Time to extend Bhagya Rekha
The literal translation of Hindi phrase “Bhagya Rekha” is line of destiny. Seven years ago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi used this phrase to underline the prospects for the future of Jammu and Kashmir, with a special focus on the Kashmir Valley and its youth; who at that time were in the grip of forces pushing them to stone throwing and terrorism.
The occasion was inauguration of Chenani-Nashri (officially named as Shyama Prasad Mookerjee) tunnel on Jammu-Srinagar highway, on April 2, 2017. I was looking at the key takeaways of his speech, while looking forward to what would he say when he visits Katra, the base camp of the revered Hindu shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi on Saturday – April 19, to flag off the Vande Bharat train from Katra to Srinagar. That was a historic moment the entire Kashmir and the rest of the country was waiting for more than two decades.
PM Modi exalted the status of Chanani-Nashiri tunnel to “Bhagya Rekha” of Kashmir. He explained in detail what he meant by it and how would it transform Kashmir, tagged as land of stone throwers to chiseled stones shaping its destiny with new bright youth of the Valley.
The tunnel that reduced the distance between Jammu and Srinagar by 9.28 kms in 2017, Prime Minister said was not meant only for reducing physical distance but a symbol of our effort to reduce the distance between hearts (of the people of Kashmir and the rest of the country).
That was a very critical period in the history of Jammu and Kashmir. After the killing of Burhan Wani in an encounter in Kokkernag on July 8, 2016 and the storm that erupted on the streets of Kashmir, particularly in south, people were living in a state of uncertainty. The nation was worried over the turn of events in Kashmir.
Separatists had shut their doors on the leaders representing all national and regional parties. The idea of separatism had gained new traction even after the troubles subsided in the streets of Kashmir – with over 100 dead, several more blinded by pellets fired in response to the emotion-driven young boys and girls. That was much more serious than the visible demonstrations on streets or the terror through bombs and bullets. Separatism gives birth to terrorism and, by extension, it nurtures anti-national ideas and actions.
That was the time when everyone wanted to hear what Prime Minister would say on Kashmir. Modi placed two choices for the youth of Kashmir: “Terrorism or tourism.” Terrorism meant death and destruction, while tourism held the prospect of bright future in which they could live their dreams. He had promised nine more tunnels – two of them Navyug and Sonmarg have been completed, work is on for Zojilla.
While inaugurating Sonmarg tunnel on January 13, 2025, Prime Minister had reiterated that he honours all his promises, but the decisions are taken at right time. There was a clear affirmation of the pledge that J&K would get its statehood, to which Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had referred to on the occasion.
Listening to his speech, seven years after it was delivered, I tried to decipher the real meaning of it. He was speaking his heart out, pained at the loss of lives in Kashmir, and keen to rebuild Kashmir, to eye new future like phoenix rising from the ashes.
That led me to think, whether the situation that we are complaining of today – loss of the statehood and the problems of governance owing to different reading of the script despite hugely successful elections is entirely Delhi’s doing? Perhaps not. There also was a large amount of responsibility of J&K’s leadership that didn’t act in time to shift the narrative and action from “terrorism” to tourism. These two Ts have their dimensions for Kashmir. Tourism is not all about rediscovery of merits of the tourism. It offers a way forward – on reciprocal basis – to address complex issues .
It is true, as Chief Minister Omar Abdullah put it that no state government encouraged terrorism, but there is a striking fact that there was shyness in discouraging narratives of secession.
Two things were happening, and these are in vogue even today – Kashmiri leadership of different flags targeted each other with taunts by remembering their actions and words. They always tried to run down each other without calculating perils of collective loss of the place and the people.
Second, barring a couple of leaders, there is an unrestrained competition to portray Delhi in poor light, holding it responsible for all the wrongs in the Valley. That is partly true. Delhi, in the past, has been responsible for dismissing elected governments, engineering defections and playing political leaders against one another. But the calm that Kashmir is walking through now is also due to efforts of Delhi in the recent years.
In that speech, Prime Minister spoke of Jammu and Kashmir as a vibrant State that could become role model for the country in raising the income level of the nation. He underlined the capacity of Kashmir in doing so – the land that has heritage of saints and sufis and blessed with immense natural beauty inspiring all Indian citizens to dream of visiting Kashmir at least once in lifetime.
In that speech, Prime Minister also reminded the audience that the Valley instantly connects to Atal Behari Vajpayee’s three mantras of “Insaniyat, Kashmiriyat, and Jamhooriyat” - a total sum of humanity, centuries-old Kashmiri's cultural ethos of harmony and coexistence of faiths, and democracy. Vajpayee’s words are embedded in the minds of the people of Kashmir as something they identify without even blinking an eyelid.
The idea remains there. There is a claim that it has been translated on the ground - ridding Kashmir of terrorism is synonymous with humanity, and peace has given rebirth to the idea of growth of Kashmiri ethos of harmony, and democracy, however, has been upheld with three-tiered Panchayati raj system. Of course the Assembly elections of 2024 shone more light on the democratic efforts and spirit in Kashmir.
Now, when PM visits J&K coming weekend, Kashmir is waiting whether there is something more than the lines of destiny through connectivity projects – roads, tunnels and railway links. Their hopes and expectations are quite high. Developmental projects also need political gifts to extend “Bhagya Rekha” to the hearts of people in J&K.
