Author: Hari Jaisingh
Publication: The Pioneer
Date: April 6, 2007
One major tragedy of Indian governance has
been the failure of leaders to take hard decisions on burning issues facing
the nation at a given time and in a given situation either because of their
politics of expediency or the lack of political will, or both. Any number
of examples can be cited to prove this point. The latest instance of drift
in the polity is Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's decision to appoint a committee
to go into the country's most sensitive issue of reduction of troops deployed
in Jammu & and Kashmir.
This is basically a political move meant to
appease PDP leader Mufti Mohammed Sayeed and keep the power show going in
Srinagar. The former Chief Minister had threatened to pull out of his party's
alliance with the Congress unless his demand for a cut in troops was not responded
to. The Mufti was apparently playing his brand of Kashmiri politics with an
eye to the next Assembly poll. Nothing wrong with such a strategy provided
it does not help separatist elements in the Valley and foreign adversaries.
As it is, Kashmiri politics derives its sustenance
from competitive emotional outbursts rather than on rational thinking. Such
postures have been very much part of the Valley's landscape right from the
fiery days of the 'Lion of Kashmir', Sheikh Abdullah. But then learning from
history is not a strong point with Indian leaders. In any case, our immediate
concern is security of Jammu & Kashmir and its people. This vital matter
has been terribly politicised, which might affect the morale of Indian forces
pitted against the most difficult task of countering cross-border terrorism
and tackling the "enemies" within.
The Mufti is a mature politician. He conducted
himself fairly well during his first inning of power-share in the PDP-Congress
alliance. It is a pity that he has now taken to the dangerous path of overlooking
harsh realities of militant activities. Here what is important to remember
is that the ISI's anti-India agenda to grab Jammu & Kashmir by hook or
by crook has not yet been abandoned, notwithstanding Gen Pervez Musharraf's
sweet talk and warm smile. For that matter, Islamabad is yet to wind up the
training camps for terrorists in PoK and Pakistan's border areas.
In view of these harsh facts, nearly one third
of our 1.13-million strong Army is deployed in the State. This includes around
80,000 soldiers drawn from the specialised counter-insurgency force, the Rashtriya
Rifles. The troops have a tough task ahead since several unknown factors are
constantly at play in the State and beyond, The ISI is as active as ever.
The various militant groups are busy regrouping themselves under new labels.
If infiltration has of late come down it is mainly because the Indian forces
have been on guard. In this setting, any lowering of the guard in Jammu &
Kashmir could be disastrous. This has to be addressed to by the country's
political bosses.
One understands the political compulsions
of Congress leaders. They have to keep the power show going. This committee
proposition could be tactical but what is not realised is that in the process
this sends out wrong signals, especially when Congress Chief Minister in the
alliance Government Ghulam Nabi Azad has taken a bold position publicly opposing
the Mufti's suggestion for reduction in the deployment of troops. He reiterated
his stand more vigorously after the killing of a Congress leader in Baramullah
district by a militant group. It is indeed regrettable that the Central leadership
has not taken its own Chief Minister in Srinagar all that seriously.
Interestingly, the proposed mechanism on troops
cut has three distinctive facets. One, the expert panel, to be headed by the
Defence Secretary, will have representatives from the Ministries of Defence,
Home Affairs, armed forces and the Jammu & Kashmir Government. It will
determine whether there is need to relocate and re-configurate security forces.
It will also examine the viability of relocating security forces from civilian
areas. Two, a review committee will go into the "application of the Armed
Forces (Special Powers) Act to different areas of Jammu & Kashmir".
Three, ironically enough, though Mr Azad had sought keeping out "political
elements" from the panels, a high-powered committee will be headed by
Defence Minister AK Antony which would "take decisions on the recommendations
made by the expert panel and review committee".
Apparently, there are wheels within wheels
in this entire exercise and it will be difficult to tell which wheel is operating
at whose behest and for what purpose. Can national security be subjected to
such a rigmarole approach? Certainly not. Hard decisions have to be taken
in totality and owned by the Prime Minister.
The implications of all these moves are crystal
clear: It is a pure and simple politicisation of national security concerns.
This does not augur well for the country's image. Security matters cannot
be allowed to become playthings of politicians. They are best left to professional
assessment by experts. As it is, security forces regularly monitor the deployment
of troops as per needs of the situation. They are in a better position to
decide on rationalisation of troop movement or redeployment.
Viewed in this light, the Prime Minister could
have personally handled the matter with the assistance from security experts
and save his Government from the clutches of the committee raj. But then,
who cares? To say this is not to suggest that the Prime Minister does not
care. His problem is that he is politically weak and hence lacks guts. That
is the reason why he gives the impression of being vulnerable to varied political
pressures. The Prime Minister clearly lacks the art of firm political governance.
No wonder he takes shelter under the umbrella of committees that go by the
golden rule: Postpone hard decisions and buy momentary peace for political
survival.
The country cannot afford to project a soft
image of itself in the strategic State of Jammu & Kashmir. The point is:
India must not bend to undesirable political pressures in the Valley. We have
already seen the devastating results of such experiments. National security
is not for bargaining!
