By Dr. Ahmed
I am just returning from Kashmir and was forced to rush to the Srinagar airport at 4:30 am to escape the agitated masses and stone pelters wreaking havoc during daylight hours. I still have vivid memories of stone pelters and anarchists roaming the streets, running amok, smashing cars, intimidating shopkeepers, and distributing posters threatening people who do not follow their decree.
Watching the death and destruction from both inside and outside of the valley, I would not forgive myself if I did not speak the bitter truth about the current harsh realities taking place. Kashmir Valley, the land of peace, religious tolerance, Sufis and mystics, stands violated, vandalized, and wounded by its own people. We claim to be the most devoutly religious people in the world, yet we do the most inhumane things, for which I am extremely ashamed. We provoke police forces by throwing stones and hurling obscenities at them. We burn schools, courts, bridges, police stations, and then pray collectively at the roadside for freedom. Where was the Hurriyat when a Muslim teacher raped an 8-year-old girl? Where was Hurriyat when a Muslim police officer was thrown in the river along with his Jeep? The problem with the current state is that no one is using common sense or logic to deal with the situation, as anger and hatred and fear continues to run rampant. The silent majority finds itself helpless in the violence-scarred milieu, and no one is willing to speak the truth for fear of being labelled a traitor.
There can be no peace without equal justice for everyone in Kashmir: justice for the Kashmiri pundit community to return home with dignity, justice for the local police forces who are being harassed and vilified, justice for the CRPF men who were killed in their sleep in cold-blood, justice for the innocent Kashmiri youth who have been tortured and shot with pellets. Are we ready for so-called Aazadi? Do we have any moral or ethical conscience for that? Corruption and looting have become so rampant that Kashmir has received the honor of being the most corrupt state in India. Is this Aazadi? We need Aazadi from corruption, communalism, materialism, anarchy, agitation hartals and stone pelters.
We may not all agree but we have to wake up to the consequences of leaving this so-called freedom movement unchecked. We know very well what the other side has to offer: extremism, bigotry, religious intolerance, kidnapping, violence and suicide bombings. We don’t want another Afghanistan. It is very alarming to know that people are legitimizing the violence in Kashmir, which could become a very dangerous trend and could inspire a new generation of suicide bombers.
The most troublesome fact is that the youths are fast becoming radicalized, seeking total Islamization of Kashmir. Let me make it very clear that the current unrest in Kashmir is neither a spontaneous outburst of anger against the killing of Burhan Wani, nor due toalienation of the Kashmiris because of poor governance and human rights abuses. It is a new phase of militancy aided and abetted by outside powers with the ultimate dream of turning Kashmir into an Islamic state.
The ongoing violence has taken a heavy toll on Kashmir at every level. Too many people have suffered and been traumatized with biggest brunt born by ordinary masses. Who has suffered the most during the last 27 days? Not government employees, for they will still receive their pay. However, the poor people of Kashmir, the daily wage earners, the laborers, the taxi drivers, the shopkeepers, house boaters, hotels, and transporters are suffering. When will the misled demonstrators realize that they are not earning their freedom, they are destroying the lives and homes of their fellow Kashmiris?
It is time that all of the people and the leaders involved stop living under the illusion of a false dream, as they are only endangering the very existence of Kashmir. We must open our eyes to the truth. The separatist camp keeps extending the shutdown, and people keep following blindly. It is evident that those who give calls for violent attacks have sent their sons and daughters abroad for better future. Don’t they realize that the very survival of Kashmir is at stake?
I am not condoning Indian politicians because they have made terrible mistakes in Kashmir. The Indian government needs to withdraw AFSPA immediately and create a reputable commission on human rights and abuses. But first, Kashmir needs to have a thorough self-evaluation. How can Kashmiris expect to be treated fairly when they are waving Pakistani flags and ISIS flags in front of Indian soldiers and writing, “Indian dogs go back”? We need to think clearly and realistically and do some soul-searching. We must accept the harsh realities of the global scenario and work to improve the good and correct the bad. Everyone must keep in mind the strategic position of J & K in relation to its neighbors and understand and accept that this violence and hatred has given us nothing but pain, agony, and despair. We need more people like Shah Faesal and Athar Amir, who have made us proud.
Let’s not make Kashmir another Afghanistan, Iraq, or Syria. Let’s not make Kashmir into another hotbed for religious extremism andISIS! Let’s not make Kashmir a place for suicide bombers and religious fanatics to inflict death and destruction. We must make Kashmirall-inclusive and unbiased, where all religions can live in peace and harmony, including Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, and Buddhists. Let’s create a vision to make Kashmir a model for religious tolerance and communal harmony.
Let’s seize the moment, our moment. Let’s stop making the same mistake again and again, hoping to get a different result. We must embrace the burdens of our past without becoming victims of it. The fruits of India’s booming economy are meant to be enjoyed and relished. Our children deserve the gift of education, security, and hope. Let’s build a secular, skilled, educated, tolerant, and politically savvy next-generation equipped to face the challenges of the 21st century. We must come out of the darkness with courage and conviction, ready to start fresh with hope and determination to make a better Kashmir by giving peace a chance. Let’s return Kashmir to an honorable home of Sufism, ‘Kashmiryat’ and ‘Insanyat’ by following our beloved Prophets (PBUH) last sermon where He says” Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. You will neither inflict nor suffer any inequity” History will never forgive us if we don’t act wisely at this critical juncture.
(The writer is a Kashmiri physician based in USA and can be reached at peaceinvalley@gmail.com )
