Mr. Farooq Abdullah's comments and emphasis seem to be addressing the Indian government for lack of initiative for furthering peace and tranquility in the region.  By citing what Mr. Bajpayee did during his tenure, he is blaming the Modi government for not following the same foot steps to improve the situation in Kashmir.  Even though his family's three generations were on the throne of Kashmir, they did not do anything to bring and maintain long lasting peace in Kashmir.  He should know that peace comes when there are two parties willing to sincerely ready to shake hands to achieve this mission.  India has been trying since 1947 to achieve this objective, but it is the Pakistani government not showing the same response.  To some extent, the civilian governments tried to bring peace by improving relations with India, but, unfortunately the nexus of Pakistani military/ISI appeared to be a big stumbling block on the way.  They do not want to improve relations with India.  Whenever, there was a little sign of relief in this respect, the Pakistani establishment created problem at the LoC.  What Mr. Imran Khan can and cann't do in this matter, only the time will tell.  But this writer is not going to hold his breath.  In my opinion, the relations between India and Pakistan cann't improve till the organizational chart in Pakistan changes which means the Pakistani military/ISI becomes subservient to the civilian government.

The big problem in the state of J &K is the existence of two Articles - 370 and 35A.  The provisions under these two Articles prohibit and block the appearance of prosperity and tranquility in that part of India.  Unfortunately, the politicians for their own selfish motive and prestige are playing a party partisan game and do not favor a revocation of these two Articles.  Hence, the continuation and existence of chaotic situation in the state.  Innocent people are being killed on a daily basis.  Public and private properties are being destroyed in front of the eyes of these selfish politicians and they do not even ready to blink, and take a decisive action to remedy the situation. How unfortunate?  When these two Articles were inserted into the Indian Constitution, the timing was different.  Now with the advent of changing time, one should change and make appropriate provisions to set the record in order.  Those who do not change with the time, stay behind.  Is that what the local government wants for the people of Kashmir?  Revocation of these two Articles is the only solution to bring peace, prosperity and tranquility in Kashmir.  THE BALL IS IN THE COURT OF POLITICIANS- ESPECIALLY THE POLITICIANS AT THE STATE LEVEL

What Mrs. Mufti is doing the right thing.  Too many relatives in the government is a recipe for disaster.  However, changing the guards is not the only solution to the problem her state is facing.  The problem is lack of jobs for the youngsters there which creates frustration and out of this frustration destructive activities develops.  People across the border exploit this frustration of youths to achieve their political objective.  Unfortunately, creation of jobs needs a little reshuffling of governments' set mind.  Central and local governments have to take some constructive actions to create jobs and that can be done only by inviting external investment in the state.  It is doable with the revocation of an Article 370 and Clause #35A.  Local government has to decide whether it wants to see prosperity in the state or continue experience a chaotic life under the status quo.  This decision is not tough, all it needs for the decision makers is to set aside party politics and think about the people of J & K- delete the above Article from the Indian Constitution and see how prosperity and tranquility take place so quickly.

This week, Pakistan's voters put a new sheriff on the throne of Islamabad to turn things around for the better.  The new Sheriff has announced that he will pursue a serious negotiation/dialogues with his neighbors especially with India.  Prime Minister Modi has expressed a similar desire to achieve this objective.  However, as we know, to bring real and long lasting peace in that part of the world, it needs two parties with sincere desire and backing of their governmental establishments.  India has been trying without any fruitful outcome for the last seven decades to accomplish this objective, but because of non-cooperation of Pakistani military, it failed.  Military is a big stumbling block in this matter.  Now, for the last couple of decades, a new phenomenon has been added to this unaccomplished objective and that is -terrorism.  Pakistani establishment has been aiding, abetting and encouraging Talibans and other non-state actors-a group of terrorist organisations - to orchestrate illegal and terror generating activities on the LoC.  Lot of innocent civilians are being killed.  Now the question to this new Sheriff is,  can he control his military and order that establishment to stop aiding and abetting those non-state actors and put them behind bars if found doing anything illegal across the LoC?  Right now, as we all know, Military controls the civilian government in Islamabad, and unless that order is reversed on the organizational chart of the Pakistani constitution, one should not keep one's hope high.  Let's see if this new Sheriff can turn the tide for the better.

Mr. Abdullah''s statement that Kashmiris are not terrorist is partially true but not 100% accurate. We all know it is the Kashmiri people who with the help from across the border playing as puppets and create chaos and turbulence in the region. Mr. Abdullah also is seeking a state of affair in the region what India experienced when Ganhiji was alive. He should know that there is a big change in the timing going back to those days and the present political situation. People have to change with the changing of time. If he is so anxious to see those peaceful days in the region, I wonder why was not he and his other two generations able to bring peace in that part of India. His three generations were happy with the status quo. Central government''s position is not to divide India and create racial discrimination between Hindus and Muslims. If that is the case, then one will find turmoil and racial conflicts everywhere where Muslim population lives. But that is not the case. The trouble is only in the Kashmir area where the local governments have so far failed to work with the central government to stop the flow of financial, military and political assistance from across the border.Article 370 is a big stumbling block to bring tranquility and prosperity in the region. It needs to be abrogated asap.

As we all know, the menace of rape in India is alarming.  Basically, all big cities have been affected by this evil social problem.  What MP Government has done in this respect  requires commendation.  However, I being a proponent of  anti-rape legislation, feel that this legislation in MP is not going to eradicate rape issue altogether because it will punish only those culprits who are involved in the minor rape cases.  This legislation needs to be expanded to all rape cases. Once a rape is proven by the court, accused ought to be hanged, and his assets, if any, should be auctioned to compensate the victim or her family.  This law should be applied to all indiscriminately irrespective of accused  class, status and party affiliation.  The intent of this legislation ought to be to create a fear in the society for the next person who is contemplating to get involved into this nefarious activity.  Kudos to Mr,. Chouhan with the hope that all other Chief Ministers will follow suit.

Mr. Abdullah’s comments about repeal of an Article 35A does not make sense knowingly that this particular Article is the main stumbling block as far as economic development and peace in that part of India is concerned.  He says he will fight till he dies.  Everybody has to die one day.  I think it will be prudent to get rid of this Article and welcome foreign investment in the region.  Then he, along with others, can enjoy prosperity in the state of J & K before he dies.  Right now, with the existence of this Article, innocent people are dying for no reasons.  It is pure politics.  Mr. Abdullah also compared revocation of this Article to ‘scratching a wound’.  He said the more you scratch, more blood will come out of it.  That is precisely the reason that one does not want to scratch this wound, rather to get rid of this wound by initiating appropriate action, and that action is bringing more technological and economic investment in the state.  That investment will create a manufacturing base thus creating more jobs.  More jobs means, the youngsters of that state will be occupied, financially well of, less time to demonstrate in the streets, no destruction of public and private properties.

This Article has been sitting there as an Appendix to the Indian Constitution for decades, and served no fruitful purpose.  Hence, the time is ripe to find alternative means and ways to bring prosperity for the people of J & K.  In my opinion, those who are against finding alternatives are not true friends and citizens of India.