There is absolutely no doubt that Delhi had blindfolded itself and was groping in the dark for quite sometime. However, the recent happenings in Kashmir were projected extensively in the media which pointed out that the problem was beyond the reach of the politicians both in Srinagar and Delhi. Even the official reports given by intelligence agencies confirmed that there was something grossly wrong in Kashmir which could not be wholly blamed on the state and non state actors from across the border. For almost two months entire Kashmir has been under siege. The life has been held hostage both by the security forces trying to impose curfew and by angry youth who refuse to take diktats from any one. Over 50 young persons have been killed. Hundreds have been injured. Government properties are being torched in all parts as a matter of revenge. Leadership of all hues and shades within Kashmir and from outside has become totally irrelevant. People all over the valley are highly charged and emotional. They seem to have become totally immune to reason and logic. Such a situation occurs only when things have gone beyond the point of tolerance. It is virtually impossible to stem such a tide. When people lose total fear of death and defy the strictest ever curfews, things are beyond management and need bold political decisions to cool the tempers. For the first time, the electronic channels outside state have been telecasting live events in Kashmir and giving more or less the actual ground situation. Almost all the right thinking persons from the civil society have been pleading for immediate steps to defuse the dangerous situation. However, very strangely Delhi is showing absolute stubbornness in handling the present crisis in Kashmir. Instead they are only increasing the amount of brutal suppression with every passing day. There are many possible reasons for this unrealistic attitude. First could be the all out effort by the centre to save the present coalition government in the state. Omar Abdullah, an honest, upright, and dynamic person was projected as the young future leader of the youth of Kashmir. He is supposed to have been voted in power by the youth of Kashmir in an election in which more than 60% people participated. In reality, all through the election campaign his father Farooq Abdullah was projected as the new Chief Minister. In spite of his live declaration on a national TV channel that he is the new Chief Minster, he was made to eat a humble pie! Sonia Gandhi and Rahul are supposed to have made it clear to him that the coalition could be formed only with Omar as the Chief Minister. Now, the centre after seeing the present failure of the coalition to deliver is in a catch 22 situation. On one hand Omar is appearing to become a liability in spite of their total and unconditional support to him. On the other hand the participation of congress in the presently paralysed coalition government in the state is damaging its image all over the country. They are literally caught between the devil and the deep sea. There is another possible consequence of removing Omar Abdullah. It may mean the end of Abdullah dynasty in Kashmir politics and may even completely wipe out National Conference from the valley. However, the total blame cannot be put on Omar Abdullah. The measure portion lies on the Centre which has refused to accede to all reasonable approaches from all quarters for a political solution of the Kashmir problem. Ultimately, Delhi may use him as a scapegoat but that will not solve the problem as the causes of the turmoil are much deeper.

Delhi needs to understand that the new generation in Kashmir has no faith in the traditional leaders and for all practical purposes they have become irrelevant. It is this new generation brought up in the throes of conflict which has come of age and has been protesting for last three years. During these years they have felt totally disgusted, not only by the bankruptcy of the leadership on all sides but by a totally bleak future in all respects. The inability of the violent struggle to produce any tangible results had convinced them that the ideal way to achieve their goal is through peaceful mass agitation. It was because of this paradigm shift that the massive marches of 2008 were led by these youth. However, the authorities in Delhi and their bidders in Kashmir claiming it to be an integral part of “democratic” India, instead of allowing them the chance to freely express their views, again crushed them with a heavy hand. They did not initially indulge in violence. The violence like stone pelting was a reaction to the oppression unleashed on them. A Kashmiri has been historically considered a non-violent and docile person which is a result of centuries of external suppression. They have learnt the art of survival in the face of the adversity. However, even their tolerance has a limit. When a Kashmiri feels his very survival threatened, he rises en masse regardless of the consequences. That is the beginning of a revolution which usually starts in the mind. This has been happening over last 79 years right from the start of the struggle in 1931 and the present generation defying everything is the result. Present upheaval is not an uprising but a total revolution. It is a combination of the French and the Russian Revolutions. The former sought Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity and the later one was for economic emancipation. Kashmiris want both! The youth have nothing to lose but their chains! There have been many appeals from prominent persons, both state and non-state to end violence. There have been suggestions to avoid children joining protests. Unfortunately, no Revolution is a neat and clean process. A Revolution sweeps away everything in its path! The revolutions are not engineered or created by a leader. These just happen due to prolonged injustices. In fact it is the Revolutions which throw up new leaderships. A lull during a Revolution should not be taken to mean that it has ended. Rather it is like a gathering storm which erupts when least expected. The eye of a hurricane is always calm but then hits with an unprecedented force. At the moment the storm is still brewing and has been confined to Kashmir only. However, it has the capability of engulfing the entire region if no corrective measures are taken. No Revolution in history has ever been totally suppressed. These have always resulted in drastic changes. The only possibility is to channel a Revolution in a constructive rather than a destructive direction. This requires political will and sagacity. Oppression has to be replaced by the healing of the wounds and soothing of the anger. Fulfilment of the basic aspirations has to be assured by credible persons. This may be the only option to save the burning valley from total destruction! Will Delhi give up its stubbornness or see Kashmir burn up all the way? On this may depend the fate of not only Kashmir but the entire sub-continent!