CRISIS BY FARHAT SYED
This refers to the economic blockade of Kashmir initiated by extremist elements of Jammu region. Reportedly, miscreants, hooligans and mischief mongers have been hired from other states to create disturbance and perpetrate violence in Jammu. Kashmiri drivers are beaten or killed day in and day out in broad day light. Vehicles are burnt, hutments are damaged and people of a particular community harassed. Economic blockade is a war crime. Atrocities on Gujjars is a tyranny. Asking Muslims to leave Jammu is absurd and ridiculous. Neglecting injured patients of a particular community by some hospitals is a human rights violation. Attack on GK office at Jammu is highly condemnable. Boycott of Kashmiri goods is not going to help.
Raising trivial issues on communal, regional or racial grounds is frivolous. Kashmir is not Palestine to accept the hegemony, economic blockade and hooliganism of a section of fanatic elements from Jammu. If some people think of creating a situation like 1947, they are living in a fool’s paradise.
Seven lakh armed troops could not succeed in weakening or breaking our determination. When whole might of India could not subjugate and intimidate Kashmiris, how can a few fanatic Hindu elements do it? We sacrificed thousands of youth during our freedom struggle. We have been sacrificing our economic and educational interests to achieve the right of self-determination. We have exhibited highest degree of moral standard and tolerance. But this should not be construed as our weakness.
We have been betrayed by politicians like Farooq Abdullah, Mufti M. Sayeed, Muzafar Beg, Qazi Afzal, and of course Azad. More than that Congress party has always been more detrimental to Muslim interests than the Sangh Pariwar because it stabs from the back. Babri Masjid was demolished during Congress regime at the centre. Several communal rites have taken place during congress regimes. Kashmir dispute is itself a creation of Congress. The irony of fate is that Muslim majority state is run by non-Muslim policy makers and administrators. Not even a single IAS or IPS Muslim officer is given an important portfolio though they have better merit and abilities than others.
Administration applies double standards when it comes to tackling riots in Jammu. Otherwise, how can Army and other security forces feel helpless in restoring law and order in Jammu? Curfew appears to be a mockery – a friendly football match. Contrary to this, even peaceful demonstrations in Kashmir are silenced by bullets. This shows highly partisan attitude of Security forces and civil administration. The attitude of Indian media is equally biased and partisan. Even major events in Kashmir are either ignored or projected in a wrong perspective. Smaller things happening in Jammu are blown out of proportion. What a paradox?
The Civil Society of India is conspicuously silent. They are watching the suffering of Kashmiris (due to economic blockade) as mute spectators. Hindu fanatics of Jammu cannot take J&K state at ransom nor can they take Muslims of this state far granted. Kashmir, Doda, Poonch, Rajouri and part of Udhampur is rich in resources. Even Jammu region is running its business and sustains because of our resources. Some Jammuites may have facilitated grant of State Subject status for non state subjects and allowed them to reside at places like Gandhi Nagar, however, this cannot change the demography of Muslim majority state. Two and a half districts with limited resources can find its way by opting out of the state if they wish so. They cannot thrust their unreasonable and unjustified opinion on the majority of this state.
Jammuites have always raised false hue and cry about discrimination. Let some sane elements critically analyze the development and growth of two regions. Many hard facts will come to surface. Jammu is almost a metropolitan city and Kashmir lacks even the basic infrastructure like roads, electricity and water supply, not to speak of large business establishments.
Resources of the state (including electricity, tourism, handicrafts, fruit, agriculture, etc) are mainly generated by Muslim dominated area. What do we get? If Jammu is dependent on our resources they ought to realize it and have a reasonable approach. Instead, they take the lion’s share and want to browbeat Kashmiris.
Snagh Parivar should realize that they cannot repeat Godhra (Gujarat) in J&K to win elections. There are decent ways to win elections. Do not construct mansions over the dead bodies of innocents. Do not disintegrate India. Do not disintegrate J&K. The message is loud and clear. Do not push peace loving and hospitable people of Kashmir to the wall. We still believe in tolerance and moral superiority. But we also know how to defend every millimeter of our land. Let wisdom prevail in Jammu.
(Feedback at farhatsyed@yahoo.com)
Raising trivial issues on communal, regional or racial grounds is frivolous. Kashmir is not Palestine to accept the hegemony, economic blockade and hooliganism of a section of fanatic elements from Jammu. If some people think of creating a situation like 1947, they are living in a fool’s paradise.
Seven lakh armed troops could not succeed in weakening or breaking our determination. When whole might of India could not subjugate and intimidate Kashmiris, how can a few fanatic Hindu elements do it? We sacrificed thousands of youth during our freedom struggle. We have been sacrificing our economic and educational interests to achieve the right of self-determination. We have exhibited highest degree of moral standard and tolerance. But this should not be construed as our weakness.
We have been betrayed by politicians like Farooq Abdullah, Mufti M. Sayeed, Muzafar Beg, Qazi Afzal, and of course Azad. More than that Congress party has always been more detrimental to Muslim interests than the Sangh Pariwar because it stabs from the back. Babri Masjid was demolished during Congress regime at the centre. Several communal rites have taken place during congress regimes. Kashmir dispute is itself a creation of Congress. The irony of fate is that Muslim majority state is run by non-Muslim policy makers and administrators. Not even a single IAS or IPS Muslim officer is given an important portfolio though they have better merit and abilities than others.
Administration applies double standards when it comes to tackling riots in Jammu. Otherwise, how can Army and other security forces feel helpless in restoring law and order in Jammu? Curfew appears to be a mockery – a friendly football match. Contrary to this, even peaceful demonstrations in Kashmir are silenced by bullets. This shows highly partisan attitude of Security forces and civil administration. The attitude of Indian media is equally biased and partisan. Even major events in Kashmir are either ignored or projected in a wrong perspective. Smaller things happening in Jammu are blown out of proportion. What a paradox?
The Civil Society of India is conspicuously silent. They are watching the suffering of Kashmiris (due to economic blockade) as mute spectators. Hindu fanatics of Jammu cannot take J&K state at ransom nor can they take Muslims of this state far granted. Kashmir, Doda, Poonch, Rajouri and part of Udhampur is rich in resources. Even Jammu region is running its business and sustains because of our resources. Some Jammuites may have facilitated grant of State Subject status for non state subjects and allowed them to reside at places like Gandhi Nagar, however, this cannot change the demography of Muslim majority state. Two and a half districts with limited resources can find its way by opting out of the state if they wish so. They cannot thrust their unreasonable and unjustified opinion on the majority of this state.
Jammuites have always raised false hue and cry about discrimination. Let some sane elements critically analyze the development and growth of two regions. Many hard facts will come to surface. Jammu is almost a metropolitan city and Kashmir lacks even the basic infrastructure like roads, electricity and water supply, not to speak of large business establishments.
Resources of the state (including electricity, tourism, handicrafts, fruit, agriculture, etc) are mainly generated by Muslim dominated area. What do we get? If Jammu is dependent on our resources they ought to realize it and have a reasonable approach. Instead, they take the lion’s share and want to browbeat Kashmiris.
Snagh Parivar should realize that they cannot repeat Godhra (Gujarat) in J&K to win elections. There are decent ways to win elections. Do not construct mansions over the dead bodies of innocents. Do not disintegrate India. Do not disintegrate J&K. The message is loud and clear. Do not push peace loving and hospitable people of Kashmir to the wall. We still believe in tolerance and moral superiority. But we also know how to defend every millimeter of our land. Let wisdom prevail in Jammu.
(Feedback at farhatsyed@yahoo.com)
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