Next Steps in Jammu and Kashmir

In November 2010, WISCOMP had organized a Consultative Conference at New Delhi on Competing Realities: Identity, Culture and Dialogue in Jammu and Kashmir. This conference provided an opportunity for civil society members to unscramble the rise of different identities in the state and the impact of increased mass mobilizations around religious and regional identities on prospects for dialogue among stakeholders. It was held in the wake of five months of mass protests in the Kashmir valley.

A follow up consultation was organized on March 2, 2011 at the India International Centre, New Delhi where the participants discussed the Next Steps in Jammu and Kashmir. The outcome of the consultation was the scaling up of the WISCOMP action oriented peacebuilding initiatives - Athwaas and Samanbals.

The participants deliberated on priority areas where initiatives should and can be undertaken and strategies that can be adopted to achieve desired objectives. As members of break out groups they brainstormed three themes- Initiatives Involving Collaborations with Local Youth and Media; Grassroots Initiatives; and Intercultural & Interfaith Dialogue. The effort was to chalk out a road map with achievable milestones to contribute to the process of bringing peace and stability to the state.

The group discussions were followed by a plenary, where the groups made presentations and had an opportunity to provide feedback on suggested activities. Among the participants were Prof. Siddiq Wahid, Founding Vice Chancellor of Islamic University of Science & Technology, Kashmir; Prof. Rekha Choudhary, Professor, University of Jammu; Dr. Zafar Choudhary Editor-in-Chief of Epilogue; Prof. Neerja Mattoo a core member of Athwaas; Mr. Ahmed Ali Fayyaz Political Analyst and Television Anchor; Dr. D. Suba Chandran, Director, Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies, New Delhi; and Dr. Jyotsna Singh, Director, Dara Shikoh Center for Arts, Srinagar.