Kashmir Self-determination, Communalism and Democratic Rights

K Balagopal NOW that cynical realism believes it has won some sort of a victory in Kashmir, it is time to talk of some principlesprinciples pertaining not only to the way the rulers of India have been dealing with Kashmir, but also the way progressive and democratic- minded Indians have been responding to Kashmir, and to the problems stemming from the mode of expression of the cause of Kashmiri self-determination. Criticism of the rulers is easy and uncomplicated, at least in principle, if one has no material or ideological interests vested in the matter. The others are less easy, less familiar and less comfortable, but unless we learn to formulate such critiques, the cause of progress and democracy will remain stuck at 1989.