The Bharatiya Janata Party leadership in New Delhi may have not fathomed the abyss they have created in Jammu and Kashmir by forcing a comprehensive coalition. Today the state stands on the crossroads of uncertainty after a long calm. Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi too must be looking for words to explain the situation. Without the Centre’s green signal the state’s partner Peoples Democratic Party leaders would not have crossed the threshold of coalition Dharma. This could be one of the reasons Kashmir Valley has been kept on boiling mode for the last twenty days after a Hizbul Mujahideen militant was eliminated in an encounter. Throughout the turmoil state’s law and order machinery has come to a standstill and the brunt of the protesters is borne by central para-military forces. It was the first edition of PDP-BJP coalition led by Mufti Mohammad Sayeed who advocated for the handing over of law and order control to the state forces and relegate the other security agencies to the background. If the situation continues like this the incomprehensive politicians in the centre and opportunistic leadership in the state forming a deadly concoction would keep the state boiling for few more years. Both the governments have been on denial mode as far as radicalization of youth are concerned in J&K. Today it is a stark reality staring at everyone if one sees how the street protests and stone throwing has been orchestrated to keep the para-military forces engaged and defame them through the media over the use of force. Centre’s appeasing policy today has come to a naught with state getting caught into the vortex of communal divide. The coming of saffron party in the state power corridors looks has not gone well with Kashmir leaders and they have gone more towards Pakistan. This alienation will further widen especially when an entirely new generation has come in the last 25 years. Still slogan of ‘azadi’, which means an independent Kashmir, has huge attraction. At the same time, Islamisation is also taking place. Pakistan’s appeal is also increasing. Until now this was not so. Militants have now much wider support. South Kashmir has been focus of these protests. Incidentally, this part of Kashmir has been the main mass base of the ruling PDP. People’s disenchantment with PDP is palpable. People’s anger against its unholy alliance with BJP has also contributed to the present unrest. Promises of big changes stand totally belied. Nowhere people have seen any positive change.
