While trying to support he Indian Army, Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh ended up endorsing the use of a man tied to a jeep as a human shield in Kashmir. This statement was not only entirely unnecessary, it was also extremely irresponsible, especially by an elected head of a state government.
t here was absolutely no need for Captain Singh to make any comments regarding the incident, especially since the court of inquiry into the allegations has still not come to any conclusions. While he’s allowed to have a personal opinion on any matter, here his statement becomes doubly irresponsible because he is the elected head of the state government of Punjab; and is directly responsible for the welfare and safety of the people of his state. His utter disregard for human rights and the rights of the individual, especially in areas of conflict and tension, does not inspire confidence. He has urged the central government to send out a “strong signal” to those opposing the State, and said that he supported the Indian army’s warning of “appropriate response” for the “despicable act” of the mutilation of bodies of two Indian soldiers by Pakistan army in Poonch.
The problem of Kashmir is a very complicated one, with no simple solutions, and as most observers have agreed, certainly not a solution that involves an extensive use of armed forces. To paint the problem in the simplistic binary terms of people versus the Army does nothing to help solve the problems of the state. At a time when goodwill towards government institutions in the Valley is at an all time low, the need of the hour is to de-escalate the conflict. By arguing that the actions of the Major are not only justified, but also worth emulating, the chief minister of Punjab is only making the rift between Kashmiris and the government wider. He would do well to be more mindful of his words and actions.