Chidambaram’s Kashmir statement is dangerous
While the Congress has thankfully distanced itself from its senior party leader P Chidambaram's galling comments on Kashmir, saying that those only reflected his “personal opinion”, that, however, is not enough to let the former Union Minister off the hook. Chidambaram is a respected leader and veteran politician. His comments, even if they do not reflect the party line, carry weight and gravitas with the public, and deserve to be scrutinised threadbare (which, unfortunately, did not happen when he made them live on national television). Referring to the current bout of unrest in Kashmir, following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen operative Burhan Wani, Chidambaram said that the situation highlights the need for a “unique political solution” and suggested the Government return to the “original terms” under which Jammu & Kashmir acceded to India in 1947. He spoke of “broken promises”, a “broken faith” and an exorbitant “price paid for 40 years”, pleading for the clock to be turned back to 1947. In short, he called for the honouring of the “grand bargain”. The first question here is: What exactly is this “grand bargain” that Chidambaram is talking aboutIJ It seems like he was indicating that Kashmiris be allowed more ‘freedom' to frame their laws (within the ambit of the Constitution — possibly added as an afterthought). Yet, the fact is that Kashmir already has a special deal of sorts, in form of Article 370, that gives it exactly this sort of autonomy that other States that acceded to Indian in 1947 and after do not have.
Chidambaram also warned that the situation in the valley would “sharply deteriorate” if Kashmiris were not allowed a greater say in administration — yet, they do have a democratically elected Government. Interestingly in this context, he also said that the BJP-PDP alliance ruling the State is itself a provocation for Kashmiris. Someone should remind him that both parties were elected to power by the people of Jammu & Kashmir in a free and fair election, and it is in fact a coalition Government of the sort that is now at the helm in the State that best represents the mandate of the people. And all of this is without even going into the history and politics of the State which would then bring up even more awkward questions, such as: Does Chidambaram concede that his party, which was at the helm of multiple Union Governments, is also to be blamed for not honouring this so-called “grand bargain”IJ