(Parliament Times)
The recent statements of military chiefs of India and Pakistan have generated a positive response in the violence hit Kashmir valley as pro-freedom as well as the so-called mainstream political parties are viewing Indian General Bipin Rawat’s statements as recognition of the ground reality that wars, oppression, violence, hatred and enmity were no solution to the Kashmir dispute. While speaking at the 70th foundation day of Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry regiment last Sunday Rawat said, “The gun was not the solution to the problem as neither the Army nor the ‘militants’ would achieve their goals through it”. Reading between the lines the statement is an indication of apparent shift in Indian military’s policy to deal the situation in Kashmir. Rather than talking much about hot pursuits for bringing peace in the troubled region the Indian General very delicately suggested that the dialogue was the only way forward. In the recent past several Indian military generals had stressed the need for dialogue to resolve the dispute but this is perhaps for the first time that the top general has acknowledged the fact that gun was no solution to the Kashmir problem.
Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa also made an important statement reiterating Pakistan’s quest for a peaceful solution of all disputes including the core issue of Kashmir through dialogue. General Bajwa made it clear that resolution to disputes between India and Pakistan can be found through comprehensive and meaningful dialogue. “It is our sincere belief that the route to peaceful resolution of Pak-India disputes – including the core issue of Kashmir – runs through comprehensive and meaningful dialogue. While such dialogue is no favour to any party, it remains the inevitable precursor to peace across the region”, General Bajwa said while addressing a passing out parade of cadets at the Pakistan Military Academy in Kakul town in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.
At a time when Indian Army chief admits to the futility of use of force and Pakistan Army chief talks of peace through dialogue there is a need that political leaderships on both sides of the divide should follow the suit and initiate a meaningful and result-oriented dialogue to find out a just and lasting solution of the lingering dispute. Unfortunately, the BJP regime’s anti-Pakistan has been a major hurdle in resumption of stalled dialogue process between India and Pakistan. Kashmir dispute is a bitter reality that India is trying to run away from but sooner or later the New Delhi will have to accept this ground reality that the genuine freedom movements could not be suppressed by the use of force, killing and maiming people and snatching their eyesight. So it is time for New Delhi to heed the clarion calls and pave a way for a peaceful settlement of lingering dispute that has been the bone of contention in the region.
