Jammu : The potential restoration of statehood and the conduction of elections in Jammu and Kashmir has stirred deep concerns among the nationalist forces, particularly within most suffered Kashmiri Pandit community. We express strong reservations about this decision, fearing it might repeat historical blunders that could have devastating consequences. Also Jammu and Kashmir is a high per sensitive state ,sourrenderd by two rogue countries along some other Muslim and big foreign powers who have bad eye on Kashmir, hence don,t treat Jammu and Jammu at par with other states of the country.,hence needs to be dealt with different yard stick.
The history of Jammu and Kashmir is fraught with political mismanagement, It is to be pointed out that the region’s past political leaders, especially those with Kashmir-centric agendas, have consistently failed to prioritize development. Instead, they have sown seeds of confusion and uncertainty, often advocating for limited accession to India or even greater autonomy. or merger with Pakistan. These politicians, many of whom had sympathetic views towards terrorists and separatists, used their positions to amass unaccounted wealth, perpetuate corruption, and allow the state to become synonymous with infamy and graft.
For seven decades, corruption, nepotism, and favoritism were the rule rather than the exception in Jammu and Kashmir. Despite receiving more central aid than any other state, development lagged far behind, and accountability was virtually nonexistent. Political families have been implicated in vast corruption, election rigging, and fostering an environment where anti-national activities could flourish unchecked.
The decision to hold elections and restore statehood is seen as dangerously premature as this move could inadvertently transfer power back to the very politicians who, for decades, have been responsible for the region’s turmoil. The fear is that these leaders, once in power, will again embolden terrorists, rekindle corruption, and push the region back into chaos, undoing the hard-won gains of recent ten years.
Moreover, the silence in the valley should not be mistaken for peace. Beneath the surface, there remains a deep-seated resentment towards India, with many still harboring pro-Pakistan sentiments. The people may appreciate the financial benefits of Indian governance, but their loyalty to the nation remains questionable. Thus, holding elections now could lead to a resurgence of anti-national activities, supported by a populace that has not yet fully embraced India.
The Kashmiri Pandit Conference( KPC) urges the Prime Minister and Home Minister of India to reconsider the timing of these actions. Instead of hastening towards elections and statehood, we advocate for the continued status of Jammu and Kashmir as a Union Territory under the direct control of the Central Government.
This would allow for the full eradication of the terrorist-political nexus, stop infiltration, the dismantling of corruption, and the instilling of confidence among minorities and nationalist forces in the region, particularly in the Kashmir Valley.
We also calls for strict action against those who have looted Jammu and Kashmir over the past seventy years. Only through comprehensive judicial probes, led by Supreme Court Judges, can there be accountability for the ethnic cleansing and genocide of the Kashmiri Pandits. The community’s demands also include the establishment of a “one place settlement” in the Kashmir Valley for displaced Kashmiri Pandits and the granting of indigenous status to the community.
We caution rather warn the government that restoring statehood and holding elections now are would be a grave mistake, akin to the imposition of Article 370.
We appeal to Prime Minister Modi Ji to resist the pressure to make hasty decisions, reminding him that silence in Kashmir does not equate to peace. The mindset of the people has not changed; they may love the benefits India provides, but their hearts remain distant.
This is a critical moment for the future of Jammu and Kashmir. The government must prioritize the eradication of corruption, the rooting out of separatist and pro-Pakistan elements, and the establishment of true peace before even considering the restoration of statehood and the conduction of elections. The cost of repeating the errors of the past would be too high to bear.
[KUNDAN KASHMIRI]
Kashmir Watcher & President Kashmiri Pandit Conference ( KPC)
kundankashmiri@gmail.com
Mobile No.880 2167955
