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| Former VC JU Mattoo in his true colours, sides with "rebels", PDP | | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, July 8: Former Vice-Chancellor of Jammu University and the one whom certain elements in New Delhi want to impose on the sanctioned Central University of Jammu as its first Vice-Chancellor much to the chagrin of the people of Jammu, Amitabh Mattoo, has come out openly in support of Kashmiri "rebels" and suggested that it would be only appropriate if both India and Pakistan work out a mechanism that leads to the joint-control over the precious Indus, Jhelum and Chenab waters.
What he has suggested in writing in a leading national daily The Hindustan Times (July 8, 2010) as well as in a leading Pakistani daily (May 11, 2010) vindicates the stand of the people of Jammu province that the "views of Amitabh Mattoo on J&K are essentially pro-separatist" and that "he wants to come to Jammu only to vitiate its atmosphere so that the separatists and pro-Pakistani elements are able to establish their stranglehold over this highly strategic province, which so far has not allowed the Pakistani designs on the state to succeed or which so far has been very successful in defeating the Pakistani evil designs."
In fact, Amitabh Mattoo has written two highly controversial political essays. These are titled "Rebels with a cause" and "The Water Factor". The Hindustan Times has published "Rebels with a cause" and a Pakistani daily "The Water Factor," which was first published in The Times of India.
What exactly does his "Rebels with a cause" say? It, among several other controversial and provocative things, says: "Unlike in the past, the writ of the state is not being challenged primarily by a popular insurgency or by militant organizations or even by a separatist cartel. Instead, it's the anger of a new generation of young men and women who have grown up in these two decades of conflict, which is translating into resilient protests in many parts of the Kashmir valley…The irony is that at a time when Pakistan is in internal turmoil, and its leadership is still reluctant to talk meaningfully on Kashmir, our own follies have, once again, derailed Jammu and Kashmir's journey back to stability…"
"Rebels with a cause" also says: "While this rebellious urge may have been sparked off by specific incidents of violence and killings, it's a larger expression of anger, disillusionment and frustration. While it's tempting to reduce the protests to indoctrination by extremist Islamic groups, Pakistan's machinations or the influence of other vested interests, the reality is that this radicalization has been caused by multiple factors, but above all by a sense of hopelessness. This is a generation that has seen suffering, killings, political uncertainty, and has had to remain sequestered in their homes for great lengths of time. A generation that has witnessed often a daily tragedy, seen no light at the end of tunnel, often endured harassment, and which has been distrusted by sections of the Indian establishment, is consequently simmering with deep discontent and angst…"
Amitabh Mattoo's "Rebels with a cause doesn't stop here. It goes on to say: "But there's no mainstream or separatist leader who can legitimately be blamed (or claim credit) for the street protests. Finally, this rage of the young is built on the larger and longer sense of Kashmiri victim-hood, injustice and insecurity about their identity…It's not surprising that the average Kashmiri finds it disturbing that while Kashmiri protests lead to deaths, protests during the Bharat bandh, for instance, lead to no such violence. Zero-tolerance of human rights abuse can't remain a slogan; it must be translated into reality with immediate effect."
It further says: "Kashmir has, of course, been flooded by schemes and packages, but this is the time and place for one more scheme. The prime minister must announce a new Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES) for Jammu and Kashmir (read Kashmir), which would, in partnership and consultation with the state government, seek to ensure that every Kashmiri young man and woman will be provided the opportunities that ensure that s/he becomes an empowered stakeholder in the future of the state. YES should make interventions wherever needed to provide access to the best quality of training, coaching, counseling and guidance available in the country. And YES should do everything necessary to ensure that every Kashmiri young person can be secure of his/her future."
Amitabh Mattoo's "Rebels with a cause" denounces New Delhi in downright language and say: "Let us also realize that the understanding of Kashmir, despite all these years of problems, remains shallow in the corridors of power. When Kashmiris, who took to the streets in a similar uprising in 2008 over the Amarnath land controversy, turned out in even larger numbers to vote in the state elections last year, this was mistakenly seen as evidence of Kashmiri fickleness. It was a mistake to view the elections as signaling a return to 'business as usual' in the politics of the state and as obviating the need for a special and more imaginative approach. The triumph of democracy shouldn't have been a moment of triumphalism…In fact, by acting in a statesmanlike fashion on a variety of issues, New Delhi would have demonstrated a willingness to reward participation in the democratic process and not be seen as capitulating to extra-constitutional pressure. This unique opportunity was missed. But all is still not lost. Much, as has been indicated, can be done unilaterally and immediately to respond to the deep yearning of the young people of the state (read Kashmir) for security in all its dimensions: that is freedom from fear in the physical, political, economic and cultural spheres." (To be continued)
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