Indo-Pak Talks or No Talks: Solution is at home…

The early days when we had Bollywood movies on The Indian Independence struggle and on the likes of legendary Bhagat Singh and M.K. Gandhi, the lesson they taught or the reason, they portrayed, as to why we were ruled by British for so long, was the diversity that India had. We had many states and as many Kings ruling different parts of the country. The only reason I can make out for the successful invasion of India by the British is the lack of a unified defense against the enemy forces. This was an inevitable result of the environment of mistrust and non-cooperation between the small-small princely states prevailing in those ages. Most of the small states were only self-sustainable and were unable to help anyone outside their territories. Altogether, people across the country had no trust in single command and we as India were not united which opened the door for outsiders to rule us by the successful implementation of “Divide-and-Rule” policy.

Today, I see the same happening again, and this time the enemy is our neighbor who seeks to utilize every opportunity of mistrust amongst our people for weakening our defenses. I am pointing to the violence and chaos that is prevailing in Kashmir from so many days. They are our own people and yes, just like sometimes children get angry by their parent’s behavior, our people in Kashmir are angered by Government’s attitude and this anger is being utilized by Pakistan to ignite chaos in the valley. I will not deny the fact that Kashmiris have often been meted out with a different behavior by the security forces. I will also not deny the fact that they don’t have many opportunities to better the conditions of their lives. But, I think the solution lies within the country, amongst our own people and not on the other side of the border.

Why should we talk to Pakistan when our first move to any problem should be to get all the Indians on board together to strengthen our defenses?? Why should we struggle for the confidence-building measures with the evil neighbor when the same trust-building measures with our own people in Kashmir would bring us a victory over the wrong doings of Pakistan?? Why should we waste our money and minds on such talks, as the last one which had no result, when the same effort can win hearts in the valley?? Do we think Pakistan holds the key to this problem?? I guess, if we think so then that’s the most insane thought one could ever think of.

In 1972, Ireland faced similar incident when the British Army shot down 26 innocent youths protesting for the cause of Northern Ireland. A fierce protest was made by the people of Ireland and finally the Prime Minister apologized for the gruesome act. I wish something similar could have been done for consoling our people in Kashmir. I can’t make PM to apologize for the act but from my side I can apologize for the loss incurred by my countrymen in Jammu & Kashmir. I want them to know that we care for them and that they can give us a chance to prove ourselves together as a Nation.

I want my Kashimiri people to know that there are no less opportunities waiting for them. There are many government projects going on in Jammu & Kashmir which bring them endless opportunities of a Happy Life. The only thing we need to understand is that all these Confidence-building measures have to done between our own people and the government so that we do not give an opportunity of Divide-And-Rule to yet another vile entity. And, in-turn we solve the problems, about which we are talking to our neighbors, at home.

Thanks!!

Photo Courtesy: NDTV.com