IIPA Lecture on Peace Process in J&K
Set own house in order to make Pakistan irrelevant: Dr Bhan
Lauding the Central Government for initiating steps to isolate Pakistan and make the hostile neighbour irrelevant, the former DG Police Dr Ashok Bhan advocated a “look inwards” approach to set own house in order and deny Pakistan favourable conditions to foment trouble and violence in the State. He was speaking at an IIPA organized lecture on “Peace Process in Jammu and Kashmir”. Dr S.S.Bloeria, former Chief Secretary, presided over the programme.
Dr Bhan traced the progress in conflict resolution beginning from the revival of Political process in mid 1990s. He elaborated on the role of security forces and police to bring violence down to manageable levels, the reduction of democratic deficit through credible elections, impact of Indo-Pak relations on the peace process and role of development and good governance.
The commitment shown by successive Central Governments to allow democratic exercises particularly uninterrupted elections to the State Assembly despite serious impediments like hostile security environment, agitation of 2008, floods of 2014 was cited as huge contributor to the peace process with increase in voter turnout as well as throwing up of a variety of possibilities to govern the state.
Dr Bhan described the sinister role of Pakistan in fomenting trouble and how all Indian efforts to engage her in bilateral dialogue had failed. With Pakistan soil being used continuously to promote terrorism to attack targets in J&K and elsewhere in the country, India has rightly chosen to isolate Pakistan internationally and send a strong signal of its intent through “surgical strikes”, said the speaker. He cautioned that if we don’t set our own house in order, Pakistan will continue to have a fertile ground to exploit. Therefore, while preparedness to tackle any retaliation by Pakistan and strong security measures are imperative, the Government must also reach out to all stakeholders within the state. “The mandate of the Assembly Elections of 2014 needs to be understood and attempts made to fulfill it”, said the speaker. He also labeled development and governance as “slow healers” with chances of relapse as seen in 2008, 2010 and 2016 and advocated deft political handling to find a lasting solution within the limits set by the Constitution of India. He traced some of the causes of present turmoil and suggested short term, medium term and long term approaches to strengthen the Peace Process.
The address was followed by discussion on the issues raised by the speaker.
In his Presidential remarks, Dr S.S. Bloeria, IAS (Retd), Former Chief Secretary, J&K said that India should focus on both the internal and external dimensions. While elaborating on internal dimensions he said that enough effort should be made to integrate people of the state; build and nurture credible political leadership; and build national consensus about J&K across political spectrum. Simultaneously on the external dimension, India should project its position at the international platforms; effectively resist and respond to nuclear blackmail of our neighbor and consolidate and use national power to good effect.
Prof. Alka Sharma, Director (Seminars) introduced the subject while Er. J B S Johar, Honorary Secretary presented the formal vote of thanks. Dr. Anil Gupta, Joint Secretary, IIPA conducted the proceedings of the function.
