EX-GRATIA TO KIN OF TERROR OGW IN KASHMIR
BLUNT BUTCHER
JAMMU: More than PDP and N a t i o n a l Conference, it is for BJP to explain why the kin of a terror sympathiser and an ‘Over Ground Worker’ (OGW) should even be considered for ex-gratia? Is it to reward terror? Is it to
extend olive branch to secessionists and to appease, who are part of Pakistan’s ‘thousand cuts to India’ mission?
Jammu and Kashmir Government has cleared ex-gratia to the family of Burhan Wani, the Hizbul terrorist, for killing of his elder brother Khalid Wani in April 2015. No sooner, the Mehbooba Mufti led government notified its decision publicly, seeking objections, if any, National Conference Working President and PDP bête-noire Omar Abdullah jumped the red-light and sought enquiry against the army for killing an innocent, Khalid Wani. So a new
spin to PDP’s appeasement and NC’s counter, both to placate terrorists and separatists. While the two so-called mainstream parties have reverted back to dirty politics of deriving maximum mileage by maligning Indian security forces, the BJP has proven once again that it can swallow anything for remaining in power. How dare the senior coalition partner take such a big decision without taking the BJP on board? Since the decision stands taken in
principle, it can be construed that the BJP has no objection. If so, has the BJP conveniently ignored the army’s
statement issued immediately after annihilation of Khalid Wani that he was an over-ground worker of Hizbul
Mujahideen and was killed in an encounter. The coalition government has virtually put the armed forces in
vulnerability in an atmosphere which is already hostile against them. In Kashmir, whenever mainstream parties get a feel of their political space shrinking across the Valley, they switch over to appeasing terrorists and separatists. In the process, security forces become easy prey for them. With the BJP taking centrestage in New Delhi, it was hoped that such type of politics will not be tolerated but there seems to be continuity in placating Kashmir constituency, no matter who is at helm at the Centre. The PDP and the NC have not learnt any lesson from sustained four-month Kashmir unrest that has left them redundant with separatists setting discourse. To regain their lost ground, the issue of ex-gratia to Khalid Wani’s family is being trumpeted by Kashmir centric mainstream players just to be seen on their side of the fence.
An ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh is just peanuts for Burhan Wani’s family, which has become a legend in Kashmir after the terrorist was glorified and projected larger than life. He was made a hero, brandishing Kalashnikov and donning combat dresses in the backdrop of scenic Kashmir setting. If reports are to be believed, the family is quite well off and they don’t need any assistance. And, assistance of Rs 4 lakh is not even the cost of a sophisticated weapon Burhan used to carry with fanfare. However, the PDP led government’s decision is a message to all and sundry in the secessionist camp that nothing has changed as far as mindset of the mainstream political parties is concerned.
The irony of Kashmir is that most of its mainstream leaders are actually soft secessionists, who have never allowed nationalism to grow. They keep on generating suspicion and giving alibis to anti-national activities to derive more from New Delhi. This point of time, it is, however, both-to win over the alienated people and to blackmail the Centre. They keep on changing colors as per situations. When grapes taste sweet they become rulers and once these turn sour, they transform into separatists. They are smart guys who have made their castles at the cost of public good. Kashmir is a partnership enterprise of separatists and pseudo nationalists, which is not profitable either for the Valley or for the domain of India.
The brazen attempt of the J&K coalition with regard to ex-gratia to Wani’s family will have an adverse impact on the morale of forces tackling Pak sponsored terrorism in Kashmir.
