Panelists observe that a strong political will in India has helped the situation in the Valley

Srinagar is limping back to normalcy, nearly a month after scrapping of Art 370. Trucks are moving, fruits are being transferred, schools are being opened. On the other hand, Pakistan is trying to instigate mischief. Kulbhushan Jadhav, the former Naval officer sentenced to death in Pakistan, was forced to giving a statement acknowledging himself a spy, which was circulated by Islamabad, the foreign ministry said on Monday. APN’s popular debate Mudda discussed the issue. Anchorperson Akshay posed the questions to panelists including the BJP’s Rajiv Guglani, Kashmir expert Romesh Raina, security expert Jayveer Singh and social affairs expert Pradeep Gupta.

Raina said: “The new Kashmir agenda is the base of positive politics. The common man is moving ahead in a positive way. However, mischief elements are still at work from Pakistan.”

Gupta said: “There was no system earlier. Pakistan took advantage of irrresponsible statements made by some leaders earlier following the scrapping of Art 370. However, challenge remains for the government to keep mischief elements at bay. We can win people only with development and progress.”

 Singh said: “It was not so easy to implement the scrapping of Art 370 and to win back the trust of the people. Tough steps were taken, like closing of communication links and so on. Gradually, restrictions are being lifted.”

Raina said: “Post-Partition, there were 20 percent Hindus in the Valley, now there are merely 2 percent. Kashmir has internal and external forces, and the sum total was that there was rampant trade of ammunition, of victimhood, of anti-India propaganda and so on, leading to an atrocity narrative, the chief being the demonisation of India.  India took the route of preventive diplomacy. Now we are being pro-active, and the new military doctrine is the new norm on which the country is operating. There is strong political will and a strong leadership, and now Pakistan has no option but to change.”

Guglanai said: “This government has been very firm. For 70 years, the issue of Kashmir was hanging fire. In one month, you can see nothing untoward has happened in the Valley.”

Gupta said: “Some Congress leaders have made provocative statements. NC and Hurriyat leaders too have vested interests.”

Raina said: “Pakistan’s Kashmir argument has been toppled. It is on the back foot. Their leaders are now looking at PoK. Pak PM Imran Khan is adopting a soft approach, because he knows India will take the bull by the horns now.”

Singh said: “It is in the interests of the Pak leaders to keep alive the Kashmir situation, and they are unable to digest the current ground realities.”

Guglani said: “Communication links will be gradually restored. Internet services too may be misused.”

Raina said: “A multi-pronged attack against Pak mischief is needed. But India is fully prepared to handle any situation, and activity on the sea, ground and air is being monitored. All three defence movements are being closely monitored. Citizens too are more aware now. Barring a few opposition leaders, everybody has welcomes the latest political developments in the Valley. Separatists politics are losing direction.”

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