Kashmir: Beyond Baisaran
These are testing times for Jammu and Kashmir. This place is dealing with many issues all at once. Some of these have their roots in the past, and others were added by the fault lines that have come to fore in the recent years.
At this point, this place is grappling with issues post-Pahalgam terror attack of April 22nd, a stigma that refuses to go from the collective memory of the nation. Time is a great healer, but the heart-breaking tragedy in Pahalgam woods has not found its closure as yet. The clock has moved on, and so have many aspects of life. But if we are looking at perfect peace then these fault lines require immediate correction.
Kashmir, with its spontaneous outpour of grief and anger on the streets to mourn and protest, after Pahalgam incident, thought that it has passed a crucial test by its emphatic condemnation of the brutal killings. It was indeed unprecedented protest against terrorists which underscored their demand that they be punished in severest form. They did their best to condemn the worst, yet their intentions and grief were misinterpreted in many quarters.
The good sign is that efforts were underway to reverse the damage inflicted on its image.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, now a veteran of J&K affairs since August 2020 – announced on Saturday - June 14, 2025, re-opening of 16 tourist places – one third of the number of places shut for tourists after the Pahalgam massacre. It is a good signal to the tourists; it will help in rebuilding confidence among the countrymen in the land of Kashmir. There was never even an iota of doubt in the sincerity and empathy of the people, though there were a host of conspiracy theory weavers trying to blame Kashmiris. Some of them are the permanent clients looking for tenancy in Raj Bhavan. Kashmir always has been the victim of such ambitious retirees, especially those who carry with them a tag of having served in Kashmir for 18 to 24 months. They are never tired of distorting the real picture of Kashmir. They see an opportunity in distortions. But what LG Sinha has done must count in the overall calculation about J&K with equal consideration and respect for the democratically elected government and the peoples’ aspirations associated with it.
Pakistan’s appetite for internationalizing Kashmir as an issue sharpened. US President Donald Trump’s claims of his “mediation” that brought an end to four-day intense conflict between India and Pakistan on May 10. His offer to resolve “K issue” has served as an appetizer for Pakistan. This crisis cannot be wished away as Trump has made it a swan song.
India, in more than one way, mostly diplomatically, tried to correct the US President. Despite knowing India’s opposition to third-party mediation, Trump continues to speak about his role as peacemaker.
Trump, during his first term had made the similar offer, which was rejected politely. The US had also offered to mediate and resolve crisis between China and India when the PLA troops came close to the LAC in eastern Ladakh and Galwan incident took place on June15/16, 2020. And the Indian response was the same: “No.”
In the present context, the mediation offer and its rejection, has different backdrop. There was no Operation Sindoor like anti-terrorism operation, and Pakistan had not escalated the situation which it did after terror bases were struck on its soil and that of its illegally occupied territories of Jammu and Kashmir, on the other side of the LoC. As it turned out between May 7and 10, Balakot aerial strikes of 2019 now seem like a mini trailer. And the Operation Sindoor is still on, with a pause button pressed. This internationalization of Kashmir impacted mindset of people. India, they know, will not allow any mediation, as it has demonstrated its commitment to resolve the issues on its terms – resolution of military standoff with China is one of the examples, they, however, continue to be skeptical about Pakistan’s intentions. They want the Indian narrative to prevail. Now since, the whole thing has come down to the war of narratives – there always is an element of surprise. This is point number one.
Second, tourists will come back sooner than later. They cannot skip Kashmir blessed with unmatched beauty, complemented by unique hospitality of the locals, for long. Kashmir, as always remains, one of the dream destinations for the holiday makers and others. Without K, the crown jewel of the country, no itinerary is complete – see it in Kashmir to Kanyakumari geographical and unity in diversity frame. The Vande Bharat train running between Katra and Srinagar is another unifier.
Where is the issue, some may ask. The simple answer is can we remove the shadow of Pahalgam and Pakistan. This challenge can be met by the security forces. After all such incidents, the response is sought in induction of more forces. Kashmir has lived with this story line since late 1989. When the army was first introduced to the Valley’s streets, it was believed that the problem will not take more than a year to get resolved. It has been 36 years since, and Kashmir knows where it is. No single-lens approach will work. Indigenous narrative is must and it has to go beyond the sweet words and hyperbole.
Third, it is very difficult to achieve peace if there is psychological and political clash of minds. These verbal clashes and attempts to undermine the relevance of institutions will not serve the cause of peace. Physical peace has been achieved – Pahalgam cannot forever be the defining phenomenon – but there is something missing. And, overlooking the missing gaps in political and psychological landscape can complicate the situation. There is needed to go in for an all-inclusive approach.
