Fathoming the Brewing Unrest in the Kashmir Valley
- In Politics
- 07:41 PM, Aug 03, 2016
- Ramaharitha Pusarla
The Kashmir valley is slowly limping to normalcy with curfew partially lifted in four districts. The unrest in the valley following the killing of Burhan Wani, has resulted in the deaths of 43 civilians and over 3400 wounded thus far. Steep escalation of civilian injuries did invite rebuke from various sections of the liberal society who condemned the actions of the security personnel. Most of the injuries had resulted in loss of vision due to the kind of pellets used. Though the Government immediately flew doctors from Delhi to provide urgent medical care, there has been widespread condemnation due to the high handedness of the police.
In the ongoing Monsoon session of the Parliament, Home Minister Rajnath Singh has assured that the military forces will be asked to exercise maximum restraint. However, in unequivocal terms he did assert that the sudden escalation of unrest was the handiwork of Pakistan and rejected demands for plebiscite terming it as “outdated”. He promised to look into the excess use of pellet guns and urged the forces to use tear gas and water cannons while dealing with civilians. Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has also called for an all-party meeting in the Valley.
The prolonged unrest of the past 13 days over the killing of Burhan Wani has raised serious doubts about the spate of protests in the valley. Brewing unrest and uneasy calm that prevailed in 10 districts of the Valley since July 8th raises serious doubts about lingering estrangement harbored by the Kashmiris. After seven decades of integration into the Indian Union, J&K is still beleaguered with a feeling of alienation. India as of August 15th 1947 was besot by the humungous burden of political integration of 565 princely states. Within a decade of independence economically, politically and culturally diverse Princely States were successfully integrated on after the other. Despite internal conflicts, simmering differences, separatist movements and domestic insurgencies none of the Indian States had grave misgivings with the Indian Union.
India managed to clinch the historic Naga deal last year drawing curtains to the incessant insurgencies in the North-East. Three major wars were waged over Kashmir; several committees were constituted but despite innumerable endeavors of various governments, no breakthrough could be achieved in Kashmir till now.
Kashmir which yearned for a unique linguistic and cultural identity levitated towards Pakistan to foster it struggle for autonomy. But Pakistan which clambered to the two-nation theory had strong plans of usurping the province since it was Muslim dominated. Moreover, the Kashmir issue had become knotty due to India’s avowed denial of certain facts. Pakistan’s covert actions began to yield fruits with the erosion of the valley’s secular fabric. Vivid hues of the Valley soon blighted, intrinsic secular tones were muted leading to the worst ethnic cleansing of Hindus and forcible eviction of thousands of Kashmiri Pandits from their homeland. Indian government cognizant of the grave atrocities and its serious repercussions preferred to remain a mute spectator. Like an albatross burying head in sand, India failed to act when needed the most.
Consequently, the fervent aspirations of azaadi unabashedly took refuge. This drift can also be traced to Pakistan’s shifting from seemingly secular credentials to an extreme Islamist ideology and subsequently to the doctrine of the “thousand years of war”. It may not be surprising that political parties such as the PPP have affirmed their allegiance to this doctrine.
Intellectuals argue that unemployment and lack of opportunities have plunged Kashmiris into despondency and despair. But, states which are dwelling at the bottom of the poverty chart or with high unemployment aren’t exploding at a snap of the string. Kashmir is faring relatively well in terms of human development indices with respect with other states. It has been receiving more than a fair amount of its budgetary allocations.
Infact, the red zone or red corridor, infested with Maoists and Naxalites suffers from greater levels of poverty and illiteracy. Almost 10 Indian states are battling with the Naxalite menace. Massive combing operations are launched regularly but none of the states had ever exploded the way Kashmir valley does and regularly. The violent reactions of irate mobs crippling the normal functioning of state is always unprecedented. While historic misgivings have dented the morale of the Kashmiris’, the Indian Republic has always stood by Kashmir.
Syed Ata Hasnian, retired General, who served in Kashmir opined that extensive political activism, engagement and effective communication with people can still instill new hope. But a prolonged anti-Indian tirade and the double-speak of stake holders with vested interests have often crippled these prospects. The alarming flare-up after the killing of an Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HuM) commander, who glorified jihad and resurrected militancy has annihilated hopes of a political solution for the valley. The problem is exacerbated by Hurriyat leaders who continue to toe Pakistan’s version of Kashmir being a disputed region giving enough leverage to its masters across the border to incessantly spark tensions in the Valley and engage its stooges in nefarious activities.
Self-professed liberals and media sprang up to feet lashing at the Centre for failing to hear to voices of azaadi in the Valley. But alas!!! The hoarse calls for azaadi were overtaken by Jihadi movements a few decades ago. When Kashmir was hit with floods and the worst ever deluge in 2015, Indian security personnel and Police rescued and moved thousands of people in valley to safer zones. Now the same valley is reverberating with anti-India voices and the same impudent bunch is hounding the security forces with stones. Reports indicate that people were paid Rs 500 for pelting stones and creating ruckus during curfew.
Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who sought Z-plus security (accorded only to Prime Minister and other mainstream leaders), flagrantly sings praises of Pakistan. The same Mirwaiz chose to remain silent about the issue of youth attending his rallies waving ISIS flags. Other Kashmiri leaders who enjoy security provided by Centre are Abdul Gani Bhat, Abbas Ansari, Bilal Lone, Fazal Haq Qureshi and Shahid-ul- Aslam (1). These leaders called for Kashmir Bandh protesting the killing of Burhan Wani and unduly extended the protests till July 25th. Interestingly, despite luxuriating on Indian tax-payer’s money, Kashmiri Leaders audaciously indulge in flagrant deception and revel in misplaced allegiances. The diabolical arguments and demands of Hurriyat leaders are truly quixotic- repealing of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and release of political prisoners. How can any sane nation evacuate its forces when the land can explode on a mere provocation?
Pakistan has been waging a long term proxy war with India and the latest dimension to this clandestine war is triggering trouble in the valley by flooding social media with numerous trolls from unknown locations. The strategy of fomenting trouble was masterminded by Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) kingpin, Hafiz Saeed. Post the killing of Wani, Saeed joined hands with Syed Salahuddin, HuM chief to control and coordinate the protests in the Valley. India authorities have imposed a ban on internet services in the valley to rein in on anti-India insinuations (2). Moreover, the HuM, JuD, JeM and LeT are feeder channels of Al-Qaeda whose aim is to strengthen any Muslim movement against a non-Muslim force. The Kashmir liberation movement is not about recognition and autonomy but a means to bolster the larger Islamic jihadi network (3). Similarly, a ban was imposed on the print media for a few days. Newspapers were off the stands for six days in a row.
While there is no denying that political parties in Kashmir have much ground to cover to win the confidence of people, the trouble in the valley has been the creation of the deep state in Pakistan. As I am writing this column, more authentic and incriminating evidence of the ISI links with Hafiz Saeed have emerged. Hafiz Saeed of late is more aggressively integrating anti-India forces. Reports indicate Abdullah Gul; son of former ISI chief Hamid Gul has been actively assisting Hafiz in coordinating anti-India forces including the anti-Kashmir forces (3).
Pakistan is now increasingly viewed as hub of international terrorism. Its recent attempts to malign India at the UN have been futile which is reflected in the muted response of the international community.
Time for anticipation is now over. Kashmir problem is clearly exacerbated by Islamic terror outfits and its apologists operating in the valley. It is time India crushed the home grown militancy with iron hands.
- http://www.deccanherald.com/content/497327/hurriyats-mirwiaz-gets-z-plus.html
- http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/hafiz-saeed-and-syed-salhuddins-unholy-alliance-behind-kashmir-unrest/1/711837.html
- http://nation.com.pk/columns/15-Jul-2016/disown-jihadist-freedom-fighters-in-kashmir
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