Soom Nath Raina
I was born before the Independence and subsequent partition of our country. The political history of Kashmir unfolds in front of me as far as my memory takes me. As Kashmiri and Indian developments in valley not only draw your attention but also disturb you. The dynamics of politics in the valley have changed since 1947. The transition of Kashmiri community has taken place from a peaceful alienated to a disaffected, aggressive, violent and provocative one. Why this transition has taken place? While understanding the psychology of present turmoil in Kashmir valley, I have divided the political situation of valley into premilitancy-1990 and postmilitancy-1990 era.
The circumstances in which Indian army landed at Srinagar after the Maharaja acceded to India following raids on Kashmir by the Pakistan tribesman and army regulars is a known fact. War ended and a line of cease-fire was drawn. I must admit, from the time of independence the majority community in the valley felt estranged and isolated but had strong roots in “Kashmiriyat”. The reasons for alienation are in our political heritage as partition happened on religious grounds. Though the community espoused anti-India and pro-Pak sentiments but was never sympathetic towards extremism, terrorism and secessionism which was disapproved. The violent expressions of sentiments were negligible. Anti-India or pro-Pak sentiments were rarely displayed in restricted urban localities of Srinagar city and few other towns. Waving of black flags was the way of demonstration. Valley had never heard about violence, murder, bomb blasts, use of gunfire etc. No provocation, no stone pelting protests and no resultant killings. It was the safest place to live. It was paradise on earth. Religion and its supremacy were secondary and not discussed much. Common thread between communities was religious and social harmony, brotherhood, living peacefully, mutual respect and support in distress. Despite religious diversity and plurality of social ethos the communal harmony was maintained. Rural folk possibly had little time for things other than arranging means of daily survival. Their economy largely depended on agriculture and horticulture. With a peculiar geography where atleast winters six months are unproductive they could hardly afford to lose their productive time. Rural Kashmir was an example of “Kashmiriyat”. Despite all the political preferences and prejudices, why there were no protests then ? Why there was no provocation? In the initial years, the politics of the state was dominated by the personality of Sheikh Mohd. Abdullah. His contribution in suppressing the grand display of secessionism in the valley deserves a mention. He never allowed secessionist forces to organise overtly. It was his political compulsion. Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru was at the helm of affairs in New Delhi. The community in the valley had faith and trust in him for obvious reasons. Even the unfortunate incident surrounding the theft of holy relic “Moi-Muqudus” couldn’t disturb the communal harmony of the state. Two overt wars with Pakistan and subsequent creation of Bangladesh had little impact on political milieu of the state. Line of cease-fire became line of control. However situation changed in later years. Valley always reacted to the happenings in Pakistan. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was executed in Pakistan and his death was mourned by thousands in valley. It was subsequently followed by protests and arson of houses of a particular sect among muslims. Zia-Ul-Haq was condemned and held responsible for the execution. Few years’ later death of Zia-Ul-Haq was mourned and followed by a long curfew.
1990 is the watershed year. Kashmir was pushed towards militancy. The militants were foreign as well as local. Militant infiltration from across the border was a routine. Militancy was fully supported by foreign funds. With it emerged a new wave of street protests and long curfews. Selective killings, hit and run tactics, hurling of grenades was the order of day. The basics of Kashmiriyat were eroded. Common Kashmiri was baptized to gun culture. Ethnic cleansing of minority from the valley took place. The government property which included schools, bridges and offices were damaged. Army presence in the valley as well as on the border increased. Security establishments were strengthened. Paradise was lost and a troubled zone was created. The militancy got tremendous support from common Kashmiris. “Azadi” being round the corner was a common belief. Later fidayeen attacks replaced hit and run strategy. Since 2008 street protests have metamorphosed into stone pelting crowds or “Kane-Jung, a totally new phenomenon. Unfortunately the common Kashmiri became more disaffected, sympathetic towards militant acts of violence, radicalized and even celebrated martyrdom of Indian forces. This drastic change in mental attitude towards violence deserves introspection by the well wishers of “Kashmiriyat”. Intrusion of Jihadi thought in the valley is the prime reason for the sea change in mental attitude. Role of Jihadis in initiating violent behaviour in a tolerant, peaceful but vulnerable society is dominant. It made global news. The separatists thought that they could internationalise the issue.
Pakistan Government aggravated the illusionary belief of “azadi” and fuelled the flames thus adding to the mayhem. It was now a covert war. Meanwhile generational shift also took place; people were impatient, more fundamentalist, politically frustrated, had a sense of betrayal and were easily influenced by global scenario on terrorism. They had no respect for communal harmony, social ethos and “Kashmiriyat”. Role of religion cannot be underestimated. Religion identifies Kashmiri people with Pakistan. The terrorism and secession politics is largely absent from Jammu and Ladakh area of the state.
Dynamics of militancy is also changing and keeping pace with evolving information technology. Militancy has been glamorized by social media. Recent turmoil after killing of militant Burhan Wani is of larger magnitude though this is neither different nor unprecedented. Provocative stone pelting counter resulted in the use of pellet guns as a solution by anti-insurgency forces.
We are witness to a strange contradictory situation in valley today. On one hand common Kashmiris yearn for peace. They seek heavenly blessings for peace, visits holiest of holy shrines and seeks blessings for peace, greet on festivals with desire for peace. They desire for a secure life, sound health, good job, good education and shelter. On the other hand they are sympathetic towards extremists, secessionism, militancy and violence.
They have become more provocative. They are caught in a vicious cycle of mindless provocation, stone pelting protests and resultant killing. Do people in Kashmir know what government of Pakistan did to its own people of East Pakistan before the creation of Bangladesh? Remember, they shared a common religion. What it is doing to its own countrymen in Baluchistan and Karachi? As history repeats itself; people in Kashmir should never trust Pakistan. Somebody has to teach, convince, guide these misguided youth. Kashmiri intelligentsia has to rise to the occasion. Hurriyat leaders are duty bound to work in the interest of Kashmiri people. Mainstream politicians have to be charismatic, selfless and magnetic so that people obey your directions. You have a political problem; search for political solutions. Why mindless violence? Analyse, what has it achieved so far? It has not given even autonomy; what to talk of referendum? Learn from the experience of Palestine. Neither killing of security forces has to be celebrated nor of the innocent civilians. Everybody is sensitive to the violent killings; whether in people of India or in valley and is unacceptable. Kashmir valley has one of the best infrastructures of tourism, education, health, surface and road transport etc compared to some of the “Bimaru” states of India. Government cannot provide jobs to every jobless. Private sector has to be promoted in the state. A healthy working atmosphere is the minimum requirement for developing the same.
Generation of employment avenues may distract many youngsters from deviant violent behaviour. The people of Kashmir have a larger responsibility in protecting their valley which is in flames. They will have to preach as well as practice peace. Neither the government of India, nor Pakistan can grant Kashmiris the ever eluding peace, unless they themselves strive for it. Kashmiris have to be realistic, vigilant and hawkish to understand the ground realities and thwart any external force responsible for destabilizing the peaceful atmosphere. Valley has experienced enough of fruitless bloodshed. Please put an end to it to bring back “reshi-var”.
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