“W e note with deep anguish the recent escalation in violence in Kashmir. This has led to avoidable loss of civilian lives as well as that of security force personnel. What is worse is that the violence shows no signs of abating. In fact, it is being stoked further by unrestrained public statements by various actors and the talk of revenge. It is also evident that despite being aware of the futility of picking up arms, an increasing number of desperate youngsters are joining the ranks of militants,” said a statement issued by a group of former high-ranking Indian government officials and noted journalists and academics.
The statement was signed by Yashwant Sinha, former external affairs and finance minister of India; Rajmohan Gandhi, historian and author; A.P.Shah, former chief justice of Delhi High Court; Wajahat Habibullah, former chairman of the Indian National Commission for Minorities; Vappala Balachandran, the former special secretary at the cabinet secretariat of Indian government; Kapil Kak, retired air-vice marshal; KC Singh, former secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs; Bharat Bhushan, journalist; and Sushobha Barve, the executive secretary of the Centre for Dialogue and Reconciliation.
The statement added, “At this critical juncture, when an entire generation of young Kashmiris finds itself at a crossroads, we would like to urge everyone concerned to step back from the conflict. While picking up arms by the militants is bound to attract the use of force against them by the State, intensifying the confrontation can only worsen the situation. The solution to the present crisis in J&K lies in dialogue at the appropriate political level. Only by winning the hearts and minds of the people can their faith in the political process be restored.”
Published in Daily Times, April 11th 2018.
