B L Saraf
The destruction brought by the September floods in the Valley was so swift and humongous that people could do nothing except stand dumb witness to it and suffer the consequences. Some parts in Jammu province, too, could not escape the fury.
The floods swept away hundreds of lives, assets built over ages, carrier hopes and marital fortunes of so many. Thanks to the timely intervention by the Army and Para military forces and the relief efforts of the Central Government the scale of damage was contained. But, the unfolding after effects of the tragedy, as days go by, reveal that the loss, in material terms, is so colossal that, as of now, whatever relief may be provided to the sufferers will remain inadequate. But who cares for the sufferer ? Academia and intellectuals in Kashmir, rather than looking inwards and contribute positively to salvage the grim situation and create conditions conducive to provide relief to the needy and get them settled, have other “urgent job” to attend to i.e India bashing!Pathetic conditions still prevail in the Valley but they are at it as usual.
The breast beating champions of Azadi and India baiters have, after being rescued by the very forces whom they condemn, taken to their old business with gusto. They didn’t wait even for customary ‘mourning period’ to pass to start diatribe against the Armyand the Central Government, by inventing falsehood and twisting the facts. The knowledgeable Kashmir watchers had predicted it to happen.
Given their extra territorial predilections, it is not surprising that the sympathisers of separatists cause, masquerading as columnists and intellectuals, have started a well designed campaign to malign the Army and the Central Government. Even if their presence on the scene is acknowledged, they allege, it was only for the evacuation of “Bihari labourers and the Indian visitors.” A motivated propaganda is under way to highlight the effort of local youth, NGOs of non- resident Kashmiris, individuals from Poonch, Rajouri, and Doda.
A serious attempt is made to convey the message that local effort has counted more than the recue act of the Army and relief provided by the Central and outside agencies. Bogus organisations are set up which trot out highly inflated statistics, showing people recued and provided with relief by the locals and belittle the enormous work done by the Army and NDRF, in this regard.
For these ‘intellectuals’ and the ‘civil society members’ everything done by the GOI and the State Government is to be blamed for the catastrophe; the locals, however, are free from any blame. To them, “the aborted Kaunsar Nag Yatra and ongoing Amaranth pilgrimage are the root causes for the current ills of the Valley.”
Adding, Railway track and the four lanes of National Highway as the abettors. The Valley based motivated ‘environmental activists’ conveniently turn a blind eye to the real causes of the current devastation which are; the mindless deforestation, indiscriminate felling of trees- not sparing even the protected trees like walnut and the majestic Chinar- turning Dal Lake into a big sewerage pond: apart from blocking water outlets of the main rivers. It would lend some credit to their “activism” if these’ honourable persons introspect and reflect seriously upon the matter. They must have a heart. It is quite dismaying prospect that some people in Kashmir want to see perpetuation of the abnormal situation. They detest Government initiative even to bring a semblance of normalcy, because continuation of abnormal conditions would suit the separatist’s intentions to keep discontent alive among the people, to be used to further their cause.
Pakistan Army is lending a helping hand to them in this despicable endeavour by making things hot at the LOC and IB. How callous one can be to see in the flood devastation a god send opportunity to flog the dying separatist sentiment? True, Kashmir youth did play an appreciable part in rescuing and then providing much needed relief to the marooned. They continue to do so, tirelessly.
The local Army commander has acknowledged their role. Similarly public spirited people of Poonch, Rajouri and Doda came to the rescue of flood sufferers in the Valley. We hope the Kashmir ” intellectuals ” would learn from the Army Commander to be gracious at occasions, when situation demands so and appreciate the job done by the Central forces. Well, we can give the apologists of Hurriyat an argument, but who will give them the sense of understanding when they are destined to learn only the sectarian language. They are not prepared to hold the other view, howsoever reasonable it may be .
(The author is Former Principal District & Sessions Judge )
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