KASHMIR and IDPs

By K.N. Pandita

Riding the Modi high-tide in 2014 assembly election, BJP Jammu region bagged 25 seats, an unprecedented performance in the State. Traditional parties like NC and Congress received a drubbing. PDP did not find the type of response it expected from the Muslim majority segments of the region. Despite putting its best foot forward by resorting to ambivalent polemics and pseudo-secularist jargon, PDP election strategy then did not go well with the Muslim segments of Jammu region. The voters were conscious of the consequences of saddling a militancy-born political group into the seat of power. The constituencies of NC and PDP considerably shrank in Jammu region primarily because of their ambivalence. Continue Reading…

By By K.N. Pandita

True story of accession is somewhat shrouded in mystery. A number of versions are afloat. Pakistani version is that the accession was never made and the document called Instrument of Accession is a fake one. They also say it was signed under duress. This line of thinking persists with some of our so-called “progressive” historians as well. If not contradicted and falsified vigorously a day may come when those who were premier party to the accession will sing to the Pakistani tune. Continue Reading…

By K.N. Pandita

In a recent issue, the Daily Excelsior of Jammu informed that the Army was contemplating re-structuring of the Rashtriya Rifles Headquarters for better operational capability and strategic and logistic efficacy. Rashtriya Rifles (RR) force was raised soon after armed insurgency surfaced in Jammu and Kashmir in 1990. Ever since, the force with headquarters in New Delhi, has been fighting the jihadi armed groups raised in Pakistan and helped to sneak into our side of the border across both LoC and International border. Continue Reading…

By K.N. Pandita

In all probability the stalemate in J&K is finally heading towards an end and the legislators hitherto hibernating in suspended animation are gearing up for resumption of their normal function of law making. The political scenario unfolding now in Srinagar and New Delhi shows that stakeholders were silently working out a formula for breaking the impasse. It seems that good wisdom has prevailed and re-alignment of forces is round the corner. Political parties were given adequate time to cobble a government capable of delivering the goods. Continue Reading…

By K.N. Pandita

In early August complete hartal for two days was observed in the entire Muslim belt of J&K State. Kashmir Valley is used to strikes in past decades but Sunday strike had one peculiarity. It was prominently noticeable in the Chenab Valley Muslim belt. That indicates deviation of this region from its known behaviour to calls from valley leadership in the past. Continue Reading…

By K.N. Pandita

Coalition government is an accepted option in democratic arrangement. However, coalition cannot be a mixture of opposites; at least a modicum of ideological compatibility is required.

In retrospect, nobody doubted that PDP-BJP coalition in J&K was blatant political opportunism and not a true expression of national aspiration. Credibility of coalition mechanism depends on the quality of political leadership. Continue Reading…

By K.N. Pandita

The coalition government has collapsed, perhaps belatedly. Hindsight shows that much damage could have been averted if the government had fallen much earlier.

Coalition governments are not unknown in a democratic set up. However, at least there has to be a modicum of ideological compatibility. When BJP decided to be the partner in a coalition government with PDP after previous election, two things could become transparent. Continue Reading…

By K.N. Pandita

For the first time in the history of Kashmir question at the UN, the Chairman of Human Rights Commission Mr. Zeid Ra’d Al Hussein of Jordan has issued a 49-page tutored report spread over 20 paragraphs on “abuse and violation of human rights” in the State of Jammu and Kashmir mainly by India and peripherally by Pakistan. The report is a forceful indictment of India, particularly her security forces operating in Kashmir. Continue Reading…

By K.N. Pandit

Maddening media hype allowed to the atrocious treatment of a minor Muslim girl in the village Rassana in Kathua district will cost dare to the ruling BJP. Line of discretion has been crossed in a bid to garner elusive goodwill of the community, which, however, is a sickening subject.

BJP higher echelons have fallen in the trap of a meticulous conspiracy hatched by ISI, Hurriyat and PDP combine. General Secretary Ram Madhav has unwittingly proved his naivety by giving an incoherent and inexperienced interview to electronic media at Jammu. Continue Reading…

By K.N. Pandita

Last week’s political events in Jammu have once again confirmed that BJP functions from a position of weakness and pusillanimity though circumstances do not warrant the type of acquiescence they are demonstrating. Continue Reading…