B L Saraf
The German embassy in India is scheduled to hold a cultural programme in Shalimar gardens, Srinagar, on 7th September.
Internationally renowned orchestra conductor Zubin Mehta is slated to perform in the show. Syed Ali Shah Geelani is up to what has, now, remained his only job . Cry for a hartaal: ” I appeal to the people of Kashmir Valley, Chenab, Poonch and Rajouri belt of Jammu region to observe a complete shut down on 7th September.” His grouse is that the concert is aimed at” turning the focus away” from Kashmir. Then, in the wild flight of imagination he accuses Mehta of “propagating the Israeli agenda.” Geelani’s call against the musician has come on the heels of grand Mufti’s opposition to the Valley’s only girl musical band, decreeing music anti – religion. Though, it is a different matter that soon after issuing the dictate against the band the’ venerable’ religious leader was seen enjoying a musical programme in the idyllic ambience of Char chinari in a roving boat. Irrespective of the fact whether the programme holds on or not, certain points need to be made .
Geelani Sahib, Kashmir has lost the’ kind of focus ‘ which, in a misplaced notion , is congenitally ingrained in your thought and mind long before you endorsed the bloody armed ‘movement’ in the Valley. And whatever little mention it would receive in highly bigoted and interested international quarters got lost courtesy your support to the armed militancy in Kashmir . So ,do not sulk. Syed Sahib, to your credit, your love for Pakistan and its rabid communal elements is not concealed That you profess as a birth right. So, whatever those elements do and propose to do there, on cue, you take the line. Seen thus, there is something more in your diatribe against the Shalimar concert than is apparent. After all, art of any kind, except that of gun games, is a much despised commodity in the country of your dreams. First, they banned You-Tube; then late night telephone packages got the axe. Is music on the chop ? In a Pakistani enlightened journalist, we do find an answer for you. Babber Sattar, a columnist in Dawn apprehends so.
He, in a scintillating sarcasm, brings out the sorry state of affairs in Pakistan and castigates the rabid elements in his column: “First You-Tube was banned. Now it’s late night telephone packages. What is next ? Music, for it gives the impressionable all kinds of crazy ideas of love and idealism? Poetry, which incites the emotions of the young if it is of the romantic variety, or worse still. encourages dissent and revolt against the status – quo if it is the serious stuff written by Faiz or Faraz ?” By banning music you are putting fetters on thought process and critical speech, as some may want to evaluate the performance critically. You may have your reasons for opposing Indian state but you have no right to hold the art lovers to ransom. Surely there are better ways to protest and make a point . Here, a Kashmir civil society group seems to have a better idea to ” bring back the focus ” on Kashmir . They have decided to organise a parallel programme titled “Haqeeqat-e – Kashmir “on the same day of Mehta’s performance.
Pakistan, in general , can’t be considered a role model. Even otherwise a fairly liberal minded person, Imran Khan too has let down some of his fans in Pakistan by adopting a crude sectarian political stance. His PTI Government lost no time in restoring the Jihadi content in the text books which was removed by earlier ANP government in Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa province.
Anyone criticising the concert is understandable. Be it unpleasant. But at the same time we must put questions to Geelani Sahib and his ilk on their seemingly irrational behaviour. Difference of opinion is far more acceptable than acquiescence .
Meek deference as against independence of thought and acquiescence have made no value addition to our society. That is why it is on the decline. Various forces have contributed to the weakening of the communal bond in J & K. The octogenarian leader would do a lot of good to his ‘ followers ‘ if he stops segregating people on the communal lines. His reference to Valley and some selected parts in Jammu region in his boycott call has ominous potential to disturb communal peace in the State. The unfortunate scars of Kishtwar are too fresh to be reopened there or anywhere else in the State .
In J &K ‘s present socio political context, Pakistani columnist’s concluding words must ring a warning: “And if we have decided as a state and society that rotten traditions must be perpetuated, criticism and change must be penalized, and law must be used to inject reverence and morality into ordinary Pakistani, let’s forget about You -Tube, grow beards and join hands with the Taliban . We probably have more in common than we realize. ” Choice is ours. Time to make it wisely.
(The author is former Pr. District & Sessions Judge)
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