Kashmir quagmire: Dual stance leads nowhere
Central government has announced ceasefire during the month of Ramzan against Kashmir extremists. Home minister Rajnath Singh had referred to the preparedness of central government to engage in talks provided the Hurriyat conference gave its concurrence to find solution to Kashmir problem. Though the issue has mellowed down for the time being, the instigating talks by BJP leaders is doing more harm than good. Rajyasabha member D P Vatsa stating those pelting stones at defence forces in Kashmir must be shot dead, has created a furore. This could add more complexities to Kashmir problem that’s already in a quagmire.
According to the statement made by Home Minister Rajnath Singh in the Parliament, about 39,918 people have been killed in Kashmir in incidents of violence between 1990 and 2011. But the separatists believe the actual number is more than double of what’s on the record. Government told the parliament that 13,224 people and 5,369 members from armed forces have been killed in various incidents of violence. Though state and central governments underwent a change during this time in Kashmir, the violence relating to the region has never come down, and innocents are paying the price with their lives.
After announcing ceasefire, Rajnath Singh visited Srinagar on June 8 and took stock of response pattern and preparedness of security forces. He instructed the officers to withdraw cases against minors held for pelting stones. Accordingly cases against 530 boys has been withdrawn. While the home minister is trying to bring situation under control, his other colleagues are instigating the situation for worse.
Whatever it is, only talks alone can solve the problem of Kashmir. Joint Hurriyat Leadership too has exhibited its willingness to participate in the talks with the government of India. At the same time, the leadership has sought our government to clear air on a few topics. Though the extremists did attempt to create problems, things seems to be under control now. But the recent statements by some few BJP leaders can create a situation of disharmony.
Central government needs to take people into its trust circles, even before engaging with the Hurriyat. The government needs to clear the air in people’s mind regarding their safety. Owing to some impulsive decisions made by Modi four years ago when he occupied the PM chair, people of Kashmir are in great problems. Women and children have also taken to streets to pelt stones and make their unhappiness known to the authorities.
Some off-the-top decisions regarding safety and security as initiated by the new government has created massive issues especially for women and children. Youths are attracted to illegal and anti-government activities. Central govt needs to engage them with great forthcoming attitude to get their attention.
Central govt needs to assure to people of Kashmir that they wouldn’t choose the same violent path to control the mobs, including absolute dropping use of pellet guns against protesting women and children. A conducive atmosphere needs to be created by releasing leaders such as Shabeer Shah, assuring total inquiry into incidents of firing undertaken by armed forces.
Ministers contradicting home minister Rajnath Singh must be strictly told to stay off the issue and not to issue any media statement since this is not helping the cause. The government must show total commitment to resolving Kashmir issue through talks and discussions.
The BJP led govt had appointed Intelligence chief Dineshwar Sharma as intermediary last year. Mr Sharma has said: Unless the violence is contained and people’s consensus is collected, there would be no use to any discussions on this issue. His statement clearly shows the lopsided approach governments have taken to sort out the issue. Central government needs to draw up innovative plans to engage the youths who are increasingly getting drawn to extremist activities. Hence defence forces need to engage in bringing down the violence than taking decisions that further deepen the damage.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh could have given even more concrete assurances of ceasefire in order to encourage positivity and talks between government and separatists. Negative approach or aggression will not provide any solution to Kashmir problem, ever. Union government’s ceasefire in Ramzan month is the most appropriate gesture. If this positive reinforcement is continued, the people of that region may even come around to sit down and talk with the government and being part of it. If clarity is not reached, this issue may continue to exist for a few more years.
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Pope Leo XIV calls for aid to reach Gaza and an end to hostilities in his first general audience
Vatican City (AP): Pope Leo XIV called for humanitarian aid to reach the Gaza Strip and for an end to the “heartbreaking” toll on its people, as he presided over his first general audience in St. Peter's Square.
The Vatican said that around 40,000 people were on hand for the audience, which came just days after an estimated 200,000 people attended the inaugural Mass on Sunday for history's first American pope.
Leo, the former Cardinal Robert Prevost of Chicago, began the audience with a tour through the piazza in the popemobile and stopped to bless several babies. In addressing specific greetings to different groups of pilgrims, Leo spoke in his native English, his fluent Spanish as well as the traditional Italian of the papacy.
“I renew my heartfelt appeal to allow the entrance of dignified humanitarian aid to Gaza and to put an end to the hostilities whose heartbreaking price is being paid by children, the elderly, and sick people,” he said.
The general audience on Wednesdays is a weekly appointment that popes have kept for decades to allow ordinary faithful to have a face-to-face encounter with the pontiff. It features the pope delivering a brief reflection on a theme or Scripture passage, with summaries provided by others in different languages and the pope directing specific messages to particular faith groups.
The encounter, which lasts more than an hour, usually ends with a brief topical appeal by the pope about a current issue or upcoming event. Leo began it with his now-frequent mantra “Peace be with you.”
To that end, Leo on Tuesday reaffirmed the Vatican's willingness to host the next round of ceasefire talks between Russia and Ukraine during a phone call with Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, the Italian leader's office said.
Meloni made the call after speaking with U.S. President Donald Trump and other European leaders, who asked her to verify the Holy See's offer.
“Finding in the Holy Father the confirmation of the willingness to welcome the next talks between the parties, the premier expressed profound gratitude for Pope Leo XIV's willingness and his incessant commitment in favor of peace,” Meloni's office said in a statement late Tuesday.
Trump had referred to the Vatican's longstanding offer to host talks in reporting on his phone call Monday with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
While low-level talks could take place in Rome, Italy would be hard-pressed to allow Putin to fly into Rome for any higher-level negotiation. Putin is subject to an international arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court, of which Italy is a founding member and therefore obliged to execute its warrants.
