New Delhi, Delhi, India
Former union home minister P Chidambaram posted a total of nine tweets on Kashmir on Sunday -- the gist of his argument being that the government's "hard, militaristic" approach in the state was not working.
"From time to time we are rudely reminded that there is an issue concerning the state of Jammu & Kashmir," he said.
"The last reminder," he said, "came on the night of 30-31 December 2017, when militants attacked the CRPF Training Centre at Lethpora in Pulwama district killing five CRPF personnel and injuring three."
Chidambaram also referred to the appointment by the government of Dineshwar Sharma as interlocutor on Kashmir.
"...but his (Sharma's) mandate was not clear," Chidambaram said.
Chidambaram finally went on to say that "If you are one of those who had thought that the hard, muscular, militaristic approach of the government should be given a chance, please look at the table once again. You may change your view."
Also read: In and a difficult out of South Kashmir
1.From time to time we are rudely reminded that there is an issue concerning the state of Jammu & Kashmir.
— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) January 7, 2018
2. The last reminder came on the night of 30-31 December 2017, when militants attacked the CRPF Training Centre at Lethpora in Pulwama district killing five CRPF personnel and injuring three.
— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) January 7, 2018
3. On the eve of the election in Gujarat, the government appointed Mr Dineshwar Sharma as Special Representative (SR), but his mandate was not clear.
— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) January 7, 2018
4. Subsequently, it was indicated that the SR will talk to anyone who was willing to meet him, and therein lies the catch.
— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) January 7, 2018
5. It was claimed that the hard, muscular, militaristic approach will put an end to infiltration and militancy. Has it? pic.twitter.com/AkT6ESrbJe
— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) January 7, 2018
6. Wisdom lies in actively working to find a political solution to the issue of J&K. Both Mr A B Vajpayee and Dr Manmohan Singh will be remembered for their diligent efforts to find a solution to the issue.
— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) January 7, 2018
7. The way forward is to invite all stakeholders for talks.Unfortunately, the stakeholders have perceived the appointment of the SR as a pre-election gimmick and have totally rebuffed the good fellow.
— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) January 7, 2018
8. Still, all is not lost. I support the idea of interlocutors, but that step has to be part of a set of measures.
— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) January 7, 2018
9. If you are one of those who had thought that the hard, muscular, militaristic approach of the government should be given a chance, please look at the table once again. You may change your view.
— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) January 7, 2018
The BJP was quick to react, with GVL Narasimha Rao saying Chidambaram's ideas were a "recipe for disaster".
Rao added that "our forces are doing a fantastic job." And that Chidambaram should "support them".
"Stop acting as a Pakistani poodle advancing it's anti-India agenda," he added.
Thiru Chidambaram,Your ideas on Kashmir are a recipe for disaster. Our forces are doing a fantastic job. Support them. Stop acting as a Pakistani poodle advancing it's anti-India agenda. Seems you are jealous of Thiru MS Aiyer & trying to challenge him as Pak's "Apologist No. 1". https://t.co/bgA0vhNsJK
— GVL Narasimha Rao (@GVLNRAO) January 7, 2018
Do you ever see Cong leaders attack Pak for killing our soldiers? No.They dine with Pak, rejoice Hafiz Saeed's release, show "fake" concern for forces but abuse them & their Twitter handles act as Poodles of Pakistan. Shame on @INCIndia & @OfficeOfRG @PChidambaram_IN @KapilSibal
— GVL Narasimha Rao (@GVLNRAO) January 7, 2018