The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

on record
‘Lifting Art 370 will further alienate Valley’
Mehbooba Mufti MP and president of the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party, speaks to Editor-in-Chief
Raj Chengappa

In the recent Lok Sabha elections your party did well, winning all three seats from the Valley, and an analysis of the voting shows that the PDP stood first in 41 of the 87 Assembly seats in Jammu and Kashmir. What were the main reasons?

Basically everybody wanted a change — from bad to good or from good to better. So it is the same thing as anywhere else in the country. It was more so in this state because the governance by the National Conference-led government has been almost not there. There has been lawlessness and human rights violation, despite the fact that militancy has come down, and corruption, which is far more than in any other part of the country, involving high profile politicians. There were also unemployment, inflation and lack of accountability and justice. Above all, the political process that was started during Mufti Sahib’s tenure when Vajpayeeji was PM, was totally abandoned. There is now a trust deficit and the feeling of alienation has increased. The new Chief Minister was seen as a youth icon and the youth had some expectations from him, but during his tenure the youth have been the worst victims.

How much of the defeat was because of UPA-II’s performance at the Centre?

Their own performance [the state government’s] was so bad that the UPA performance at the Centre paled in comparison. There has been so much corruption, there is hardly any accountability. Everything is on sale. They have given extension to the most corrupt officers. And secondly, both the parties tried to communalise the situation as much as the BJP was doing it. Can you imagine, in Kashmir, one of the Congress leaders saying that voting for the PDP is voting for the Mandir? Omar Sahib also crossed all limits of decency when he said Modi was the Godfather of Mehbooba Mufti. All these factors, and that they did not talk about anything positive, went against them. They just talked about how the PDP was going with the BJP!

Are you comfortable with Modi as PM? How do you see relations with the new government?

My comfort level does not count because he has been elected by the people of India. But definitely we will be watching because every PM has to address poverty, education and development of the country. But the biggest challenge for every Prime Minister right since Jawahar Lal Nehru till date is Jammu and Kashmir — what they are going to do about it — because it is holding India down. And I feel since the new Prime Minister has a way of transforming adversity into opportunity, we hope he does the same with Jammu and Kashmir. If we have a bad situation, if there is a trust deficit, we should be able to turn it around and find an opportunity in this to make Jammu and Kashmir a centre of peace. You want to build SAARC cooperation, let Jammu and Kashmir be the centre of activity, let J&K be a model for cooperation, and then we can go to other parts of the country. Let’s make Jammu and Kashmir a free economic zone for all countries to contribute. Then again, we are talking about having good relations with China, we want to reach out to Iran, but that road passes right through Jammu and Kashmir. Why don’t we make Jammu and Kashmir the centre of economic activity?

What is your opinion of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s visit?

It was a good beginning but it remains just a symbolic gesture unless and until you are able to engage fruitfully. To engage with them you also need to get on board the voice of dissent in J&K. We will be the facilitators. We will create a conciliatory atmosphere. We will try to see that things are normal and peaceful but we need to engage them because only then will be able to move forward. You cannot ignore Pakistan. It has been there since 1947. We have fought so many wars and the trade and economics I talked about earlier has to be done with Pakistan.

The new Modi government has already raised the issue of Article 370 being abrogated.

I do not think they can do it. Expert opinion is that you cannot do it because this is the relationship on which the accession is based and it is something that was ratified by the constituent Assembly of J&K. You do not have a Constituent Assembly today, that means you go back to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and ask them what you want to do and I do not think you can go to that extreme. There are people like me, whose father joined the Indian democratic process at the earliest stage, when even the National Conference had made a complete U-turn and anybody who talked about Indian democracy was seen as an untouchable or non-Muslim. When people like us, who do not hold guns and stones in our hands, who are committed to the democratic process of India out of conviction, feel that there is no place or space in this huge and great democracy for the people of Jammu and Kashmir to live with dignity and honour, and we are being disrobed, then we may have to revolt.

The ruling BJP’s argument is why does J and K need the special status granted under Article 370 anymore?

I think we should not forget that we are still a Muslim majority state; they should not forget that our accession to the country was on certain conditions. It was not like any other state and we have to preserve our identity, we had certain provisions provided by the Maharaja. He had made certain provisions so that the identity for Dogras and Kashmiris and everybody else is safeguarded against the intrusion from outside, be it from Punjab or Afghanistan. So we would like it to be like that. We were one of the states that were not part of the British Empire; we were an independent state at that point. In spite of that when the situation arose where we had to choose between India and Pakistan, people chose to be part of this democratic secular country. But they put certain conditions, as also did India. I do not think going back on those conditions is a proper way to go forward. The territory is there with India, what else does it want now? The only thing that you do not have is the people; you do not have their hearts and minds with you. Do you want to alienate them further; do you want to do it by lifting Article 370? If you are just after the land and you want to get it at any cost and can go to any extent, then you have the Army — just finish us and take our land.

What is your opinion about relaxing AFSPA? The Omar government had wanted it removed from certain districts?

It is not a matter of certain districts. The situation in the 1990s was very bad and there were thousands of militants and their targets were civilians — either you are with me or against me. There was a lot of violence and there was no defence for the people. At that time, you called in the Army and gave it special powers. Now militancy has gone down drastically and people have participated in the democratic and electoral processes. Now we need to tell the people we trust them, and we should trust them. The situation today is near normal. Let the state police take remedial measures to deal with the residual militancy. Let the Army move back, then it will not need any special powers because they will not be involved in any operation in the civilian areas. The Army’s job is over. They have created an atmosphere conducive to peace. Now allow the people to take their own decisions and participate in the electoral process. They have to be allowed to live in that democratic space and work in that.

Would you like to align with the BJP in the coming Assembly elections?

Not at all. This is the last thing we can think of. I feel the biggest mistake made by the Congress was when my father was there and the Congress was coming up as a force in Jammu and Kashmir. It was gaining ground when it took on the National Conference on the basis of corruption. Their mistake was to subsequently align with the National Conference. It is because the National Conference did not allow any opposition to grow within the mainstream. So, we are not going to be in alliance with anybody in the coming Assembly elections because we have an agenda and a programme. The PDP has its own policies which we are going to implement and propagate. Our resolution is to give good governance and focus on good programmes.

How confident are you of coming to power in the coming state elections?

We are re-strategising for the Assembly elections and we will come with a very positive manifesto. We are trying to study what the problems are and we will be very practicable and find possible solutions to the problems. We will not do such things as the Chief Minister says: “Meter toro, heater lagao” (break the meter and use the heater) and employment to all, etc. We will not make promises that are difficult to fulfil. Our manifesto will have issues that are implementable and practical, and which take care of problems of all sections of society. Our agenda will also be to give a solution to the Kashmir problem and give a movement forward. Self-rule is going to be the centre of our political process and good governance is going to be part of our manifesto.

Would you be the Chief Minister if your party wins a majority?

Insha Allah, if we win, it is going to be Mufti Sahab. We are very clear about this. I am taking Mufti Sahab’s name because he has the acumen and vast experience to take care of a state like Jammu and Kashmir. During Mufti Sahab’s tenure as Chief Minister some political process seemed to be starting from J and K, and that was noticed in Delhi, including by the Vajpayee government, as well as in Islamabad.

There has been an increase in the number of women complaining of sexual abuse in J and K. What needs to be done?

We should start with politicians first, as a lot of complaints have come out against them recently. A politician should know that he will not be tolerated in the party if he gets himself involved in a sexual harassment case. However powerful a person may be, he should be proceeded against and a signal should go out that even a mighty person is not going to be spared in the party. We need to be very tough. The rules are already there, they need to be implemented in letter and spirit. Also, advertisements on television and the Internet as well as films are responsible for the increasing sexual assaults on women. We need to rethink on such advertisements. We need to have more women in police stations, where a woman may be able to go easily to make a complaint against anyone trying to make advances on her. Sincere implementation of the existing laws in favour of women is more important than framing new rules.

last word
Sumitra Mahajan
With smile and resolve, she’ll speak for Constitution
Taking over from a woman, the eight-time representative from Indore is also the longest serving woman MP. She's known by her mild and motherly manner, but that should not be mistaken for a pushover. After all, she has survived three decades of politics
By Vibha Sharma

Addressing the Lok Sabha the first time as Speaker, Sumitra Mahajan made a reference to Ahilyabai Holkar, the 18th century queen of Maratha-ruled Malwa, highly respected in her lifetime and revered as saint after death.

Indore, which has sent Mahajan to the Lok Sabha for the eight consecutive term, was the capital of Ahilyabai's regime. The unmistakable break in Mahajan's voice when she remembered "revered Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai Holkar" as a "source of inspiration and an ideal" in her life spoke volumes.

Son Mandar Mahajan explains: "Ahilyabai's husband and son were killed in battleground. After her father-in-law died she inherited the kingdom, which she protected singlehandedly. She initiated plunderer tribes of Jhabua into the mainstream. There was perfect order and governance during her reign and people prospered.

"One of Ahilyabai's achievements was bringing down the mighty Peshwas to their knees without even a battle. My mother considers her the perfect example of how a person should be in public life, 'nih-swarth' (selfless) and committed," he says.

That is Sumitra Mahajan, the longest serving woman MP and now Speaker of the Lok Sabha with an ever smiling face and motherly demeanour encasing resolve and strength of character.

The challenge

Ask her about her new challenge and "Tai", as she is endearingly called, tells you how any new task is - like it was when she rolled her first "roti" or stepped out of home to enter public life. "Every new responsibility is a challenge. I hope to tackle this with the help of everyone," she says.

Would her mild nature be a handicap? After all, predecessor Meira Kumar had to handle the full rough and tumble of the House, including pepper spray. "I have been in the Speaker's panel and dealt with difficult situations many times. I am a mother who can explain with love, but can also be firm. If I am positive, people will respond positively. I have maintained discipline in my 25 years in the House and will continue to do so," she says.

The journey

From Chiplun to occupying the sixth most important position in India's "Order of Precedence" - a level shared with the Chief Justice of India - it has been a long journey indeed for Mahajan.

One of six siblings, her upbringing was "most humble", says Mandar. There was no link with politics, but the relationship with the RSS started in childhood, as her parents were active in the RSS. When she contested her first Lok Sabha election, brother Arun Sathe contested against Sunil Dutt of the Congress.

After matriculation from the village school, she moved to Mumbai for graduation. Her husband, late Jayant Mahajan, was a lawyer. She too holds a degree in law but has never practised. While in Mumbai, she worked in the office of the Accountant General for some time on a clerical post, according to close associate
Ashok Wankhede.

When her family was looking for a groom for her, her only wish was he should not be from Mumbai, as she did not want to stay in a crowded flat. She wanted a house, a joint family. Her ambition was only to be a housewife and work for society, particularly women, her son says.

But her husband, who encouraged her in politics, hoped to see her as the Madhya Pradesh CM one day. Mother-in-law Indirabai Mahajan played a crucial role in the journey, providing support at home.

Mahajan began with inspirational lectures in schools on Maharana Pratap, Shivaji and Ahilyabai. During Emergency, when Sangh leaders went underground or were jailed, she distributed rations to their families on her bicycle. The political career started when Kushabhau Thakre (then BJP president) asked her to contest elections.

After the 2014 General Election, names of veterans like LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Karia Munda were doing the rounds for the post of Speaker. Many senior BJP leaders were lobbying for various posts, but not Sumitra Tai. Wankhede says she told him if after winning eight elections she was still expected to lobby, she was not interested.

What worked for Mahajan was support from Narendra Modi, who wanted a woman to succeed Meira Kumar. Her record as parliamentarian, a clean image and the RSS connection clinched the job.

The politician

Soft-spoken Mahajan is known to pack a punch when needed. During the 2009 elections, many party men worked against her, foremost among them Kailash Vijayvargiya, a powerful minister in MP. She managed to win by a slender margin of 11,500 votes. But the smart politician in her realised it was time to patch up. The move paid off, and the margin this year was 4.67 lakh votes.

Though Mandar's bid for the Assembly ticket is said to have been sabotaged by Vijayvarghia, he says there is no issue. "It is just that Vijayvarghia's style of politics is different from my mother's. She is unfit for today's times," he says.

So what exactly is Mahajan's style of work? "She knows her limits and never crosses them. She will never step away from rules to help anyone, including me or my brother (Milind Mahajan)," he says.

A grassroots leader, she has risen from the ranks. In 1982 she became a corporator in Indore and in 1984 deputy mayor. In 1988 she unsuccessfully contested the Assembly elections. But the fighter in her persisted. She used her connections with the RSS and former PM Atal Behari Vajpayee to get the Lok Sabha ticket in 1989, defeating former Congress MP chief minister Prakash Chandra Sethi to become a minister of state in the Vajpayee Cabinet.

"She shared good relations with RSS founder Deendayal Upadhyay, Atalji and Advaniji. She was part of their campaigns," says 70-year-old Indore-based Bhaluchandra Mondhe who has known her for almost four decades.

A mother, a friend

For Mandar, a chief flying instructor at Indore Flying Club, and Milind, a software engineer, she is the "best mother in the world".

"Despite her busy life, she was actively involved in the household and our studies. She is an excellent cook. Her specialties are gujiya and sev. If my sister-in-law is not well or the housemaid is on leave, she just takes over," Mandar says.

While proposing her name, Modi said her name "Sumitra" suggested she would be a friend to all. Indeed, she has friends in all parties. When she became Speaker, many of her visitors were from the Congress.

Yet, the 315 new MPs would be well advised not to take her mild manner for granted, and remember she is an ardent admirer of Ahilyabai, who knew how to defend her kingdom. Wielding a warm smile and a huge heart, Mahajan is also expected to defend the Constitution with the ferocity of a warrior.