Kashmir – Searching for a Human Solution

Like any other propagated and politically motivated “freedom struggle”, Kashmir has its own share of people who wish to be treated as Heroes, willing to live and die for a cause. The interesting part is that this feeling of control, which can create hero-worship among the masses gives them a high, more potent then any other intoxication. Freedom struggles against colonialism was justifiable in the sense that outsiders were ruling most of the countries in Asia and Africa. Kashmir, in 1948 was different. The masses were having distaste for Pakistan, owing to the disgraceful way in which that nation was interested to grab J&K. Till 1989, the state was peaceful and even present-day separatists like Geelani and Salahuddin were a part of Indian Establishment, fighting elections etc. Saying that elections were rigged and there was no development in the state is no excuse to take up arms.  If such is the case, scenario in North East, Orissa, Bihar etc is no better.

In this power game, there is a big competition and everyone from Ghulam Nabi Azad to Syed Salahudin claims to be representing Kashmiris. Here, of course I am talking about separatists. No one is actually representing the people as the people are themselves cajoled, coerced, brainwashed and alienated owing to various reasons. Incidentally, J&K has recently been named one of the top 5 corrupt states of India.  

Leftist Human Rights activists like Gautam Adlakha feel that J&K is an “Indian occupied state”. The similar views are shared by Arundhati Roy et el, which are really thought provoking, but a “power to the proletariat” leftist solution is also not a great hypothesis to begin with. It has to be studied carefully what leftists feel about freeing Tibet from Communist China. Anyhow, when we talk about Kashmir, there are three possible options which are circulated in the media from time to time, which are a) Merger of Kashmir with India, b) Merger of Kashmir with Pakistan and c) Independence of Kashmir. There are conflicting interests within people who are stakeholders of respective movements, from Government of India to Pakistan to the separatists and external to the separatists, the weapon industry, with linkages to Afghanistan and China. Syed Ali Shah Geelani wants to merge with Pakistan, while traveling all across the world on “Indian” passport. He wishes his people well that’s why he loves a country like Pakistan, which is going through its roughest and most volatile phase. Yasin Mallik wants freedom and so does Shabbir Shah. So, who will run the government, post-perceived-independence? The classic case is Palestine where Hamas henchmen were gun-trotting inside the Presidential palace of Mahmoud Abbas and putting their shoes on his desk. When the leadership of people, who are alienated, is like this, only God can save such people.

No leftist theoretician or practicing communist gives a suggestion to take care of Kashmiri Pandits, which speaks volumes about their ideas of a utopian dream. All across the world, the communists are not bothered about minority interests, but in India they have to do it, to get the magical “Vote”. Their endorsement of Islamic fundamentalists’ violent agitation against Tasleema Nasreen is well known. Secularism at times is a catchy phrase and a lot of veils get uncovered when this is practiced.

When we talk of alienation of Kashmiris, the real challenge lies in changing the mindsets, rather than changing geographical boundaries. It is a fact which needs to be accepted that most of the citizens of Kashmir Valley believe that India is an “occupying force”. Ironically, their forefathers had seen trauma when Pakistan had sent raiders in 1947, who looted properties, raped and killed womenfolk and were ruthless and barbaric. In late part of the eighties, Pakistan Radio with a powerful transmitter was heard all over the Kashmir valley and people accepted that “Islam was in danger in India”. Kashmiri youth doesn’t know about Kashmiri pandits and that Kashmir was one of the most peaceful places in the world till this chaos started in 1989. Kashmiris hate Indian Army and they believe that army kills innocent people. Some of the soldiers of Indian Army have been involved in human rights abuse, which is shameful, condemnable and sinful. Unfortunately militants also use human beings as shields and when people die in crossfire, Indian Army is blamed. Can all the sensible people who are educated think why this mess has happened? What was the problem before 1989? Were there any killings by the Army? Why did the JKLF and others killed innocent people, especially those of the pandit community and their own people who were working for the government?

The recent Amarnath controversy gave leaders like Geelani and others an opportunity to disturb the peace and prosperity. Hotels were showing 110% occupancy just a few days before mass protests by the people against the land transfer. Houseboats were doing roaring business. It was a threat to Geelani as he thought that there would be construction of Hotels etc en route to Amarnath, which will prove to the world that Kashmir is peaceful, hence prove to the world that India is for the prosperity of the people and not against. Sepratists unfortunately again brainwashed the poor innocent people in believing that it was Indian drama to change the demography of the region and they called for “General Strike”, which in fact is detrimental to the people who earn their livelihood by selling vegetables/meat, plying buses, driving autos and any other working class people. Isn’t this a more sinister game – to coerce people, to brainwash them and to tell them that “Pakistan is our country”

Development, Transparency in Government, creation of Jobs, Talking about the advantages of being in India and a tough control mechanism to check wrong doings of the Armed Forces are some of the possible solutions which can help change the situation. Kashmir also has great youth leaders, including the two Omars, Omar Abdullah and Maulvi Omar. Maulvi Omar is in the separatist camp, but he is educated and has a vision, which unfortunately looks charred as he is on the wrong side of the fence currently. Rather than seeking a “Islamic” solution, it should be a “humanitarian” solution, as espoused by our ex-prime minister Mr. Vajpayee in his talk in Srinagar. Let the real Heroes take charge and alienate the self-declared disruptive devils. Let there be a dialogue of Central Government with the university professors, doctors, representatives of the business community and some village sarpanchs from the Kashmir valley and things like autonomy, trade, soft borders etc can be discussed. We have to sell the idea of India to our own people. The solutions will be easy if the stakeholders really wish to do something for the common Kashmiris and convert it into the “abode of abundance”. Believe me; most of the Indians feel that Kashmiris are our own brothers and sisters.