Sir,
This has reference to the article “Peace in Kashmir : A Divine Intervention” (DE Apr 11,2018) by D S Sodhi. Seemingly the author holds a brief for the people (muslims) of Kashmir, saying that they have always suffered immensely for ages, right from the medieval times to the present age. Some muslims might have suffered at the hands of their coreligionist muslim rulers. What needs special mention here, for setting the records straight is that the hindus, who were in mammoth majority, suffered the most. When Shameri became the ruler, after the reign of Kota Rani, harassment, humiliation and persecution of the Kashmiri Pandits became the order of the day. Conversions to Islam at gun point were resorted to. Religious places were destroyed. This trend continued during the Muslim rule of rulers that followed, especially, the ones from Afghanistan.
During the Pathan rule, the then heartless governor of Kashmir, Jabar Khan, subjected the hapless Pandits to horrendous atrocities and indignities. There are many instances of his brutal actions. Two instances may be cited here. Once he directed his henchmen to snatch the holy threads of as many Pandits as they could. About 80 kilo of threads, by weight, were burnt. At another time, in the city of Srinagar, hundreds of Kashmiri Pandits were killed and buried at a particular place which later was called ‘Bata Mazar’ (graveyard of Batas, Kashmiri Pandits). This horrible place which has undergone changes, is still named as “Batta Mazar”, a standing evidence of Jabar Khan’s tyranny.
Yes, during the period of uneasy calm in the valley, there existed semblance of communal harmony, Kashmiriyat and composite culture. But the undercurrent of hate existed.
The writer has aptly remarked that the cult of Kashmiriat and composite culture received a big hit after the exodus of the Pandit community. He has just made a passing reference to the exodus, a calamity for the community, conveniently maintaining silence over the cause of it.
Divine intervention can’t be had for asking. If violence in act and thought is completely shunned, appeals for God’s mercy may be granted. Otherwise, unfortunately, Divine Justice will play its role.
Yours etc….
M L Raina
Jammu
Follow our WhatsApp channel