Time to shun brokerage politics
Kashmir is often described as a complex tapestry woven with threads of cultural sensitivities, and geopolitical tensions. This complexity, however, also casts a long shadow over the very purpose of politics i.e., to be the voice of the people. But in this intricate dance, Kashmiri politicians often find themselves adrift, grappling with a stark reality: no one will act as their polling agents.
The reliance on central leadership, the silent acceptance of corruption, and the tendency to project power through mere proximity to national figures – these are all shackles that bind Kashmiri politicians to a self-inflicted paralysis. It is time to break free.
The first, and perhaps the most crucial step, is for Kashmiri politicians to shed the skin of “brokerage politics.” They cannot be mere intermediaries, whispering the woes of their constituents into the ears of distant power centers. True leadership demands self-sufficiency, the courage to stand on one’s own feet and champion the aspirations of the people, not through whispered deals, but through direct engagement.
The success of leaders in Maharashtra offers a stark comparison. They built their power bases not on patronage, but on a deep understanding of the needs and concerns of their people. They became the voice of the voiceless, the champions of local aspirations, and in doing so, earned the trust and loyalty that propelled them to success. This is the path Kashmiri politicians must tread. They cannot simply click pictures with national leaders and expect the electorate to swoon. Neither can they scare their political opponents by being a part of photo sessions. People crave genuine representation, leaders who understand their struggles, who empathize with their hardships, and who are unafraid to fight for their betterment. Since the day Narendra Modi has taken over the Prime Minister of India, he has made it amply clear that a common man is the priority and the regime led by him is committed to work for his welfare.
Leaders in Kashmir need to understand that they have to fall in the line. Their silence in the face of corruption is an insidious foe. It is not enough to simply point fingers and wait for the invisible hand of central leadership to dispense justice. The fight against corruption demands vocal opposition, unwavering determination, and a resolute commitment to hold everyone, regardless of party affiliation, accountable. The people of Kashmir deserve leaders who will be their watchdogs, who will expose the rot within, and who will not hesitate to raise their voices against any form of malfeasance.
This fight cannot be outsourced; it must be waged on the ground, with courage and conviction. Furthermore, the allure of the “London syndrome” – the tendency of corrupt politicians to stash their ill-gotten wealth in foreign lands– must be resisted. Unlike their Pakistani counterparts, who have bled their nation dry, Kashmiri leaders must understand that they are custodians of a vibrant, resilient people. Their wealth, their legacy, lies not in offshore bank accounts, but in the well-being of their communities. India, unlike many other nations, has a long memory.
The ghosts of past betrayals continue to haunt the present, serving as a stark reminder that the people do not forget. Upright citizens, the torchbearers of justice, keep the record of misdeeds alive, ensuring that future generations can judge their leaders with clear eyes. This is where the true test of leadership lies, to be remembered not as brokers of corruption, but as genuine representatives, as champions of the people. They need to muster the courage to confront, head-on, the hydra-headed monster of corruption, nepotism, and extortion. They have to become the voice of the voiceless, the hope of the downtrodden, the embodiment of a brighter future for Kashmir.
The path to political relevance for Kashmiri leaders lies not in the corridors of power in Delhi, but in the hearts and minds of their people. By shedding the crutches of patronage, by raising their voices against corruption, and by championing the aspirations of the people, they can forge a new destiny for themselves and their beloved Kashmir. It is time to shed the skin of mere politicians and become true leaders, etching their names not in the sand of fleeting alliances, but in the granite of genuine representation. The people of Kashmir, and history itself, are waiting.
The writer writes on Politics, Defense and Strategic affairs and is presently heading International Centre for Peace Studies (ICPS), New Delhi.
