JK News Today
Commentary
All of a sudden there was a gush of new idioms , “ the victory of Generation Z” over the obstinacy of an indifferent government , as if the two were playing an adverbial role to each other. This is patently wrong .The resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on July 25 as a result of the government’s negotiations with the representatives of Cockroach Janta Party, which had led nearly six-week-long protests at Jantar Mantar in Delhi , had a context and compulsion . To stretch it to the victory and defeat terms is harmful for the country.
At the time , India is facing huge challenges , and to divide the nation in the victory versus defeat discourse vis-à-vis an elected government that epitomises progress in all spheres against formidable odds at the national and international levels , is nothing but an act against the nation .The whole range of students’ protest at Jantar Mantar , and the government’s response by accepting their demands including the resignation of a minister , need to be seen through a realistic prism . It is not time for emotion , but to find a way forward for the nation .
Jammu and Kashmir is a classic example of how things change if there is a decisive government in place, which doesn’t hesitate in taking steps that were once considered suicidal .This state, which is now a Union Territory, has seen decades of terrorist violence, leaving thousands dead, tens of thousands wounded and maimed , and many more displaced – lakhs were forced to flee the land of their ancestors.
Today, it is on a path of peace and where aspirations are met with opportunities . This could have happened before too, but there was a lack of will to take tough decisions against terrorists and their backers in the system .That was not only killing people or making them homeless, it was killing their hope . There can be no hope without peace , and no opportunity can survive in an atmosphere of uncertainties .
Why and where do J&K figure in this Jantar Mantar protests and resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan ?Frankly speaking , it should not have any impact on the situation in this geography that is coming out of the darkest shadows of the past . But it will have if the narrative of victory and defeat is brought home , particularly by those linking this episode to incite the youth against the system. They have their own vested interests , as they believe that their only remaining task. is to distort the picture of peace and its protagonists. For the past six years, Kashmiri children have been going to their school without any disruptions in their academic calendar , as the general shutdowns and stone – throwing have vanished . Colleges and universities are engaged in academic activities , enriching their knowledge and research .
Clarity has come to their understanding of the situation and geopolitical thinking that India is their country, with their flag and the national anthem. The confusion and chaos of the past has given way to new thinking .
A question may arise , if all this is happening, why should the narrative of victory versus defeat impact them? The answer lies in the real understanding of the atmosphere- though terrorism has been tamed to a large extent, disruptive elements have not given up completely . The tragic incident of killing of a Head Constable Ashiq Hussain Qureshi in Lal Chowk, the main crossing in Anantnag, a famous town in south Kashmir, exemplifies the problem. Terrorists are there. Their number may be in the double digits , but they have the potential to cause problem.
In Kashmir, victory versus defeat is not seen in the context of merely student protesters and the way their demands were conceded by the government. Its interpretation is different. It tends to take an anti-national turn, as many spin doctors are still active and always look for such occasions. They thrive because of their ideological conviction to the two-nation theory, looking for gaps to fill the vacuum.
It is after many years that Kashmir’s education system is on track. Students and teachers have learned that the path ahead leads to Delhi, but they are also vulnerable to distorted versions of events. At this point, it is necessary to drive home the point made by Home Minister Amit Shah that, ‘For BJP workers, the country and our youth are far more important than any position,’ citing the instance of Pradhan’s resignation in this context.
The BJP is synonymous with the Modi government as the voters gave an overwhelming mandate to the party and Modi to govern the country for a third consecutive term in 2024. This message is very loud and clear, and all those misinterpreting the July 25 events should be aware that it is the Modi government alone that can deliver on its promises to the people as it has done in the past over the last 12 years .That is clear and that is the only narrative that is relevant in J&K and the rest of the country.
