Some issues for consideration

The Union Home Minister, Mr. Amit Shah, is visiting Jammu & Kashmir at a time when the democratically elected Legislative Assembly is in session. Legislators from different political parties have responded to his visit in varied ways. The Chief Minister stated that he “will take up the matter of reopening new tourist destinations” with the Home Minister. A PDP legislator urged the Chief Minister to use his mandate to seek meaningful dialogue with the Home Minister. The Leader of the Opposition described the visit as a routine engagement, while the President of the Congress party in Jammu and Kashmir argued that the frequency of the Home Minister’s visits itself indicates that normalcy has not yet been achieved.

As a member of civil society, I place following issues for the consideration of the Home Minister during his visit, in order to help normalize the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

Restoration of the Political

India’s strategic thinking has historically been guided by a distinctive conception of power. The foundational source of India’s influence in the world lies in the power of its example, rooted in political democracy and a broadly liberal constitutional order. In the twenty-first century, self-reliance will emerge from internal unity and social trust. In Jammu and Kashmir, there is an urgent need to move towards the restoration of statehood so that people can become genuine partners in the processes of development and nation-building.

The creation of the strategically located state of Sikkim, with a population of just 7.1 lakh in 1975, was a political intervention aimed at ending instability.

Harassment of Kashmiris

It is difficult to understand why attacks and incidents of harassment against Kashmiris have intensified in other parts of the country. Greater integration should have instilled confidence among Kashmiri students, professionals, and traders to travel, work, and settle anywhere in India. Instead, there is a growing sense of fear and insecurity. This is a serious issue that warrants reflection by the Home Minister. The matter was earlier raised by the Chief Minister during the North Zone Chief Ministers’ Conference, held in the presence of the Home Minister.

Dialogue with Youth

The Prime Minister has on several occasions described Kashmiri youth as being full of potential, possessing the confidence and capability to emerge as innovators, thinkers, and agents of change. Unfortunately, they find little space in the narrative of a rising India. Their participation in socio-economic development, state-building, and governance remains largely absent. Preoccupied with daily survival challenges and short-term political strategies, there has been a troubling lack of concern for their future.

Recently, a young legislator, in anticipation of the Home Minister’s visit, advocated for “ending the sense of defeat among the youth” and cautioned against silencing their voices. The youth of Jammu and Kashmir are deeply dissatisfied with the reservation policy in the Union Territory and are demanding its rationalisation. Ironically, overall reservations in Jammu and Kashmir are now among the highest in the country. Kashmir urgently needs positive storytelling, and socially mobile, intellectually connected, and ethically grounded local youth must be trained and trusted to serve as ambassadors of the region.

Return of Kashmiri Pandits

In 2017, the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly passed a resolution calling for the return of Kashmiri migrants to the Valley. In the ongoing Assembly session, a legislator powerfully proposed the formation of an all-party panel of MLAs to facilitate the return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits. There is a pressing need for structured dialogue with the Pandit community to prepare a grassroots-level roadmap ensuring their safe, dignified, and sustainable return.

According to one estimate, nearly 70 percent of Kashmiri Pandits still retain their property in Kashmir, and many have already returned. There is a broad consensus within the Valley that Kashmiri Pandits have an unquestionable right to return.

Regional Harmony

During my one-month stay in Jammu and interactions with diverse sections of society, I did not observe any serious discord at the level of ordinary people. However, political parties often seek to exploit every issue, even at times when collective action and consensus are urgently required for the common good. The politics of polarisation has narrowed the thought processes of the middle class—and, to some extent, even common people—making them insular and dangerously parochial.

Recent demands by one legislator for a separate Jammu state, and by another for rejecting Pir Panjal as a sub-region within Jammu, are deeply concerning voices with potentially serious security implications. The Indian state must engage political parties and leaders on these matters. Healing must begin from within Jammu and Kashmir.

Conclusion

One can only hope that through shared commitment and inclusive governance, Jammu and Kashmir can emerge as a model of hope, dignity, and development. Perceptions and fears about the future are critical factors in triggering and sustaining conflicts.

Professor Wani is a Kashmir-based political scientist.