Too Much of Fury Where There is Opportunity

As usual, TV channels have been hyperventilating over the visit of Hurriyat leaders and their public engagement with Pakistani diplomats in New Delhi. A section even went to the extent of asking the Modi establishment to take steps to thwart their visits to the Pakistan embassy. This argument is churlish. After the successful election in the state and the establishment of the PDP-BJP government in Jammu and Kashmir, separatists have been losing traction.

The common minimum programme adopted by the new alliance, independent observers feel, can bridge the political gap between the Valley and other parts of the state. Separatism can be defeated only if the alliance addresses the valid grievances of all stakeholders in the state. Besides, the Government at the Centre and the state administration should both engage the Hurriyat in a dialogue. This is not a blasphemous idea, as some TV anchors would have us believe. There exist some precedents. And talks are the way forward.

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