Is Political Leadership Kashmir’s Biggest Albatross?

Kashmir that was once considered to be a crown jewel of Central Asia, Iran-e-Sageer, home to Asia’s best seat of learning and celebrated minds, a place that has always maintained its unique identity, is losing not only that identity, but also the sense of pride in that identity, enforcing upon a corrupted mindset, arrogance and culture of impunity.

Kashmiris in the last assembly elections voted for a change instead they got what they had feared the most, a nexus between Kashmir’s reactionary old guard and the communal vanguard of Hindu nationalism. An expected pitfall of PDP-BJP alliance has been competing interests in which either political party with the perceived notion appears looking after at the interests ofparticular regions and particular religious community at the expense of another, thus, compromising unity of the State. This political experience is proving to be a nonstarter. 

If we momentarily switch back in time and analyze if PDP had decided not to enter into coalition with the BJP, the results of which might have proven to be very promising not only on the fortunes of PDP but also on secular politics in the Country. 

1) The unreeling triumphant of communal politics would have been defeated at the gates of Kashmir, a place that stands as a prominent symbol of secularism and religious tolerance in India.

2) Mr. Mufti Sayeed’s snubbing of BJP at that time would have been symbolic, and his unwavering faith in secularism would have received great accolades at attesting time for democracy and secular politics in the Country, which appears to be drifting from such values. Contrary to the expectations, Mr. Mufti Sayeed chooses to accept self-hating chief-ministerial position, in which he appears to be no more than a figurehead and in the process compromised his chances for achieving greatness thrust upon by the unusual circumstances. Had Mufti Sayeed decided not to form a coalition with BJP, two possible outcomes would have been expected. A grand coalition government composed of PDP-NC or PDP-Congress-NC combine or a re-election. The likelihood of forming a grand coalition was difficult, but not impossible to achieve as special circumstances require special measures beyond narrow political and party interests. Reelections, however,could have been the most likely outcome and that might have worked in favor of Mufti led PDP.

Now, if Mr. Mufti Sayeed decides to end coalition government today and re-elections are to take place, the most likely outcome for PDP is miserable defeat, because people are deeply disillusioned with PDP’s decision to enter in coalition with BJP. This decision is likely to have other unintended consequences related to the future standing of PDP in the State politics and on the political and economic future of the State. Six years of NC mismanagement of the State had handed PDP a treasure trove of material to exploit for political gains and raising red-herrings, which they managed well, eventually losing everything to the bad judgment. 

Probably, expecting high order philosophical morality from the politicians of the State may be over simplification of reality on the ground. The Pro-Indian and Pro-Freedom politicians of Kashmir should be weighed in the same balance as far compromising collective good of the State and its people is concerned. Both camps are guilty of missed opportunities and bad judgments. The question which we should be asking is why Kashmir’s political and social landscape has to be always related with misgivings, shortcomings, chronic corruption and not something positive. The analysis of this point reveals a much larger problem!

Homogenous society with a twist

Kashmir is a very homogenous society, which means Kashmiri speaking population, which forms a majority in erstwhile Kashmir State [Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan, Jammu and Kashmir] has more or less common cultural and social values. Such homogeneity helps people bond together and maintain a strong national identify. Most of the Countries of continental Europe are homogenous. British, Germany, Hungary etc. are examples of the Countries that are very homogenous. This homogeneity inculcates a sense of strong national identity in their population to the extent that their national interests take precedence over every other issue. It is hard to imagine ordinary citizens and leaders of such homogenous societies harming their national interests. 

Kashmir, being a homogenous society also responds coherently to the socio-political concerns. Unfortunately, over the years due to intractable political uncertainty, Kashmir performed miserably in developmental and cultural activities and in being part of the global technological revolution, arguably, pushing us to the lowest point in our history. The concern here is not the economic depravity, but an unprecedented threat to identify and cultural heritage. 

Kashmir that was once considered to be a crown jewel of Central Asia, Iran-e-Sageer, home to Asia’s best seat of learning and celebrated minds, a place that has always maintained its unique identity, is losing not only that identity, but also the sense of pride in that identity, enforcing upon a corrupted mindset, arrogance and culture of impunity. An example of this corrupted mindset is the pride we take in securing individual and family interests at the expense ofthe common good. Leaders are, therefore, no different than we are, because they come from the same brutal system that gives birth to the corrupted mindset. 

Therefore, Kashmiri leaders, whether pro-resistance or pro-India or a person holding any position of power in our State are unlikely to rise above their narrow political, individual and ideological differences for the sake of the common good. A person who will work to invigorate Kashmiri pride beyond ideological or religious redemption is likely to appeal to all regions of the State, and all sections of society, and is likely to succeed in the long run on the Kashmir’s complex political and social scene.

A person who will work to invigorate Kashmiri pride beyond ideological or religious redemption is likely to appeal to all regions of the State, and all sections of society, and is likely to succeed in the long run on the Kashmir’s complex political and social scene.

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