(Note: In the following article the word “state” means government i.e., state government, central government and all their institutions like army, J&K police,..)
Jammu and Kashmir though not acknowledged by Government of India is always a place of contention. Waves of violence erupt every now and then. Legally J&K is part of India but these acts of violence are trying to decrease the legitimacy of government of India as most of these violence are against institutions of government like police, army, etc,.
State trapped
J&K houses a large number of anti state elements who try to trap the state(government). In fact state(government) is trapped many times resulting ire of citizens. Huge presence of army and the special powers it has in some regions trough AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act) is deterring the anti national activists a free movement. They want to weaken the state institutions and nullify the presence of army. The army which almost has omnipotent powers owing to AFSPA, during its discharge of duties made some arbitrary actions against common people. So because of AFSPA the security forces misused the power and this led to confrontation between government and citizens. The draconian AFSPA has not only created a trouble in J&K but also created a lot of trouble in all north-eastern states. This AFSPA is the reason for development of hatred against the government. So AFSPA itself is acting against the government.* Anti national elements like hizbul mujahideen, lashkar-e-taiba took this as an advantage and started to claim that all the actions done by army as arbitrary and they projected army as an evil to common man in J&K. Their voices gained legitimacy when some excesses made by army came into light. People agitated, pelted stones, burnt infrastructure in opposition to the acts of state(government) perceiving all of them to be illegitimate. Security forces retaliated against the agitators in a belief that all the violence can be curtailed by force. This led to death of many citizens mainly youth. This gave a chance to the anti national elements and anti state elements to gain more followers as state is seen curbing the liberty of people. As John Locke says “You can intimidate people into doing things but not believing them”, the state failed to regain legitimacy from all corners of the society. Various investigation and interrogations made by the security forces against anti state elements, its supporters and sometimes common people has led to a belief that security forces are entering into the liberty of common people. These activities of the state gave popularity to anti national element like Burhan Wani. It is not that he did good for the people but it is the failure of the state to do good for the people has made him hero. These anti national elements and anti state elements successfully trapped the government by making it act against the people. This is decrease the legitimacy of government over citizens of J&K and this is what they need.
Wicked problem
It is a wicked problem for the state. If state decreases the presence of security forces or repeals AFSPA, the anti state elements gain momentum and they will have a free road to violence where ever they wish. This is a threat to whole nation.
If state continues to govern by force, then anti state elements and anti national elements gain people’s legitimacy. Then the dead terrorists will continue to be called as martyrs. The state will lose its legitimacy. Either of the ways gives an advantage to the anti national elements and good governance is the only solution. Good governance can only be achieved when people believe they have enough liberty. Liberty cannot coexist with AFSPA.*
Jammu and Kashmir though not acknowledged by Government of India is always a place of contention. Waves of violence erupt every now and then. Legally J&K is part of India but these acts of violence are trying to decrease the legitimacy of government of India as most of these violence are against institutions of government like police, army, etc,.
State trapped
J&K houses a large number of anti state elements who try to trap the state(government). In fact state(government) is trapped many times resulting ire of citizens. Huge presence of army and the special powers it has in some regions trough AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act) is deterring the anti national activists a free movement. They want to weaken the state institutions and nullify the presence of army. The army which almost has omnipotent powers owing to AFSPA, during its discharge of duties made some arbitrary actions against common people. So because of AFSPA the security forces misused the power and this led to confrontation between government and citizens. The draconian AFSPA has not only created a trouble in J&K but also created a lot of trouble in all north-eastern states. This AFSPA is the reason for development of hatred against the government. So AFSPA itself is acting against the government.* Anti national elements like hizbul mujahideen, lashkar-e-taiba took this as an advantage and started to claim that all the actions done by army as arbitrary and they projected army as an evil to common man in J&K. Their voices gained legitimacy when some excesses made by army came into light. People agitated, pelted stones, burnt infrastructure in opposition to the acts of state(government) perceiving all of them to be illegitimate. Security forces retaliated against the agitators in a belief that all the violence can be curtailed by force. This led to death of many citizens mainly youth. This gave a chance to the anti national elements and anti state elements to gain more followers as state is seen curbing the liberty of people. As John Locke says “You can intimidate people into doing things but not believing them”, the state failed to regain legitimacy from all corners of the society. Various investigation and interrogations made by the security forces against anti state elements, its supporters and sometimes common people has led to a belief that security forces are entering into the liberty of common people. These activities of the state gave popularity to anti national element like Burhan Wani. It is not that he did good for the people but it is the failure of the state to do good for the people has made him hero. These anti national elements and anti state elements successfully trapped the government by making it act against the people. This is decrease the legitimacy of government over citizens of J&K and this is what they need.
Wicked problem
It is a wicked problem for the state. If state decreases the presence of security forces or repeals AFSPA, the anti state elements gain momentum and they will have a free road to violence where ever they wish. This is a threat to whole nation.
If state continues to govern by force, then anti state elements and anti national elements gain people’s legitimacy. Then the dead terrorists will continue to be called as martyrs. The state will lose its legitimacy. Either of the ways gives an advantage to the anti national elements and good governance is the only solution. Good governance can only be achieved when people believe they have enough liberty. Liberty cannot coexist with AFSPA.*
