Why in news?
On the Centre's request, the court has ordered to defer hearing on petitions against Article 35A.
What is the case?
- Article 35A primarily deals with the ‘permanent residents’ of J&K and their special rights and privileges in the State. Click here to know more on Art 35A.
- The government has recently appointed an interlocutor to facilitate talks in Kashmir which is in a political turmoil in recent months.
- The interlocutor on behalf of the government will hold talks with various representatives of the region.
- In this line, the Centre said that the court should adjourn the hearing on petitions against Article 35A, as it would affect the dialogue process.
- Accordingly the court has ordered to defer hearing on the issue for a period of 12 weeks.
What are the challenges in the peace process?
- Improving the strained relations between the central government and the Kashmiris is one of the foremost challenges.
- Sovereignty - This is because, Kashmir is deeply embedded in its idea of territorial integrity and sovereignty for long.
- The facilitator will have to genuinely address the political aspirations of those who seek an independent Kashmir.
- This includes a variety of pro-secessionist groups, including the Hurriyat and the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF).
- Communal - The highly communal and polarised nature of the conflict further complicates the peace process.
- A suspicious attitude prevails between the aspirations of Kashmiri Muslims and the perceivably Hindu nationalist, anti-minority rhetoric of the present government.
- Conversely, Kashmiri Hindus seek to push their interests having been driven away from the valley during the 1990s Islamist insurgency.
- All these require the interlocutor to maintain a fair balance between opposing religious groups.
- Radicalisation - The al-Qaeda and IS groups are suspectedly increasing their presence in the Kashmir region.
- A possible allegiance of Kashmiri fighters to the Islamic State and the related national security concerns is an added pressure for the peace talks.
- Pakistan - Even if efforts to influence Kashmiris yield a positive outcome internally, talks with Pakistan still remain on the agenda.
- Several bilateral and diplomatic channels already exist between the two countries.
- But the conflict still remains unresolved with both states unwilling to compromise their respective territorial positions on Kashmir.
- Any terrorist attack or a border crisis with Pakistan and the slightest provocation might derail chances for the Kashmir dialogue.
What lies ahead?
- The appointment of an interlocutor signals a shift from reliance on military solutions to that of diplomacy.
- However it should go beyond a symbolic gesture and seriously intend on engaging with the Kashmiris.
- The interlocutor should function beyond a mere representative of the primary political interests of the Centre.
- The facilitator of dialogue will also have to consider de-radicalisation efforts and develop a series of counter-terrorism measures.
- A clear strategy with well-articulated goals and objectives on the Kashmir issue is a prerequisite for the success of the peace process.
Source: The Hindu
