Kashmir is the most difficult job for the country: Dineshwar Sharma

• No authority has a right to talk outside Indian constitution
• I have been given a freehand to talk to anybody
• Radicalization has emerged as much bigger challenge than Azadi
• Local youth joining militancy is a big concern
• Media should fulfill their responsibility of not creating further unrest in Kashmir

Former Director of Intelligence Bureau and New Delhi’s new interlocutor for Jammu Kashmir Dineshwar Sharma in an interview with Barkha Dutt, the Contributing Editor of The Week talks about the assignment he has been tasked vis-à-vis Kashmir issue. Excerpts 

Do you feel you have one of the toughest jobs in the country right now?

Definitely. Kashmir problem is the most difficult job for the country, most difficult problem for the country.

What do you see as the biggest challenge?

The immediate challenge is to restore peace in Kashmir and bring back the youth who are moving away and getting disillusioned. For youth, are the future of Kashmir and also of the nation.

The previous interlocutor report was even not tabled in the parliament. How will you convey the message that Government of India is serious about this process this time?

I will talk to everybody and hope that I am able to convince everybody. As far as the report is concerned, there must be certain reasons why the government couldn’t not place the report in the parliament. For that this government cannot be blamed. So, there must be some reasons and I am not in the position to comment on that.

Who are the stakeholders? Is Hurriyat also among the stakeholders?

I have continuously maintained that all Indians living in Kashmir are stakeholders. They all have stake in peace in Kashmir. So, Hurriyat automatically comes in that. But whether I will talk with them or not depends upon the situation there and response from them. So, let me go there (Kashmir) and meet people. I am saying any Indian is a stakeholder. Automatically, Hurriyat are also Indians.

What is mandate given to you to set the framework?

I have totally open mandate. Anybody I can talk to or anything I can suggest. There are no boundaries, no limitation from government’s side. I have been given a freehand to talk to anybody in Kashmir.

It is upto to you to navigate the journey, but within the constitutional framework?

Of course, within the constitutional framework. No authority has a right to talk anything outside the constitution of India.

How would you deal with the challenge of radicalization in Jammu Kashmir?

Radicalization has emerged as much bigger challenge than the Azadi issue. And as Director IB I have been noticed this of course in other parts of the country but more so in Kashmir. I will go convince people; talk to teachers, parents asking them that this is going to disturb the Kashmiriyat. The youth have to be taken out of the radical thoughts which are coming from across the border.

How will you deal with the local educated militants?

I think if overall situation improves in Kashmir and if the youth start to believe that the militancy is not the way to achieve what they want to achieve then automatically they will stop going towards militancy. Definitely, the local youth joining militancy is a big concern for everybody. But if we are able to raise the hope of youth in peace and if they feel they have stake in peace and stake in Indian nation then automatically they will leave that path.

How do you respond to the people who say that “they won’t talk to a police officer”?

I will not comment on this. Only time will tell.

How do you respond to the allegation of Modi government’s U-turn on Kashmir?

In the course of history there is nothing called U-turn. If Burhan Wani was killed and immediately some interlocutor was appointed, I think that move could have been also criticized. So, government’s response depends on situations from time-to-time. And now the government has thought this is the correct time to initiate a dialogue.

And has media fraternity become a part of problem instead of part of a solution?

I can only say that media has got a huge national responsibility. They should play a constructive role and fulfill their responsibility of not creating further unrest in Kashmir.

You are considered to be a dove in the establishment of hawks. Do you see yourself as a dove?

Let me see. But I will definitely like to meet Kashmiris with all compassion.

One message for the people of Jammu Kashmir?

I request all the youth to see this is a great opportunity; to see the region; and leave the path of violence.