Government is considering a phased withdrawal of the Indian Army from hinterland Kashmir.

3.5 years after abrogating the special status, the Government is preparing for a new move with regards to its masculine policy on Kashmir.

With the delimitation commission report already out, the Government is definitely considering reviving the political process in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir.

To make environment conducive for a political process, the Army of 1.3 lakh personnel in the Valley, has to be gradually reduced. The Government plans to replace the Army with CRPF in gradual phases. It will first be replaced from certain districts and based on the public response, the process will proceed.

BJP’s idea of reviving Kashmiriyat centres around getting the Pandits back into Kashmir. Pandits held an influential sway, both in Srinagar and in Delhi.

I wonder who the Government is talking to in Kashmir at this moment. Gupkar alliance is a political force one can’t ignore in the valley and it will definitely participate in the political process. Hurriyat is banned with S.A.S Geelani dead and Shabir Shah almost inactive & inefficient. Mirwaiz faction of the Hurriyat is critical for the Government to talk to because of the fact that any rehabilitation of the Pandits back into Valley will need a political communication with the Jamaat, however ineffective one perceives it to be anymore.

The Mirwaiz faction must have realized that the Hurriyat will not get support from ISI. The Pakistan security establishment has enough pressing challenges within their country that Kashmir will not take much of a priority on their table. To politically survive, Mirwaiz has to talk to the Government and effectively concede that they welcome Pandits back into the Valley.

Any political process in Kashmir from now on could centre around 4 important people – Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti, Sajad Lone and the Mirwaiz. Ofcourse, the BJP wants to make a mark in Jammu and atleast aid results in Kashmir.

At the end of the day, the solution to Kashmir is only what PM Vajpayee echoed : Insaaniyat, Kashmiriyat, Jamhooriyat. Political process has to be revived. Statehood has to be revived. Relocation of Pandits is also necessary at the same time.