Arif Mohammad Khan, Governor of Kerala, is currently on a visit to Jammu and Kashmir. Brighter Kashmir Editor-in-Chief Farooq Wani had the privilege of interviewing him on Thursday on a wide range of issues, including his assessment of the prevailing situation in Kashmir, his views on the terrorism and the way it is being tackled, on development, tourism potential, etc. The interview:

BK: Khan Saheb, We have seen for some time now that the terror ecosystem in the Kashmir Valley is experiencing a downward graph in spite of the fact that innocent civilians, including Kashmiri Pandits have lost their lives to this menace. Who deserves the credit for this achievement ?

Governor Arif M. Khan: Look, I would simply compare this to an oil lamp that sparks furtively when the flame is about to be extinguished. The sponsors of terrorism today have been pinned to a corner so firmly that in the next year or two they will no longer be able to export terror. Pakistan, which I and many others blame for sponsoring terror, is now passing through a stage where it is internally holding crisis meetings on how to neutralise its own terror creations such as the Tehreek-i-Taliban, the Balochi rebels, etc. Islamabad is not even able to maintain basic law and order. They have done whatever they could to promote unrest and instability across the border, but now they have reached a point of saturation. J&K, Kashmir is on the path of enlightenment, development and progress. The world is now seeing India as a country that counts globally and Kashmir is a contributing factor to that vision.

BK: There is a lot of talk these days about when elections will be held in J&K? What is grapevine saying on this ?

Governor Arif M. Khan: It is my considered view that Lt Governor Manoj Sinha himself is very keen to have a political system back in place in J&K. Not only him; our Prime Minister is concerned about it; our Home Minister is concerned about it. We need a gap, an intervening period so to speak, where we can send a final message that “terrorists will not be able to operate in any part of Kashmir henceforth”. We are all keen and committed at the leadership level to ensure that a people-centric government exists and works in J&K. As soon as this message of terrorism having no place is realised, there won’t be a moment’s delay in restoring an elected government that is by the people and for the people. We have to create the right atmosphere where people contesting elections do not fear for their lives as they once did. That is the responsibility of both the Centre and the Lt Governor.

BK: Arif Sahab, you are here in Srinagar to attend an important Sufism conference being held at the SKICC tomorrow (31st). It has been organised by the Pune-based Global Strategic Policy Foundation (GSPFP). Sufism is a belief long associated with Kashmir and Kashmiris. Can Sufism be used to bring Delhi and Kashmir closer ?

Governor Arif M. Khan: Sufism goes by different names. We call it Sufism; we also call it Tasawwuf, or Rishiyat, or some even refer to it as Kashmiriyat. Foundationally, Sufism is a feeling, a search for spirituality. I refer here to Maula Ali’s Code. Someone once asked him how he defines religion? At that time he was on horseback heading out for some work. This was a profound question asked of him in an attempt to stop him from going. Without pause, on horseback, he replied, “If in your heart there is a belief in Allah and you also fall in love with the idea of Allah; that is what religion is.” When I read the works of Nund Rishi and his teacher Laleshwari, I feel this code of Maula Ali is well reflected. Rishiyat or Kashmiriyat cannot be limited to or identified with just law, or law and order, Kashmir is a thought, is an example and a message not only for the country, but for the whole world, to promote human kindness universally (Insaniyat), and to help those who are less fortunate.

BK: In Friday’s conference, Kashmir as a subject is likely to come up. As a chief guest, how are you likely to compare modern-day Kashmir with what Kashmir was in the past? The removal of Article 370 has ushered in a great deal of normalcy; there are a number of development initiatives that have been taken up. There isn’t a politician-based government. What would be your message ?

Governor Arif M. Khan: It is my belief that the people of India must look at Kashmir as the crown of their heads, as the crown of the nation, as the pinnacle and fount of our education, our history and our heritage. This is what is so special about Kashmir, about Srinagar. It cannot be limited to just law or law and order. Kashmir is and has been rooted in our culture and been in our veins for tens of thousands of years. It is unfortunate that Pakistan used Article 370 to spread confusion and instability in Kashmir, especially after their rousing defeat in the 1971 Indo-Pak War. It was their act of revenge. What is the situation in Pakistan today? There is disunity there. Without Article 370, they have no voice, they have no stature. They no longer have the very instrument with which they were spreading feelings of fear and anxiety among Kashmiris on our side of Kashmir. There is improved law and order. I am totally confident about Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir, emerging as India’s top most state in the near future. This region will emerge as an IT hub, a tourism hub, a hub for quality education and it will serve as an example to the world. We talk often of the new world order? Is it possible for any world order to exist without humanness or humanity ?

BK: Governor Khan, you are known to have a long-standing deep links and association with Kashmir. Can you tell us what is it that draws you to Kashmir again and again ?

Governor Arif M. Khan: I have been associated with Kashmir since my student days. I was a student of law at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). In those days, Srinagar did not have a law college nor were there facilities to teach law, and I recall that students from Kashmir would either go to Amritsar or come to Aligarh Muslim University to pursue law. The flow of Kashmiri students to AMU was much more than it was to Amritsar. I was the president and the secretary of the students’ union and I recall we had more than 500 students from Kashmir. They had formed their own association and in both of my student election campaigns, the Kashmiri Students’ Association gave me full support. For me, it was not only about getting their votes, but also about developing relationships with many of them.

BK: Sir, you were a member of the Indian National Congress-led central government between 1980 and 1984. You were a Minister of State. How was that experience, especially with regard to developments in Kashmir ?

Governor Arif M. Khan: Yes, I was a part of the government between 1980 and 1984 and was given the responsibility of handling some issues pertaining to Kashmir. In the valley in those days, I found, much to my surprise, at least three if not four magistrate court-level lawyers who were with me as students at AMU, who had helped me during student elections, and some were and still remain very close friends. So for me, Kashmir has always been a home away from home. I may not have attended marriages, etc. was present to condole the passing of some of my friends, but I am happy to reveal that I still have some abiding relationships from that part of our country, for example there was the late Ghulam Nabi Shor Sahab, Lala, etc. I still am in touch with their families.

BK: The Centre and UT Government have jointly organised and participated in roadshows both within India and abroad. We have seen frequent visits being undertaken by Prime Minister Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Mr. Modi in fact is now seen as the brand ambassador of Kashmir. The Kashmir economy has got a major boost through record tourist footfalls, and other key initiatives. How do you see these positive developments impacting the people of Kashmir in the long term?

Governor Arif M. Khan: I assure you, whether it is the Prime Minister, or the Home Minister, everyone wants to see Kashmir as a flourishing region. They want Kashmir to show the way forward for the entire country and not just restrict its efforts to itself. Be it economic development, or tourism, or socio-economic development initiatives, Kashmir will and has to take the lead. In what areas does Kashmir lack? In my view none, its art and craft, its culture, its cuisine, all of it is of world standard, and our aim should be to make it so. The Indian leadership is of the view, and I include myself, that in the last 30 years the impression of Kashmir was spoiled and damaged by people from across the border. Now we are seeing a visible change. The activities of anti-social elements, terrorists and militants have been neutralised to a large extent. I am confident and saying it with absolute certainty that Kashmir is back on track towards retrieving its lost glory and heritage.

BK: Srinagar has been chosen as one of the venues for a G-20 event. How do you see this development ?

Governor Arif M. Khan: I believe the whole world is going to experience the wonder that India is, that Kashmir is. I want to re-emphasize that the instability that was associated with Kashmir at one time was not the doing of the local people; it was the work of external elements, vested interests from beyond our borders. There is no doubt that instability and crisis was the work of a foreign hand. Kashmiris are peaceful and law abiding people. Kashmir is the foundation of humanity and we must see it as such. Kashmir is Sheikh-ul-Alam’s legacy to all of us. We will see a time when tourism in Kashmir will flourish throughout the year.
It is my firm belief that in the years to come India in general and Kashmir in particular will be looked upon by the world with both pride and positive envy. I wish all our citizens a very happy and healthy 2023.