In a recent statement, former Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has challenged the widely held perception that increased tourism signifies a return to normalcy in the region. Abdullah argued that metrics like the cessation of stone-pelting incidents, the absence of street protests, the establishment of regular governance, and the flow of investments offer a more accurate reflection of the true sentiments on the ground in the Kashmir Valley.
Abdullah's comments come amid heightened discussions about the state of peace and progress in Kashmir, particularly as the Indian government has often pointed to rising tourist numbers as evidence of improved conditions. He has consistently maintained that focusing solely on tourism figures paints an incomplete and potentially misleading picture, especially when deeper issues of security and public sentiment remain unaddressed.
Abdullah has expressed his concerns amidst reports of heightened tensions in the Kashmir valley, where suspected militants have targeted many civilians. There have been several attacks, including a recent one on a wine shop in North Kashmir in which one employee was killed and three others sustained injuries. The Kashmiri Hindu minority is reeling under fear after one of the members was killed in office in central Kashmir's Budgam district, triggering panic in the community.
He stated that a sense of safety and security among the residents, particularly the Kashmiri Pandit community, is a far more reliable indicator. The exodus of Kashmiri Pandits, driven by fear, underscores the prevailing sense of insecurity that cannot be masked by tourism. He also highlighted incidents of government officials falling victim to targeted attacks and policemen being targeted at their homes, questioning whether such a scenario could be considered normal.
Abdullah has criticized the stringent measures, such as the weaponization of the CID department, termination of employees, and blacklisting of individuals, arguing that these actions undermine natural justice. He emphasized the need for governance rooted in fairness to ensure long-lasting peace and progress in the region.
He has also previously expressed his reservations about comparing tourism with terrorism, stating that such a comparison creates a false dichotomy and could inadvertently make tourists targets for militants seeking to disrupt the narrative of normalcy. He stressed that militancy is not directly correlated to the tourism trade and that focusing on tourism as a sign of normalcy incentivizes attacks on tourists by militants.
Abdullah suggests that a genuine and sustainable peace can only be achieved when the local populace feels safe, secure, and empowered, and when their fundamental rights are protected.
