How Long This exploitation?

The fact has ultimately started gathering momentum once again that the strength of the separatists in Kashmir is almost neglegible and they do not represent the entire population. A good voting turnout in the recent elections was a sufficient indicator to the same fact that the masses in Kashmir aren't anti-India and confirmed further their belief that their fate was safe only with India and also that their first preference was only peace and prosperity. Some recent developments, though sad, which generated lot of anti-India excitement was no doubt a cause for great concern for all nationalists and obviously an occasion for a lot of jubilation in the separatist camp. It also kept agape for a considerable time the eyes of the state authorities especially the newly administered state government headed by young Omar Abdullah.
Now it took definitely a pretty long time for the truth coming to the fore that all the furore was surely manipulated under a definite separatist plan in order to restore their lost sympathy of the people at large. These elements have always been on the look out for an opportunity to exploit in the fullest so that the masses are made to come on roads. However big or small the reason may be it’s used to fan vigorously the anti-India sentiment so that the separatist leaders instantly become stars and the attention of the entire word media is centered on them. For some time a definite message was conveyed worldwide that India is an aggressor and her forces bent upon continuing her control on the simple people of Kashmir fighting a legitimate battle.
Such things didn’t happen once but dozens of times that the separatist group formed by not more than a dozen self-styled leaders actively supported and sponsored by some fundamentalist Muslim organisations including the most dreaded terror-mongers across the globe have succeeded in putting the valley to ransom demanding the so-called liberation of Kashmir through their most ignoble tactics of fanning the subtle religious sentiment of the simple people of Kashmir. Though this time these elements are fully exposed before the media and the people that the events that were used to fan the sentiments of people against the Indian security forces were the handiwork of some local goons not at all connected with any of the forces.
Once the instant boil of the soda water bottle is over and the unsuspecting people in their individual capacities begin understanding the futility of their outbursts that has already taken toll of their several days earnings, come back to their work repenting at leisure though not in a position to give vent to their feelings openly or in public for the fear of gun still active in Kashmir. Unfortunately the authorities at the helm both at the centre and the state seem either consciously shut their eyes to the facts on ground and going back to work like an ordinary Kashmir worker after the turmoil and waiting for another opportunity to be taken advantage of or otherwise do not at all understand the evil designs of the forces bent upon creating the trouble.
It further gives an occasion to imagine how weak the politicians of different governments at the centre have proved that they’ve never been able to devise an appropriate strategy to weaken the evil designs of a group of separatists in the valley who are bent upon playing hide and seek with the emotions of the innocent people and polluting the peaceful atmosphere of Kashmir time and again. An ordinary problem created by a handful of people who frequently succeed in creating trouble has not only won a bad name for this country but also put the people of a beautiful valley to immense miseries caught between the devil and the deep sea---on the one hand facing the bullets of a terrorist imported from outside and on the other the security forces maintaining law and order; all this happening just for the lack of an efficient planning at the hands of the administrators both inside and outside Kashmir.
Enough is enough, it's now the prime responsibility of the media in particular and the people in general to awaken the authorities from the slumber of such irresponsible behaviour towards this grave national issue that is taking toll of huge public resources, national prestige and thousands of security personnel.

Kashmir on the boil again

Kashmir is on the boil again; this time on the mysterious death of two young girls in Shopian town. The whole of Kashmir valley is protesting vehemently for the last one week on the incident thus paralyzing the whole system. Large scale arson and damage of public property is reported from across the valley especially from the urban areas with scores of people injured and some deaths too thus adding one more chapter to the already bruised history of Kashmir. Unfortunately the main causality this time is the peak tourist season depriving thousands of Kashmiris of their livelihood and the visiting people from the plains of their cherished holidaying.
An expression of anger is justified in the situation but in Kashmir such events usually take an extraordinarily ugly turn as the separatists, always on the prowl take the matter in their hands and exploit the situation to their fullest advantage. The self-styled leaders like Geelani and party get enough opportunity to fish in the troubled waters. The anti-India sentiment comes to the fore and the administration is able to do nothing except wait and watch.
The politics of Kashmir is strangely confusing to the onlookers as one day the situation seems quite normal and the people come out to vote in large numbers to send their genuine representatives to the Parliament or the State assembly and the other day the same people are seen shouting anti-India and pro-independence slogans. Quite strangely in normal life no individual Kashmiri expresses any strong aversion for India though there has been an anti-India sentiment simmering for the last two decades. The reason is not very far to seek but the point to consider at the present moment is why the administrative machinery both in Delhi and Srinagar are unable to control the situation before it goes into the hands of these so-called self imposed leaders of the separatist movement who are always on the look out for a situation that can put them on the saddle of the Kashmir politics for a few days more.
What’s the use of having a horde of ministers and other administrative officials on the expensive roll of the state exchequer when they’re unable to act and control at the crucial time? Can’t an atmosphere of terror be created such that people dare not follow the dictates of the leaders who exploit them with all their might simply to serve their own purpose not any for the people whom they exploit?
Unfortunately the people at the helm in Delhi have not been able to understand the real problem of Kashmir and so whatever steps they’ve taken so far in this direction have failed drastically and instead of getting the people of Kashmir nearer to India they’ve helped them distancing day by day. There’s no dearth of people quite capable to handle the situation strategically but they’re probably not in the good books of the current government and are hence ignored and the situation goes on deteriorating day by day.
The simple aspect of the problem that our policy makers and strategists have ignored about Kashmir so far besides other administrative lapses is that they’ve never thought of strengthening the pro-India elements whatever exist there and a strong objection to any defacement of Indian or a Hindu colour wherever it’s. One glaring fact that’s in our favour in Kashmir is that the majority there aren’t in their heart of hearts against India. They want to be free, prosperous with an open access to good education and business including good market for their products which they know only India can provide. Once the peace is disturbed and people come on roads they’re simply given to understand that the reason for all their woes is only the Indian domination on Kashmir so they vehemently support the movement. Once again when the peace is restored and they return to their business their real purpose is reawakened and they support India again. The local administration and the so-called mainstream leadership whether in the government or in the opposition have never been sincere to India as they've always acted more for their personal interest than the national interest in Kashmir. The administration in Delhi cannot see through this cunning of these politicians or purposely ignore them in their personal interest surely putting at stake the national interests.

It's Zeth-e-Aethum tomorrow

Tomorrow is the eighth day of the bright fortnight of Jeshtha, briefly called Zeth-e-Aethum in Kashmiri. It is the auspicious day for KPs as it’s the birthday of Maa Raignya or Kheer-Bhawani of Tulmul in Kashmir, the most reputed temple of modern Kashmir and frequently visited by Kashmiri Pandits besides an essential part of the itinerary of almost all Kashmir Tourists. The KPs are deeply attached to Maa Raignya or more popularly called Kheer Bhawani of Tulmul, a low land dusky village about 20 Kilometers from Srinagar. The temple stands in the middle of a natural spring surrounded by a vast expanse called Deevi-Angun with beautifully laid age old flat rectangular stone slabs. Lots of old but fresh huge Chinar trees with generously extended foliage around the temple spring give the temple a celestial aura and serve as a canopy for the pilgrims to rest. The divine aroma is instantly felt when one enters the extensive complex.
The small temple built in white marble, a masterpiece construction shines like a jewel in the middle of a hexangular crystal clear spring with its water miraculously changing colours indicating the coming good and bad times for the people. The pink red colour is a forecast indication of a happy and prosperous time while the black is the most inauspicious colour forecasting some worst impending misfortune.
Before the displacement of Pandits from Kashmir in 1990 the day used to be a major festival when almost all of them young and old came from far and near to pay obeisance and the huge complex could hardly accommodate them. Extensive arrangements for the transport, security and maintenance of thousands of pilgrims were made by the Government and social agencies for the event. The main attraction was the evening AARTI when thousands of devotees waving lighted Jyotis in their hands sang the preferred hymns of the goddess and the whole atmosphere reverberated with Maa Raignya’s generous bounties to be pocketed by her devotees.
Maa Raignya is considered a guardian deity by all Kashmir Pandits and every Ashtami of the bright fortnight is sacred to Her so they observe a fast in Her honour on this day round the year and it was a routine with lots of them to visit Tulmul on Ashtami and stay there for the night in the lap of the divine mother and ask for blessings and forgiveness for all their sins. The whole complex is maintained and guarded efficiently nowadays by the CRPF security personnel.
One of the popular legends connected with the Goddess is worth a mention. It’s said during Ramayana period the Goddess called Shyama had her abode in Sri Lanka ruled by the demon king Ravana who was Her fervent devotee and performed regular ablutions to her.When Ravana got Maa Sita the royal consort of Shri Rama forcibly during exile from their forest home to his palace the Goddess was annoyed beyond measure and she commanded Hunuman to take her on her shoulders along with her numerous snakes to Sati-Desh the old name for Kashmir. The Goddess had an extensive survey of the valley with certain memorable landings at some places and settled finally in the marshy place of Tulmul, the present spot of the temple. Nobody knew about the presence of the deity for a long time till one day the Goddess appeared in the dream of a saintly Pandit of Srinagar and commanded him to find Her abode in the marshes of Tulmul. The Pandit took a small boat and ferried it across the marshes guided by a snake ahead of him until he reached the spot. Here the snake took a dip and disappeared. He took the clue and emptied here the earthen pitcher filled with milk got along by him. Thus started his regular visits at the spot and with passage of time the popularity of the place grew manifold as desired by the Goddess.
Ma Raginya is called Kheer Bhawani too because it’s said that Kheer prepared with rice, milk and sugar is Her preferred food and the devotees invariably prepare the dish on all Ashtamis, offer it to the Goddess and eat it as prashaad.
The visiting Pandits to the valley make it a point to pay obeisance to the Goddess. Once there they wish for the deliverance of their sins that has put the community to such telling circumstances that there seems no end to their miseries.
Let’s wish again that on the auspicious day of Jaishth Ashtami tomorrow the blessing of the Tulmul Goddess prove a boon for us all and thus end our misfortunes for all times to come.
Jai Maa Tripursundari, Ashtadashbuzi Durga !!!!!!

The vote of a Kashmiri

The elections in J&K were complete yesterday as in the rest of India. Kashmiri once again defied the call of the separatists and gave a clear signal to the world that he in the heart of his hearts believed in the strength of vote not the gun of a militant. The belief of a common Kashmiri in the Indian democratic set up has further established. It is again a clear rebuff to the separatist elements working overtime strengthening hate-India campaign. These people have been successful to a large extent in exploiting the sensitive religious sentiment of the people and getting in their fold a good number of people especially youth to support them.There is no limit to the suffering of the masses in Kashmir at the hands of the terror machinery sponsored by Pakistan and her allies. Thousands of innocent people have been killed so far in the clashes between the security forces and the highly motivated and armed foreign militants. The innocent people became the victims of the wrath of both security personnel and hordes of gunmen playing hide and seek with them.In the scenario the courageous vote of a Kashmiri to send once again his representative to the Indian Parliament is of great significance. As such it’s high time for the Indian diplomats and the media especially to read the writing on the wall and work sincerely and with responsibility strengthening the growing pro-India sentiment in the valley. A single statement or action of the people at the helm of affairs or the irresponsible media can make a lot of damage. A common Kashmiri is a seriously bruised soul and a very bad victim of circumstances created by the enemy forces for the last more than two decades. He needs a sentimental approach to heal his wounds. He has given enough signals of his integrity towards India and it’s now for the politicians both Kashmir based (mainstream) and those in Delhi how they respect their fresh mandate for India.

Remembering Sarwanand Kaul 'Premi'

Sarwanand Kaul 'Premi' was a well-known social activist, Kashmiri poet and a reputed scholar. He was of ripe age (64 years) and lived in village Soaf Shali, District Anantnag, Kashmir. It was end of April 1990, terror was on peak in Kashmir, KPs settled throughout the valley for tousands of years were leaving their homes in large numbers for safety with flood of tears in their eyes to escape the unruly gun-yielding youth, most of them outsiders, enough emboldened with almost failed security structure of the valley. Hundreds of prominent men and women had been killed in most inhuman conditions to scare away the rest. Still many prominent KPs didn't opt to leave their homes for their good reputation and unflinching confidence on the majority community. Premi was one such person with high moral values and reputation along with unshaken confidence on all those he had worked for all his life. Though he was sincerely advised by many of his neighbours and friends to leave along with family in view of the mounting pressure of the militant activities and killings of his community members but he was adamant on his stay till on April 29, 1990 late in the evening when three gun-yielding youth entered his house and ordered him and his family members to surrender all their valuables, cash and gold ornaments immediately. After collecting this all they asked Premi to accompany them for some important talks with their leaders. He still didn't suspect anything wrong and told them that he would come himself during day wherever they liked but they insisted upon his accompanying them instantly as was required. They told his wailing wife and children that they’re not doing any harm to him as he was returning immediately. At last when he was ready to leave his son Virender (Age 27), as destiny had ordained for him also, wished to accompany his father for his safe return at night. The gunmen readily accepted and the duo left their house in the dead of night with them. What followed will put even the worst of criminals to shame. The bodies of the father and son were found hanging in the morning by trees outside the village. Their eyes had been gouged out with sharp weapons and their bodies bore numerous burn marks of cigarette butts. Their limbs had been broken mercilessly and the bodies were hanged by neck to the trees. To make their death doubly sure they were also shot at with several gun shots.
And the worst cum worst was that the place between Premi’s eyebrows was peeled off its skin and pierced with some sharp weapon where he put his Tilak, the mark of a devout Hindu. This was done to a person who was most beloved of not only Pandits but of all the Muslims of the area for his liberal views and moreover in whose house was surprisingly found a rare manuscript of the Holy Quran, the highly revered religious book of Muslims quite reverently placed on a shelf in his Puja room.
Peace be on their souls!!!!!

Finding Facts on Kashmir

For the last a few days I got incidentally clicked with some posts on certain blogs by some Kashmir Muslim youth who support the separatist movement in Kashmir. I got interested in knowing their sentiment in the first hand on the issue and engaged with comments and counter comments in some arguments presented by them. The crux of the matter that I could gather is that these youth are particularly nurturing a worst disdain for India and her presence in Kashmir by calling it an illegal Indian domination of Kashmir. They want immediate withdrawal of Indian troops and security personnel from her soil to have a free hand in all the affairs of the valley. They consider the insurgency their freedom struggle and call the armed militants from Pakistan and the other part of Kashmir (POK) freedom fighters that are helping the people of Kashmir to get rid of the so-called Indian domination in Kashmir. They often refer to some authentic historical facts including the UN resolutions on Kashmir that recommend self determination of the future of Kashmir by the people of the state. The spirit of the movement on the face of it seems genuine and any third person would definitely support the movement on its merits. But there is definitely another more important aspect of the situation that needs to be put forward along with the above for the establishment of an opinion by an unconcerned reader in the matter. I would like to lay down the following facts of the situation for healthy discussions if any:

The current insurgence in Kashmir is two decade old now and the situation has invited substantial worldwide attention and the international media is busy in making almost daily one or the other breaking news out of the Kashmir situation. The fact is equally established that the movement is actively supported and sponsored by the neighbouring country Pakistan both overtly and covertly according to certain game plan and does not enjoy a full popular public support. The masses in Kashmir are not totally disgusted with India as they understand that Kashmir with negligible financial resources cannot sustain independently and the other option Pakistan, itself a failed state with a fundamentalist background cannot keep them going. They understand precisely that Pakistan does not have any sympathy for the people of Kashmir. They are simply bent upon settling certain old scores with India and bank upon the religious sentiment of the Muslim majority of Kashmir. But they sincerely understand the magnanimity of India trying her best in building Kashmir through speedy developmental and management process by spending public money to the tune of thousands of crores every year despite all odds along side the extension of Indian liberal democratic setup to make the people elect their own representatives in order to run the local administration as well as make and amend laws for the state. There is the article 370 of Indian Constitution in force in the State to ensure no demographic changes whatsoever. No Indian non-Kashmiri can settle in Kashmir by law while a Kashmiri can settle do business and purchase property in any part of India.
It’s also an open secret that common people are unable to give vent to their feelings for the fear of the gun yielding youth who wander fearlessly and enforce their personal writ. The common man is equally desperate with the presence of these hordes of unruly gunmen having no respect for any human rights and is compelled to entertain all their whims and follies. How has he been suffering at the hands of these so-called freedom fighters is a long story of woes that nobody would like to hear. Every day in and out there are reports of illegal border crossing by highly motivated and trained militants in large numbers who after playing hide and seek with Indian security at the LOC or IB succeed in entering Kashmir and create havoc with the civilians and security agencies equally. The security agencies often receive authentic reports from local residents about the presence of these foreign mercenaries in different locations and the forces carry out action to liquidate them. The militants often hide in civilian houses or religious places to prompt more and more causalities on the security forces besides public wrath on civilian causalities if any. This situation is an unending process with Indian forces and foreign mercenaries continually on virtual warpath and the resultant suffering of the people. This is what the separatists call freedom struggle. Often when the people come on roads to protest against some civilian killings the separatist leaders exploit them to sing their own song of independence and violation of human rights. The prominent leaders of the movement are the people who’ve benefited largely in the bargain by becoming important public figures. Their living standards have prominently improved as they’re seen living in posh houses in Kashmir and owning properties worth hundreds of crores in most Indian metros with no obvious sources of income. Their own sons and daughters are out of the valley or abroad enjoying their parents’ reputation and wealth.
The current target of influence of these separatist elements sponsored actively by Pakistan is the educated youth of Kashmir. Being a soft target and unaware about the basic facts of the Kashmir and world situation these novices are easily carried away by the religious exploitation and fall into the trap of these cunning schemers who use them for their own ulterior motives. They get easily convinced over the theory of hatred for India on the basis of religion. They’re not given any occasion to grasp the facts about India in Kashmir. They are equally convinced to be blind to the views of their elders who know that the future of Kashmir and her people can’t be better or safer except her continuing to be part of India...... (not concluded)

A Random Thought --- III

Now the situation is getting alarming day by day as there seems no hope of any resolution of the problem. The paradise seems to have lost for ever for the Pandits of Kashmir, the sole descendents of an age old Kashmir tradition and culture. The people at the helm both at the central and state level governments seem to have forgotten that there is a problem of not less that half a million Kashmir Pandits who’re out of their homes for the last two decades now not of their own but that they were hounded out of the valley and there was none to save the situation neither that time nor afterwards. They aren't any foreign refugees and hence ineligible to any special concessions. They’re Indians and much more patriotic than the best Indian patriots. It was in fact for this caliber only that they were declared a rejected lot in Kashmir and liable for persecution. One more unfortunate problem of this suffering community is that they’ve not been able to throw up any effective public leaders in their ranks that would represent them in the echelons of power to meet their genuine demands forcefully and whosoever there’re they’re too timid to fight their battle. KPs have been academically very high and have always proved very good administrators, bureaucrats, policy makers and high ranking officials but they’ve been lacking drastically the essential leadership qualities both political and social, probably they prefer firmer grounds than the public figures hold and are much less risk taking than a public leader should be.
Whatever the circumstances are the Pandits of Kashmir are the worst sufferers in the whole Kashmir bargain. They’ve lost their social and cultural identity, their roots and above all their mother tongue. Whatever protests they make on occasions to give vent to their feelings are blown away by the wind of the power of the unsuspected administrative machinery. It’s becoming very difficult day after day for them to reconcile with the changed circumstances with no hope of any kind in sight for all times to come. Day in and day out high level meetings are conducted and policies framed for the improvement of the Kashmir situation but nowhere does the question of the settlement of KPs figure. The authorities have probably taken it for granted that they’re properly settled wherever they’re so there’s no need of confusing any issues with their settlement in Kashmir or anywhere else....(concluded)