BJP general secretary and prominent RSS leader Ram Madhav, along with national security adviser Ajit Doval’s son Shaurya Doval, who heads a New Delhi-based think tank, appear to be spearheading a Track 2 initiative to bring peace back to Jammu and Kashmir. They are organising a seminar at Patnitop in the state’s Udhampur district where attempts could be made to devise a formula to reach out to the Hurriyat. A special “Young Thinkers’ Meet”, where around 80 intellectuals would take part, some of them non-political figures, has been arranged.
The conclave is being held amid the ongoing violence in the Kashmir Valley, in which scores of civilians and security personnel have been killed. Television reports claimed that the special conclave led by Mr Madhav would bring together members of civil society as well as some ministers. The national security adviser is also likely to take part in the deliberations at some stage.
The television reports also said that the conclave could be a way of bringing together like-minded people to discuss the best way forward with the stalled dialogue process and reaching out to the separatists. The conclave is being held under the banner of the India Foundation, of which Shaurya Doval is a director. He has been taking part in parleys on national security issues of late, sources said. The reports claimed that the conclave will be held in the presence of RSS members, around 80 intellectuals and some senior ministers.
Mr Madhav, incidentally, is the main troubleshooter from the BJP for Jammu and Kashmir, and had brokered the alliance with the People’s Democratic Party after the state Assembly elections. He has also maintained a hawkish line on the Kashmir violence after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani by security personnel.
Over a month of continuous protests and clashes after the killing of Wani has led to the death of over 50 people in the Valley and injuries to over 3,000. Normal life remains hampered as curfew remains in place at many places across the state.
