Are mainstream politicians also playing Pak game?

BY: RAMNEEK MANHAS PUBLISHED ON JANUARY 21, 2018

Former and present Chief Ministers of Jammu Kashmir, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti respectively have shown deep concern for the border residents of Jammu who are being killed, wounded and displaced due to shelling on them from across the border. They also suggest that both the neighbors should immediately stop firing on the border. As far first part of their statement, they really deserve applause because according to media reports, escalation has taken a toll of over one thousand lives, left over 4000 civilians hurt, damaged over 4500 houses and endangered security of lacs of people on both sides of the border and the LoC. But, one fails to understand the second part of their statement wherein they asked both India and Pakistan to stop hostilities in the interest of the border residents despite knowing that it is Pakistan that has been indulging in ceasefire violations merely to push terrorists in Indian Territory. Do both the Kashmiri mainstream leaders mean that Indian forces should stop retaliation and allow easy entry of terrorists in this part of the country to cause death and destruction here? Hostilities on both sides of the border are condemnable indeed, but can this end as long as Pakistan continues pushing mercenaries here under the cover of heavy shelling!

Let’s not ignore the fact that Pakistan desperately wants entry in Kashmir by becoming a party in the ‘dispute’- a creation of her own. We too admit that Pakistan is a party in the Kashmir dispute but only to the extent that it has illegally and forcibly captured parts of Kashmir, now called as PoK. As far our part of Kashmir, it was, it is and it will continue to be an integral part of India because whole of Jammu and Kashmir had willfully decided to remain in secular India instead of joining Islamic Pakistan way back in 1947. This is a historical fact, which every Kashmiri should accept and admit.

I do not question the nationalism and patriotism of both the Kashmiri leaders. I also do not doubt their integrity and political wisdom, but their statement has certainly helped Pakistan that has been using militants and military to pressurize India to except her as a party in the Kashmir issue.

Whole world has accepted that Pakistan is a rogue nation. In light of this fact the statement of the two mainstream Kashmiri politicians could have carried more weight and enhanced their credibility had they advised Pakistan alone to stop sending terrorists in the state instead of equating both aggressor and the victim. So, the question arises: Are the mainstream political leaders playing Pak game?