Forty days have passed since the historic decisions on Kashmir were taken and as expected, there are now hardcore attempts to make it an international issue by none other than Pakistan. Its PM Imran Khan at a rally in PoK on Friday has announced that he is going to take up the issue at UN General Assembly on September 27 next where incidentally on the very day, the Indian PM is expected to address. The stage is thus set for yet another round of an epic Indo-Pak clash over an issue which has lingered for long and pushed the two nations to the extreme levels of hostility. If this is the situation that is developing outside, at home, it’s the same old story with normal life still devoid of basic civilian requirements, giving way to the evolution of buzzwords like ‘clampdown’ and ‘lockdown’ that are doing rounds on media canvas. All these will doubtlessly keep Kashmir as much in limelight within the country as in the world fora for a solid period of time that is approaching.

Since the unfolding of August 5 developments that changed J &K like never before, Pakistan has made it a point to pursue Kashmir issue tooth and nail on every available platform. Chasing that motto, it had last week tried to raise it at least four times at UNHRC, but barring China, its new-found mentor in the sub-continent, other countries in this 47-member body haven’t expressed a demand for a debate on Kashmir and  European nations have maintained complete silence. It has also tried to construct a false narrative that all 58 members of the OIC are against New Delhi for revoking Article 370 that conferred special status to J&K. And all diplomatic inputs received so far suggest that if the statements made by Pakistan on alleged human rights violations in Kashmir have no support from UNHRC members, it will be well-nigh impossible for them to move much ahead with success.

Given the diplomatic gains that had been achieved so far over the issue and the likewise that are presumably in the offing, it is apparent that there are little chances of Kashmir snowballing into a major global issue. But that would be rather inadequate to distract the nation’s attention or deter discussions about Kashmir, if the on-going state of affairs are given a look. Normalcy, as that has been known and perceived in the context of the world’s largest democracy is still a far cry with ‘embargos’ being the new normal and a ‘veil’ that is being stretched further.

It is not sure when the curtain will finally fall over this ‘cauldron’. But for doing that, winning hearts of the Kashmiris is perhaps more necessary than any other strategy.

 

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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