of isolation and alienation of that part of the country.

Today’s agitations are different from 1990’s. The difference is, in 1990 it was the gun which had fascinated people and the popular belief was that azadi was round the corner, whereas this time youth, mostly born in turmoil, are leading the struggle and guns have been replaced by stones. Stones are talking in Kashmir. What common Kashmiri is seeking, is answers from the elected government which seems to be in a chaotic state of affairs today. It’s a déjà vu 1990.

Sixty one percent voting in 2008 gave a hope to a common man like me to think that we have overcome the worst phase in Kashmir polity. The moral authority that the state government was yearning for long was finally here. But all that the government could do was continue the scale of rampant corruption, rising unemployment levels in the state, poor governance, poor human rights record. Nothing changed on the ground even after elections. The promises made to the tired common Kashmiri who voted were never filled. Who is to be blamed for this?

Undoubtedly,India has failed to deliver. We have failed to consolidate the gains of the successful elections held in Kashmir. Frequent visits by PM and announcing hefty economic packages won’t win hearts. Let us understand that Kashmir's failure is a failure of politics. No battles are won by the army or the police. They are won in the hearts of people. No battles are won by money. Battles can be won by listening to the hearts and sentiments of the alienated people of Kashmir and working towards providing the kind of governance they want.

The irony is that the world is totally different across the Pir Panjal. Even people in Jammu are not aware of the real situation in Kashmir leave aside the rest of the country. Various media analysts and commentators look at the present situation from Pakistan’s angle or separatist’s angle. I don’t rule out their involvement in this but we must understand that such huge agitations are impossible without anger in the hearts of common man. How far will we keep on blaming Pakistan or Hurriyat for our failures to deliver good governance in the state?

Today the protesters on the streets, apart from the teenagers, are educated doctors and MBAs, frustrated at the lack of employment and economic opportunities. It is not hard to see where the frustration of the educated Kashmiri youth comes from. On the one hand, they are told that they are Indian citizens but they see themselves left behind by the real growing economic power. The agitation has today reached Facebook and social networking sites. It is no longer restricted to the streets of Kashmir. The youth, who has grown up in the sounds of bullets is asking for them to be heard.

Central government can no more turn blind eye to the alienation of the common Kashmiri. Though I do consider the role of some anti-national elements in instigating the violence but I am more than convinced that the real problem is not them but the long standing policies of government of India towards the region. Kashmir has failed politics. It has bad quality politicians be it separatists or mainstream, who have failed to sense the heart of Kashmir. Each of these parties is indulging in petty politics.  

India unfortunately has become the biggest example of a country that boasts itself of being the biggest democracy but has failed to provide the same in a state called by many as the crown of India. The crown is simmering today. Children who should be in schools are living under the fear of curfews and news of killings every single day. The anger is rising with each passing moment. It gives a scary picture of Kashmir. Indian government has to act with compassion not gun. A political solution has to be arrived at but at the same time, listen to the common man. He doesn’t want azadi or self-determination. What he wants is a good living. He wants good life for the generation who has only seen violence. Once the youth who is pelting stones today gets the job that he deserves, the situation will start improving. Woodrow Wilson once said “The seed of revolution is repression”. It’s the hearts that have to be healed and won. Coercion isn’t the right way...Negotiation is!