Heroes In Fatigue

A day later, though, Musharraf came to the rescue of the Hurriyat leaders claiming he considered them the real representatives of Kashmiris. But others caution against such endorsements, arguing that Islamabad should stop playing favourites and invite Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti also over. A senior official at the foreign office reacted acerbically to this: "Those leaders will be greeted with garlands made of shoes."

Fortunately, this view is in a minority; most here want Pakistan to treat all Kashmiri leaders on an equal footing. A Daily Times editorial was revealing, "Representation means including those leaders in the process who represent the Kashmiris. The Hurriyat has so far not been tested at the hustings. This is because it has refused to contest polls under the Indian constitution. That was technically correct but it does raise the issue of how to determine who represents the Kashmiris. It is for the Hurriyat to devise the strategy to work out the modalities of representation.... Both the Mufti government and the Opposition led by Abdullah are realities which neither the Hurriyat nor Pakistan can ignore." The Hurriyat has to show greater imagination in defining itself and demonstrating popular support. Their demand for a role in the peace process will only then acquire legitimacy.