It is no secret that India's Hindu extremist organisations want perpetual confrontation with Pakistan. If that is not bad enough the present New Delhi government is interested more in appeasing its ultra nationalist constituency than to act in a responsible manner, letting them hound out Pakistani artists, singers and players at slightest of pretexts. In a latest incident, a group of 50 Pakistani students and teachers on a five-day "peace and harmony" exchange visit was abruptly told to go home because Shiv Sena had threatened to harm them. These 11-15 years old youngsters panicked at hearing the ouster news, staying in their rooms until the departure time next morning. They had come to promote peace and harmony and found hatred, the memory of which might stay with them for the rest of their lives.

If the government wanted, it could have ensured their safety providing necessary security. That unfortunately was not to be. In fact, government officials told the NGO hosting the Pakistanis to send them back. This happened close on the heels of a visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's special emissary, Sajjan Jindal, for a meeting with PM Nawaz Sharif, seen as a much welcome indication that New Delhi was mulling resuming the stalled dialogue process. The present incident does not inspire confidence. What triggered the Sena's threat, reports say, was the Delhi government's allegation - rejected by Islamabad - that Pakistani soldiers had killed two members of an Indian army patrol and mutilated their bodies. Whatever happened on the Line of Control, few dispute the fact that the situation in Occupied Kashmir has slipped out of the Indian government's control despite relentless oppression. And to divert international attention from its gross human rights violations India blames Pakistan for its troubles in the Valley.

Many within that country are of this opinion. In a recent interview with the 'Indian Express', a former RAW chief, A. S. Dulat, who served as prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's adviser on Kashmir, more than acknowledged that what is going on in Kashmir is essentially an indigenous movement. In the last five years, he said, Pakistan tried its best to unite all factions of the Hurriyat Conference (separatist groups' umbrella organisation) but failed; and that "now they have got together because this Indian government doesn't even look at them." Dulat also noted that "militancy was more then [in 1990, when Pakistan was said to be promoting militant infiltration] but today the situation is scarier. Today, they are proud of being stone pelters. They are no longer hiding. Schoolgirls and women are coming out to throw stones. The Kashmir situation has never been so bad." Furthermore, he said "it's easier to talk to Pakistan than to Kashmiris." Other saner elements have also been saying India has lost the Kashmiri people, advising their government to hold talks with all stakeholders: separatists' leadership, other Kashmiri groups and Pakistan. It remains to be seen whether PM Modi is to listen to well-meaning people in his own country or continue to pander to his Hindu extremist constituency's wish to stay in perpetual conflict with Pakistan.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2017