M Rajaque Rahman
To witness the widow of a martyred soldier come up on the stage and say with tears in the eyes, “I have forgiven them and I could do that after a Kashmiri lady hugged me when I was crying,” was not merely a heart-wrenching moment.
It marked a historic step for conflict resolution in Kashmir. When families of those who have directly suffered in the unrest in Kashmir came face to face and connected heart-heart at the Paigam-e-Mohabbat programme hosted by renowned spiritual leader and founder of the Art of Living Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in Bengaluru last week, a new agenda for peace-making in Kashmir was set in motion. For a change, the victims got the centre-stage and felt cared for.
Interacting with the Kashmiris who travelled all the way to Bengaluru, it was apparent that the feeling of being neglected runs very deep. “The Indian interlocutor is in the Valley, but he is talking only to a set of people determined by Delhi. The common man never gets a voice,” said Munir Choudary from Uri.
It’s in this context that what Sri Sri pulled off with Paigam-e-Mohabbat is significant for Kashmir. For the records, representatives from over 200 affected families, including those of slain militants, from remote places in Kashmir attended the program. Joining them from the other spectrum was the families of nearly 30 defence and security personnel who have lost their lives while serving in the Valley.
The way hatred and mistrust gave way to love and forgiveness at the big stage of Paigam-e-Mohabbat was a game changer. That the shift didn’t come easy was apparent from the way events unfolded that day.
It was 9.30am. The families from Kashmir and that of martyrs were seated separately in different rooms as if they were being shielded from each other. There was excitement and hope as Sri Sri interacted with both the groups separately, yet the mood was very sombre.
The feeling of outburst, enmity and mistrust was palpable in both camps. The relatives of the martyrs were seen breaking down unable to hide the pain of losing their dear ones. Some were even agitated over being put in the same place with those whom they consider responsible for their plight. The Art of Living volunteers and even journalists present were seen consoling them.
On the other side of the fence, Kashmiris were talking about how atrocities have ruined not only their lives, but the paradise that Kashmir was. The hatred for the security forces was simmering as they accused them of slaughtering innocent lives in Kashmir. They were seen complaining why the world sees every Kashmiri as a terrorist. It was very obvious that they have come to Bangalore with a heavy heart and with the only hope that Sri Sri is capable of doing something to safeguard them and give them a voice. “Pakintan wants Kashmir; India wants Kashmir. But Gurudev wants Kashmiris. That’s why we have come here despite all the odds,” said a youth from Baramulla.
The emotions were running high in both sides and reconciliation looked a far-fetched propaganda. The only silver lining on their horizon were the reassuring words of Sri Sri that they heard a while ago. Despite the undercurrents, he seemed to have subtly prepared them to look at life with magnanimity and embrace the virtue of forgiveness.
At 11 am, a few of the Kashmiri women entered the room where the family members of the martyrs were sitting. Aggressively pointing an accusing finger to one of the sobbing ladies, one of them said, “because of your husbands and brothers, we are suffering so much. Don’t think you alone are the victim”.
Accusations and counter-accusations ensued. Just when the gap seemed to have widened beyond redemption, something very emotional unfolded. The lady came forward and hugged the sobbing lady. And what transpired after that was a stuff of miracle. Hearts melted instantly; the feeling of hatred was replaced by that of love and forgiveness. All barriers vanished and they connected as human beings.
Over the next few minutes, they shared their stories, sipped tea and walked around together in the campus. “We have nothing against each other. Our anger is against the circumstances that are making us kills each other in Kashmir. We hope Gurudev (Sri Sri) will address this.” The narrative suddenly changed to one of reconciliation and mutual understanding.
By 4.30 pm, representatives from both sides were in front of television cameras, sharing why they need to forgive each other work together to ensure that Kashmir doesn’t stay a hell. “We cannot afford to let our next generation go through what they have gone through,” was their chorus.
And at 5.30 pm, they shared the big stage of love and reconciliation. In front of the national media, they were exchanging a Paigam-e-Mohabbat among themselves and with the world. “Let’s forget the past and join hands together to regain the paradise,” thundered Munir.
“I was hesitant to share the platform with people from Kashmir whom I consider are responsible for killing my husband. Now, I have understood that it is part of Gurudev’s (Sri Sri) efforts for peace in Kashmir,” said Neha Tripathi, widow of CRPF officer Pramod Kumar who died on duty in the Valley last year. “I lost my husband in Kashmir, but today I am sitting with Kashmiris so that this conflict ends and no more lives are lost,” reaffirmed Priya Sankalp, widow of Martyr Lt Col Sankalp Kumar, who was martyred in Uri.
Just by letting them connect heart to heart, Sri Sri pulled off a reconciliation of the highest order. This transformation is what makes his vision of bringing both sides of the conflict together revolutionary. “When the families affected by violence come together in a spirit of forgiveness, a new vision for a non-violent society will emerge,” said Sri Sri. “Deep inside, there is compassion in every heart. Such events will enliven that aspect and make one realise that neither violence nor blame game lead anywhere,” he explained.
Sri Sri admitted that bringing everyone together on one platform was not an easy task. “To make Kashmir paradise again, I am ready to do walk the extra mile,” he assured. That his hard work is being appreciated by the people of Kashmir was visible when Farook Ahmed Dar, a former militant from Sopore, said, “If he (Sri Sri) comes forward, people will talk to him as he has worked for long in Kashmir”. “The Hurriyat has refused to talk to the government, but if Gurudev steps in, even S A Geelani (Hurriyat chairman) will talk to him,” he added
The kind of confidence the Kashmiris are putting on Sri Sri makes him the best hope for peace in Kashmir. That spells good news not only for Kashmir, but also for humanity!
(The author keenly follows and write on issues that are of relevance to the Idea of India. He tweets @rajaque)
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