Justifying state terrorism
Farooqs defence of POTA exposes the role and real character of NC
[editorial-Kashmir Times-Nov 29, 2010]
NOT surprisingly the leaders of the National Conference, which is at the helm of affairs in Jammu and Kashmir in alliance with the Congress, are playing their old game of running with the hare and hunting with the hound. Such doublespeak ands double standards have been the hallmark of the NC ever since it returned to power in 1975 under the Indira-Sheikh Accord. It is particularly so after the throne was occupied by Farooq Abdullah following the death of his illustrious father in true dynastic style.
Farooq had not only mastered the art of speaking in different languages while in power and out of it but during power he had even acquired the art of blowing hot and cold in the same breath. On occasions he threatened to throw all his political detractors into the Jhelum while on other occasions he claimed to be a democrat par excellence who was willing to accommodate the voice of dissent.
The NC leaders talked of human rights abuses committed by the security forces after 1990 when the militancy started and after returning to power in 1996 the party chief and the chief minister threatened to use strong-arm methods to teach a lesson to the alienated people of Kashmir, whom he labeled as separatists and ant-national.
On occasions he pleaded for dialogue with Pakistan to resolve all outstanding disputes between the two neighbouring countries and when it suited him he again reverted back to Pakistan bashing. When out of power he invariably blamed New Delhi for failing to honour its commitments to the people of Kashmir or treating it in step-motherly manner. After joining the Union cabinet as minister for new and renewable energy, the NC chief is back to Pakistan bashing, blaming the neighbouring country for fostering terrorism and for all the trouble in the troubled Jammu and Kashmir.
For his years in opposition he considered India as a villain of piece and after returning to power he is back to the game of anti-Pak bellicosities and saber rattling. Worse, the NC chief while justifying the use of repression in Kashmir has been defending the draconian laws being enforced to deal with the situation. Speaking at a seminar in Kolkata, where he was in the company of BJP leader Arun Jaitley, on Saturday, the former chief minister not only advocated the draconian Prevention of Terrorist Activities Act (POTA) but also boastfully claimed that it was he who had enforced this draconian law in the State when he was in power. He said with a sense of pride that during my chief ministership, I implemented POTA going against my cabinet as it was the only option in fighting terror.
But during the elections, the Opposition brought this up against me. But they did not realize that I did it in the interest of the nation. He, however, failed to add that during the 2008 elections to the State assembly his party made a categorical commitment to put an end to all human rights abuses and even review of draconian laws like the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).
Omar Abdullah, who took over the reins of office as head of the NC-Congress coalition after 2008 election appears to be following in many ways the policy of doublespeak and double-standards, perfected and adopted by his father. He first tried to use strong-arm methods to suppress the popular unrest against the grave human rights abuses committed by the security forces in Kashmir. Later he relented and categorically advocated the repeal of AFSPA and even removal of troops from the public places. He, however, changed his stance after opposition to the demand for repeal of AFSPA was voiced by different quarters in New Delhi, particularly the justification of this draconian Act by the army generals and suggested that it should be reviewed and amended or removed in a phased manner.
It is a different matter that so far he has not mustered enough courage to take steps for removing the Disturbed Areas Act from different districts of the State. Even his government has failed so far to put an end to human rights abuses like the arrests of innocent youth and political leaders, continued detention of a number of persons including children under the draconian Public Safety Act, curbs on the movements of the people and use of lethal weapons by the police to disperse demonstrators etc. Mercifully, Omar Abdullah still talks of the desirability of removing AFSPA from a few selected districts.
On the contrary, his father and party chief, Farooq Abdullah, is still not in favour of the revocation of AFSPA when admitting that the laws like AFSPA had resulted in excesses in the Valley he said in his Kolkata speech that he was not in favour of withdrawing this draconian law.
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