“Development, development, development,” said Narendra Modi during his speech in Srinagar on Saturday, 19 May. The prime minister spoke about tourism, education, sporting facilities, and huge Central allocations to make Kashmir the “shining star” of “new India.”
Towards the end of his speech, he urged young Kashmiris who had taken a “mistaken path” to join the mainstream and become part of the shining future of progress and prosperity.
Late Awakening
A noticeable irony of the speech was the prime minister’s reference to rehabilitation. After the 2014 floods, most Kashmiris were disappointed with the Centre’s response to rescue, relief and rehabilitation.
Those floods had inundated large parts of south Kashmir, the very districts (Kulgam and Pulwama) which evinced the worst of anger that manifested into stone-pelting and militancy since.
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Most Kashmiris got the impression that the government was missing in action. On the other hand, Islamist groups such as the Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba worked hard to rescue and rehabilitate the victims.
Missed Opportunity
If only the Centre had responded with a clear show of compassion in September and October 2014, the situation in the Valley, particularly south Kashmir, may not have deteriorated so sharply and quickly after those floods.
It was during the winter that followed those floods that we began to see the trend of common people turning to throwing stones at the army and other forces engaged in encounters.
Agenda of Alliance
Elections were held for a new state Assembly that winter. A couple of months of negotiations between the People’s Democratic Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party followed.
In her speech at the main ceremony in Srinagar, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti thanked the prime minister for announcing the halt to anti-militancy operations during Ramzan. But she spoke about the lack of response from Pakistan, although Modi had gone there. Making peace with Pakistan was one of the objectives of the Agenda for Alliance which had been agreed upon after those two months of negotiations in early 2015.
National Inclusion
She repeatedly said that Kashmiris are Indians. “We are your children,” she said, “and seek everything from you in that capacity.” She stated that for the first time, all mainstream parties of the state have a common stand.
The prime minister avoided any mention of talks on geopolitical issues. Instead, he urged people to speak to the Centre’s representative.
On the other hand, he spoke glowingly about constructing a network of roads that would increase connectivity and spur tourism.
National Belonging
Modi added a touch of multi-religious outreach, saying that he had been to Kashmir to spend Diwali with soldiers and had come back now during the holy month of Ramzan.
He said the Ramzan ceasefire was meant as a message to those who used Islam to mislead young people. He repeated what he had said from the Red Fort during the last Independence Day speech: ‘na gaali se, na goli se, baat banegi har Kashmiri ko gale lagane se (not with abuse or bullets, we'll move forward by embracing all Kashmiris)’
As a further gesture, Modi made the effort to speak in Kashmiri at the beginning and at the end of his speech in Srinagar. Similarly, he used Dogri in his speech in Jammu.
Connectivity Projects
While inaugurating and initiating various road and tunnel projects, the prime minister emphasised the need to prioritise connectivity repeatedly — physical, as well as of hearts, he said.
These projects to connect different parts of the state are a priority, owing to the tough terrain, terrible traffic jams, and security-related requirements. One of those projects is to build a tunnel under the Zoji La Pass to connect the Valley with Ladakh round-the-year.
Kargil’s Sensitivities
The 14-km tunnel – projected to be the longest bi-directional tunnel in Asia – will be a greater relief to the Kargil district than to Leh district, which has an airport.
People in Kargil are likely to be upset that the inauguration was held in Leh, and that the prime minister celebrated the centenary birth anniversary of Kushok Bakula, the Buddhist chief cleric who represented Ladakh in the state Assembly and in Parliament for many years.
This will be of political value to the BJP, which has a strong presence in Leh district. But many in the Muslim-majority Kargil district resent the Ladakh region being projected as the ‘Land of Lamas.’
Power Priority
More than connectivity, people will appreciate the announcement that, as a result of the power projects inaugurated on Saturday, there will be power 24x7 after 31 December this year. Power shortages have been a major complaint in the state.
(This is an opinion piece and the views expressed above are the author’s own. The Quint neither endorses nor is responsible for the same)
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