What was left Unsaid by Mr. Prime Minister!

Kumar Prashant

Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi recently addressed the nation for over half an hour, but it was
unclear who was being addressed and why! It would appear as if he was trying to explain the audacity
of his recent actions. The gun that has been used to silence Kashmir was being used as a telescope to
both see Kashmir and also show it to the country. For him to to do this was unfortunate for the
government and a bad omen for the country. What recent development could have justified the
disappearance of an entire state from the map of India - there was no explanation by the Prime
minister on this. In a magic show, we know that what’s being shown is not real! But what has taken
place is real, ugly, cruel and undemocratic.

Even Indira Gandhi did not insult the Indian parliament at the time of emergency. Even then, the
opposition was not insulted like now in both Loksabha and Rajyasabha and Prime Minister had
nothing to say about it. This was a sign of the ongoing degradation of our democracy. Democracy runs
on a multiplicity of opinions not just majority opinion. Yes, the government has a majority but the
majority in a healthy democracy also means multiplicity and consultation. Was there any exchange of
opinions or viewpoints in Loksabha or Rajyasabha? Only one person was speaking in a loud voice and
three hundred others were thumping their desks. Rest were sitting defeated with bowed heads. This is
not democratic pluralism. Its only majority of numbers. You use it in this way when you don’t have a
logical opinion to win an argument but only numbers of heads to count. Kashmir’s terrorism problem
was always initiated, encouraged and driven from across the border for which we have been rightly
holding Pakistan responsible for all these years and even justified surgical strikes. All of a sudden the
home minister changed the argument holding article 370 and three families to be the main culprit for
all of Kashmir’s ills. As if destroying them would enable us to enjoy the cool breeze on the edge of Dal
Lake in a peaceful and terror-free Kashmir. What a joke! We are yet to forget a similar decision which
was supposed end so many ills from black money to stone-throwing. Where it started and how it has
played out is there for everyone to see. Fake issues based on flawed logic are always like that. Kashmir
is also going to turn out the same way.

It is said that three families and a few people were looting Kashmir. If that is true, why they were not
put behind bars. Are you so weak that with the governor, police administration and entire machinery
under your control, you can not tackle only three families? Till yesterday you and even Atal ji was
running the state in partnership with the same three families. Was the loot being carried out in
partnership? The issue is not about Kashmir but of the entire system all across the country. No wonder
Mahatma Gandhi called the system character-less.

History gave Kashmir to us with a major challenge to assimilate with the country under very special
circumstances. The way the signing of the instrument of accession took place and a full state agreed to
join us was a unique example in the world. Article 370 was a practical tool to implement the
understanding in the instrument of accession. The challenge was indeed stiff since Kashmir came with
its baggage of power without values, the cruelty of politics without principles, communal poison and
Pakistan’s foul play and through it the interference of the international community. When it came to
us it was a veritable hell in the garb of heaven on earth. We were in no better shape to receive it
either given the challenges of integrating hundreds of princely states, wounds of partition and depths
of poverty from which we were trying to emerge as an independent nation. It was the most sensitive
period in the history of the Indian sub-continent. A small mistake could have created havoc! It could
have closed the door to Kashmir’s accession, but we didn’t let it happen! Today we are so far away
from that point of time in our history that we can not appreciate what Patel, Nehru and Sheikh
Abdullah achieved together through those tumultuous times. Of course, mistakes were made, trusts
were betrayed, opinions differed, political strategies backfire – but in spite of all of it, we were able to
say that Kashmir is indivisible and integral part of India. Even we had our supporters in Kashmir who
echoed this sentiment. But today those voices have been silenced. Kashmir now has been turned into
the peace and silence of the graveyard.

Kashmir can not be kept shut down forever. When we open the gates, people will come out. With
them will come their pent up anger, regret and frustration. External forces will try harder than before
to take advantage of it and add oil to fire. We would have burnt all our bridges for dialogue. Then what
will happen? It will not be a pretty picture. What all is being said by the people in power about
Kashmir today! How deplorable such statements are! Prime minister rightly said – it is a sensitive time
and not one to be celebrated. But the prime minister is in the habit of saying one thing and hinting at
quite another. He is famous for this. Why was the parliament lit up? When we are pushing one part of
the country into the darkness, what is there to be happy about. Doesn’t it add insult to the injury?

Whether it was Jana Sangha or Bharatiya Janata Party – neither have any thoughts for solving the
country’s burning problems. They only have their manifesto which was prepared by someone a long
time back. The only task is to implement this outdated agenda. Whenever they come to power, that’s
all they try to do by hook or by crook. In a parliamentary democracy, power can come and go any
time. They know it very well. During Janata party rule and Atal ji’s era, they lost power thrice. When
democracy gives them to power it is good if not it is bad for them. Hindutwa is not compatible with
democracy as it is based on a dictatorial monarchy style of governance. In 2012 a new style of political
style took shape whose objective is to make democracy as powerless as possible. It is trying to destroy
everything that comes in its way including people, constitutional provisions, institutions, systems, and
democratic principles and moralities. We can see its implementation from 2014 onward.

Kashmir has remained a complex problem right from the days of accession. Remember history. Sheikh
Abdulla was Nehru’s friend yet Nehru signed the order to get him arrested and keep him in jail.
Elected governments have been dismissed. Imagine how terrible the situation would have been. At
those time stalwarts like Jayprakash Narayan, Binob Bhave and Ram Manohar Lohia were active. They
used to hold both the government and the society responsible for such actions. They used to oppose
such unilateral actions by the powerful of the day. They would even stand against those stood with
separatists. Today such personalities are not around, but all those who love the country must come
forward. What took place in the parliament is not permanent. During the emergency, even Indira
Gandhi was toppled by the people of India. Even the present government can be toppled, but what
will remain in the wound in the minds and hearts of people of Kashmir. At this moment of crisis, we
must stand with them. Those who are today held in heir own house by force of the gun must be told
that the people of the country feel for them and our hearts will always remain open and beat for
them.

Sri Kumar Prashant is the Chairperson of Gandhi Peace Foundation. Translation by Dhanada Kanta
Mishra.