Division of land - in whichever context - has been fraught with fear; be it between states, provinces, or on a micro level between communities and even among siblings. Precursor to such a division, as well as aftermath of the division has invariably been bloodstained. We, as a nation, have been witness to a nightmare at the time of partition - by dividing land between Hindus and Muslims. We have been close ally to Bangladesh in its partition from Pakistan. Mahagujarat Andolan for creation of Gujarat or Maharashtra - Karnataka animosity does not date too far away to be forgotten.
Today we hear clamor from north for independence - for an independent state of Kashmir. While the rest of the country relishes fruits of development, increased employment opportunities, raising living standards - Kashmir looks on, as a bystander. Youth seek work, old seek peace and promise. Men and women seek respectable work and inclusion in the larger Indian society.
Whenever the cries for dividing land become audible, we should realize that there is some injustice perpetrated, or at least it is perceived to be so. Kashmir issue has already cost thousands of lives. The issue is not only fueled by continued mistrust between India and Pakistan, or by militants and separatists in the region; but equally by the lack of political will, and presence of political ill-will of powers that be. The region plagued by the continued strife and loss of lives, wealth and opportunities would surely look forward to empathetic response to its plight from the nation of which it happens to be a part. Just about when war cries were dying down, and violence seemed to be on lower ebb; a few reckless acts on the part of some miscreants in armed forces, and mishandling of the issues by the administration evoked unprecedented response from the populace. Never, not even in the times of high militancy, was public response so powerful and so demanding. This time, it was not militants with AK47s that Indian army was up against. It was against the stone-pelting youth and unarmed women and children with cries of 'Intifada'. It is almost four months now, and the sentiments of Kashmiris do not seem to relent.
What has brought Kashmir to this impasse? Lack of development, and lack of employment opportunities are surely a reason. But at the root of it all remains one reason that has plagued India almost since independence - political indifference. Political insensitivity to the issues and needs of the society have cost India more than perhaps any other single reason. How else can we explain the loss of thousands of metric tons of food grain when starvation deaths are common in the country? How long can we ignore the reckless expenditure and shameless corruption in CWG when we are unable to provide quality primary education and minimum acceptable medicare to millions in rural India? How justified is it to seek Permanent Membership of UNSC when security back home is the hostage of Naxals?
I am definitely not against CWG or UNSC, but I surely want to have other concerns well addressed too. Post-Independence, we had highly idealist leadership - often un-pragmatist too. Then came the era of populist leadership in Seventies. It was only a brief phase during Eighties that one party - BJP started attracting intellectuals and pragmatic nationalists in political fold. But come Nineties, and there was hardly anything differentiating the two major political parties. Populist and divisive politics again took the center stage. Though the economic liberalization and globalization has helped the society largely move out of political stranglehold, politicians will remain relevant as long as governance remains a necessity - forever. This makes it all the more important to chose leaders we deserve (or, have been choosing leaders that we deserve only!).
It is time we divide people - identify people in political corridors who are sensitive to human misery, and are sensible enough to act before it is too late. It is time we realize we need to draw a line between people who would work for India and who would work for their self aggrandizement. We as nation need to demarcate people as good and as bad, and afford them responsibility to steer the nation to the glory it deserves.
