Ignoring a point of view
In a way, what has happened to the LTTE in Sri Lanka is similar to what has happened to the Hurriyat in Kashmir. Both of them have ceased to be relevant in their respective places. It does not mean that the alienation of people they represent has ended. But it does mean that the fight to project their stance has not met with success.
In any case, the violence is practically over, more so in Kashmir than in Sri Lanka. This is the only conclusion which can be drawn. Anything beyond that may be wishful thinking on the part of the LTTE and the Hurriyat on one hand and the governments in Sri Lanka and India on the other. What we see is a military victory. Moral victory is still distant.
I do not want to belittle the two struggles. The LTTE and the Hurriyat have fought for independence for some 23 years, sacrificing thousands of their adherents. Yet, they did not realise that the gun would never give them victory. They pitted themselves against states which had more guns. Even general opinion was against them. In the long run, the governments were bound to get the better of the "freedom fighters."
Neither the LTTE nor the Hurriyat has ever faced the fact that no nation will allow any part of its territory to break away. Had the two asked for a status within their respective countries, the sky would have been the limit. Some countries like China are unfortunate examples. The Dalai Lama has said more than once that he was prepared to accept an autonomous state within China, leaving defence and foreign affairs to Beijing. India would give its right arm if the Kashmiris were to accept that.
Maybe the solution of Kashmir lies in a formula whereby people of the state enjoy power over all matters except foreign affairs and defence. Islamabad could do likewise in Azad Kashmir. Both New Delhi and Islamabad can give the Kashmiris a sense of integrity by making the border between Kashmir and the Azad Kashmir soft. Pakistan has already said that it would agree to the arrangement, which the Kashmiris accept.
Jammu will still need to be tackled. If it is assured of its identity, it would rather stay with the valley than jump into the welter of India, where linguistic chauvinism is taking over the centuries old coherent tradition. Much depends on the people living in the valley --how far they are willing to accommodate Jammu.
In the same way, it depends on the Sinhalese how far they are willing to go to win over the northern part of Sri Lanka where the Tamils abound and where the LTTE has been most active. Absorption of Tamils or those who harbour the dream of Eelam depends on the government. A federal structure instead of the unitary system the country follows, or the devolution of power to the different parts, may provide a way out. But then the authoritarianism of the ruling party will have to be curbed.
I was shouted down when I told a gathering of students at the Srinagar University that their movement would have made far more impact if it had been non-violent. Similarly, when I met a few LTTE leaders some years ago, they were violent even in their tone. They are as much in the wrong as the Hurriyat leaders if they believe that a principle can only be stoutly defended by the language of violence or by condemning those who do not accept their point of view.
For both of them, those who are not with them are against them. This is the old approach of the bigoted. This approach is wholly unscientific, unreasonable, and uncivilised, whether it is applied to the realm of politics, religion, or economic theory.
Whatever Colombo and New Delhi may think about their respective strategies, we have arrived at a stage in the world where an attempt to forcibly impose a policy or idea is ultimately bound to fail. I wish the two governments would realise this. They have to win them over and make them feel that their stake in peace is no less than that of the government.
If the LTTE and the Hurriyat continue to defy reason they would be living in a make-believe world. But there can be no victory for Sri Lanka and India either. And the status quo is a defeat for everyone. Both Colombo and New Delhi have to accept that the desire for identity is strong and it cannot be suppressed.
The ground is ready for Sri Lanka to have a settlement with the Tamils. In the same way, the government at Delhi has to sort out things with the Kashmiris. In fact, people in all the countries in South Asia want to rule themselves without government interference. They are sick and tired of violence and would like to settle down to a stable, secure future.
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