Vijay Hashia
Fears of Taliban resurgence are widespread, their burgeoning attacks are impelling Afghans to seek asylum. Fears also loom large over its impact on Kashmir and if freed from AFSPA, would again slip into the hands of Pak sponsored gunmen. In the backdrop, Karzai’s irresolute ambivalent stance not to sign the agreement for retention of troops beyond 2014 whose hands, he says, are bound by the new government, presumably Taliban believed, with the support of Pakistan and ISI, will regain control. Speculations are that, ISI may up ante against India by diverting terror groups to Kashmir. Pak has a dubious game plan and strategic interest to create hegemony over Afghanistan’s new government and mineral wealth and in Kashmir to avenge Bangladesh, destabilize India despite knowing the fact that Kashmir can neither be won by direct war nor by ongoing proxy. Therefore, India has been strongly advocating against total withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan. Only time will reveal what next?
While most of the foreign troops after more than a decade are at the verge of abandoning strife torn Afghanistan, the cultural devastation caused due to turmoil, is being restored & preserved back to impressive pomp by the international archaeologists. The ancient monuments looted and statues destroyed by warlords are being re-assembled and rebuild. The work towards restoration of antiquity and precious objects dating stone and bronze ages with the help of archaeologists and UNESCO has begun. Some of retrieved antiquity is a clay tablet with lines of cuneiform writing which is evidence of 6th century BC Persian Civilization of Cyrus the Great had reached that far East. The archaeologists have also retrieved and restored to its position precious ivories, stunningly intricate carved cross legged second and third century AD Bodhisatva Siddartha, King Kanishka from Kushan empire that ruled much of South Asia from its Afghan base through fourth century AD. Other restored statues from centuries are Alexander the Great, giant Buddas sculpture carved from a cliff in Central Afghanistan 1400 years ago and considered one of the world’s artistic treasures. All this is done to preserve ancient archaeological museum smashed by Taliban which has had great contribution to its neighbours, India, China, Persia and the world.
Will this change affect restoration of culture or what next for Kashmir, which has suffered the same collateral damage? Well, retrieving history, some Muslim rulers like Zain-ul-Abidin, (1418-1419 and 1420-1470) undoubtedly, the greatest religious tolerant had acquired a halo in popular imagination which still surrounds his name in spite of the lapse of nearly five hundred years. He was known by his subjects, and indeed still is, as Bud Shah (the Great King). He earned a name for abolishing jaziya on the Hindu majority, banned the cow slaughter, beef eating and extended liberal patronage to sanskrit language and literature. He called back Hindus who had left Kashmir during his father’s reign, allowed them reconstruct destroyed temples and dwellings. Akbar also restored dignity and security of Hindus in Kashmir.
According to an estimate, more than 500 as against official figure of 208 temples have been damaged or destroyed during last two decades of militant activity; 95% as against official figure of 75 % dwellings have been gutted or damaged. In Srinagar alone, 95% properties have been sold due to distress conditions. The administration is, however, reticent blaming any particular group for vandalizing temples and destroying dwellings. The Government officials claim to have protected properties of migrants under the J&K Migrant Immovable Property Preservation, Protection and Restrain on Distress Sale Act 1997, is a flaunted unique claim of hat like a cowboy’s floppy. The self complacent Act envisages ‘No’ compensation to the migrants who had to dispose properties and that too for throw away prices much below market rates. Can CM repeat Zain-ul-Abidin’s and Akbar’s gratitude to rewrite a new leaf of history for the displaced? Could the ancient temples destroyed be rebuild, premises encroached restored back, houses dismantled or sold under distress sales compensated and above all congenial atmosphere created so that the displaced return with honour and dignity.
In the recent interview with Mehr Tarar, Pak journalist, CM’s desultory reply to a question that atmosphere was not conducive for return and the responsibility of return is on displaced people. The bewildered reply sounds lack of will and determination to rehabilitate migrants in the valley.
Will peace return or elude is a million dollar question? The impact on Kashmir, however, will be watched with trepidation. Curiosity would be the outcome of election process and security beef up along the line of control which both are a challenge and litmus test for the mighty Indian forces. Presently, withdrawal of AFSPA a strategic military deterrent would vitiate the security environment further. As COAS recently in an interview said, that even partial withdrawal of AFSPA would prove detrimental to the counterterrorist campaign. The moot question, what next for displaced who had to shun everything twenty five years ago not because of economic distress or economic compulsion, not because of economic necessity or they did not want to return but because of lack of political, economic and social security on the part of politicians.?
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