Initiate action against non-local students too
Gowhar Naz
National Institute of Technology (NIT), Srinagar was founded as a Regional Engineering College (REC) in 1960 and was under the control of Government of Jammu Kashmir till 2004. In 2004, REC was renamed and taken over by central government’s Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD).
Admission to the said college began to be based on a national examination, open to students from outside Jammu Kashmir that gradually changed the composition of students in the institute.
Nearly 3000 students currently study at the institute. Around 50 percent of the university seats are reserved for students from outside Jammu Kashmir. The other 50 percent is divided between students from the Kashmir, Jammu division and Ladakh region. Meaning Kashmiri students at NIT Srinagar are in minority.
Controversy over a cricket match in Kashmir is not new. Kashmiris have regularly cheered for Pakistan. In the late 1980s, residents would publicly cheer for teams like Australia and West Indies. Recently concluded T20 Cricket World Cup is an eye opener for all.
But it is unfortunate that much hue and cry over the police action on non-Kashmiri students is gaining the momentum. Non-Kashmiri students were protesting and also damaged the property of NIT Srinagar.
Instead of normalising the situation, the New Delhi stepped in, thereby minimising the role of Government of Jammu Kashmir. The way New Delhi rushed paramilitary forces into the university premises, sidelining the state authorities, has caused some serious concerns.
This incident has exposed the dual policy of New Delhi, Indian media and various political parties.
When Kashmiri youth are being thrashed, tortured and booked under fake case, nobody in India speaks a word to condemn the act, but when police tried to stop the protests in order to maintain law and order, everybody cries foul about police action.
Why don’t New Delhi Initiate action against non-Kashmiris students too.
The NIT row has now become the latest hotspot in the debate over nationalism in India. Day in and day out, Kashmiri students are harassed and expelled on the name of nationalism.
Whether it be Universities of Rajasthan or any other state of India, Kashmiri students are not safe. Frankly, speaking Kashmiris need not to chant “Bharat Mata Ki Jai”.
Tourists from outside explore Kashmir with free mind and soul always. How we treated them in 2008, 2009 and 2010, when entire Kashmir was boiling not even one tourist was injured.
They had nowhere to go and we sheltered them and provided them food during those years and after September 2014 floods is known to all. Be hospitality, humanity or any other aspect of humanity Kashmiris have always proved their mettle. In same breath, the non-Kashmiri students on our soil are our guests and they are safe here.
On the other hand, incidents related to Kashmiri students go not only unnoticed but are being shamelessly justified by Indian media. I sincerely appeal to Indian media to shun biased attitude towards Kashmiris and show some neutrality.
Author is pursuing Master’s in Disaster Management at University of Kashmir and he can be mailed at gowharwrites@hotmail.com
