A ‘TRAITOR’ SPEAKS- SOME THOUGHTS ON KASHMIR
Those like me who do not reside in Kashmir but often write about it must be prepared to be labeled as ‘traitors.’ Reason? Firstly, we have deserted our suffering brethren and are living a life of comfort elsewhere. Secondly, since we are away from ‘ground zero’ we are totally unfamiliar with the ground realities which make us express views and opinions that are ‘inimical’ the ongoing struggle. Some even call us ‘agents’ who, for the sake of money have sold their conscience and are working against their own people.
I do not mind being called names and am sure that neither do others who share my predicament. However, when everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion, why are we not entitled to express our own? I agree that I may not be physically undergoing the sufferings of those in Kashmir, but does that disqualify me from making an observation on what I feel is not correct? Does an idea or suggestion which is at variance with those being espoused make me a ‘traitor’? In today’s world, can reality only be experienced by those present at ‘ground zero’?
The fact of the matter is that over the years we have unfortunately acquired a negative trait that not only renders us extremely sensitive to any criticism, but also makes us out rightly reject any thoughts or ideas that contradict our own. Consequently, we lose the advantage of collective wisdom and often end up by putting our feet in our own mouths. While I seek to make no case for gaining acceptability or claim to be a great thinker, I certainly wish to say that in case we are really serious about resolving the Kashmir issue, we have to become more tolerant and build up our capacity to accept constructive criticism.
“Where are we going wrong?” is the question that must be answered and I have some thoughts to share.
My first observation is that calling for hartals at the mere drop of the hat reduces its effectiveness. I have heard many rather uncomplimentary jokes on the culture of strikes in Kashmir and one of them goes thus- a tourist in Srinagar sees a crowd and enquires the reason. He learns that the people are on strike to protest against power cuts. The Government yields and power supply is restored. However, just a few days later, he again finds a crowd at the same place and learns that they are now protesting against the resumption of power supply. The bewildered tourist asks, “Why?”only to be told that by providing electricity, the government was denying the people their fundamental right to protest!”
The second issue is the haste with which the Hurriyat jumps to conclusions that often ends in embarrassment. Just to give a few examples:
· Reacting to the killing of two sisters in Sopore in January last year, Mr Geelani was quoted to have said that “both state as well as non-state actors were involved in such acts… and there are many such people who get government patronage for doing such heinous crime and are rewarded with medals and promotions.” (Source- news item titled ‘Separatists condemn Sopore killings,’ Rising Kashmir, Feb 2). However, it was ultimately revealed that this killing was the handiwork of unknown miscreants and not the security forces.
· In the case of the alleged rape of a woman by army men in Kulgam in July last year, the Hurriyat promptly put the army in the dock, made allegations of a ‘cover up’ by the State government, demanded that the UN send an inquiry team and called for a strike in protest. However, it had to face embarrassment when the family members of the ‘victim’ admitted that she was not raped and had been instigated by someone to falsely implicate the army.
· A strike call was given by Mr Geelani on the basis of a report released by the Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR) to protest against the detention of 51 “minor political prisoners.” Even though the police issued a statement that those detained were involved in “Crimes including theft, eve teasing, violation of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance Act, murder, kidnapping, rape and other crimes,” the Hurriyat did not consider it necessary to verify the same and went ahead. So while the strike was a resounding success, it ended in great embarrassment as a subsequent statement issued by the ACHR clarified that it had never referred to them as being ‘political prisoners’ and that these were just juvenile cases being tried in normal courts in J&K.
The next issue which plagues the ongoing movement in Kashmir is to immediately ascribe everything under the sun to a ‘conspiracy’. Just a few examples;
· It is common knowledge that under Article 370 of the Indian constitution, non Kashmiris cannot settle down permanently in J&K. Yet, while commenting on a statement of Lt Gen Hasnain that the troops are being trained in Kashmiri language Mr Geelani said, “It is part of a larger conspiracy to settle the troops in the Valley.” (Source: PTI news item titled “Centre planning to station army permanently in Kashmir: Geelani” published on April 5).
· An article titled “Geelani Concerned Over Growing Immorality,” which appeared in the April 9 issue of Greater Kashmir, quotes him as follows – “New Delhi is trying hard to make wine, which has been called as mother of all evils, a part of Kashmiri culture”. The news item goes on to state that, “Expressing concern over the growing “immorality” in Kashmir, Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Saturday accused New Delhi and its “agents” here of promoting liquor, drugs and sexual waywardness among the youth to erase their Muslim identity and undermine the freedom struggle. Geelani also flayed the misuse of mobile phones, particularly among youth, terming it as the major reason for the “moral degradation taking roots in our society.”
· In a news item titled “Co-education giving way to immorality: Geelani,” which appeared in the Indian Express on June 23, the Hurriyat leader has blamed the Jammu and Kashmir government for promoting “immoral activities” by keeping girls and boys shoulder to shoulder and has been quoted as stating that, “Young boys and girls are kept together in co-education system and are shoulder to shoulder with each other. You are keeping fire and hay together and no one can save the hay from burning.” While such assertions may be spontaneous outpouring of genuine anguish of a devout person saddened by the declining moral values of ‘gen next,’ someone has to tell our grand patriarch that he needs to carefully express his thoughts. It hurts to hear such a revered leader as Mr Geelani comparing our boys and girls with fire and hay as it projects the erroneous impression that the Kashmiri youth are such a highly promiscuous lot that they require to be kept on leash. Though I know that this could never have been his intention, but then many others, (especially non Kashmiris) may not.
We must realize that those who repeatedly ‘cry wolf,’ are not taken seriously. Also, all those who criticize or differ are not ‘traitors.’ So, in the end, I hope that the suggestions given are taken in the right spirit and deliberated upon, even though they may be coming from a ‘traitor”!
Niloofar Qureshi
New Delhi
niloofar.qureshi@yahoo.com