President Pratibha Patil's visit to Kashmir should be welcome. She is not only the President of India but is also supreme commander of our armed forces under the Constitution. She has also stated that border violations will be strongly dealt with. She is reported to have reiterated the statement while addressing the troops at a Sainik Sammelan at Baramula in Jammu & Kashmir. She praised their courage and dedication as a result of which the Indian army was rated as one of the greatest in the world. She also informed the army men that all facilities would be provided to them to discharge their duties effectively. She had a word of praise for the troops for launching people friendly projects in the area for the benefit of the civil population.
Border violations by Pakistan is noting new nor the empty threats from our side have nothing new in them. Had we taken due action whenever violations occurred probably Pakistan would not have taken us for granted. Despite our threats and stern warnings Pak continues to tread its old path unabated. In spite of much talked about Confidence Building Measures (CBM) between the two countries to resolve long outstanding disputes including Kashmir , now and then unsavoury incidents happen from the other side of the border which set a normal Indian think as to how far we will continue to follow a policy of appeasement. If we take into consideration the ground realities the inevitable conclusion is that the outcome of all talks and discussions towards CBM is at best insignificant. And whenever it appears that some sort of solution or peace would return to Indian sub-continent the thoughtless but provocative action of the other side or at their behest sends a feeling of gloom and despondency among the peace loving people on either side of the border.
Although it is good that CBM initiated between the two countries when President Pervez Musharraf was at the helm of affairs have been agreed to be carried forward by the new democratic regime of Pakistan headed by Prime Minister Gillani but it is essential that words and actions match each other. While we were talking about the so called CBM and also probably our Government was making preparations to hold discussion at official level followed by the visit of our Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee to Pak we were confronted with serial bomb blasts at Jaipur in Rajasthan killing innocent people. Also, there have been border violations. The incidents of this nature put at naught whatever little progress appears to have been made at the conference table.
As a result of visit of our Minister to Pak recently the latter has agreed to release some 99 Indian prisoners. But no report has appeared in the press about Sarabjit Singh who is to be sent to gallows. The reported statement of our Union Minister for Home Affairs wherein he sought to equate the Parliament shoot out case convict Afzal Guru with Sarabjit Singh is very confusing and out of context.
Dr Balak Ram Kashyap
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