“Winning Hearts and Minds” (WHAM) remains a pivotal counter-insurgency strategy, emphasizing the role of trust-building in conflict resolution. Its application in terrorism-affected areas, like Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), focuses on engendering trust among local communities, ensuring that they feel heard, supported, and integral to the nation’s fabric.
Concerns and WHAM Measures in Jammu & Kashmir (J&K):
| Concerns | WHAM Measures |
| Historical deprivation | Abrogation of Article 370 for better integration with the Indian Union. |
| Persistent militancy | Project Sadhbhavana: Aimed at aiding youth to realize their aspirations. |
| Human rights issues linked with PSA and AFSPA | Defence Minister R. Singh’s 2023 statement on the conditional removal of AFSPA in the return of lasting peace. |
| Economic Stagnation | PM’s Development Package for J&K emphasizing employment and infrastructure enhancement. |
| Political Alienation | Push towards conducting elections in J&K post the Delimitation process. |
Additional WHAM Measures:
| Measures | Details |
| Project Himayat | Aims at the capacity building and employment of the youth. |
| Project Umeed | Tailored for the empowerment of J&K women. |
| Infrastructure Development | Establishing institutes like AIIMS, IIT, and IIM; Jawahar tunnel and Chenab bridge. |
| Rail Connectivity | Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link Project (USBRL). |
| Khelo India Centres | 94 centres established in J&K, roughly 10% of the total centres across India. |
Signs of WHAM Strategy’s Success:
| Evidence | Description |
| Seerat Naaz’s Request | A plea to the PM for educational reforms showcasing trust in governance. |
| Faizan Gul’s Aspirations | Aspiration to partake in elections highlights shifting sentiment of the youth. |
| Majid Khan’s Case | Abandoning LeT without charges emphasizes the humane approach in the WHAM strategy. |
Conclusion: WHAM is a holistic strategy that takes into account not just military or security solutions but integrates socio-economic and political remedies. It aims to build bridges with the community and lay the groundwork for enduring peace and development.
