Kashmir, Kashmiris need Delhi's trust

Of the 49 seats in the Kashmir valley, the National Conference won 42; the Congress, six; the CPI(M), one; the BJP, zero; the Jamaat-e-Islami, zero. It was a clean sweep for INDIA.

- MANI SHANKAR AIYAR

It is not that the Central government’s representatives since August 5, 2019, have done nothing. It is appreciated that ‘normalcy’ of a kind has been restored—even if at the point of the AK-47. It is appreciated that schools and colleges are open, that hospitals and primary health centres are working, that Central welfare schemes are being implemented, that new development schemes have been undertaken, that the economy has been re-geared, that fresh private investment is being sought, that transport is running smoothly.

There is no doubt of the tourist boom and of the planeloads of curious visitors and pilgrims, particularly Hindus, from all over the country, being flown in. It is also evident that free and fair elections have been held, notwithstanding some gerrymandering to increase Jammu seats. And, yet, the BJP could garner only 5 per cent of the vote in the valley. Why? Because ‘Man does not live by bread alone’.