Part-1

Outspoken Governor Satya Pal Malik says heralding peace in Jammu and Kashmir remains his top priority. For this, he asserts he can go to any extent, given the apolitical nature of his gubernatorial assignment.

Governor says New Delhi is open to talk to militants, provided they are willing to eschew violence, drop guns, and come on to the negotiating table. He is of the view that politicians of all hues and ideologies have failed the people of the State and sold unrealistic dreams like ‘Aazadi’, ‘merger with Pakistan’, ‘Autonomy’ and ‘Self-Rule’, but done little or nothing to alleviate poverty or create jobs for the educated and talented youth of the State.

In a candid interview with Muhammad Mukaram of STATE TIMES at the picturesque Raj Bhavan in the summer capital Srinagar-in the lap of Zabarwan hills-Governor S P Malik spoke on State’s politics, militancy, governance, education, employment, and a host of other issues.

Excerpts…

‘Restoring peace my top priority’

First and foremost, I want to reassure the people of Jammu and Kashmir that restoring peace in the State will continue to be top on my agenda. In pursuit of this mission, I can go to any extent without any constraints and compulsions. My interactions with the young people have helped me understand Kashmir better. I arrived at a conclusion that our first priority should be to create conducive atmosphere in the State. Moreover, we have to convince Kashmiris that we are not separate from them but connected with them and their grievances. I don’t want to resort to rhetoric. This is not my mandate. My mission, as an apolitical entity, is to restore pristine glory of Jammu and Kashmir with people breathing and flourishing in most conducive environs.

‘Drop guns and stones, and talk’

All I can convey to militants is to do a rethink. The path that they have chosen while risking their lives is not going to yield anything. Nothing will come out of violence. See, you cannot argue with a gun-wielding militant. You can only counsel them to review their decisions and shun the path of violence, join the mainstream, and come on the negotiating table for talks. If they drop their guns, we have no hesitation in talking to them. We are prepared to enter into a dialogue with them. We are also pursuing a policy of rehabilitation for militants once they give up violence. My message to the youth of Kashmir is that they are adorable. After my interviews in the press, I have been receiving a lot of warmth and good wishes from the people of the land.

For the young boys throwing stones at the security forces and police, my message is that they have a future ahead of them. What they are doing is not their future. They should read, write and meet the expectations of their parents. And I will give them the field as well as the ball. They need to march ahead!

‘Delhi is not your enemy’

There is a lot to do here (Jammu and Kashmir). And, in a one month, we have done a lot of things as far as the development or reaching out to the people is concerned. Our priority is to give good vibes to the people, provide good governance in Jammu and Kashmir, and to convey to the people that New Delhi is not their enemy. Delhi is a friend of Kashmiris; particularly (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi is very much concerned about Kashmir. He has a policy which is based on mutual trust. From day one, my mandate was not to indulge in politics here, but to deliver good, clean, transparent, and development-oriented governance, and also complete all the pending projects. After assuming charge as Governor of the State, I have noticed that even Prime Minister’s Package has not been properly utilized. We have started working on every project whether it is the AIIMS, IITs, roads, tunnels etc. I am not seeing Jammu and Kashmir from the narrow prism of officers or bureaucrats, but as a well-wisher of the State.

‘Youth disillusioned with mainstream, Hurriyat’

Secondly, the leadership of all hues and ideologies in Jammu and Kashmir, including the mainstream, is least respected by the State’s youth. I have witnessed that the young have lost faith in the leadership. They have least expectations of the Hurriyat, too. They don’t think that the Hurriyat can deliver, especially when they invoke Pakistan on every single platform. Pakistan’s interference is unacceptable. The youth are also disappointed with Pakistan. All fundamentalists lost the elections there. Pakistan is a failed state.

‘Politicians selling unrealistic dreams’

Thirdly, it is important that people of the State are told in no uncertain terms that nothing can be achieved by the gun. I challenge anyone to debate and convince me that violence can achieve any political goals like merger with Pakistan, Aazadi, Autonomy or Self-Rule. The LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in Jaffna, Sri Lanka) was such a powerful organization; these kids (Kashmiri militants) are no match to the LTTE prowess. The LTTE was being funded by twelve countries, had its navy, aircrafts, and also enjoyed support from a country like India, but it could not achieve anything in the end except destroying its land and people.

Kashmir belongs to you. You enjoy special rights and privileges which other states of India do not. Jammu and Kashmir has a separate flag, separate constitution. Achieve whatever you can with love, dialogue, and on the negotiating table. My sole aim here is to create trust and also an atmosphere in which we can come on the negotiating table.

‘Interactions and impressions’

I take feedback from all sections of the society. Also from the security establishment, the details of which can’t be put in the public domain. However, I meet civil society delegations, lawyers, transporters, fruit growers, and everyone has a say. Overall, my impression from all interactions is that the politicians of Jammu and Kashmir have sold unrealistic dreams to the people.

A political will is needed. I assure you that New Delhi can make KashmirJannat-e-nazir (paradise on earth) once more. Witnessing the gigantic employment in J&K I issued orders for 3000-to-4000 jobs to the youth on fast-track basis. In the near future more jobs will be created.

In posh areas of Srinagar no spaces are available for; these have been occupied by top government officials. Corruption is rampant. Influential persons have appointed their kith and kin in multiple government departments. I will bring transparency and accountability in the system within a span of one month. People will feel the difference.

Moreover, there is a systemic failure in education. The growing unemployment is one of the biggest challenges, too. One of the factors why the youth are taking to arms is because the sons of elite, including politicians, are studying in good schools while a poor man’s son is in a seminary (Madrassa) where they are indoctrinated for waging Jihad. They (politicians) have pushed the youth towards darkness.

‘Caliphate is a failed concept’

There are some who wish to introduce the concept of the Caliphate in Kashmir; they do not talk about autonomy, self-rule, Aazadi. But a concept of the Caliphate is impossible in India or even in Jammu and Kashmir. Look at Syria how the concept of the Caliphate failed. Even during the partition violence and riots Kashmir remained peaceful. Not a single Hindu was killed in Kashmir, which demonstrates how Kashmir’s social fabric is.

I also advised heads of the universities and colleges to prepare youth for the IAS, IPS, and other civil service competitions so that they rule and serve in various Indian states. Also, I told them that there is no entertainment or recreation available for a Kashmiri child. So I have argued that every district should have a playground.

Courtesy: State Times