Home Minister Rajnath is back in J&K for talking peace. He was here almost a year ago also. Some of the things are still the same, while are others are not. Here is a look at them:
Last year, he was here for an All Party Meet, while this time there is not such formal event planned; though he was welcomed anybody who wishes to have a dialogue with him. Instead of him, former PM Manmohan Singh will be trying his hand on a fresh All Party Meet. He too is supposed to be in the state meeting various political parties.
Last year, the separatists had turned down the MPs knocking on their doors and left them embarrassed on national television. It seems like this time Rajnath has avenged the misdemeanour and has let loose the NIA over them and their kins.
National Conference was the sole party to avoid the meet last time. No such announcement has yet been made by them. Though the Separatists have kept their tradition of inhospitality and called for a bandh on the day of Rajnath’s visit.
Rajnath had opened his doors for every opinion from the stakeholders of the state during his 2016 visit, and has reiterated his stand this time also. He had also promised to eliminate unrest and militancy by the year 2022.
Seems like the situation has not improved on all fronts but recent events like NIA noosing in on anti-social elements of the state show a progressive trend. It won’t be a far fetched dream if within a couple of years, he holds the last All Party Meet where everybody comes together to celebrate the newfound peace in Jammu & Kashmir.