Shiban Khaibri
Let us not deceive ourselves, the nation and also the Indian state any more, now, by beating about the bush and suppressing our genius intentionally in telling the truth about the happenings in Kashmir. One feels appalled on numerous occasions on seeing how the political leaders especially when they are in the opposition as also many self styled intellectuals and writers speak about , write on and speechify in public forums and legislatures in respect of the situation emerging in Kashmir since 1990 , in fact starting a couple of years earlier progressively. It is a matter of utmost concern again that without understanding the core problem in Kashmir, solutions and suggestions as also criticisms are seen galore emanating from Political leaders of all hues. Is it being done deliberately or there appears to be absolute ignorance about the issue, yet to strive perhaps for remaining relevant, something must be spoken – appears the motivational impulse behind speaking anything about Kashmir.
It was a matter of a shock and astonishment that from the august house of Parliament, a leader of the Congress who was more interested in severely criticizing the Prime Minister and the coalition Government in the state as per the Party policies, to go to the extent of saying, “Vahaan tou Rai Shumari Honey Chahiye” which means that there should be a plebiscite done in Kashmir which is the demand of Pakistan as also her paid agents sitting in the valley. Perhaps, that Congress leader must have read somewhere about “Rai Shumari” , so he thought he had found something wonderful and would say about and demand it for Kashmir and win accolades . It was a short in the arm for Pakistan as also its agents in Kashmir and no wonder Pakistan has thanked Congress Party for endorsing its “stand” on Kashmir (problem). As if it was not a matter of great embarrassment to Congress provided they realized it later, what was worst was that the ruling Party members present in the august House did not object to it and grill Congress leadership for not containing the tone , tenor and the contents of the rhetoric of its members like the one under reference. Let a critical analysis of the whole of this political macabre be made.
The Congress member used the sentence perhaps without understanding its literal meaning but in the hope that it was something which Congress could boast of to suggest and then simultaneously “pity” the BJP led Government for not having done it so far. What “Rai Shumari” meant, ostensibly he was ignorant of that in the same way as about why and what was that all happening in Kashmir. In the same fashion, the members of the ruling Party too must have not understood the literal meaning of “Rai Shumari” hence they did not raise the issue and question the Congress who otherwise must be feeling the historical guilt about mishandling the issue right from Pakistani Kabayli raid of 1947 till they were voted out of power two years back. Another member of the House said, ” I rise to speak about the situation in Jambu and Kaasmeer Valley.” How can this respectable member of Parliament afford to accord the status of valley to Jammu come out with concrete solution, suggestions and advice to the Government as to how it could bring the situation back to normalcy and lo ! the same parroting of “Remove unemployment” , “Do economic development”, “Address the issue of means of creation of alternative or side by side means to earn livelihood in addition to tourism” , “Talk to the people and their leaders (and give them what they want), “give them autonomy”, “talk to Pakistan ” etc etc” were heard when discussion on Kashmir violence was taking place. More, barring a very few members the same chain of solutions was offered except by the veteran journalist and MoS M. J. Akbar and Muzaffar Hassan Baig as also even by Assud-ud- Din Owasi. Omar Abdullah speaks unequivocally that Kashmir was not any economic problem but a political problem, “Hamme Paise nahi chahiye” or “We need not any more money”. . Even Syed Geelani says that it is a politico religious problem and utters not a word about economic problem as there is none in Kashmir as compared to states like the UP, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Orissa etc or worst as it is apparent in Pakistan occupied Kashmir. Take the case of the separatist leaders and point out even one not being too much economically well off, with good assets, unaccounted and disproportionate to their known sources of income and living a comfortable living or any political leader especially among those who have been ruling the state for decades, for that matter. Then, why is economic problem being forced down the throats and for what purpose? This is not the issue , not the problem, nor the reason, never a demand from those who create such violence .
Why cannot it be asked as to why Kashmir was relatively much peaceful and silent up to 1989 and why not thereafter? It is Pakistan, which is exploiting the religious sentiments of the people, it is sheer alibi under and in the name of religion that Pakistan crafted fundamentalist armed terror and has been invoking what is called – Jihad against any symbol, that is Indian — right from non Muslims to nationalist Muslims, the Indian army, the security forces, even the local Police who are faithful to their uniform, the installations, the Police stations, offices etc. Pakistan, which owes its existence on hate , exclusiveness and religion exported hate and fanaticism to this part of the country, taking advantage , at the cost of repetition, of religion and invoking synonymousness from its Muslim majority on the basis of that factor alone. Pakistan has been shamed and exposed by the de-facto Islamic ruler of Pakistan, globally proclaimed terrorist, Chief of Jamat- ud- Dawah – Hafiz Sayeed who on July 28, 2016 openly said that it was Lashkar e-Toiba (LeT) which was behind the recent unrest in Kashmir. He takes credit for it and asks Pakistan, “Have you seen the pictures of procession when lacs of Kashmiris came to the streets? Did you see a man who was being carried on the shoulders by the crowd? Do you know the man who was leading processions? He is an “Ameer “of Lashkar – e- Toiba.” Thus, he has fairly shamed and exposed Pakistan and its chicanery dubious standards otherwise laying blame on India intentionally for using force on the “grieving ” Kashmiris (Over death in encounter of a dreaded terrorist Wani.) It fully vindicates India’s stand that it was all full fledged involvement of Pakistan for whatever was going on in Kashmir valley.
For the first time , any Governmental head in Pakistan has officially mourned the death of a terrorist like Nawaz Sharif did in the case of slain Wani so much is he under the pressure of the terror elements and zealot fundamentalists in Pakistan, always day dreaming Kashmir. Eulogizing terrorists – indoctrinated, trained, motivated, armed and pushed into our territory and calling them “martyrs” after getting killed in operations and observing a particular day as “Black Day” in solidarity with the agitating people at its behest in the wake of Wani’s death by Nawaz Sharif is testimony of his subservience to the dictates of the army and the radicalized Jihadi groups operating in Pakistan. He toes to the dictum of “His master’s voice”. And knowing all this background, many self styled liberals, pseudo intellectuals, a small section of writers and self styled “experts on Kashmir affairs” come out with “reasons” as something like unemployment, need to extend dialogue process, address their expectations, start massive developmental works, talk to their leaders, talk to Pakistan etc to “resolve ” the Kashmir embroil, seems intentionally and knowingly tantamount to not diagnosing the affliction. To an extent the separatist elements and even now leaders like Omar Abdullah categorically rule out unrest and intermittent violence on account of some economic factors, they all agree it to be a political problem while pro Pakistan elements in Kashmir go a few steps further by saying it being a religious problem, having got nothing to do with modern concepts like democracy, socialism, secularism and even nationalism. Those who advocate dialogue with separatists must know that they shall be agreeing for nothing less than a plebiscite and those doves in this country swearing by liberalism and “open heartedness” who advocate for “Baat Cheet” and “Confidence Building Measures” with Pakistan must squarely know that Pakistan won’t agree for any solution and that also a decisive one, for less than what Nawaz Sharif said in PoK, “Kashmir banega Pakistan”. Vague and meaningless solutions like “greater Autonomy” within Indian constitution are mere fantasies. These self styled liberals, democrats, secularists of selective brand, intellectuals of particular philosophy, romanticize (rs) of terrorists must, therefore, clear their position.
feedbackexcelsior@gmail.com
Follow our WhatsApp channel