JK News Today Commentary
. With one after another constituents of All Parties Hurriyat Conference ,the separatist conglomerate that defined Kashmir politics for almost quarter of a century since its inception in early 1990s, is a big symbolism of the things to come in future .This development started in the recent weeks as these group became aware of the changing realities in Kashmir following the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah termed the change in the attitude of the erstwhile separatist groups and their unequivocal demonstrative faith in the unity and integrity of India as “ rule of the spirit f unity in J&K under the Modi government..” This is the most appropriate definition of the changing times in J&K .
It is a big signal of change from the days when the idea of separatism was percolated down to the masses through the fear of terrorism , directed by Pakistan , and rather simultaneously with the floating of separatist groups , including business and trade unions under the banner of All Parties Hurriyat Conference . Despite its formal division in September 2003 into two factions – Hurriyat Conference ( M) and Hurriyat Conference ( G) named after their Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Syed Ali Shah Geelani respectively , the groupings continue to sow and nurture the idea of secessionism , it translated into giving a political legitimacy to the acts of extremist violence and terrorism
At the time of its formation in early 1993 after huge deliberations which began in November- December 1992 , months after the release of leaders like Syed Ali Shah Geelani , Abdul Gani Lone and others after they had spent two years in prison on charges of stoking terrorism in Kashmir , this amalgam positioned itself as the real and ole voice of the people of Kashmir .
The Indian system had collapsed . Its writ was limited to Raj Bhavan , and at the best within the Secretariat . There was no elected government , and the idea of reviving mainstream politics or contesting election was equal to inviting death warrants . Scores of National Conference, including former ministers and MLAs, and Congress workers were killed by terrorists . There was a complete political vacuum . It was filled by the Hurriyat Conference – out and out a secessionism promoting conglomerate .
Wheel of the time and the situation has turned full circle..The realization of futility in staying in the APHC or its factions is not just a sudden awakening , this change has come after they fund themselves and their ideology of separatism losing its relevance , and sis such they found themselves isolated in the transformed Kashmir. In simple words , they found themselves excluded from the growing constituency of mainstream in the Valley.
All the groups , about a dozen of them, renounced separatism and affirmed their faith in the Constitution of India , underlining their commitment to the unity and integrity of India ,because they saw that the people were embracing peace and idea of India with enthusiasm. The people found themselves liberated from their blinkers that had kept the reality hidden from them for three decades. Separatists have started seeing this change , and recognized the fact that they could not remain isolated .They found a way out for them in joining the mainstream.
This change also reflects their complete disillusionment with Pakistan that misled the people of Kashmir , invoking the theories of Muslim fraternity transcending borders to stoke anti- India sentiment and action. Pakistan always played a card of sowing disharmony in secular society and ethos of Kashmir with the idea that Muslims were a different nation , and as such their place was in Pakistan or in the idea of Pakistan. There was a time when it could , exploit this theory based on its original idea of two-nation theory . Kashmiri Muslims had rejected that in 1947-48 . But Pakistan never relented in making mischief on this count in Muslim-majority state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Now, with Hurriyat Conference facing decimation, a new future is in store for the people of Kashmir. . When the protagonists of separatism have renounced separatism, it will have its own impact on the future . New generation is watching and learning from this . Their hopes pinned on India, as their own country holding all opportunities for them is beckoning them into the nation building , which Union Home Minister Amit Shah aptly described as a “ victory of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for “ Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat.”
