Jammu Kashmir! A land of mystic Islamic Sufism, magical Buddhist heartland, healing place for troubled Hindu souls and picturesque destination for all those who want a real feeling of heavenly atmosphere on this earth. Is in search of peace for so long that many people have sacrificed their lives and many more are in struggle to have their cherished dream come true in reality as Freedom.
Freedom! From oppression, tyranny, poverty, hypocrisy, nepotism, religious hatred and violence.
The cycle of all these evils has never been a culture of this society of hospitable, caring and peace loving inhabitants of the land of Himalayas.
In last fifty-eight years lot has been said and very little has been done with regards to restoration of culture of peace and non-violence and development of civil society in Jammu Kashmir.
The limitations in political will of the democratic leaders of India and arrogant non-political approach of Pakistan’s military and civilian dictators over half a century made Jammu Kashmir a battlefield of their failed political wisdom.
At the dawn of 21st century the rapidly changing political scenario of the world, economic and geopolitical needs and ever-growing middle class provided an opportunity to all pragmatic and progressive people within Indian and Pakistani establishment and civil society a re-count on their stated positions vis-à-vis their animosity and grudge discharge field Jammu Kashmir.
The confidence building measures between these two arch rival nuclear powers are gradually getting on track despite some odd bumpy events. Jammu Kashmir was considered, as a “core issue” but now it is one of the issues on agenda. So one can imagine the position of pendulum between India and Pakistan.
However, the road to peace leads through principled negotiations. This conflict can never be solved on the basis of positional bargaining. One must take into account that India and Pakistan have claims on Jammu Kashmir but the fact of the matter is that the people of the state have title on Jammu Kashmir. No one can trade, alter or share this inherited right to title from the people of the State. The win-win solution for both India and Pakistan is that they should accept the reality and get out of the state sooner rather than later.
Now let us analyse weather the political arena with in the State of Jammu Kashmir is in a position to coop with the challenges and opportunities they have in front of them or not.
The ever divided, square minded and pampered political elite of Kashmir has once again remained in their utopian dome and did not move an inch in any positive direction. It seems to-date that they are so much used to Indian and Pakistani crunches that they cannot imagine they can stand on their feet. Some recent peace and confidence building measures (CBM), especially Sirinagar- Muzaffarabad bus service shows clearly that the ordinary people of Jammu Kashmir are far more mature than these positional bargaining goalkeepers.
The political evolution along with people resistance movement since 1988 through its natural course of action has reached at a point from where one can map the political landscape of Jammu Kashmir.
The three inhabited parts of the state are under three different sets of Governance and control i.e., Indian held Jammu Kashmir (IHK), Semi Autonomous Azad Jammu Kashmir and Pakistan held Gilgit Baltistan. They have five main political and economic zones (Jammu, Kashmir valley, Ladakh, Azad Jammu Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan). These five have eleven sub-regional interest zones three in Jammu Province (1-Poonch, Rajori, Noshera and predominantly Pahari speaking areas 2- Jammu, Riasi, Udhampur, Kathuha and predominantly dogri speaking areas 3- Dodha, Badharwa and Kashmiri speaking areas) and two in Valley (1-Srinagar, Baramula, Anantnag 2- Rest of Valley considered by city elites as Pahari and Gujjars) two in Ladakh (1-Kargil 2- Ladakh) two in Azad Jammu Kashmir (1- Sudhanuti, Poonch, Bagh, Muzaffarabad and AthMuqam 2- Kotli, Mirpur and Bhimber) and three in Gilgit Baltistan ( 1-Diamer, Gilgit, 2-Ghizar, Hunza and Nagar 3- Sakardu and Gangche). Although the political under currents, moods and interests in terms of regional and sub-regional level looks different but as a whole when and wherever an opportunity arises these all people clearly seem united as a single nation. They need an opportunity to unite and speak and that is a challenge for International community and United Nation to provide them a space where they have full freedom of speech and Movement.
There are five major stakeholders in the peace and conflict puzzle of Jammu Kashmir.
1-Indian and Pakistani establishment
2-Middle class of subcontinent
3-Conflict profiteers with in India, Pakistan and Jammu Kashmir
4-Civil Society
5-International Community
By taking into account all the interests of these stakeholders let us hope for a model, which will lead the world being a Jammu Kashmir Peace Process Model in future.
The political landscape, challenges and opportunities within three parts are as under.
Indian Held Jammu Kashmir (IHJK)
The civil society with grief and pain is in struggle for peace and justice. There are some courageous sons of soil who still hold the banner high and are carrying the message of hope. Through their struggle now one can see that logic and reason once again gaining its hold on ground. This is a significant development in terms of healing and peace building. On the political front there seems no considerable development. Petty politics still holds upper hand and it is yet to be verified that all the positive political segments in the state got any stack in local bodies election or not.
If we analyse the IHJK on regional and sub regional basis it seems that Jammu region as a whole is still demanding its rightful visible political role in the general administrative set up and on negotiation table for the resolution of conflict. The Srinagar based Indian and Pakistani pampered political elite couldn’t see anything beyond Zugila Pass and Banihal Tunnel. It seems they feel that they or the only bargaining chip between India and Pakistan so they don’t bother about other political segments of the state. It is clear from the rank and files of their political party’s structures as well. The people in Leh and Kargil are equally ignored by Kashmir based and Jammu based political parties and groups and has their own grievances.
The urge and desire for a fair and just political system and state structure is very much there in all of these regions but the only thing lack is the coordination, space and opportunity for all the progressive, pro-people, pro democracy and peace people. The only way forward lies in healing of historical wounds, reconciliation and sharing of power and resources on equitable basis through democratic path and peace building. That is the task whosoever will make it his/her mission will be the leader and uniting force among the people of all regions, religions and faiths.
Azad Jammu Kashmir
Business as usual, systematic right abuse under cover of big brother’s artificial compassion and secret service agencies intimidation and control.
On the political front the mainstream political parties are in a marathon to secure patronage of ISI and blessings of Islamabad. Now a day some political orphans are trying to establish PML (Q) branch in AJK. They are sending the signals to conflict profiteers that they can serve them with less pay than others already in line. Some retired Generals are also trying to get hold in AJK politics through this exercise.
The only positive development during last five years is that the nationalist political parties growing up more maturely. One of them Kashmir Freedom Movement (KFM) took part in last general election and stood second in one constituency. This sets the wheel moving on the democratic path and through intense lobbying now a real possibility is arising that all the political parties weather they sign the certificate of allegiance to the accession to Pakistan clause in 1974 AJK Act or not, will be allowed to participate in next year general election. If this happens in next year’s general election in AJK than the democratic values and politics will become more rational and positive.
The current peace initiatives by and large welcomed in AJK. People are desperate to visit other side of the dividing line. The middle class and young entrepreneurs are very optimistic about the business and trade opportunities, education and tourism. As the small industries and trading canvas within AJK is very limited it is hoped that with open borders, free movement and trade; there will be a significant business development among all parts of the State especially in the field of handicraft, fruits and vegetables export and tourism. Majority of them Kashmiri Diaspora from AJK currently living in U.K (over half a million), U.S.A, Europe and to some extent in Middle East is in business and trade. Although their level of investment in AJK is mainly in non-productive property sector about an estimated one billion Dollars in AJK. They are fully linked through their family and financial links to AJK. If a peaceful business friendly environment is provided their investment in productive sectors will increase tremendously.
As for as political alignment and internal AJK politics is concerned after 1985 the political landscape within Azad Jammu Kashmir gradually become Bradari (tribal) base or regional based. There were two main factors to it. One is after the martyrdom of Maqbool Butt Shaheed on 11 Feb. 1984 the nationalist or pro-independence forces start gaining hold within AJK and number two, majority of AJK progressive political workers left the state in late 70’s and 80’s for better jobs to Middle East and Europe.
Because of this brain drain and vacuum due to absence of mature political workers and leadership. The establishment and secret service agencies got an open field to sow the seeds of Baradri (Tribal) politics to contain the nationalist pro-independence movement within AJK and to get its tight grip and hold in AJK. The opportunist political class under the tutelage of GOC Muree served well and numerous Tribal based political massacres happened in Kotli, Mirpur and Bhimber region. The victims still seek justice and politicians cash in on the name of ‘Baradri’. As majority people of these areas are financially better off and major contributors to independence Movement. Due to their strength, influence and position in U.K, USA and Europe; the secret service agencies with a carefully crafted network of Pakistani religious and political parties, divided them on ethno-religious bases.
The identity less, politically emotional and mostly working class people of Kashmiri origin become major harvest for Pakistani political and religious grasshoppers in U.K and Europe. The progress and development of Azad Kashmiri Diaspora in modern societies remain slow and their resources being wasted in non-productive sectors.
In Mirpur, Kotli and Bhimber region there is a race between different tribes and even within tribes who got the bigger Villa (Kothi) in the village or city no matter whether the owner or his/her children ever live in it or not. This showbiz created more room for Baradri politics profiteers to divide and cash in. This is the culture of politics currently going on in this region and the middle class and poor suffer more and more due to this artificial socio-economic superiority complex.
The situation in Suddhanuti, Poonch and Bagh is different. Here party politics has upper hand on Baradri (tribal) politics. Literacy rate is almost 80% among women and 75% among men. A large number of middle class people are working in Middle East, serving in Army and government departments or in Business. The nationalist pro-independence politics has a considerable hold but lack in coordinated leadership. The highly educated young generation in this region don’t have any entrepreneurial opportunities and because of very less governmental jobs availability due to quota system. Frustration, desperation and a broken hearted desire to escape to any other part of the world is the talk of every café, hotel or breathing place among youths. Each and every political party or group has its branch in this region so in terms of political ideas it is very fertile region.
Muzaffarabad and Atthmuqam region have its own brand and flavour of Baradri (Tribal) politics; it is different in substance from Mirpur-Kotli- Bhimber region but similar in nature. People are mostly in Government service or working class. The middle class does not have any considerable impact on politics in this region. Baradri (Tribal) politics essentially and party politics in general holds the ground.
3-Gilgit Baltistan:
The land of brave, honest, intellectual and peace loving people very poorly managed, under authoritarian rule of establishment is yarning for democratic, fair and transparent rule of law and justice. The secret service agencies controlled sectarian violence ignites anytime. Whenever the establishment feels that their control is being challenged and political rights movement is gaining ground they either kill a notable or a religious figure or crack down on political activities.
This cycle of systematic political suppression is going on over half a century and God knows for how long they continue to suffer because the main stream rights movement in other parts of Jammu Kashmir still seems not very keen to incorporate the rights movement of the people of Gilgit Baltistan within their ranks and files.
The only hope is lies with the peace and conflict resolution process. As these are the frontier boarders of the state and are directly linked through road with the world’s fastest growing economic empire China and the greatest business and economic development opportunities zone of Central Asia.
One can imagine the width and scope of economic cooperation and development through the trade route of Srinagar- Gilgit-Kashghar-Beijing or even via Tibet – Ladakh - Gilgit –Tashkent.
These centuries’ old trade routes brought prosperity, peace and joy for the people of Jammu Kashmir during times when there were no modern road links exits in this region. Now, with all the modern technologies, road links and ever-growing middle class the opportunities are so big that with a little self-confidence, progressive approach and forward think we can be the most prosperous nation in South Asia.
The internal political landscape of this region is quite unique and different from all other regions of the state.
As democratic process and normal political evolution has never been allowed by the establishment so there are many dimensions to political life in this area.
By having a long experience of campaigning, visiting and interaction with all segments of political, religious and civil society actors in the region I would say the people of this region suffer not only because of the authoritarian rule from Islamabad but also because of the negligence and apathy of political leadership of Azad Kashmir in particular and other parts of Jammu Kashmir in general.
The ethno-lingo-religious composition of the region is quite interesting as well. In Diamer, Gilgit and Ghizer region ‘shiin’ and ‘yashkun’ are two major ethnic strings, Shina and Browshuski are major languages and Sunni, Shia and Ismailis are major religious sects. On the subregional basis people have common interests and cultural affiliations like in the areas of Darail, Tangir, Chilas, Bonji, Astore, upto Devsai ridge. Gilgit is multi ethno-religious based; Nagar and Hunza uptill Khunjrab Pass and similarly in Ghizer district Gakoch, Punyal, Gupass and Yasin have similar regional interests.
In Baltistan region Sakardu, Shigar,Kharmong Rondu velly have similar Balti lingo and majority Shia religious affiliations and in Gangche District, Noorbakhshi religious majority has its own special cultural and religious heritage and social interests.
By taking all these socio-economic, religious, ethnic and regional ground realities and needs into account the civil society in Jammu Kashmir need a more caring and sharing social order. There is an urgent need to less talk and more work on actual grounds. Time and tide wait for none let us see who fulfils the need of hour.
Sardar Aftab A.Khan
Aftab Khan, activist, engineer and mediator, began his career as youth and students activist in 1988. He is actively involved in world youth development issues, conflict management, reconciliation and peace building. He can be contacted by E. Mail: aftab787@yahoo.com
Dated: 1st May 2005
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