Why has NN Vohra not cleared his stand on Governor's rule in J&K?
At least 10 civilians have been killed and dozens wounded by government forces within a fortnight of the fresh spell of violence in restive Kashmir.
And, what had been unheard of in the last three summer uprisings of 2008, 2010 and 2016 - the organised protests by the student community this time - are growing louder with each passing day.
But then, these are not the only reasons why J&K should be headed for Governor’s rule.
The failure on the part of the ruling People's Democratic Party to tackle the Kashmir situation is so loud and clear that the PDP itself wants further postponement of the already postponed parliamentary bypolls for Anantnag constituency.
Though in a bid to give a rosy picture of the situation, CM Mehbooba Mufti herself threw open the Tulip Garden in Srinagar on April 1 (that coincides with World Fools Day), spring this season doesn’t seem to be about hopes.
After the winter-break, when life was supposed to rush back to normal with the reopening of educational institutions, the government has been going for their frequent closure as a preventive measure, lest the prevalent crises festers further. But every such exercise is proving futile.
On April 24, when Mehooba called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the national capital and exchanged pleasantries, the heart of Srinagar was simmering. After week-long closure of educational institutions in the wake of previous violence, as schools and colleges reopened, student protests returned much louder.
The point is that Mehbooba has been unable to tackle the situation while New Delhi looks unconcerned about initiating any tangible measures aimed at resolution of the Kashmir-issue.
If one goes by the words of senior BJP leader and New Delhi’s pointman on Kashmir Ram Madhav, he defends civilians being used as human shields by the Army, saying: “Everything is fair in love and war.”
Is the government already at war with its own people; Pakistan can wait?
Madhav’s statement equally shows the fate of those mainstream Kashmiri youth who believe in the institution of democracy.
Farooq Ahmed Dar was returning home after casting his vote on April 9 when soldiers tied to him to the bonnet of a jeep, as if he was out to participate in a deadly mannequin contest.
Add to all this the recently released provocative video clips, believed to have been captured by the security forces themselves whereby protesters are being subjected to third degree torture.
In a country where ad campaigns glamorise the idea of Dar Key Aagay Jeet Hai, Kashmir's youth are expected to get scared through tales of torture.
World media is already summarising a grim picture of the situation in Kashmir. In an unusually harsh editorial, the influential New York Times has described India’s security crackdown in Kashmir as “brutal” and cautioned that it will feed more militancy. The editorial asks New Delhi to ensure that human rights are protected in Kashmir.
If NYT’s editorial exposes New Delhi’s shortcomings, Mehbooba’s governance is an open book of arrogance and ignorance. Her confidence can be gauged from the fact that till now as CM, she hasn’t been able to address even a single press conference to throw light on her governance and achievements if any.
The only time she debuted for a presser was to co-address the media at the event chaired by home minister Rajnath Singh at the peak of the 2016 unrest. That day, apart from hijacking the event to humiliatingly abort it, she continues to be remembered for her funny one-liners, like chai cuppa.
As of now, the administrative inertia is equally alarming. Mehbooba continues to repose faith in the same police officer to head Kashmir who last year miserably failed to control the situation in the wake of the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani.
On July 8, when Burhan’s funeral was underway and strict curfew should have been in place, IGP Kashmir SJM Geelani went for the adventure of letting people move freely. Kashmir had to pay a heavy cost for that.
In the latest, being head of the police force he couldn’t foresee the potential threat of violence on the day of polling for Srinagar Parliament seat on April 9, something which has finally compelled the ruling party to seek postponement of the Anantnag bypolls. The police's inability to take preventive measures to contain student protests has fuelled the festering crisis.
As about the civil administration, most competent officials from the IAS and KAS cadre have reportedly been sidelined. While scores of such officials await postings for months, some typically lower cadre employees, having no experience of bureaucracy, have usurped the higher posts.
Presently, Dr Shafqat Khan, a middle-rung medico from the health department, is enjoying the chair of commissioner of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation, while a manager from J&K Bank, Saadut Hussain, is OSD to the chief minister.
Hussain is more known for his ghost Twitter handle Ibne Battutta. What are the compelling reasons for the CM’s OSD to fake himself as Ibne Battutta? Well, only the Muftis who have patronised such faces may be able to explain.
So, amid lawlessness on streets and administrative breakdown in offices, what prevents governor NN Vohra from imposing Governor’s rule? This question has been doing the rounds because in a state like J&K, it’s the governor himself who is empowered to take the final call.
Unlike other states where President’s rule is imposed, in case of J&K, by virtue of special norms, Governor's rule for a period of six months is imposed under provision of Section 92 of the State Constitution and the proclamation to this effect is issued by the governor after consent of the President of India. The State Assembly can either be kept in suspended animation or dissolved.
So legally speaking, Vohra can impose his rule without taking Modi into confidence. In fact Modi has no role in it. It’s high time for Vohra to exercise his powers.
Having previously ruled the state for three months in 2016 (after Mufti Muhammad Sayeed’s death) as one of the most capable governor’s who kept the administration on its toes, Vohra has already proved his dynamism.
All what he needs to show this time is courage; let Vohra show the cards, kept unduly close to his heart!