Delhi, Dec 15: The Kashmir Policy and Strategy Group (KPSG) has called on the Union Government to establish a Truth & Reconciliation Commission in the wake of the recent Supreme Court Constitutional bench ruling on the validity of the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution.
In an extraordinary executive meeting held in Delhi, chaired by Senior Advocate Ashok Bhan, the KPSG assessed the current situation in Kashmir and emphasized the need to address the historical complexities surrounding the region.
Bhan highlighted that the judgment of the constitution bench of the Supreme Court of India regarding Article 370 will undoubtedly provoke extensive analysis and debate. However, he stressed that the broader message from the judges is crystal clear.
The subject of Jammu & Kashmir has long been shrouded in opacity, with distortions of history, self-serving myths, and competing political interests clouding the truth. Bhan emphasized the importance of peeling back these layers to uncover a brighter future for Jammu & Kashmir, free from prejudice and with a genuine focus on the real issues at hand.
Over the years, the KPSG has actively engaged in dialogue through intra-civil society webinars, meetings, and social media interactions. Their mission has been to highlight the urgent need for closure following the devastating phase of violence and destruction that has engulfed the wider South Asian region, particularly Jammu & Kashmir.
Bhan pointed out that the Kashmir valley has shouldered a heavy burden in a social context, with its people serving as victims of conflict since 1947. The consequences of armed insurgency and violence, perpetrated by both non-state and state actors, have resulted in the exile of religious minorities and the killings of innocent civilians.
To pave the way for healing, progress, and the restoration of coexistence, tolerance, mutual respect, and communal harmony, Bhan proposed the expedited establishment of a truth & reconciliation commission. This commission would thoroughly investigate and report on human rights violations committed by both non-state and state actors in Jammu & Kashmir since the 1980s. Additionally, it would provide recommendations for reconciliation within the region.
The KPSG wholeheartedly welcomed the Supreme Court’s findings and called upon the Union Government to urgently act upon the court’s recommendation, demonstrating respect for constitutionalism and fulfilling their responsibility to the people of Jammu & Kashmir.
The establishment of a Truth & Reconciliation Commission would serve as a significant step toward acknowledging the grievances, seeking justice, and ultimately fostering a path to healing in a region ravaged by conflict and subjugation.
