Rajnath Singh's visit to Kashmir valley: Do not expect much

Sending Rajnath Singh is only going to put chief minister Mehbooba Mufti under more pressure

Rajnath Singh has begun his 2-day visit to the Kashmir valley where he is likely to meet a cross section of people and review the prevailing situation that is yet to come back to normalcy. So should one expect a lot of change in the ground situation post this visit. It all depends on what kind of message he is ready to send.

He is after all, the Home Minister of the country. All paramilitary forces report to him. These are the very forces that are the target of hatred and rage in the state. So won’t Singh be a bit conflicted? Isn’t what Kashmir needs right now the healing touch? A soothing, gentle presence that offers to be a bridge between the Chief Minister and the mobs?

Like it or not – and opposition leader Omar Abdullah has made it clear he does not like it – Mehbooba Mufti is now the elected Chief Minister of the state. It is she who has to be shown the way in terms of administration and getting a grip on the situation. Sending Rajnath Singh is only going to put her under more pressure. Why not Sushma Swaraj who is as senior, can reach out and perform the sort of political role that is needed and will be seen as being more neutral by young people in the state than the Home Minister?

There could be two other reasons: one, the PM is famous for never agreeing to do anything under pressure and is sending Singh pro forma; or he is setting Singh up for a fall. Both could be true.

One thing is clear: expect no miracles from Rajnath Singh’s visit. Kashmir now needs the gentle touch of a Kashmiri Home Minister – not the Union Home Minister.