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The dilemma

The dilemma

The Centre’s invite to Kashmiri leaders for a meeting appears to have left them confused

Political leaders of the Kashmir valley, grouped under the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration, are in a huddle over the Centre’s invitation for a meeting on Jammu and Kashmir affairs on June 24. They were indeed expecting some sign from the Union Government for kick-starting a political dialogue with the Valley leaders that would eventually lead to an understanding for holding of Assembly elections. Now that the invite is in, Gupkar leaders appear confused on how to respond to it. Their problem, yet not articulated by any top leader, is this: There is no clarity about the agenda for the meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Would it be about the delimitation of constituencies leading to elections? Would it be about the assurances both the Government and the Valley politicians need to hammer out for reviving the political apparatus? Would it be a mere photo-op to show the world that Kashmir is always on the developmental agenda of the Government? The invite has landed Gupkar leaders in a predicament. They do not want to be seen to be eager to jump at the invite. What has changed on the ground that can enthuse the Gupkar to go to Delhi, they ask themselves. What is in it for them, is the real question. They have been out of the limelight since 2019 when the special status of J&K under Article 370 was revoked and the State divided into Union Territories.

They have since tried to rebuild their core constituency, shaping an anti-BJP, pro-370 stand. In the elections to the district development councils (DDCs) last December, the Gupkar alliance performed well as a political grouping, even though the BJP emerged as the single largest party. There was an attempt to raise a bunch of next-generation Valley leaders as an alternative to the mainstream parties, but it did not cut much ice with the local people, adding to the alliance’s credibility. The alliance meets on June 22 ostensibly to decide who will represent it at the meeting, but really to work out how to positively sell the idea of going to Delhi to their constituents. The Union Government, too, has worked step by step to reach the stage of inviting the State leaders for talks. The DDC elections marked the revival of the democratic process after 2019. Then came the restoration of broadband and data services after 18 months. The senior political leaders were gradually released from house arrest. A meeting in Delhi now would bring Kashmir back on the national agenda, relieving the international pressure on the subject. The border is quiet of late and Pakistan, for its own compelling reasons, is honouring the ceasefire. The completion of the delimitation process to hold elections and giving J&K its statehood back are two things well within the means of the Centre. But the moot point is the trust deficit between the two parties. The June 24 meeting will indicate where things stand.

The dilemma

The dilemma

The Centre’s invite to Kashmiri leaders for a meeting appears to have left them confused

Political leaders of the Kashmir valley, grouped under the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration, are in a huddle over the Centre’s invitation for a meeting on Jammu and Kashmir affairs on June 24. They were indeed expecting some sign from the Union Government for kick-starting a political dialogue with the Valley leaders that would eventually lead to an understanding for holding of Assembly elections. Now that the invite is in, Gupkar leaders appear confused on how to respond to it. Their problem, yet not articulated by any top leader, is this: There is no clarity about the agenda for the meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Would it be about the delimitation of constituencies leading to elections? Would it be about the assurances both the Government and the Valley politicians need to hammer out for reviving the political apparatus? Would it be a mere photo-op to show the world that Kashmir is always on the developmental agenda of the Government? The invite has landed Gupkar leaders in a predicament. They do not want to be seen to be eager to jump at the invite. What has changed on the ground that can enthuse the Gupkar to go to Delhi, they ask themselves. What is in it for them, is the real question. They have been out of the limelight since 2019 when the special status of J&K under Article 370 was revoked and the State divided into Union Territories.

They have since tried to rebuild their core constituency, shaping an anti-BJP, pro-370 stand. In the elections to the district development councils (DDCs) last December, the Gupkar alliance performed well as a political grouping, even though the BJP emerged as the single largest party. There was an attempt to raise a bunch of next-generation Valley leaders as an alternative to the mainstream parties, but it did not cut much ice with the local people, adding to the alliance’s credibility. The alliance meets on June 22 ostensibly to decide who will represent it at the meeting, but really to work out how to positively sell the idea of going to Delhi to their constituents. The Union Government, too, has worked step by step to reach the stage of inviting the State leaders for talks. The DDC elections marked the revival of the democratic process after 2019. Then came the restoration of broadband and data services after 18 months. The senior political leaders were gradually released from house arrest. A meeting in Delhi now would bring Kashmir back on the national agenda, relieving the international pressure on the subject. The border is quiet of late and Pakistan, for its own compelling reasons, is honouring the ceasefire. The completion of the delimitation process to hold elections and giving J&K its statehood back are two things well within the means of the Centre. But the moot point is the trust deficit between the two parties. The June 24 meeting will indicate where things stand.

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