Greater autonomy for J&K - An answer or a complex question?
How would greater autonomy or return to pre-1953 days benefit the J&K common man? It is time that the common man's intelligence was honoured with a few answers. Do they, in whose name greater autonomy is being demanded, understand the issue clearly?
AUTONOMY AS is being talked about in reference to J&K has to be addressed seriously. The greater autonomy that the J&K leadership is talking about is surely not the same autonomy (internal) that has been demanded by some other states Union of India. The issue must be understood clearly.
The issue was shelved and buried in Indira Gandhi’s time. National Conference revived it through the political resolution adopted in 1994 and then again in 2000 after through the resolution passed unanimously by J&K Legislative Assembly on the report of State Autonomy Committee. This report has been understood by some as promising near return to Pre-1953 August days. The Union Cabinet in 2000 out rightly rejected the SAC report and suggested that the State Government come forward with the problems the State was facing in the conduct of its development and routine functions under the routine laws applicable to every other state of India. On
It was on 15 July 2002 that Dr. Farooq Abdullah again opened the chapter by suggesting that government of India appoint a senior leader to discussing the SAC Resolution of 2000 with the State Government. Its representatives Dr. Farooq as well as Omar Abdullah also suggested that once the issues were discussed the settlement could be any where in between after either side was convinced that the interest of the people of State in particular and India in general was being addressed.
L.K.Advani announced on 16th July 2002 that former law minister Arun Jaitley was be the Center’s point man in discussions with the JK Government and political parties. He also declared that J&K was a special state and the government had no objection to giving it more powers. It seemed on 9th Aug 2002 that the issue would finally receive the desired pre 1953 facelift. Nothing concrete materialized however. Sporadic discussions have continued as Governments have changed in the state and at the centre. Each having exploited the issue for their own benefit. N. N. Vohra (appointed J&K Governor in 2008) took over as the Center’s official point man from Arun Jaitly in April 2003.
The issue of greater autonomy has become more complex with time. Motivations and goals are no longer clear and simple. With their talks of ‘Kashmiriat’ the defenders of autonomy have alienated the people of Jammu and Ladakh regions. All this while the common man of J&K has remained a victim of poor economic growth and has been dependant upon assistance from the central government.
The issue is again live after the 5th Working Group on J&K headed by Saaghir Ahmed submitted its report to J&K Chief Minister on 23rd December 2009. And now there is urgent need to educate the common man about concepts behind greater autonomy with particular reference to pre 1953 position. The below mentioned aspects of the issue should be clearly explained to the common people of J&K for whom greater autonomy is being demanded.
**It has not so far even partly been spelt out how the rights of the common man as well as the local government of J&K have been encroached upon by the Government of India so as to inflict damage on the people of J&K.
**What has been the damage inflicted on the economy of J&K after 9th August 1953 needs to be made known.
**Over the years much has been said about Kashmiris and Kashmiriat which has created doubts and divisions in the minds of Kashmiri Muslims against India and the intentions of the Government at the center.
**How would moving out of financial integration with the Union of India help and benefit a common man in Kashmir needs to be explained.
** How would restoration of pre 1953 position put an end to the turmoil in J&K in general and Kashmir Valley in particular. Will the interference from Pakistan end with this? If not then what relation does it have with what is happening in J&K.
** When the instrument of accession as offered by Maharaja Hari Singh was the same as was that of other Indian Princes in the British Empire, which other special document enshrined special status on J&K as regards the accession. Also when the decision of accession rested only with the Prince, how do the Kashmiris claim that they had the right to decide which way to go?
** Pakistan was carved out of British India and not Greater India, therefore any one who contests that being Muslim majority State J&K had preferred status, choice and right to join the theocratic State of Pakistan needs to explain why.
**When the provisions of Article 370 cease to apply, there will no longer be a constitution of J&K. A new Constituent Assembly will have to be created by the ‘Yuvraj’ Dr. Karan Singh. What exactly is planned in such a case needs to be made clear.
** How will the Greater Autonomy or pre 1953 conditions help the leadership in making the return of Kashmiri Hindu simple and honorable?
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