President Pervez Musharraf in a recent TV interview outlined a four point proposal to solve, what he was earlier fond of calling, the “Core Issue” of Kashmir. The first step in this direction is supposed to identify “Kashmir”. He did not mention the State of Jammu & Kashmir which is the present entity under dispute but specifically referred to Kashmir only. From 1947, since the time of the start of the present problem, Kashmir does not encompass what historically used to be known as the Kingdom of Kashmir. Ptolemy’s Kaspeira, Samos’ Kaspeiroi, Herodotus’ Kaspatyros, and Hiuen Tsang’s Kia-shi-mi-lo was a different country altogether than the present Kashmir. That country is what one may call the “Greater Kashmir”. These days the name Kashmir is supposed to denote the erstwhile princely State of Jammu & Kashmir. The present Kashmir comprises of five regions, Kashmir Valley, Jammu, Ladakh, “Azad” Kashmir, and Northern Areas. The State of Jammu & Kashmir as it existed in 1947 was a colonial creation. The five regions were clobbered together by the Dogra Maharajas by purchase and conquest in which they were assisted by the British. In ancient times Kashmir was famous for a number of things including learning, lofty houses, saffron, honey, grapes, and was known world over as the most enchanting country. For last more than half century it has unfortunately become known for all the wrong reasons; dangerous conflicts, rebellions and uprisings, violence, and a host of other events mostly tragic in nature. Historically the “country” of Kashmir kept on expanding and contracting from time to time depending upon the local rulers some of whom were fond of conquering and subduing neighbouring Kingdoms. However, the Kingdom of Kashmir itself remained the valley with its surrounding Kashmiri speaking pockets guarded by the lofty mountains. The northern Kingdoms of Ladakh did have a continuous interaction with the valley because of the Central Asian trade routes as well as politico-religious tie ups involving Tibet, China, and Buddhism. There was hardly any regular interaction between the rulers of Jammu and the Valley of Kashmir in ancient times. On the contrary Jammu has been more associated with the mountainous Chamba region of neighbouring State of Himachal Pradesh and the plains of Punjab. The peripheral settlements of Kashmiri speaking people in the form of small Kingdoms acted as guardians of the Valley. These also acted as sanctuaries for the rebels and fugitives from the palace intrigues as mentioned by Kalhana in Raj Tarangni. The people living in these mountainous regions have always been hardy, chivalrous, and tougher than the Valley residents. Parontsa (present Poonch) and Kashtavata (present Kishtwar) are repeatedly mentioned in Raj Tarangni. So are the areas of Dards towards Gurais and Tilel which too were frequently used by Kashmiri rebels as sanctuaries. During the centuries of subjugation, the valley dwellers were subdued and turned into docile morons. However, the mountain dwellers remained as rebellious as ever. In fact, they represent the true Kashmiris both physically as well as culturally. Their language, their customs, and even their dresses in some of the remotest parts like the wadhwan valley are truly belonging to ancient Kashmir. Apart from being the guardians of the Rajtarangni’s “Davaras” (passes), they settled in these areas after migrating from the valley during many natural calamities. As long as we had the sovereign rulers from the valley, there was interaction with these peripheral pockets. However, after the centre of power shifted outside the valley, these people got stuck in their remote corners. The continuous interaction the valley had with outsiders during the foreign rule changed the people residing in the valley a lot but the mountain dwellers remained in their original form. Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah attempted to reconnect these earliest Kashmiris with the valley by initiating construction of a number of road links. These included the Daksum-Chatroo link across Simthan pass to connect Kashmir to Kishtwar. The Mughal road across the Pir Pantsal pass to connect Poonch to the Valley. However, for unknown reasons these projects did not take off as fast as they should have. Linking of all these areas would have revived the historical and true “Greater Kashmir” which is now being attempted to be identified. If we consider the present “Kashmir” which embraces the whole State with a view to identify the problem areas, then the task is a pretty long one. Each region has its own peculiarity, and history. It is a complete diversity which has a unity imposed externally. First it was the uniting force of the Dogras and after 1947 it has been the writ of Delhi and Islamabad respectively for the areas under their control.

The second step pertains to “Demilitarization” of identified “Kashmir”. According to him “Demilitarization” would mean withdrawing of troops from all the civilian areas and keeping these in two to three main garrisons, leaving the maintenance of internal security to local police. He probably forgot to mention about the repeal of the draconian legislations giving unbridled powers to these forces in dealing with civilian insurgency. The practical implementation of the measure can be judged only after the actual ground situation of the security forces is considered. For all practical purposes, Kashmir valley or rather the whole State is at present like an oversized cantonment. As soon as one enters the State through the gateway of Lakhanpur, the Security Forces camps start on both sides of the highway. Main concentration starts from Samba onwards. Nearing Jammu it increases substantially and from Tawi crossing the entire river bank up to the bridge is with the Security Forces. After leaving the city, the same scene starts from Nagrota and culminates into a massive presence in Udhampur, which is virtually a Security Forces City. From here onwards every township on the highway has Security Forces and paramilitary camps though with a smaller strength. After crossing the tunnel, the concentration increases from Qazigund onwards and the biggest ever presence is at the entrance to the city of Srinagar in the Badamibagh Cantonment which is virtually a city in itself. It is complete in every respect with residential areas, schools, hospitals, shopping areas, and recreational places. Apart from the main cantonment there are other smaller ones as also the headquarters of RR (Rashtriya Rifles, the counter insurgency force) in different districts. In the city itself there is huge presence in different parts of both Security Forces and paramilitary forces. Apart from this there are smaller detachments of paramilitary forces guarded by bunkers and surrounded by barbed wire in almost all civilian localities of both old and new city housed in migrant houses, guest houses, and hotels. Every major road crossing has pill boxes with machine guns. After leaving the city and proceeding towards Uri, one observes that the entire highway and all the towns en route have Security Forces and Paramilitary establishments. The similar situation is in all tourist resorts and other district headquarters. In proportion to the local population, it must be the largest concentration of security forces anywhere in the world. The Srinagar Airport which is the first entry of an outsider to the valley is in fact a military air base. Only a small portion of the airfield is used by the civilians. As the plane comes in to land, the only thing visible is rows upon rows of military aircraft and anti aircraft guns and missiles. One has the eerie feeling of landing in a war zone. The entry and exit from the airport remind one about the most high security prison with high steel gates, rolls upon rolls of barbed wire and security pill boxes and bunkers with machine guns. Now take the major highways and roads leading to some resorts and other important places. These are all guarded by security forces (ROP, road opening parties) on a daily basis. Soldiers are deployed after every hundred metres or so, on all such roads. It must be involving deployment of thousands of troops everyday. Apart from this one can observe foot patrols of army and paramilitary forces every where, in towns, villages and almost every locality of the city. Another common sight are armoured vehicles moving continuously on all important roads, streets and sometimes even inside narrow lanes. The most awesome are the jumbo size anti-mine vehicles of the Security Forces. These are really frightening and one tries one’s best to keep away from these. The status of official buildings and even public offices is well known. These look more like high security establishments than public facilities. In some of the Civil Lines areas where top functionaries of the Government reside almost all buildings are very well protected. These do not look like private residences of city dwellers but resemble mini forts. Added to this Security Forces and paramilitary presence are the local police with their hundreds of security vehicles. According to an estimate there are more than 5,000 security vehicles in Kashmir alone. The strength of local police exceeds a hundred thousand men. In normal circumstances, the security forces are governed by their own laws within their own establishments and are subject to all civilian laws outside their own barracks. However, the two draconian legislations, “Armed Forces Special Powers Act” and the “Disturbed Areas Act” have delegated to security forces such vast and unquestionable powers that the entire valley and its peripheral areas resemble a totalitarian police state. The writ of the security forces runs in every sphere of day to day life. They get preference over every thing due to “Security Reasons” and for safeguarding the “National Interest”. Their actions are above local laws. They can violate all traffic restrictions and regulations and no one has the courage to challenge or stop them. Slowly they are outnumbering the locals in many places. Kashmiris are now used to their overwhelming presence and do not even notice it. However, for outsiders especially from Europe and America, such a large presence of gun totting uniformed soldiers makes them somewhat uncomfortable. They feel that they have landed in a war zone! There is always a debate about the actual number of troops in Kashmir. Some even put the number at a million troops of all kind. The concentration of such a large force creates tension and stress both among the local population as well as among the security forces themselves. During last decade and a half the stress related illness among the civilian population has gone up over a hundred times. Compared to few thousand cases before the turmoil, now it is reported that the number of patients with psychosomatic disorders and other stress related problems is few hundred thousand. Among the forces themselves there have been numerous cases of suicide and fratricide. On an average 30 to 40 cases every year. This year the number has gone up to 140. The prominent human rights activist Gautam Nawlakha in a recent seminar on human rights held in Srinagar said that the Government of India every now and then claims that the number of militants has come down drastically over the years, but still the concentration of the security forces personnel is the same. He added that the same shows that they are here to control the population that has become rebellious since they are demanding their right to self determination. There is a general feeling that this large force is not to keep militants at bay but to prevent a mass upsurge resembling the open revolt of 1990 when millions came on roads demanding “Azadi”. It is because of this that all civilian areas have been put under a cordon of bunkers and pill boxes. No civilian gatherings for any reason whatsoever are allowed any where in the valley. In view of the above analysis of the security situation, it is difficult to imagine a way forward. It can only happen if the two leaders take some bold and drastic decisions.

The third step in the formula for the solution of Kashmir problem moots devolution of “Self Governance” for the “Identified” Kashmir after its demilitarisation. He did not specify exactly what is meant by “Self Governance”. Neither did he mention about the methodology to achieve it and the parameters under which it would function. He vaguely hinted about some type of self-rule with autonomy. Probably his intention was to make a bold and unconventional suggestion, the technical details of which could be worked out on the ground subsequently after an agreement is reached. In fact, it seems the most urgent need is for “Good Governance” of the State rather than “Self Governance”. One of the contributing factors in creating the present mess in Kashmir has been the “Mis-Governance”. However, at this stage it may be useful to analyse the “Governance” which different parts of the State have experienced during last half century under the patronage of the two neighbouring countries. Let us begin with the Northern Areas under the administrative control of Pakistan. Before 1947 this area was known as Gilgit Agency and was administered by the British directly. It had been taken by them on lease from the Maharaja and had functioned as an out post against the possible expansion of the Russia’s Czarist Empire over the Pamirs. At the time of partition, the local garrison consisting of the Gilgit Scouts working directly under the British Officers and comprising mostly of locals revolted and declared its allegiance to Pakistan. They hardly knew at that time into what mess they were getting into. The area was formally joined to Pakistan by Karachi Pact between the Governments of Pakistan and “Azad” Kashmir. The locals of the area compare this pact with the Treaty of Amritsar. Since joining Pakistan, these areas have virtually been ruled as a colony. These neither function as part of the Pakistan Administered Kashmir nor as a full fledged province of Pakistan. It is like a Union Territory without any significant participation of the locals. There is a strong movement for Bloaristan in the entire area. Sectarian violence which in fact is a clash between the locals and Pathan settlers from North Western Frontier Province has been quite wide spread and almost a regular feature of the area. This part of Kashmir has had neither “Self Governance” nor “Good Governance”. What type of “Self Governance” would the people of this area want? This can only be answered by them through their genuine and popular leaders if given a chance!

Next let us consider the Pakistan Administered Kashmir also known as “Azad” Kashmir, which is in fact neither “Azad” nor Kashmir! It is mostly a non-Kashmiri speaking hilly area inhabited by potoharis and paharis. This area too has been under the virtual control of Islamabad. Main power vests with the Minister Kashmir Affairs in Islamabad. Had the Pakistan Government made it “Azad” in true sense in 1947 itself, there would have been no Kashmir problem now. They could have made it fully independent with a defence treaty with its genuinely elected Government to legalise stationing of their regular army in the area. They could also have got it UN membership. India would not have been able to prevent the part under its control from joining the truly independent Kashmir for very long. The people in this area also desire more freedom from Pakistani control. They have been advising Kashmiris from the valley to opt for totally independent Kashmir rather than accession to Pakistan. However, there is not a very strong movement for separation from Pakistan. The “Self Governance” of this part will again depend upon the true aspirations of its inhabitants conveyed through their genuine representatives.

On the Indian side one can begin with Ladakh. This area has in the real sense lacked “Good Governance” as well as “Self Governance” for a long time. It is only for last decade or so that the people have got some semblance of local governance. What Delhi had been doing in Kashmir, the same Kashmiris had been doing to Ladakh that is ruling it as a colony. Only about 30 years back this area was considered a God forsaken place. Any Kashmiri posted here would consider himself in exile and the Government would also construe it as a punishment posting. It was only with the opening of Ladakh for Tourism in 1974 and starting of civilian flights that its capital Leh developed into a modern town. At the moment it is the most modern and advanced town of its size in the entire sub-continent. The setting up of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council gave them a little bit of self governance. However, they still continue to depend upon the state government, which they consider to be Kashmir centric. They continue to clamour for direct rule from Delhi. Then there is a cleavage between the Shia majority Kargil district and Buddhist dominated Leh district. Kargil Shias would prefer association with Baltistan rather than with Leh. At the moment they prefer the Sunni valley to Buddhist Leh. The “Self Governance” of entire Ladakh Region seems quite complicated because of divided loyalties. Any proposed set up will have to cater to this problem.

Jammu has more or less had good as well as Self Governance. They have been the rulers of the state for over a hundred years. It is only after 1947 that they have been seeing a mixed government. During this period they have been harbouring a grudge that the Kashmiris from the valley are ruling over them. They have been claiming that the valley politicians and officers have been discriminating against them in various developmental plans. On the contrary Jammu has taken a tremendous leap forward during the last 17 years of upheaval and turmoil in the valley. However, one of the main reasons for this unfounded complex of discrimination is the inclination of the Hindu majority of the area towards India. The local people have always been clamouring for stronger integration with the rest of the country at the cost of alienating valley dwellers more and more from India. The 1953 episode was the result of a similar campaign.

It is in fact the valley with its Muslim majority periphery which has all along lacked both the “Good Governance” as well as the “Self Governance”. Except for two periods, 1947 to 1953 (Sheikh Abdullah’s first tenure) and 1964 to 1971 (G.M.Sadiq’s tenure), there was only mis-Governance for most of the time. The main reason for this has been the absence of genuine peoples’ representative leadership. Kashmir has had most of the time imposed or installed rulers whose strings were pulled from Delhi. There has been absolutely no accountability which has made corruption eat away at the vitals of the society. The whole administrative set up has been rated as the second most corrupt in entire India. A massive establishment of over three hundred thousand employees has been created which takes away the major portion of the state budget as its salary. The system would run more efficiently if they are reduced to a third of their present strength. For political reasons Delhi has created a huge and colossal army of “slaves”. This colonial approach combined with total lack of accountability has completely shattered the basic infrastructure be it health services, roads, power and so on. The most compelling need of the valley is to somehow get “Good Governance” by honest and upright people so as to first set the whole administrative set up in order and make it truly people friendly and accountable. This can only be achieved if honest and genuine leadership is allowed to come up and they have a free hand to completely overhaul the entire administrative machinery. How this can be done is the million dollar question! Thus devolving “Self Governance” to Kashmir will not be as easy as it may seem especially with the present colonial set up still in place on both sides. Let us hope the present political leadership in the sub-continent that appears to be genuinely interested in settling this difficult problem for the benefit of the suffering masses and in the interests of world peace has the will and strength to take some momentous and historical decisions to reach this goal!

The last point in the “Out of Box” solution pertains to “Joint Management” of the “Identified”, “Demilitarized”, and “Self Governing” Kashmir. The first three points defining the measures to be taken for the solution of the vexed problem appear people centric. These show that the main concern is for the suffering people of Kashmir. All three steps could constitute a possible way forward for their emancipation and release from untold miseries and sufferings. However, the point regarding “Joint Management” does not seem to gel with other proposed measures. Yes, if it was only question of real estate and dividing of some disputed land among two antagonists with serious differences about its ownership, one could suggest a “Joint Management” or what Indians prefer to call, the “Joint Supervision” of the disputed land. Had Kashmiris been dumb driven cattle, (Unfortunately we have been treated like that for past few Centuries!), one would say they could be jointly managed by two owners. But the question is not only of the beautiful and enchanting piece of land but of over 10 million “living” people with hopes and aspirations. The words “Joint Management” sound more like “Joint Slavery” when uttered in reference to living people. It seems as if two neighbouring shepherds have failed to control a group of unruly and unmanageable sheep individually and in their mutual interest, they decide to manage and control them jointly. Such attitude is further confirmed by both the countries ruling out total independence for Kashmir. It is most tragic and unfortunate that such thoughts are emanating from the people who had to struggle hard for their own freedom and emancipation from a couple of centuries of enslavement by the world’s greatest colonizers, the British. One would have expected much higher values and respect for the freedom of others from these “liberated” and “emancipated” people but unfortunately they seem to have imbibed the colonialist and imperialist philosophy of their erstwhile masters. It is sad that instead of emulating the values of Tagore and Iqbal, they are following Bush and Blair. One is tempted here to quote the famous lines from Tagore’s Geetanjali. “Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high; Where knowledge is free; Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls; Where words come out from the depths of truth; Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection; Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the dreary desert sand of dead habit; Where the mind is led forward by thee into ever widening thought and action–Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake”. One wonders where that country is and where is that freedom? What would Tagore have thought about our present situation had he been alive? Similarly, Iqbal would have been shocked to see how Kashmiris are being treated in this age of enlightenment? However, the most pathetic and tragic part is the absence of any true Kashmiri leadership forcefully putting forth our view point. Due to our misfortune, we failed to have a neutral voice of our own in the most crucial and decisive time concerning the fate of our Nation in 1947. Our own leaders, who had promised to get us a place of honour and dignity, landed us in the worst episode in our long and tragic history. Even now we still lack that independent neutral voice of ours which could plead the case of “Kashmir First”. We have either pro-India or pro-Pak or even pro-America or pro-European Union outfits but no real pro-Kashmiri set ups. Isn’t there someone truly and genuinely patriotic and nationalistic to speak for the Kashmiris without the high flown rhetoric about solving all the problems of the sub-continent and the world?

Apart from these basic emotional and sentimental issues, the “Joint Management” would entail numerous technical and administrative problems. How does one manage a territory so large and inhabited by such a wide variety of people with different religions, cultures, languages, and history? The most ideal approach would be to explore the possibility of implementing the first three measures of the proposal to allow emergence of a practical and workable final solution by consensus and then extend a “JOINT GUARANTEE” for its sustenance. Both the countries should agree for a “JOINT GUARANTEE” for the rights of the people of the State rather than their “Joint Management” or “Joint Supervision”. Whatever final solution comes about, it can sustain only if guaranteed by the two traditional claimants of this beautiful but unfortunate land. In fact, to be really sustainable, it may have to be guaranteed by the Chinese also as they not only have a long border with J & K but a good chunk of the State is with them. The solution itself has innumerable options and according to some reports, there are about forty variations in circulation. Among these there are three most talked about possible options. First would be a simple and straight division of the State taking Chenab watershed as the dividing line. Towards East, the Buddhist portion of Ladakh (Leh district and Zanskar) would go to India. However, this would virtually mean division of the State on religious and ethnic lines depending upon the affinity and proximity of the people to either dominion. But such a concept is opposed tooth and nail by India claiming it to be confirmation of “Two Nation Theory”, which they refuse to accept even after accepting the partition of the country on the same basis! According to some this may technically be the only long lasting solution. There are many minor variants of the option. The second option proposed by many is the merging of part of Jammu province, and Ladakh in India; merging of Northern Areas and “Azad” Kashmir except Muzaffarabad district into Pakistan and declaring the “Greater Kashmir” (Valley with peripheral districts of Kargil, Muzaffrabad, Poonch, Rajouri, part of Udhampur, and Doda) as an Independent Country guaranteed jointly by India, Pakistan, and China. The third option proposed by some other people is an Independent State of Jammu & Kashmir with a federal structure, again guaranteed by its neighbours. It has also been given the name of “United States of Kashmir” and seems to be inspired by Americans. There are two aspects to the problem. One is the dispute resultant from the partition of the sub-continent and the other is the problem peculiar to each of the five regions existing even before the partition. Both the aspects need to be kept in view while proposing possible solutions. However, the first and foremost thing is to create an atmosphere to debate and discuss all these possible options. This would involve breaking of all physical and mental barriers. The four point formula is not a solution in itself but a practical and a workable approach to the ultimate solution. There is a strong feeling that one can repeat the fall of Berlin Wall in the sub-continent. This single incident created the European Union, virtually a single country now. Why can’t we do a similar thing in our part of the world? An Independent and fully Autonomous State of Jammu & Kashmir with its sovereignty guaranteed by immediate neighbours could do the same for South Asia. This could pave way for emergence of a South Asian Economic Union with Kashmir as a bridge between its members. Kashmir which is called the Switzerland of Asia due to its physical appearance could be same politically also. This proposition with all other options can be considered only after the implementation of the first three points of the “Out of Box” solution which would address and remove the harshest conditions presently faced by the people of the State. Making borders irrelevant by allowing free trade and travel between different parts of the erstwhile State of Jammu & Kashmir with restoration of all ancient links within the sub-continent and outside (Central Asia and Tibet) could create a positive atmosphere for the ultimate settlement. In fact such a set up could be a precursor to a real SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation). The four point formula if taken as an approach and not as a solution in itself within the parameters suggested above could possibly be the only way out of the tragedy of Kashmir and may end the half century long suffering and misery of its people. If we fail to grasp the opportunity now, the history will never forgive us and Kashmir will continue to bleed perennially.