Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit in Srinagar tomorrow would be judged on the touchstone of commitments made by him at a rally here in December last year. He is coming amidst times of great hope and despair for the people of this wounded paradise where many shifts and turns have taken place ever since the BJP came to power riding piggyback on the ultra Kashmir-centric and Muslim-oriented Peoples Democratic Party.
Kashmir could become his “karambhoomi”, if he wishes so, because of multiple reasons. This is the only Muslim-majority state, where his party BJP, being a partner in the ruling coalition, could give him a cutting edge in involving Kashmir in the new discourse of development and peace.
During last year’s rally in Kashmir, Modi had envisioned making J&K the model state of the country, ushering in permanent peace, by traversing the path laid down by his illustrious predecessor Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who had made epoch-making promise to resolve the Kashmir issue within the ambit of “humanity” and then had gone to “extend the hand of friendship to Pakistan.”
Now, his words will be watched carefully on the current tolerance versus intolerance debate in the country. This point has been underscored in a BJP banner welcoming him to the land of “Nund Rishi and Lal Ded”, the inspirational icons of Hindu-Muslim co-existence in Kashmir.
Expectations are running high among Kashmiris. They want Modi to deliver on all his promises – to rehabilitate the flood victims of September last year, make Kashmir as the model destination for tourists and provide development and corruption-free governance. He also is expected to unfold his road map towards Pakistan, separatists and, more importantly, towards the people of Kashmir.
On the south of Pir Panjal, Jammu wants to hear how would Modi end an era of discrimination with the region that has been yearning for equal playing field in the political representation and decision-making in the affairs of the state. The region expects more than worn-out clichés of “equitable development”.
Kashmiris are willing to take risks and attend the PM’s rally, which the ruling PDP-BJP combine is working hard to make a historic one. Few wonder why the BJP has to toil hard to get a few thousand participants for the rally when it claims that it has three lakh members in the Valley.
“I want him to announce clean drinking water schemes, better schools, housing policy and above all an end to corruption.” This is what Mubassir Ahmad of Chanpora, Srinagar, expects from the Prime Minister, reflecting a general dissatisfaction with the state of affairs.
“Our blood boils when we see 10th pass in government jobs and graduates and postgraduates labouring in jungles and fields. This is a problem of unemployment more than it is of corruption,” Shabir Lone of Ganderbal candidly expresses his anger. He wants the Prime Minister to do something about these burning issues.
The common Kashmiri is still struggling to see good and corruption- free governance. “I want peace, where I can do my things freely without any fear, but the fear is lurking all around. Things are bad. Militancy is staging a comeback and we are afraid of grenade explosions, encounters and new check points have come up all across. This is an atmosphere of desperation.”
These are the voices of common people who think politicians have clouded their future.
“If Modi can secure our future then he will be our hero.” This is the chorus on the streets of Kashmir.
Kashmir can become Modi’s karambhoomi, if he so wishes
