Peerzada Arshad Hamid

Srinagar

People's Democratic Party (PDP) is yet to come up with a detailed draft on its much hyped proposal 'Self-rule', that the party kicked up a storm after suggesting introduction of dual currency in state as well Pakistan administered Kashmir.

The need for introducing dual currency was felt by PDP patron and former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.

Sayeed advocates that both Indian and Pakistani rupees should be the medium of exchange across LoC. PDP terms the move a step forward towards ending up a status quo on Kashmir. The Party President and Member of Parliament, Mehbooba Mufti not only seconded her father but also confidently argues that the proposal is in line with the ground realities.

"Our prime minister and president of Pakistan have already acknowledged that boundaries can not be changed, let us make them irrelevant. So for making borders irrelevant there is a need to address the implications of boundaries like free movement of people and goods. What we propose is what situation demands," Mehbooba told TEHELKA.

During her visit to Pakistan earlier this month, Mehbooba suggested structuring of a regional council (dual power-sharing arrangement between India and Pakistan for undivided Kashmir) for an amicable solution to Kashmir. She had gone there to present a paper on Prospects for Kashmir in Indo-Pak relations in two-day Pugwash conference on "regional stability".

Pugwash an American think tank has been organizing conferences in the sub-continent to discuss problems of regional stability and initiatives that should be taken to promote peace and cooperation in the region and make recommendations to the respective governments.

Mehbooba believes that biggest measure to bring both sides together is to set up a mechanism where in both countries can grow together by using joint resources.

PDP's top leadership propagates 'self-rule' as the only viable way out for permanent resolution of Kashmir imbroglio. Insiders in party say that it is the economic component of 'self rule' formula. Ask Mehbooba whether self-rule contains the option of dual currency as well and she says self rule is about empowering people.

"It is something like empowerment of people. There is going to be no full stop on self –rule. The way things are moving and economics is going around, there are so many things that can empower people. We are talking about empowering people. If tomorrow chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir is called prime minister, it is empowerment of government but if options like dual currency and routes are explored, that is empowerment of common people and empowerment of people of J&K is the essence of self-rule," Mehbooba explains.

However, PDP's proposal comes in for severe criticism from different political circles, ranging from pro-freedom Syed Ali Geelani to Hindu nationalist BJP. Even PDP's coalition partner in government Congress and largest opposition party in state National conference have rubbished the proposal in one voice.

Senior separatist leader and chairman of All party Hurriyat Conference, Syed Ali Geelani undermines the proposal as a trick to further complicate the Kashmir issue. Geelani rebuffs the ideas for according to him the proposal is aimed at deviating the attention from the main issue.

"Slogans like self-rule, joint management and joint currency are all meaningless propositions put forth by Indian stooges to help New Delhi buy more time and keep the dispute lingering besides covering up the atrocities being perpetrated on the people of the state to muzzle their voice for freedom," Geelani said.

Political analysts in the state view PDP's proposal as an election gimmick to woo the voters. Rekha Chaudhury is the former Head of Political Science Department in University of Jammu. She keeps track of the political developments in state and Indo-Pak relations.

Chaudhury does not see any practicality in the proposal for she says issue of currency can not be taken in isolation.

"I don't see any seriousness in this proposal. Since this is an election time, they have to woo the voters. Otherwise the issue of currency can not be taken in isolation. First there should be a proper consensus over movement of people, followed by trade and other things will follow. Since Kashmir is a political issue and unless you don't have a wider political arrangement, how can you expect progress in finances, monetary issues, currency etc.," she says.

Chaudhury is of view that currency has to be a part of some arrangement.

Earlier governments in India and Pakistan had agreed to much awaited trade across Line of Control (LoC) and even exchanged the list of items to be traded but political instability inside Pakistan played a spoilsport. The common sentiment among the business circles is that unless trade is not resumed across LoC, talking about such things is living in 'fool's paradise'. 

"We have not been able to open up the trade links and you are talking about currencies. Let them put in their efforts for opening up trade links first and then talk about other things. Why are they creating hue and cry on currencies," asks Muzaffar Ahmad Tak, a businessman in

Srinagar.

Up to 1947, Kashmiri goods, including fruits, almonds, walnuts and handicraft items, used to be traded via Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road. After Pakistan-backed tribesmen invaded Kashmir in 1948, the LoC - a ceasefire line - became the de facto border and vehicular movement was suspended across this road.

Last year the two governments exchanged trade list between two countries.

PDP base its argument on dual currency and maintains that economic upliftment can pave way towards resolution of Kashmir. They argue that integrating both sides economically through tourism and trade can bring people together without changing boundaries.

"Prime Minister of India has stated d said that we need to have some joint mechanism for common good of citizens. He said joint mechanism and here we are suggesting how it can be achievable. I think dual currency is going to facilitate this integration," Mehbooba says.

BJP has termed the proposal as "condemnable, outrageous and anti-national''. BJP spokesperson Hari Om has said PDP leaders should be tried for sedition and has even expressed surprise over the silence of Congress over the issue.

"You have people opposing it because they have always opposed identity of Jammu and Kashmir, Article 370, etc. Then there are other parties who oppose it in the grab of national interest. In Jammu and Kashmir there are people opposing it as PDP's election stunt. Let me tell you both currencies will be exchanged here once trade starts," Mehbooba says.

The largest opposition party in state National Conference president Omar Abdullah termed the proposal as mere eyewash. "PDP keeps on floating such ideas and when one is rejected another is floated. Slogans like demilitarization, self-rule are hollow and nothing else," Omar said.

NC has been championing the cause of autonomy to the state within Indian union and as the possible solution for the Kashmir crisis.

PDP's coalition partner state Congress president and Union Minister for water resources Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz has also rejected the proposal. The Congress party leaders credit themselves with what once PDP leaders were taking credit of. The clash between the coalition partners has put an end to the speculations of pre-poll alliance between the duo.  

"It is unfortunate that Mufti Muhammad Sayeed does not differentiate between Europe's joint currency and Pakistan rupee," Soz said.

Although it has generated a furor among the political circles, the economists do not see any hope in the viability of this proposal.

 "I don't see any practicality in this proposal. Maintaining two currencies - Pakistani one for Pakistani goods and Indian for Indian goods will be difficult for people. First we have to build a favourable atmosphere between two countries and then understand the aim of introducing the dual currency. I don't see it beneficial for the people," said Prof G M Bhat, Economist at the University of Kashmir.

Since Indian economy is growing compared to Pakistan, experts fear that such proposals if implemented will result in weakening the economy of state.

"In such a case the currencies will be vulnerable to fakes and thus would result in creating chaos and confusion among the people. These are pure political gimmicks and nothing else," Bhat said.

Earlier this year the state finance minister Tariq Hameed Karra was in the centre of a similar controversy when he raised the question of separate currency for Jammu and Kashmir. However, Mehbooba Mufti today shields the minister and says he did not meant separate currency instead dual currency. Mehbooba says Qarra was misquoted.