Relevance of Gandhi in J&K State

Anurag Gangal

Director

Gandhian Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies (GCPCS)

University of Jammu, Jammu-180006, J&K, India.

Mohandas Karmachand Gandhi popularly known as Mahatma Gandhi is Father of the Indian nation. Gandhi is known to have visited Srinagar and Jammu also on 1 – 2; and 3 and 4 August 1947 respectively. Gandhi’s visit to J&K apparently added and additional impetus to Maharaja Hari Singh finally deciding to join the Indian union. Gandhi also extended his full support to the Indian army attacking the Kabailies invading Kashmir in the autumn of 1947 later. It was only around this time that Gandhi had seen in Jammu and Kashmir a shining example and a ray of hope anent communal harmony when entire India was under the spell of communal hatred, violence and massacre. Gandhi was also wholly against India’s partition. Indeed, India’s partition in 1947 was mainly the result of mutual political aspirations of Mohammad Ali Jinnah and Jawaharlal Nehru. None of them were ready to sacrifice their own vested interest for one another and for the welfare of a united India although both of them made several other contributions to the cause of independence of India and Pakistan. Nehru and Jinnah were not ready to listen to Gandhi’s wisdom on the question of India’s partition.

The legacy of India’s partition is still hovering over the state of Jammu and Kashmir even today in diverse ways.

Vested Interests

First, in view of a peculiar hobnobbing of local and national vested interests, Indian Army could not go ahead with its strategy to throw out invaders from the original and united Indian Kashmir, i.e., including the so called Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. Had this occurred, a number of leaders and stalwarts in J&K would not have been there on the political horizon at all. As such, J&K would have had not merely 7 but at least 17 seats in Indian Sansad or Parliament! Vested interests in J&K – in league with the national political set up – have inflicted an unparalleled blow to the cause of political freedom and representation of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Gandhi was not a party to such an apparent plan of political exploitation and perversion against the inhabitants of Jammu and Kashmir.

Gandhi is also known as the greatest apostle of peace and nonviolence in the world today. Gandhi is globally popular as a proponent of practicable nonviolence. Yet his ideas and philosophy are often put forward in a vernacular way mostly based on hearsay and rumours. That is why Gandhi is frequently equated with the real cause behind partition of India and the hanging of noted patriots like Sardar Bhagat Singh and others. Gandhi never favoured partition and hanging of patriots like Bhagat Singh. However, most of the hanged Indian patriots during the period of British regime admired Gandhi for his nonviolent strength and dedication to values of patriotism, humanity, nonviolence, honesty and integrity. It was, however, unfortunate for the entire Indian subcontinent that the two most dynamic leaders like Nehru and Jinnah did not pay any heed to Gandhi’s words and vision of an independent and united India. One wonders whether some of the noted leaders of Jammu and Kashmir were also party to this obvious “personal rivalry plan” of Jinnah and Nehru.

Article 370…

Secondly, Article 370 of the Constitution of India and provisions of Instrument of Accession of Jammu and Kashmir to India are such that they mainly represent the historical compulsions of the J&K State. If the J&K State so desires, Article 370 – its parts related to J&K -- can be abrogated anytime in favour of its complete merger with the mainstream Indian territory and the larger Indian ethos. All this primarily rests with the Vidhan Sabha and Vidhan Parishad of the J&K State and not so much with the Sansad. Otherwise, J&K and its citizens will always remain at a distance from the Indian mainland and the larger Indian political and effective cultural assimilation.

As a result of the concerned instrument of accession, citizens of J&K have seldom been able to develop a natural and fuller sense of belonging to India specially in view of the historical compulsions of the State so clearly reflected in the instrument of accession and in the Article 370 of the Constitution of India. Therefore, the essence of the so called Kashmir problem lies in this twin syndrome of constitutional and historic differences between Indian citizens and citizens of Jammu and Kashmir. All citizens of J&K are Indian citizens but all Indian citizens are not citizens of Jammu and Kashmir – constitutionally, historically, politically and sociologically speaking. It is so despite all the glorious sacrifices that a number of citizens of J&K have made for the defence of India and also for the growth and development of the nation. Any sane and thinking mind is forced to think – in this overall perspective of J&K – that why at all an instrument of accession was entered into when Jammu and Kashmir has always – since ancient times – been an integral part of India. The instrument of accession in its existing form appears to be a political vendetta against the people of Jammu and Kashmir who wanted to go for fuller democratic regime on the lines of egalitarianism under a wholly united India. Instrument of Accession, indeed does not represent wishes of the people of J&K. As such, it is quite un-Gandhian in nature and an imposition from above. So clearly Gandhi has indicated that:

Our nationalism can be no peril to other nations inasmuch as we will exploit none just as we will allow none to exploit us.

Relatively Richer People :: Backward State

Thirdly, the J&K State is very poor and highly backward although its citizens are reasonably richer than majority of other Indian citizens in other Indian states. This is a very interesting paradox. The Indian and Jammu and Kashmir Governments have been engaged more in offering diversified subsidies to the people of J&K instead of creating an environment where people learn to stand on their own feet. The general trend here is to look up to Government even for every routine thing and need. The Government, specially those who run it, on the other hand, care more for their own needs than the requirement of its citizens. Hence, Government is poor and its people are rich due to various well known reasons.

There is, therefore, need to train most of the administrators and leaders in Government in the fundamentals and application of Gandhian philosophy leading them not only to see but also really go for the “light of day”. It is necessary to understand the value of sincerity, accountability, loyalty and service to people. Citizens of the state also need to realise that it is the government which depends upon them and not vice versa. The Gandhian idealism may not be necessary today. Gandhian practical-idealism is, indeed, a must for real development – especially in this age of globalisation. It is a well known fact that globalisation rests on efficiency, excellence, set standards, good governance and fulfilling what citizens need in their basic routine life.

In reality, if citizens of a state do not have a need fulfilled, then leaders of that state cannot have that need fulfilled for themselves. If people in a state are living on footpaths, the political leaders and administrators are also to follow suit until they are able to provide for basic needs of their people. That is why, in general, it is often said that most of the politicians and administrators are somewhat unabashed in their attitude to people and devoid of any fundamental sense of self-respect for themselves. They continue to enjoy what other citizens cannot. If citizens do not get what they need for their basic needs, then there is something drastically wrong with the government of the state and the people who are running it. It does not mean that every citizen has to be provided with a uniformed chauffer driven limousine like the president or governor of a state. Yet, certain norms of professionalism have to be followed and ever new opportunities to citizens will have to be provided for basic growth and development on an impartial basis.

What Amartya Sen also says is required. For Amartya Sen, considering and measuring development on the basis of GDP, national per capita income and other such widely accepted economic yardsticks is misleading and improper. For him, a nation with people having widespread education, necessary leisure time, proper and fulsome food, electricity for everyone, shelter for all and clothing for everyone along with near complete human security and a great inner sense of security can be regarded as developed instead of a country having high GDP etc without the fulfilment of basic needs. In J&K, basic needs can be fulfilled only when there is a great sense of self-respect and high regard for moral values among leaders and administrators in the government. That is why Nobel laureates like Amartya Sen regards Development as Freedom (Oxford, 1999).

Violence and Militancy

Fourthly, violence is a challenge which has massive contours and expanse in J&K. Terrorists’ violence is there not only in J&K but also the world over. However, in J&K, it is of special nature. As against insurgency and terrorism, the J&K is having militancy and state sponsored violence. This militancy appears to have its links not only on South Asian regional level but also global levels of networking. The immediate cause behind this rise of militancy is near non-functioning of state and national governments in fulfilling the basic needs of the people. One historical reason or cause of militancy in the J&K State is also the legacy of partition of India and highly conflictual vested political interests of political leaders of India and Pakistan. Yet another reason behind militancy is massive and easy availability of destructive armaments and their distribution network through weapons mafia spread all over the world. Going to the very depth of resolving this menace of terrorism and militancy is necessary instead of any policy of appeasement and “carrot and sticks”. In this context also, Gandhian practical-idealism based on nonviolence is the only way ahead for permanent solutions in this regard. There is no other way.

Modern violence and militancy cannot just be gunned down. There has to be a policy and strategy for this purpose. It should be short, medium and long term policy dealing with all aspects from the human security angle of development and nonviolence both.

Modern terrorists are not usual criminals. They represent an international network spread globally with massive global reach, capacity, intent to attack any part of the world almost in a jiffy – maybe more quickly than the army of United States.

Any ad hoc treatment of any problem has never been dear to Gandhi. Proper link has to be established between human values, policy options material readiness, actual action and strategy to deal with a challenge. One must also be ready to deal with probabilities of the future. It seems that the Indian government and J&K State are neither ready to face existing challenges nor the prospective eventualities.

It means that mere force and its blatant use will not solve problems of humanity. Even Albert Einstein is one with Gandhi when he says:

We need an essentially new way of thinking if mankind is to survive. Men must radically change their attitudes toward each other and their views of the future. Force must no longer be an instrument of politics…. Today, we do not have much time left; it is up to our generation to succeed in thinking differently. If we fail, the days of civilised humanity are numbered (Barash and Webel, Peace and Conflict Studies, Sage, Thousand Oaks, p.3, 2002).

Unemployment

Fifthly, Jammu and Kashmir is also plagued with the ever widening menace of unemployment. In every village only about 20% population appears to be meaningfully and fruitfully employed. There is need to expand the horizon of local employment generation because Government of J&K is not able to offer jobs to all aspiring youth and other citizens in the State. More opportunities for purposeful employment on a professional and impartial basis are necessary.

Governmental agencies do not function properly in this matter. Widespread corruption at highest levels is generally known to have entered in a very systematic form. Established institutions like J&K Public Service Commission also suffer from these diseases of corruption and malfunctioning. In other words, parallel governments are known to be functioning within the official system. This is the most disgraceful aspect of the public service in J&K. It is also said that J&K is the most corrupt State in India next to Bihar.

What the J&K require is village to village level planning to deal with the problem of unemployment. It is necessary even for dealing with prospective militancy as well because it is mostly the unemployed youth who is more likely to become easy pray to enrolment in various terrorist outfits. Unemployed youth is more susceptible to be lured to violence and militancy. Unemployment becomes a tool for militant groups to recruit its cadres and expand their reach in almost every nook and corner the world.

Unemployment is also one of the reasons behind militancy emerging as a modern profession among youth today. Quite like professions of military, police and para-military forces of the State, militancy has also become a parallel underground profession for our misguided youth. Such an emerging situation has very dangerous portents. This can lead to socio-political anarchy on a massive and wide scale. The J&K Government does not appear to have been working on these lines for a securer future.

Tourism and Cottage Industries

Sixthly, tourism, carpet weaving, food, dairy farming, silk products, honey products and Khadi industries can provide the nodal point for resolving the unemployment peril. This aspect has also been exploited only partially. Several departments have already been opened by the Government in the State in this regard. These are functioning in their own way. What, however, is needed is largely the de-governmentalisation and more activation of the people in solving their own problems. Governments have become mainly an instrument of force and deeply ingrained corruption. Indeed, Gandhi is known to agree to an oft quoted epitaph: “That government is best that governs the least.” As such, Gandhi says:

I look upon an increase in the power of the state with the greatest fear because…it does the greatest harm to mankind by destroying individuality which lies at the root of all progress (N. K. Bose, Selections from Gandhi Navajivan, Ahmedabad, 1948, p. 42).

In the field of employment generation, institutions and individuals other than belonging to the Government must be encouraged more than ever earlier. The bureaucratic and other strings should not be attached while giving more space to people and their increased participation.

The main industries of the State, namely, tourism, farming and animal husbandry are largely dependent on governmental initiatives mostly subjected to red-tape bureaucratic orientation and corruption. Full potential of the State even in these areas has yet not been explored.

Education

Seventhly, Jammu and Kashmir is the only State in India where education is avowedly free up to the university level. This is partially true mainly in the autonomous institutions and establishments of the State Government. As against the national literacy rate of 44.18% for males and 19.55% for females, the J&K State has a literacy rate of only about 26.67% -- and we know that merely being literate does not mean education by it self.

Education necessacitates a number of other things also such as vocabulary; perception; information; efficiency in using modern tools of information technology; set standards of excellence in acquiring knowledge and proficiency in dissemination of information; impartial and highest standards of examination; global and common standards of syllabi at every level of education; regular periodic exchange of ideas and activities through multiple levels of mutual collaboration among educational institutions, people and community and effective involvement of educators, researchers and students in policy making and implementation etcetera.

In this perspective of education, not even 1% population of J&K is educated at all! That is why, on a rough estimate based on more than twenty years experience in the J&K education system, competence, merit, efficiency, talent, qualifications and expertise are of little consequence in the State. There is a parallel system of underground degree, diploma and certificate acquisition system having a price tag on so many aspects of otherwise due processes of perspiration, diligence and competence. An Animal Farm of incompetence is churning its vigour and vitality day after day.

Here, Gandhi’s Constructive Education Programme can be of great benefit for the vast majority of the J&K State. It can be a source of great practical inspiration though it may be modified according to the requirements of the present contexts (see also http://www.gandhimanibahvan.org/gandhiphilosophy/philosophy_consprogrammes_bookwritten.htm ).

Displaced Persons

Last but not least, almost 10% population of J&K falls in the category of displaced persons today. About ten Lakhs are displaced persons. Among these, nearly three Lakhs are Kashmiri pundits. Other people are from the categories of migrants since 1947, Sikhs, Hindus, Muslims and Scheduled Castes etcetera. Added to these are also the displaced persons belonging to border areas and militancy inflicted areas of R.S. Pura, Akhnoor, Manwal, Sambha, Kishtwar, Badarwah and other regions of the State. All these are being represented voluntarily by Panun Kashmir (Dr Ajay Chirangoo, Mr Kuldeep Raina, Professor M.K. Teng and others) and Mr Kaushal etcetera.

There are different camps and several villages inhabited by displaced persons in J&K. Their problems are such that they can be understood only when political leaders at state and central level stay a few days of their lives in the concerned camps and villages.

Otherwise problems of displaced persons can never be grasped fully. Gandhi has been doing this when needed. For example, Gandhi went to Champaran to understand challenges faced by the indigo workers in 1917 under the British Raj. As a result, the problems of the indigo farmers were resolved with the interjection of Gandhi at that moment. Hence, some sacrifice is needed on the part of political leaders. Only a few surveys for knowing the plight of displaced persons will not really serve the purpose. Action and sacrifice is needed on the part of political leaders and people of the State of J&K. Sacrifice is essential. It is a practical device to deal with numerous challenges. The current trend of political leaders enjoying power and comforts will not do. Political leaders and bureaucrats have to come out of their comfortable shells and experience what displace persons are suffering from.

Gandhi – as a practical-idealist -- always lived his life with the sufferers. He never enjoyed power despite opportunities available to him. One is reminded of an oft quoted line from Plato’s Republic, “ Until philosophers are kings and princes of the world, cities will never have rest from evils.” Hence, let the populism of democracy gain its wisdom from the merit and genuine talent from competent, diligent and practical visionaries of society. Otherwise, anarchy will prevail ever more.