I confess I have never set my foot on Kashmir or have travelled north to Delhi. But I wonder why it has become the most dangerous place in this part of the world. Pakistan may want it for its water resources but what the Kashmir’s want in terms of autonomy? India has a federal political structure where the center is represented by states, besides states are autonomous in terms of their finance, law and order, education, etc. Except defense, foreign affairs, currency, foreign trade and immigration, states have lots of leverage.

Further, which part of Kashmir wants autonomy? I think Jammu and Ladakh do not want autonomy. So valley is the only place where autonomy is desired. Now in area it will be probably much smaller than Nepal almost Silkkim may be. Can such a small patch of land retain its autonomy? I am sure Pakistan is not going to part with an inch of PoK or Gulam Kashmir. Will such state not be taken over by Taliban in no time. Can Delhi afford giving a beach head so close to it?

Are the Kashmiri is demanding autonomy truly representative of population. What about pundits which have been displaced from there. Can the special character of the valley be brought back to pre independence era? So when the state can not stop militants from driving people away leading to an ethnic cleansing. Why people from other parts of country can not settle here ok let them be of Kashmir origin (I can hear BJP clapping with the grin on RSS’s face). I find any idea of autonomy fallacious. Good governance is required through out the country, Kashmir included. Hope some one gives Kashmiris a wake up call.