S P Sharma
Frequent snapping of internet and mobile messaging services in a bid to thwart attempts of mischief mongers to create communal tension in J&K by circulating objectionable pictures has earned the nickname of “net-snapper” for the PDP—BJP Coalition Government headed by Mufti Sayeed.
Although snapping internet and SMS has helped keeping the situation under control particularly during the current beef controversy, but certain elements have not relished suspension of these modern time services. The video clips of recent slaughter of cows in the Kashmir valley and the subsequent beef party thrown by an independent MLA were not only in a very bad taste but also triggered communal tension in the state.
Sensing further trouble, the authorities took the decision to snap internet and SMS for a few hours and then also for couple of days that is being considered a wise step. However, this resulted in financial loss to people who were denied the facility of online transactions for three days in a stretch as the bradband service was also switched off when things started moving towards a serious situation.
Although the two scenarios are in sharp contrast, but this reminds the old-timers of the GM Shah Government that came to be known as “curfew sarkar” as during its nearly 600 days rule, the state witnessed curfew for 157 days at different intervals mainly due to communal tension that had erupted following desecration of Hindu temples and shrines particularly in the Anantnag district of Kashmir that resulted in a mini-exodus of the community from there.
One thing common in both situations is that currently Mufti Sayeed is the Chief Minister with the support of BJP and in July 1984 as leader of the Congress he brought GM Shah to power by giving him the party’s support from outside. The Shah Government that was installed by engineering a mid-night coup against the then Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah lasted only 20 months till March 1986 as the Mufti came under tremendous pressure due to the spurt in communal activities in the valley.
It is worth mentioning that during the current controversy on the beef issue certain mischevious elements on both sides made all out efforts to escalate tension, but as usual the former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah stood apart by not preaching sermons from within the four walls of his bungalow but had the courage to come out on the street in Jammu in an effort to rekindle communal harmony by taking part in the procession that was organized to mark beginning of the holy Navratras. Abdullah, like the Hindu participants in the procession, danced to the tune of devotional music and hymns of the deity in a bid to apply balm to the sentiments that have been hurt due to the beef issue.
Keeping in view the increasing gulf between the two main regions of the state, it is time for the mainstream political leadership to rise above petty political considerations and take the lead in defusing the situation in which the ray of light that Mahatama Gandhi visualized in J&K is getting lost day by day.
(The writer is a senior journalist)
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