Prime Minister Narendra Modi , breaking his silence after a month chose to condemn the violence in J and K while addressing a meeting in Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday. He spoke of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s chosen path of ‘insaniyat, Kashmiryat, Jamhooriyat’ for Kashmir.

Modi was eloquent in his significant remarks that 'Every Indian loves Kashmir' and promised 'the azaadi (freedom) that every Indian feels, Kashmir can feel too.' But he had not spelt out what the road map ahead to achieve this. Interestingly, Modi made his remarks after the visit of Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti to Delhi and her appeal for Prime Minister’s intervention. 'Hope PM will address the unrest in Kashmir... Try to heal wounds, start talks to keep up Vajpayee ji's Jammu and Kashmir initiative,' she said.

What was heartening was the debate in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday when the level was not only high but also the members spoke in one voice condemning the incidents and also sought some solution. This is not the first time such high sounding words were spoken on J and K. It happened in 2008, it happened in 2010 after similar uprising of youth. Round table conferences were held and expert committee reports have been submitted but the sad part of the story is the state continues to cry for help. So what is required is not just words but action as what follows will be more important.

Mehbooba keeps talking of a ‘healing touch’. But the Kashmir crisis is not a mere law and order problem, as it is multi dimensional. It has an emotional, political, religious and international dimensions and all these need to be addressed. It is not as if the successive governments have not taken note of it but failed to tackle it.

There are three levels. The first is the international level. The Home Minister Rajnath Singh blamed Pakistan for the unrest. But there is also Pakistan sponsored anti – India propaganda outside about Kashmir and this needs to be tackled. As many experts feel dialogue is the only way forward and perhaps the resumption of dialogue with Pakistan could be the first step.

At the second level, the state has been hit hard by the present crisis with an unprecedented curfew for 32 days. The immediate priority is to restore law and order, calm the public anger and bring back confidence among the people. For this Mehbooba needs all the support from the Centre and other political parties. She is running a shaky coalition. Mehbooba does not inspire the same confidence Mufti Sayeed did. There is mistrust between the partners and Mehbooba is worried about the political implications of her coalition politics. Both parties should try to implement the common agenda agreed between the two coalition partners.

The third level is the dialogue with all the stake holders. The Home Minister has announced that the government is willing to hold dialogue with mainstream political parties, “moderates” and other “organisations” in the state. But for this dialogue to succeed, the government must have a political road map and a framework. There are many reports gathering dust in the Home Ministry and perhaps it is time to see how to make use of them.

The Prime Minister had talked of development and economy but it goes beyond that. There is no doubt that that the economy is hit badly by the crisis. As former Union Minister Karan Singh said in Parliament, till the day before the Burhan incident, the valley was flooded with tourists. Now it is not only tourism but also the shawl and other industries have suffered.

Mehbooba is talking about ‘healing touch ‘and this balm needs to be applied to the misguided angry youth. The dreams of two generations have been lost in last two decades. However, the danger today is the growing home grown militancy. According to one estimate, the number of militants has gone up from about 300 in 2010 to more than 3000 now of which more than half the youth are local. The frustrated youth are lured by Pakistan.

Above all, as many members spoke in Parliament about the trust deficit, the people of the state have no confidence in politicians. This needs to be bridged and confidence building measures should be undertaken in an urgent basis. No doubt the Prime Minister did lament that the youth in the state instead of having a lap top or a cricket bat in his hand is choosing to hold a bullet. To correct this, the centre, the state, civil society, political parties and the people of J and K should feel that the whole country is behind them. (IPA Service)