Train To Kashmir
With the inauguration of Anji Khad bridge, in Reasi district, train has finally reached Kashmir. Chief Minister Omar Abdulah described the event as dream come true. It is undoubtedly a momentous occasion for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Speaking on the occasion, L G, Manoj Sinha said, “now with the inauguration of train service to Kashmir to Kanyakumari has become a reality.”
It has been a daunting task to make train reach Kashmir. Laying down the tracks on a very inhospitable terrain, confronting logistic obstacles and having a bridge on Anji Khad truly speak of an engineering marvel. It is a tribute to the skilled and unskilled manpower who executed the job. During the construction work various logistic and security challenges emerged which required a determined resolve to overcome them. One young engineer of the IRCON company, constructing tract and the bridge, fell to the terrorist’s gun.
The train to Kashmir will ensure all weather connectivity and usher in all-round economic prosperity. Above all, as Omar Abdullah said on the occasion, it will save travelers from being exploited by the airline sharks who on road blockage escalate air fares phenomenally.
Prime Minister Narrandra Modi, speaking on the occasion, referred to 22 April terrorist attack in Baisaran, in which 26 tourist lost lives. He borrowed two words from the famous quote of the former Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee to say why Pakistan launched the attack. According to him, the terror attack was an assault on “Insaniyat” and “Kashmiiryat” , with an intention to incite a communal flare up in the country. But the PM missed word “Jamhuriyat”, Vajpayee had also used to lay down a framework for the resolution of K-issue. Was the omission by inadvertence or design, jury will be soon out - given the prevailing political atmosphere in J&K.
It is time to reiterate that, though, an elected government is in the saddle but essentially it is a lame duck. J&K is presently a Union Territory with very limited powers for the CM to exercise. The UT architecture has its own administrative dynamics which ties down hands of an elected government from working out its manifesto. This scenario doesn’t fit in the meaning of “Jumhoriyat” . Appreciating these limitations, the cabinet in its first meeting passed a resolution calling upon GoI to restore statehood at the earliest. So far the resolution hasn’t received attention of the Central Government. Chief Minster did reiterate the demand but couldn’t evoke response from the PM who was present on the stage.
True, the train has put flesh and blood in the metaphor “Kanaya Kumari to Kashmir”. But it will only mean a physical connect . Soul will be injected into it only if J&K enjoys political and constitutional rights equal to those states which fall along the way from Kanyakumari to Kashmir. As of today Kashmiris may not be clamoring for the lost special status but they deserve a status equal to other states which make Union of India.
“Dilli Ki Doori” may have shortened, “Dil ki Doori” still remains. That too needs to be abridged.
Restoration of statehood is a necessity. Dual power structure is always hurting. An elected CM can’t do without having an administrative control over higher and medium level bureaucracy. There must be clarity in the governance field. It is important in J&K where ground situation is far from satisfactory that the elected government has the power to deal with law and order situation and have freedom to initiate beneficial measures for the people who have voted it to the power. Absence of statehood affects every resident of J&K.
Reportedly, a memorandum containing draft Rules of Business for governance has been forwarded to the MHA which demarcates the areas where Chief Minster and the LG can operate , independent of each other. The LG seems to have objection on some matters. Even if it comes as proposed it would just be a temporary measure.
Omar Abdullah has a point when he says that Jammu and Kashmir has a right to full statehood as the people have elected their own government. So, the government should be allowed to work for them.
Train has reached Srinagar, it is time that trust also touches Jammu & Kashmir. GoI will have to repose trust in Kashmiris which even now is missing. Not allowing Eid prayers at the historic Jamia Masjid, in Srinagar, is an unfortunate example. This is the place from where Mirwaiz Umar Farooq condemned the 22 April terrorist attack in Pahalgam and extolled Kashmiris to rise in condemnation of the attack and in solidarity with the nation in mourning the death of innocent tourists.
B L Saraf, Former Principal District and Sessions Judge
