Kashmir a Sign of Deeper Problems in India

The Kashmir valley has been burning, once again. This time it's the new generation of young Kashmiris pelting stones at the might of the Indian state. They are venting their anger at a government that has been unable to capitalise on the stability of recent years to provide them with economic opportunities and political reconciliation. The telegenic, much-hyped chief minister of Jammu & Kashmir took 55 days to reach out to the people of the state directly after more than 50 people had already died in street protests and police action.

Meanwhile, New Delhi fiddled while the situation in Kashmir deteriorated. After squandering various opportunities for making real political progress over the last few years, its only substantive response was to deploy the Indian army again after a hiatus of 15 years. The vicious cycle of killings-protests-killings continues with the government unable to intervene effectively. Even as the security forces have complained that their hands are tied in dealing with stone-throwing mobs, the demand to reduce the footprint of the security forces has come from the state government itself.