Terrorism being a political problem, has to ultimately have a political solution, but let us not be under the illusion that good governance alone can be an answer to the vexed Kashmir problem. That is applicable only where poor governance has been the sole cause of insurgency, not otherwise. The militancy in Kashmir is far too complex a problem than what prima facie it appears to be. It cannot be compared with the insurgencies like Naxalite movement, whose causes are totally different.
There are five factors that contribute to thriving of militancy anywhere in the world:
a. Cause.
b. Leadership.
c. Foreign support.
d. Public support.
e. Terrain.
In case of Kashmir, religion plays the most important role, when it comes to 'cause', but over a period of time many other factors have also contributed to the 'cause'. Dr BR Ambedkar had written a 400 page thesis in 1940, supporting creation of Pakistan as a separate nation, based purely on religious grounds. His justification was that for an average Muslim, religion takes precedence over nationalism, stating that if Afghanistan attacked India, while the rest of the citizens would lay down their lives to defend the country, Muslims would welcome the attacking Muslim king purely because he would help promote and spread Islam. In their case, the religion holds supremacy over any other factor.
He had an important point to make, based on historical experience, hence let us not try and negate Dr Ambedkar's reasoning by saying, "When I commanded troops, the Muslim troops were as nationalistic as .......", but let's rather examine the strength of religion (Islam) versus nationalism and good governance in Kashmir. Though not every Kashmiri Muslim is pro Pakistan by leaning, yet the general public is not trained to follow the secular and nationalist ethos of the Defence Forces. Among the civilian population, the fanatic mullas and cunning politicians can influence the public sentiment beyond imagination. If some pro-Pak Kashmiri leaders have been able to motivate the public to raise slogans like 'Pakistan Zindabad' or indulge in stone-pelting on the vehicles of Indian Security Forces in Kashmir, it is not because the Indian governance is weak or Pakistan is known for better governance; rather it is the other way round. But the motivating factor for their leaning towards Pakistan is nothing other than religion. Yes, that is the bitter truth and Pakistan's contention is, that its very creation was based on religious grounds. As a result, they have succeeded in brainwashing the religious fanatics to create and spread hatred for the Kashmiri Hindus as well as other non-Muslims, leading to ethnic cleansing in 1990. Ethnic cleansing of Kashmir was a Black Chapter in the history of independent India.
Then there are other far more important contributory factors like the US military aid to Pakistan comprising supply of arms, ammunition, equipment and monetary aid for a decade from 1979 to 1989, for training of militants by ISI in Pakistani training camps, to drive out the Soviet Army out of Afghanistan, to avenge their humiliation of Vietnam War. Motivated by their success in this decade-long venture, Pakistan turned its full attention towards Kashmir, believing that if they could drive out a super power out of Afghanistan by using Pak-trained militants, why could not they drive the Indian Army out of Kashmir ? While their logic was strong enough to convince their political masters, their assessment of the capabilities of the Indian Army and its leadership was weak, which they realized much later.
Unfortunately, the US left all the weapons and equipment they supplied to Pakistan to be used against the Soviet Army, with the ISI, which were thereafter available to be used in Kashmir. Hence Pakistan announced a 'Jihad' in Kashmir, when hundreds of foreign militants also responded by joining the same, and the mission was supported by many Muslim countries across the world. Hence the Kashmir problem is not a case of ordinary militancy; its roots are politically far too deep and its support bases are spread across the continents. It is a boiling pot on a par with Israel-Palestine problem, and many Muslim countries support Pakistan on Kashmir issue, purely based on their religious affinity. For them, religion takes precedence over the facts of history. They believe in living and dying for their religion. For them, religion is supreme.
Incidentally, the announcement of Jihad by Pakistan coincided with the rigging of elections in Kashmir by the Farooq Abdullah's 'National Conference' and Rajiv Gandhi's 'Congress' alliance in 1987. This was the time when the people of Kashmir had participated in the electoral process in an overwhelming majority. The election was held on 23 Mar 1987. Nearly 75 % of the voters participated, the highest recorded participation in the state ever. Nearly 80% of the people in the Valley had voted. This time the Jamat-e-Islami Party was to come to power with a convincing majority. They needed to be given a chance but rigging ensured that 'National Conference-Congress' alliance came to power. The people of Kashmir were cheated outright. This frustration and their helplessness acted as a trigger for militancy.
This grave injustice led the leaders of Jamat-e-Islami party approach Pakistan to help them avenge this act of treachery. Pakistan was waiting far too eagerly for such a golden opportunity being offered on plate, and the timing was meticulously perfect. Moreover now onwards, the situation ensured that the Pak-sponsored militancy received the required public support by Jamat-e-Islami cadres. The rigging of elections acted as a spark on dry tinder, and leaders like Syed Ali Shah Geelani, who was later awarded the highest civilian award of Pakistan, equivalent to Bharat Ratna, ie Nishan-e-Pakistan, cropped up to give thrust and direction to the separatist movement in Kashmir. The other important separatist leaders were : Syed Salahuddin, Masood Azhar, Shabir Shah, Yasin Malik, Abdul Gani Lone, and Ali Shah Geelani, only to name the prominent few, and organizations like JKLF, Hizbul Mujahideen, Lashkar-e-Toiba, Al Badr, Taliban, and Hurriyat Conference, the umbrella group of separatist voices became fully active. Now the public of Kashmir had a cause, leadership to give direction, public support in ample measure, foreign support of Pakistan, and the terrain was in their favour; a perfect recipe for terrorism to flourish, which ultimately led to the ethnic cleansing of Kashmir in 1990.
Sajad Gani Lone, a former MLA of J&K People's Conference asked two pertinent questions and highlighted the root cause of militancy in Kashmir, "Had 1987 not happened, would the guns have made an entry into this region? Dacoits of 1987 filled the grave yards here, but why aren't these decoits being questioned?" In fact, if history is to blame one person for the
eruption of insurgency in Kashmir, Farooq Abdullah is the most deserving candidate. He was the originator and author of militancy in Kashmir, purely for the greed of power. He is a shrewd and a high-headed politician with no scruples whatsoever, and when the insurgency was on its peak during mid-90s, he fled away to London and kept himself busy, enjoying playing golf. When the situation stabilized and he returned to Kashmir, and tried to arm-twist the Indian govt by saying, "Kashmir can't be claimed by India unilaterally; it is a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan." Unfortunately, the US supported his claim. India retaliated strongly saying, "If that be so, the US was questioning the very existence of India, which came into being based on the 'Instruments of Accession' signed by the rulers of 565 princely states." The US had no answer. Farooq Abdullah also demanded an aid of 7,000 crore rupees from the Central Government under the pretext of rebuilding Kashmir. In short, he was trying to blackmail the government and project himself as the voice of Kashmiris, which he was not, by any stretch of imagination. Decades later, Mehbooba Mufti followed his footsteps, and both opposed abrogation of Article 370, threatening the Central Government to face the consequences of blood-bath, if they dared do so. Both have pro-Pak leanings and a key role in keeping the militancy alive.
We should also not lose sight of the fact that the counter-militancy operations by the Army for the last three and half decades in J&K have had an unavoidable side-effect of the the public in general getting alienated, since they have all undergone cordon and search of their houses multiple number of times at odd hours of the night, and arrest of some of their family members had been a routine matter. House searches are very embarrassing, painful and psychologically disturbing, especially for the women. No one likes his/ her house to be searched at odd hours at night, without a warning. Every individual loves his/her privacy. Obviously, this led the majority of the Kashmiri public to believe that the Indian Army was their enemy number one, not the Pak-trained militants, though the Army was only performing its duty. Occasionally, discrepancies in performance of duty do take place, hence the tendency to help the militants becomes a natural psychological phenomenon. It is a cycle of cause and consequence. Militancy is not easy to figh appears twicet and definitely not easy to wipe it out completely. Moreover, the majority of Kashmiri youth have suffered the ill-effects of militancy right since their birth, hence their wounds need to be healed, their feelings need to be appreciated, and they need to be treated sympathetically. Afterall, they had been misguided in the name of religion.
With thousands of people having got killed, including soldiers and civilians, now what is the way ahead ?
Abrogation of Article 370 has been a strategically important step by the govt to ensure complete integration of J&K with the rest of India, which has shaken up Pakistan, Farooq Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti and their party cadres, but it will take a long time to heal the wounds of the public that has suffered the consequences of Pak-sponsored militancy for three and a half decades, ruining their right to lead a peaceful life. While factors like foreign support and a favourable terrain that contribute to fuelling of militancy, would continue to remain, separatist leadership and public support for the same need to be curbed, but it cannot happen overnight. Stone-pelting on the Security Forces has now stopped completely but the Kashmiri youth needs to be guided on the right path leading to peace, progress and prosperity. They need to be integrated with the mainstream path of progress, and convinced that they are Indians first and Muslims later, for which Indian Army is doing a commendable job by launching various schemes.
Moreover, the general non-cooperation of the public in providing intelligence regarding the presence of militants to the Security Forces is not because of poor governance, but can be attributed to many factors, like fear of the militants and the fear of the muscle-wielding supporters of the militants. After all the public has to survive there. Hence any recommendation regarding mass punishment of the villagers will only alienate the public further. The government should never resort to such retrograde steps.
When it comes to foreign support, let us not forget that Pakistan, the biggest rogue state of the world, and the epicenter of churning out militants from the terror-producing factories, will continue to sponsor militancy in Kashmir to the best of its ability. It has made it a prestige issue to break-up India, physically, politically and economically, to avenge the humiliating defeat of 1971 War, and for converting East Pakistan into Bangla Desh. For that, fuelling of separatist movements in Kashmir and Punjab (by promoting creation of Khalistan), are handy tools. Moreover, no government in Pakistan can survive, if it gives up the Kashmir issue and makes peace with India. Hence we should not look for immediate normalization of the situation. It would require a coordinated effort by the government, all the political parties of the country and the Security Forces, coupled with a strong foreign policy.
Notwithstanding all above, the situation now is under control and improving steadily. Kashmir is slowly limping back to normalacy. While we need to fight out the Pak-sponsored militancy with a heavy hand, it will take quite some time to completely wipe out militancy from the map of J&K ; may be it takes many more decades. But as long as it is kept under control and Pakistan is made to pay a heavy cost for its mischiefs, we would be heading in the right direction.
Militancies are not easy to wipe out. We have these in the North East as well as in Naxalite affected areas. It takes decades and decades to wipe out the same, especially when the factors which help in thriving of militancy are in their favour.
However, military history is a great teacher, both for the soldiers as well as the politicians. Its lessons are few and oft repeated. The wisdom lies in learning the same. When it comes to sensitive issues pertaining to national integration, the opposition parties also need to cooperate with the government, by rising above their narrow political gains. Presently, they are doing just the opposite by opposing abrogation of Article 370, and sympathising with the militants. While Pakistan's aim is to bleed India by a thousand cuts, our challenge lies in frustrating the same and further integrating J&K with rest of the country, since J&K is an integral part of India in every sense of the word.
About the Author
Brig BL Poonia, VSM (Retd) is an ex-NDA officer, commissioned in 2nd Battalion Brigade of the Guards (1 Grenadiers) in Jun 1974.
He commanded a Rifle Company in Nagaland in an insurgency infested area, as well as during Exercise Brass Tacks in the deserts of Rajasthan, and commanded a Battalion (26 Assam Rifles) deployed in Nagaland as well as Tripura in Operation ORCHID, during peak insurgency in mid-90s, where his Battalion received 70 awards including a Shaurya Chakra. He was awarded a VSM. He held various Intelligence staff appointments in J & K in two different Corps HQ during Operation RAKSHAK, and was the Colonel General Staff (Intelligence) of a pivot Corps during Operation PRAKRAM. He commanded an Infantry Brigade in the Western Sector and was the Deputy GOC of a Mountain Division in the Eastern Sector. The last appointment he held was - Deputy Director General Recruiting (Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa ).
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