We live in times when Indian military establishment has been given a privilege. It is been tamed by the forces of nationalism, an entity that wants to entail its dogma. An irony indeed.
After two lakh people attending a militant’s funeral, the historical anger, army colonies and beef ban controversy; it has once again proved to the world that Kashmiri people have sacrosanct desires of an independent homeland.
Indian Army has used force as intimation for direct murder by the use of pellet guns once again. India has violated ‘Basic Principles On The Use Of Force And Firearms By Law’ of the UN Charter during the 2016 protests. Since 48 days of intense unrest, about 76 protestors have been killed, more than 100 are blinded, and more than 6000 people have sustained injuries.
The desire of freedom is torched and it is once again resonating in the hearts of Kashmiri people. But lives are also been lost. Pallbearers in Kashmir have been most active lately. But even after every cyclical protest happened in Kashmir, the biased Indian media or its brainwashed people can’t evolve their morality over the political problem.
The reason why political leaders cannot resolve the problem of Kashmir is not only due to the lack of commitment but also due to lack of purpose. They are like vultures who bring no value with their political pandering.
Curfews cannot get peace nor Kashmir problem is an employment problem. The major grievance of the protestors is the lack of respect of human rights in the past and also about their political demands that haven’t echoed in the chambers of Indian politicians, who very conservatively take it as an internal security problem and less of an international political problem. But by no means does India get the right to injure common people by using weapons that imply authoritarianism and direct murder.
The administration in Kashmir is not the real stakeholder in the resolution process. A referendum or an exhaustive political arrangement according to the will of the people won’t only cover the protestors who hurl stones. It will be a political perception test for every politically aware adult. It has been enshrined by UN to us in the Article 1 & 103.
The use of controversial pellet guns, criticised by Human Rights Watch officials have maimed protesters, mobile and internet communications are barred, press has been muzzled, ambulances have been attacked by the police, there are dwindling food supplies and a curfew culture has been imposed like it has happened after every mass political strike. Eye surgeons have been working day and night to heal the wounded. The situation is like a war zone and ordinary life has been inured to a rising panic.
Infact on tools like Twitter, other forms of social media and common public opinion in India, a user can witness that hardcore Indian people are trying to renew their nationalist ideals after every civilian death in Kashmir. In what way do they get a right to celebrate our slaughter? Why are they blinded by Indian democracy so much that they can see nothing beyond it? See their tweets, general comments or perceptions, the hate against a prejudiced Kashmiri population is all there.
Every other ordinary Kashmiri is not allowed to step outside. Infact “house arrest” – a term which was synonymous for Kashmiri separatist leaders, holds true for common Kashmiri people as well. People are living like in a prison cell. The violence has been engraved in our memories as obituaries.
The separatist faction have isolated themselves from the resolution process for a rancor because for India every solution is under its constitutional ambit. There can be no end to perpetual sufferings until India & Pakistan pacify its nationalism and demilitarise – or let the UN take over.
Importantly, why are separatists been talked about in the Indian media only during political upheavals? There is a perceptive difference in the Indian media and the international media the way they see the Kashmir dispute. During elections, separatists were fringe elements but now they are seemingly stakeholders. Why does India want civilian blood to spill first & then want to recognise their viewpoints on Kashmir?
The interlocutors that were formed by Indian Government made suggestions that were misleading because they aligned their reportages to India’s interest. There can be no half-baked solutions. This is a grave concern of how India has handled Kashmir over the years.
How can peace be given a chance, when in reality, nobody can stop militancy. It’s seeds are sown, they are there and they will remain there, due to desperation and failure of resolution. It can only give away when Kashmir has a solution at hands. If a Kashmir centric solution is drafted, both countries will have to give political concessions without imposing their national interests.
As violence runs unabated and no reactionary measures growing, world sees a political struggle of a long forgotten Kashmiri people.
(The author is a International Business graduate and has worked in different private sectors. He has interests in political analysis.)
The partisan media talks only one side of Kashmiri problem – patriotism and nationalism. It does not discuss about ‘ kashmir’ nationalism and ‘ Kashmiri patriotism’ …I.e. the right of self determination and the right to become a seperate’ nation. For its selfish goals of controlling Kashmir, the Hindu fanatic right- wing government tramples Geneva agreement, UN resolution on plebiscite, human rights, army rules and so on. By hook or crook, the Indian government and the mainstream political parties to ‘ control and rule’ Kashmir as a land and not as the people inhibiting Kashmir land…!!