By Dr. Ved Pratap Vaidik

The way our Indian parliament discussed the Kashmir issue proves that our democracy is vibrant and alive. It feels the grievances and pains of all its citizens as its own. Hats off to all the factions of the assembly that have joined hands in unanimously demanding  the application of a soothing ointment on the festering wounds of Kashmir’s public.

Rajnath Singh, Home Minister of the very government that was being blamed for partisanship and narrow mindedness has demanded that the government would talk to all Kashmiri parties, groups and factions.

Translated by Rashid Latif Ansari

Obviously, it would not talk to insurgents and their covert  supporters, which is quite understandable – there is no need to negotiate with those who challenge the government’s sovereignty.

To deal with such elements, the government prefers using force rather than logic or, tit for tat. However, the reasons for this policy aside, I think that there is no harm in talking even with those who believe in violence.

I strongly believe that logic can prove far more effective than brute force. I have been holding forthright discussions with Tamil insurgents of Sri Lanka, Mizo mutineers, Khalistan’s violent supporters, our Hurriyat leaders and even persons like Pakistan’s  Hafiz Saeed. Such dialogue results in softening the attitudes of many enemies of the country. Our polite attitude and logic discourse had positive affect on them and some who wanted to dismember India have become its friends.

Even when two countries declare war, they still keep on negotiating. Can a local insurgent be more hostile than an external, warmongering enemy? Insurgents are after all our own misguided citizens. It is the obligation of both the government and society to  guide our youth on to the right track. It is very unfortunate that over the past few years our various governments were short on intellectuals who could engage insurgents and fifth columnists in logical discourse.

Our politicians will now be talking to Kashmiris, but wouldn’t it be marvelous if some persons of integrity, social workers, Hindu clerics and some Muslim priests could also step forward to join them?

I have a complaint against our Kashmiri brothers as well. Why have they opted for stones, guns and bombs? Do they have more weaponry than the government of India? If they choose the path of violence, they will reach nowhere, even in decades. Pakistan is itself  the greatest victim of insurgency.

I appeal to our Kashmiri youth to discard violence. Instead, they should tour each and every province of India and have frank discussions with the public. If they put forth weighty arguments in favour of their case, the public will support them. Our governments  cannot go against the wishes of their masses and thrust their own will. After all, India is a truly democratic set up, isn’t it?

The writer, a senior Indian journalist and analyst, and the translator, a retired Pakistani civil servant, are voluntarily contributing to Aman ki Asha with the aim of promoting greater understanding between the two neighbors. The first of this occasional series was “Edhi:  touching hearts beyond borders”