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| Governor’s Address - government agenda, how to prioritize | | 
By:B L Saraf
Governor Sh N N Vohra’s address to the inaugural session of new Assembly , though customary in nature , gives some idea how the incumbent government intends to work on its agenda , tackle the issues facing people and how it proposes to go ahead with the business of governance . Invoking former PM A B Vajpayee, the head line of the address is , “ the Government would initiate dialogue process with all political groups including the Hurriyat Conference in the spirit of Insaaniyat , Kashmiriyat and Jamhooriyat ……… To enlarge the constituency of peace and deepen its societal moorings , the coalition Government will take well considered political initiative ………….” To get the separatists on board for the return of peace and tranquillity to the beleaguered State will, indeed , be a big political initiative . It must be high on the agenda . Given his perceived image of a ‘ soft separatist ‘ CM Muti Sayeed could be a man for the season . He has an added advantage of having BJP on his side . No matter how much noise they may make ,the local BJP would not like to be seen opposing AB Vajpayee’s line on this issue . Other mainstream political parties may not pose a challenge in this regard.
The big question , however , remains will the separatists buy the line . Mirwaiz faction and some others did respond to the ex PM Vajpayee in his endeavour to calm the situation in the Valley. They will oblige after some posturing so that they appear to have been’ seriously’ persuaded to come to the table . In fact Mirwaiz seems to have endorsed the move by pining hope on the Central government that “ it would revisit former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s policy on J&K for creating conducive atmosphere for a dialogue .” . Much , however , will depend on how Geelani faction would respond . Ail Shah Geelani will be a tough nut to crack . In this situation , onus shifts to the Kashmir civil society groups , business community , small time wage earners , the student community and silent majority of the peace lovers . For them , peace in the Valley is the only guarantee for their survival and success in the academic life . Fortunately , business community in the Valley and some civil society groups are thinking on these lines . The devastating floods of 9/14 have taught them a bitter lesson . They are speaking up for the cause of peace . It may be pertinent to note that the business organisations which talk peace now, happened to be the vocal components of the Hurriyat when it raked up Amarnath land allotment issue and shut down the Valley for months together, in 2008 . Presently, these organisations are advocating that in the interests of common people in the Valley “ it is better to put aside differences on larger questions of Kashmir “ and concentrate on the economic development . If these groups rise in one voice for the peace and tranquillity it is bound to have a salutary effect on the separatists . Especially, when Pakistan , their benefactor , is involved in a fight for its very survival , waged by those ‘ non state actors ‘ whom it describes ‘freedom fighters’ in Kashmir .
The government and the political leaders must care to listen these voices of sanity , heard after a long period of turbulence and respond with good governance .
Another notable feature of the Governor’s address is the mention of government’s resolve to ensure Pandits return and rehabilitation in the Valley . He said “ to strengthen and enhance societal harmony my Government will ensure the return of Kshmiri Pandits with dignity based on their rights as the state subjects . No effort will be spared to reintegrating and absorbing them in the Kashmir milieu .” Well , some may feel there is nothing new in the words that has not been told in number of addresses ,made in the past by the Governors . And nothing substantial has translated on the ground . Here , the statement of the Minister of State for Home made to the Lok Sabah bears mention . He stated that “ only one Kashmiri Pandit family has returned to the Valley availing a Centrally sponsored Scheme announced by the government , in 2008 , for return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrants .” New dispensation must seriously ponder why it is so ?For the displaced , reason is loud and clear . A concerted and credible will was found lacking in those quarters who were charged with a duty in this regard . Apart from managing the symptoms by applying first aid ,no serious effort has been made to cure the disease of mistrust and instil confidence in the displaced community . Government must remember that , sometimes , it doesn’t work to use two languages to tell the same story . The displaced community has only one story which needs to be told in only one language .
It must be reassuring for the displaced community that their issue finds mention in the Governor’s address . But the assurance has to be matched with a clear indication of the intent . Reintroduction of the lapsed Bill on protection of Hindu Shrines and Temples in Kashmir will reveal it in ample terms .
(The author is Former Principal District & Sessions Judge,Feedback:[email protected] )
(Opinions expressed in write-ups/articles/Letters are the sole responsibility of the authors and they may not represent the Scoop News)
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