‘Kashmir needs solace, way out; rhetoric no solution’

Afaq Bhat
Srinagar, Oct 30: After 14 months of abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of the erstwhile J&K State into two union territories, mainstream leaders in Kashmir are making massive attempts to rejuvenate their camps.
An analyst while talking to Precious Kashmir said, “The political activities have witnessed a proper revival after the release of former J&K chief minister and Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti.”
He said, “When National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah and his son Omar Abdullah were released they tried their best to stay away from the controversies but after Mehbooba’s release the father-son duo has realized that they cannot act as mute spectators.”
The analyst said, “Mehbooba is trying to outsmart everyone and is making every possible attempt to emerge as a top leader in Kashmir. But she needs to be reminded that the Centre is in no mood to allow anyone to become larger than his or her size.”
An observer said, “Kashmiri leaders are telling the people that they can get everything back and abrogation of Article 370 is not acceptable to them.”
Referring to the recent statement of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, that some people are “creating confusion” by claiming that the Article 370 will be restored, the observer said, “The Prime Minister’s statement is a rebuff to all who are talking about getting everything back. When J&K was turned into a Union Territory, Union Home Minister Amit Shah promised at the floor of the house that J&K’s statehood will be restored as soon as the normalcy returns. At present the only thing which the Kashmir based politicians can bargain for is the restoration of statehood, nothing less, nothing more.”
He said, “Kashmir based leaders are out to rebuild their profiles and for that they can promise moon and stars to the people but a common man is aware of the fact that the power lies with New Delhi and no one can compel the Centre to change its decisions.”
Another analyst said, “The Kashmir based leaders need to assess the ground situation rather than jumping the gun. As on date J&K has lost everything and the clock cannot be reversed by raising hue and cry.”
He said, “Politicians need to put their act together and fight for what is achievable. They cannot run after illusions and tell people that nothing is impossible. People of Kashmir are struggling for the past 2-years. All the sectors have been hit due to COVID-19. They need solace and a way out rather than rhetoric.”

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