Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo
The year 2019, that we left some weeks ago, would be recognised as the most spectacular year since the accession of the then State of Jammu and Kashmir to the Union of India in 1947. Though 1989-90 is also a remarkable period in the chapters of history of the J&K State but it has a terrible and horrendous shadow connected with it. The period of the last thirty years is undoubtedly one of the darkest periods of our lives and history of Jammu and Kashmir.
During the last three decades, Jammu and Kashmir and in particular the Kashmir valley witnessed death and destruction of horrible nature, mayhem and loot of public and private properties, genocide and ethnic cleansing of the Indegenous people of Kashmir (the Kashmiri Pandits), abduction and killings of people, coercion and kidnappings, extortion and suppression of varied nature, land grabbing and illegal encroachments and an unabated campaign of threat to the right of life and freedom of speech. A prominent historian of Kashmir, Satish Ganjoo writes in Wailing shadows in Kashmir, “the fascinating valley of Kashmir virtually stands desolate today as if vultures have descended on the land. Barbarous terrorists hounded the legendary Kashmiri Pandits out of their homes; brutally killed thousands of people; and ventured to change the 5,000 years old history and culture of Kashmir. The satanic cruelities of the terrorists crossed extreme limits in human behavior that even the Iconoclast Sikander, Bigoted Ali Shah, Dogmatic Hyder Shah, Sectarian Chaks, Intolerant Aurangzeb and Tyrannical Afghans will be feeling stung in their graves for the people of Kashmir”.
While there are innumerable examples of organised crimes against humanity inflicted by the terror regime in Jammu and Kashmir, the political class of the Valley has not lagged behind to ‘make hay while the sun shines’. The role of the political leaders, their coterie, henchmen and their clique has done a deeper harm to the psyche and future of generations after generations in the ‘unfortunate valley’ with the manipulative scheming of these self-seekers.
Terrorism in Kashmir was one aspect of the tragedy that the political class invited in Kashmir valley in league with the conspirators while the other aspect was to exploit the situation to benefit the vested interests with short term and long term political goals in view. People in Kashmir were befooled in the name of religion at will, Pakistan and Islamic indoctrination were used as tools to garner political benefits. Terrorism, Pakistan, ethnic cleansing, indoctrination, fundamentalism and name-sake development were used as bargaining chip by the “clever and cunning” to siphon funds from New Delhi. There were no lesser manipulators available in the corridors of power in New Delhi with the active support of Lutiyans’ expert and age-old brokers and dealers.
It was virtually a “lottery scheme for all” to make money in the name of Kashmir for three long decades. Moneys trickled with full flow from all known and unknown, legal and illegal, and moral & immoral sources from within and outside India. The political bosses in Kashmir valley, well versed in changing gears right from 1947 till date in accordance with the directions of the wind, would always fit political weathercocks right on the top of their party and personal headoffices making it sure that they keep on tracking where the wind blows. People’s aspirations they would arouse with catchy words, names, slogans, headlines, flags, colours, handkerchiefs and other similar objects which would include even the rocks of salt as well.
The religious platforms and shrines were freely used for political ends. Common people on streets, in villages and towns were shamelessly exploited by making them believe the unbelievable. The common people did it while paying a hard price all along. Study shows that the few political families of the Kashmir valley amassed a wealth not less than five thousand crore of Rupees over the last seven decades. The depositors’ money and the public funds in The Jammu and Kashmir Bank were mercilessly diverted all along to benefit a chosen class. Back-channel apponitments were the order of the day only up to recent times, while postings and transfers were recognised as an industry by the brokers-in-business.
Public corporations, mills and industrial units were dried up forcing them to declare voluntary insolvency. The forests were made a big source of income through encroachments, conversion into concrete jungles and felling of trees and illegal mining and rock cutting. A free for all scenario was allowed to take birth with official and unofficial patronage by the political-administrative-beaurucratic troika. The people in general were either made the poor onlookers or engaged in discourses with interesting topics such as, free border, double currency, plebiscite, healing-touch, self-rule, marhampatti, izzat ki baat, 370 is a bridge etc and the like.
Kashmir deserves an overhaul and renovation both politically and infrastructure wise and also on the front of development after the sad and bad three decades of turmoil. Thank God, Kashmir was not allowed to go the Syria, Iraq or Afghanistan way though there were elements always hell bent upon to do that. The security forces need full kudos for this historical feat indeed, that saved something to bank upon afresh.
The Kashmiri Muslims have kept certain things intact despite the harsh environment of challenges for three decades in the valley. It is their sense of humour, love for music and thirst of education. Living in exile for three long decades have not dissuaded the Pandits from their original traits and traditions. However, they have also kept intact the following three things, ie. sense of forgiveness, love for Kashmir and thirst for remembrance of the facts of history since history teaches us not to repeat the mistakes of the past. Their regaining the urge to resettle in Kashmir again is not a mere wishful thinking by them, it is the core of their struggle in exile for over 30 years now, which is stark, visible and profound.
It is the turn of the Muslim majority community in Kashmir to rise to the occasion and use the opportunity that the PM Modi led Government has provided to it and take initiatives afresh to regain that is lost in Kashmir. It is the time to throw up a new and dedicated leadership in Kashmir which has the capacity to realise the losses of the last three decades and tune up to the new realities of politics and life in Kashmir.
Sincerity, honesty and probity are not alien to public and political life though it needs men and women of strong will and commitment. Kashmir has not dearth of such souls who would take lead to take the right course at the given appropriate and opportune time. This is a golden opportunity to rise again to give the wounded psyche some relief and an assurance that Kashmir is not an orphan and here are the takers who can lead, serve and command the respect and honour eventually.
Rebuilding Kashmir means bringing life back to Kashmir with dimensions of varied explored and unexplored nature. The modern generations in Kashmir need to know that elimination of terrorism is essential to the establishment of peace. Indoctrination and radicalisation have not yielded anything and have bulldozed the present and marred the future. There is need of serious introspection and further review to unfold possibilities of future.
Development in various fields in the regime of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not a far cry thereafter. Set targets in education and employment can be achieved at a desirable speed once peace is established. It is time to take the initiatives of the last year 2019 to the next level leading Kashmir to permanent peace, wellness, prosperity, hope and confidence. Yes, it can be done and here is the most appropriate opportunity to do it.
(Feedback: ashwanikc2012@gmail.com)
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