However, notwithstanding these dark predictions, reaching out to Kashmiris may not be that difficult a task. Azadi as anyone who understands Kashmir is well aware, is a metaphor that has multiple meanings. Most of the time the slogan is raised not as a proactive demand for self-determination but as a negative reaction to emergent situations. It is an inchoate expression of mass anger, mainly over human rights violations, as well as disillusionment over certain expectations from the state. This is not to argue that there is no demand for self-determination, but to point out that much of the anger and resentment reflected in the streets of Kashmir has its roots elsewhere.

Once the sincerity of purpose is established, these governmental initiatives may generate a very enthusiastic response in Kashmir, of the kind generated by Atal Bihari Vajpayee few years back. Vajpayee was the first PM to publicly admit that India made mistakes in Kashmir. Understanding Kashmiri sensitivities towards the democratic and electoral process, he had promised free and fair elections and delivered it by holding it under international scrutiny. The elections went a long way towards restoring Kashmiri confidence.

Rather than continuing this process, Manmohan Singh government has mostly tried to resolve the problem by focusing on development and engaging the mainstream actors through round table conferences. With no engagement with the separatists for quite a while and no concrete Kashmir-related confidence building measures, there is a building apprehension in Kashmir that ‘normalcy’ is being taken for granted. This has not only generated a feeling of alienation but widespread scepticism.

... contd.