If you are addicted to Internet and social media networking, you would think there is nothing except Hartals, Arrests, Stone Pelting, Encounters and off-course announcement of Curfews in Kashmir. The Onlykashmir.in managed to compile the statics what Kashmir searched through-out the year 2015 based on personalities. Although as per a study Kashmiri youth’s disillusionment with mainstream politics is a fact, with just 5 to 7 percent of them joining any political party. But if we go through the below statics the result is surprising. The search trend presented here is not restricted to the only educated youth. In fact, a well percentage is well of uneducated youth. Here are the surprising results:
BURHAN MUZAFFAR WANI
Yes you rightly read, most searched person on Internet is young Burhan Muzaffar Wani, alias Burhan Wani a resident of Tral south of Kashmir with Rs 10 Lakhs bounty on his head. Son of a school principal has gained much hype after he posted photos and videos carrying guns, asking youth to join militant outfit Hizb Ul Mujahideen.
MUFTI MUHAMMAD SAYEED
The most second searched person does not need any introduction, the former Home Minister of India and Chief Patron Peoples Democratic Party Mufti Muhammad Sayeed undertook a second tenure as Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir on 1st March 2015 by surprisingly making coalition government with BJP.
BURHAN BASHIR – A TODDLER
The name Burhan Bashir (03) of north Kashmir hit the most searchable list on internet in Kashmir because he fell to the bullets of unknown gunmen. The sheer injustice and barbaric act at the hands of unknown gunmen trigged outrage on Internet with people writing poems over his killing, some shared his photos with heart rendering couplets.
HINA SHAFI BHAT
The face of BJP in Kashmir, dentist turned politician Dr. Hina Shafi Bhat remained in limelight on account of series of her interesting statements during election campaign was among the reasons to be searched frequently on Internet.
MIRWAIZ UMAR FAROOQ
Although the year 2015 was significantly a year of mainstream politics, but the efforts on social working grounds viz-a-viz Akh Akis initiative to provide homes among the 2014 devastating flood affected families and departure of six leaders from his Hurriyat faction makes Mirwaiz to be listed on number four. Mirwaiz was listed as one of the 500 Most Influential Muslims by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre, Jordan for the second consecutive year. Well, the other reason can be through-out the year he frequently called for Unity marches including that of 13 July martyrdom day and his Twitter campaign under the title #Ask Hurriyat is worth mention.
MASARAT ALAM BHAT
He was released on March 2015 which caused a major political controversy and dominated Indian Parliament Proceedings. However on April 17, 2015 Masrat Alam was rearrested by Police for raising Pakistan flag and shouting anti-India slogans during a rally in Hyderpora Srinagar to greet Syed Ali Shah Geelani on his arrival in Srinagar from New Delhi which erupted huge controversy in Indian media.
RUVEDA SALAM BAJAD
Also known as “brave lady’’ Dr. Ruveda Salam first women IPS officer from Kashmir is inspiring many through her motivational speeches to the youth, particularly girls encouraging them to appear for the IAS exams in Jammu and Kashmir. Her interviews on prominent national level newspapers make her to hit the list. (I can visualise you searching her name as you read this line)
KHALID WANI
You may be surprise with this name, but the reality is that Khalid Wani the brother of HM Militant Burhan Wani hit the list became among most searchable persons after both the twin social networking giants i.e. Facebook and Twitter were found tending with the letters #IAmKhalid aftermath his killing during an encounter on 13 April 2015.
SAJAD GANI LONE
His support to BJP in state politics, debut in State Assembly, portfolio in State cabinet as Animal Husbandary minister and his statement “Modi is my Big Brother” are the some key pointes that separatist- turned-mainstream politician Sajjad Gani Lone hit the list. Sajjad Lone was recently featured in list of top 6 Indians of 2015 by Khaleej Times, UAE.
WAHEED UR REHMAN PARA
Being the only prominent youth face of ruling party PDP and his appointment as Political Analyst to Chief Minister Waheed Para remained in news prominently during 2015. His foreign tours and youth meetings in South Kashmir did invoke some interest among netizens.
MEHBOOBA MUFTI
Mehbooba Mufti, the proud daughter of current Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, the yearlong speculations still continuing that she has good chances of becoming first Women Chief Minister of the state, her attendance at several prestigious media conclaves and fiery speeches kept Mehbooba Mufti in news whole year.
SYED ALI GEELANI
Syed Ali Geelani is the name which is not only perhaps searchable in Kashmir particular but also outside the Valley. His condemnations and criticism against mainstream state politics through Hartal and Protests calls is the basic reason to be in the list. The call for ‘Million March’ on the eve of Narendra Modi’s by Geelani was hot news online this year.
