Kashmir Problem and its Solution

If Kashmiri secession is unacceptable, then the following suggestions can make a beginning in establishing sincerity. First, continue to use police and paramilitary forces to protect the public, patrol borders, detain terrorists, seize arms. But the government should ensure as far as possible that they operate within the law and also communicate in words and deeds that police and paramilitary personnel who do not operate so, will be punished. At the very least, surely this means actually punishing the most outrageous transgressions like fake encounters, brutal searches, prison torture, indiscriminate firing, etc.

Second, we should stop exaggerating the threats to Indian security and secularism. Whatever happens in Kashmir, it is unlikely that the security of the rest of the country (except Punjab) will be greatly affected.

Third, stop exaggerating foreign role in our troubles. Doubtless, there is a Pakistani 'hand' at work in Kashmir. This is shortsighted of Pakistan. Still, the roots of the trouble in Kashmir are Indian and local.

Fourth, stop trying to buy off Kashmiri secession. This does not mean that the Government should neglect employment schemes; industrialization for the valley, and other economic measures, but it should proceed sensibly and pay due regard to normal economic and other considerations.

Fifth, the government authorities should admit their mistakes and try to rectify them. People understand that human being human beings and administrative systems also commit mistakes. But they want an admission of and efforts to rectify them. Such periodic gestures by politicians and officials will be effective in signaling the sincerity of efforts to meet local demands and assuage local feelings.

The strength of the Indian Union lies in its democratic and secular structure. In the face of social pluralism and local disaffections, it has maintained a relatively open political arena and thereby pre-empted, co-opted, or accommodated pluralism and disaffection. The main mechanism for this has been a relatively honest electoral system. So the government should announce it is moving towards free and fair elections in Kashmir. But this announcement should be made after establishing law and order in Kashmir. The terrorists and secessionists, who want to destroy our country, must be crushed. We should have negotiations only with those persons who are patriotic and believe in the Indian Constitution.