The challenging context in which the prime minister visited Kashmir was evident in the protests, violence and undeclared curfew in Srinagar during his stay. This was not unexpected, given the intensified separatist sentiment and the mass upsurge in Kashmir since late June this year. Even so, the PM, while flagging off Kashmir’s first-ever train used the opportunity to meet the leaders of different political parties and express his opinion on issues confronting the state.

He expressed the government of India’s readiness for dialogue with all sections, including those who have opted out of the political process. He also spoke of normalising relations with Pakistan and a solution of all issues including Jammu and Kashmir, and stressed the idea of ‘making borders irrelevant’.

Clearly the PM is making an attempt to reach out to Kashmiris estranged not only from the Indian state but also from mainstream political processes. At a time when the Central government is faced with the crucial question of holding elections, he is making an effort to return the political situation to normal, or at least to the pre-upsurge levels. But will he succeed and are there any takers for his offer? Syed Ali Shah Geelani has already rejected it, reiterating the demand for self determination, and calling for ‘freedom from Indian imperialism’. Even Mirwaiz Omer Farooq has shown his scepticism towards ‘dialogue for the sake of dialogue’ and being part of the ‘crowd along with people who have no issue with Delhi’.

So can it be concluded that the situation is utterly hopeless — that there is no way to reach out to Kashmiris? For many who have been observing Kashmir over the last few months, the situation appears grave, almost a repeat of the early ’90s when separatism was at its peak. With azadi slogans reverberating in the air, there is no possibility of any kind of initiative succeeding, they argue. Some Indian intellectuals have shown so much pessimism that they have even suggested the ‘unthinkable’ idea of letting Kashmir secede.

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