B L Saraf
On the eve of Lok-Sabha poll , Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has addressed open letter to the people of India exhorting them “to raise their voice and press the elected representatives to rise above domestic politics on the Kashmir issue.” The letter has been published in a national daily newspaper. It begins with the line “India’s elections have begun and you are exercising your votes to choose your new political representatives…. “Mirwaiz’s heart seems to bleed for both Kashmiris and the Indians on the ‘unresolved Kashmir dispute ‘which according to him, “continues to destroy life and obliterate the rights and aspirations of our people in Kashmir who desire only to live free, peaceful and dignified lives. The continuation of this tragic conflict is also a direct threat to your interests and well – being as a people …..” In the letter the addresser is ” I” and the addressee is “You”.
Umar Farooq must remember that If he wants to exhort Indian people to impress upon their leaders to solve the ” Kashmir dispute” then the choice of words has to be better. They shouldn’t smell divisive . Indian people will never like the use of ” We “for Kashmiris and “You ” for themselves, in a discourse which , for them, has, essentially, internal dimensions .Howsoever one may wish otherwise, Kashmir, as of today, continues to be both de facto and de jure part of the Indian Union. That is why along with rest of the country Parliamentary elections are, simultaneously, being held in J & K also . People elected herewill also constitute ruling class at the centre after May,16th. So, Mirwaiz Saheb why not to address a similar letter to them also. Isn’t it strange that on one hand you evoke democratic sensitivities of the Indians , living beyond Lakanpur in Punjab and on the other hand deny such aspirations to your own people . You and some of your tribe threaten innocent Kashmir of dire consequences should they venture out to take part in the polls. Umar Saheb ,have a look at the recent Afghanistan elections -a country which some of the ” freedom fighters in Kashmir ” till recently called ” Gods own ” in the realm of bigotry. People there came out indroves to exercise their right of franchise, undeterred by the threats of armed marauders, Most right thinking observers, some living in Kashmir also, consider peaceful conduct of Afghan Provincial Elections as indicative of welcome change for good . The event has been a remarkable and free from violence. It is time to pay heed to the signals emanating from Kabul and think responsibly and not emotionally . Therefore , before addressing to ” You ” it is better for the “I” to listen to the innocent Kashmiris and release them from the mental fetters. Allow them to participate in political exercise, involve with the democratic and electoral processes and speak for themselves about the issues they feel concerned with . If permitted , the peaceful methods can yield greater results and secure better political and economic rights of the populace.
Mirwaiz cautions Indians that ” Kashmir conflict is direct threat to your prosperity ……….. if the Kashmir issue is resolved not only would this costly arms race come to an end, it would open up the multipliers of economic cooperation and trade.” Pious words indeed : but at the same time they could be addressed to Pakistan as well. Because, its role in stoking fire is far more. The armed mercenaries come from that country . Condescension for one and the acquiescence for the other do not speak well of the sincerity . You call up on the “Indians” to ask questions to their leaders about the ” failed” Kashmir policy : but deny this right to your people in the Valley to raise questions about the policy of destruction adopted or endorsed by so many of your colleagues , in the separatist movement.
Yes, Kashmiris face problems of myriad nature . Most of them are the makings of our Western neighbour and some of the flawed policy formulations of the Central Government. The need to be sorted out to the satisfaction of all the stake holders , including the displaced community. To the extent the Mirwaiz’s ‘fervent hope ‘ that ” together we will be able to find some way to take a historic step” , could be well taken if only the undertone of threat and patronization are removed . Before addressing “You ” can’t we speak as “We” – inclusive of ” You” and ” I ” and talk to each other , about the issues concerning us all ; and look for the ways and means to reclaim what has been lost in the decades gone by. Democratic right to protest peacefully has to be ensured : regard must be had for the human rights of the people living in the State , irrespective of the region and religion they belong to.
(The author is former Principal District & Sessions Judge)
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