Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti vouching for former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s policy of keeping the dialogue channel open to steer the State out of bloodshed and turmoil is no different than her late father and Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s cherished dream of reconciliation with Pakistan. Mufti followed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s line that the youth in Kashmir are being misguided by vested interests. She said we need to pick the threads left by Vajpayee. We need to find a permanent solution to the trouble as it keeps surfacing every two-three years. Keeping the dialogue channel open is no doubt a welcome and positive sign indicating the willingness to tread the path of reconciliation despite all the provocations and hurdles. Is it not the reconciliation process involves two or more parties? If India keeps the dialogue door open does it not become obligatory for the Pakistan to reciprocate? Gaining confidence is the first step to continue the dialogue process and when that is eroded can the whole process is effective in any arena? Earlier, former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed too had spoken about the reconciliation with Pakistan and had expressed high hope in evolving Naya Jammu and Kashmir. Following her father’s footsteps Mehbooba too is looking forward to a peace which has evaded the state since its inception. There is no harm in continuing the search for the elusive peace but everyone knows that it will remain far away. Whatever Atal could achieve even after Kargil today it looks is difficult with changing geo-political priorities and ambitions of the countries. Senior Mufti was optimistic about normalization of peace and friendship with Pakistan. During the Vajpayee’s period he got peace and everything was peaceful. Mehbooba wants credible people to represent the government in the talks. They should be able to communicate with “the other side” – protesters and separatists. Kashmir violence has been a political bate for the parties of the day. Today some of them may have changed the sides, over the years developments have complicated the situation further with external players exercising their jurisdictions more vociferously.
