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 Accordingly cases against 530 boys has been withdrawn.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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'Engineered narratives': West Bengal guv on alleged molestation charges against him
Kolkata, May 2: West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose on Thursday said he will not be cowed down by “engineered narratives” and the "truth shall triumph” after TMC leaders claimed that a woman working at Raj Bhavan levelled allegations of molestation against him.
In a statement, the Governor said, “Truth shall triumph. I refuse to be cowed down by engineered narratives. If anybody wants some election benefits by maligning me, God bless them. But they cannot stop my fight against corruption and violence in Bengal,”
To the Raj Bhavan staff "who expressed solidarity with him following some derogatory narratives that were circulated by two disgruntled employees as agents of political parties," a communication by Raj Bhawan said.
The Governor’s statement came after senior TMC leaders claimed this evening in a series of social media posts that the woman, who had levelled the allegations, has been taken to a police station to complain against Bose.
Though police sources said they received a verbal complaint, there was no official word on whether a formal complaint had been registered.
“BIG. Bengal governor CV Ananda Bose was accused of molesting a woman. How utterly appalling and Horrifying. Ahead of @narendramodi visit to Kolkata who is supposed to stay overnight at Raj Bhavan, a woman has alleged that she was molested while she went to meet the Governor at Raj Bhavan today. The complainant has been taken to the Hare Street police station for filing a complaint. The woman has accused the Governor of molesting her. Shocking and disgraceful,” TMC Rajya Sabha MP Sagarika Ghose said in a post on X.
Fellow TMC MP Saket Gokhale also posted on his X account regarding the issue.
West Bengal Women and Child Development Minister Shashi Panja said it is “shameful” that the Governor has maligned his post and has used it to “torture a woman”.
“It is appalling and shocking to see such an incident. This is the same Governor who had reached out to Sandeshkhali to talk about women’s rights and Nari Shakti. This is shameful that the Governor sought undue advantages in the pretext of giving her a permanent job. We want Prime Minister Narendra Modi who will be addressing rallies in Bengal tomorrow to react on this issue,” she said.
According to sources in the Governor's House, the "woman employee with the help of her alleged boyfriend who is also an employee of the Raj Bhavan was blocking complaints (from people) being sent to the Election Commission of India.
"When she was reprimanded for that, she went outside and alleged molestation. She is in the habit of throwing tantrums against her colleagues because of some disease," a Raj Bhavan official said.
The West Bengal Governor and the TMC government have shared an acrimonious relationship since he assumed office in November 2022 and had several run-ins on various issues.
The BJP said it has to be seen whether this a “conspiracy by the TMC” or has an “iota of truth in it”.
“We all know that the TMC is politically cornered on the issue of SSC scam and is looking for a breathing space. So this needs to be seen whether this is a conspiracy by the TMC or it has any iota of truth in it,” BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari said.
BIG. Bengal governor CV Ananda Bose accused of molesting a woman. How utterly APPALLING and HORRIFYING. Ahead of @narendramodi visit to Kolkata who is supposed to stay overnight at Raj Bhavan, a woman has alleged that she was molested while she went to meet the Governor at Raj…
— Sagarika Ghose (@sagarikaghose) May 2, 2024
Shameful that a constitutional office holder should try to prejudice an impartial investigation by attacking the motive of the complainant. We have seen this happen in that infamous Saturday Hearing of the Supreme Court. Respect women! https://t.co/E6eJLQvFXO
— sanjoy ghose (@advsanjoy) May 2, 2024
