This was published in the print edition of Economic and Political Weekly. (Issue September 6, 2003)
Despite reservations about the jurisdiction and value of plebiscites, the author argues that the only way for India to get out of the current stalemate on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir is to grab the bull by the horns and stop fighting a defensive battle on the issue of plebiscite. Instead of being blackmailed and terrorised at being reminded of this reneged commitment, India should be actively working towards a carefully redefined plebiscite.
The continuing acts of terrorist violence in Jammu and Kashmir is a clear sign that ‘jehadi’ groups and the military establishment in Pakistan are not comfortable with the dramatic change in people’s mood in J and K following the 2002 elections which installed a popularly elected government through an election which was endorsed by most sections of the international community as being reasonably free and fair. The determined resolve being shown by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to heal the wounds of the people and efforts at restoration of peace and democracy in the strife-torn state are viewed with obvious alarm by the Pakistani military establishment. For once both the Congress and BJP have also tried to rise above partisan considerations in allowing the PDP-led coalition government a fair chance of success. This is perhaps the first time that the most important political players in the country are acting in something resembling a unison at least as far as J and K is concerned. We must not let this reconciliation process be sabotaged by the deadly resolve of Pakistani rulers to keep J and K besieged by violence and unrest…