Fathoming Brewing Unrest in Kashmir Valley

Kashmir valley is slowly limping to normalcy with curfew partially lifted in four districts. The unrest in the valley following the killing of militant Burhan Wani, resulted in the death of 43 civilians and over 3400 wounded. A steep escalation of civilian injuries invited serious rebuke from various sections who condemned the harsh repressive actions of the security personnel. Most of the injuries resulted in loss of vision leading to a medical emergency. Though Government has immediately quickly flown doctors from Delhi to provide urgent medical care, with injured comprising children, youth, women and old human rights activists expressed serious concerns about functioning of police and security forces. At the Monsoon session of the Parliamentary proceedings all political parties hailed the killing, opposition parties expressed that all party meeting must be convened to lunge for a political solution rather than “use of barrel of gun”. They denounced death of innocent civilians and excessive use of force. Home Minister Rajnath Singh assured that military forces will be asked to exercise maximum restraint. In unequivocal terms he asserted that sudden escalation of civilian unrest is handiwork of Pakistan and rejected the plebiscite demand terming it as “outdated”. He promised to look into the excess use of pellet guns and urged the forces to use tear gas and water cannons while dealing with civilians. Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti called for all party meeting in the Valley.

The prolonged unrest of past 13 days over the killing of Burhan Wani has raised serious doubts about the spate of protests in the valley. Brewing unrest and uneasy calm that prevailed in 10 districts of the Valley since July 8^th raises serious doubts about lingering estrangement harbored by the Kashmiris. Close to seven decades of integration into the Indian Union, J&K is beleaguered by the feeling of alienation. India as of August 15^th 1947 was besot by the humungous burden of political integration of 565 princely states. Within a decade of independence economically, politically and culturally diverse Princely States were successfully integrated. Despite occasional several internal conflicts, simmering differences, threatening separatist movements, domestic insurgencies none of the Indian States had grave misgivings with the Indian Union. Modi government managed to clinch historic Naga deal last year drawing curtains over despotic insurgencies in the North-East. Three major wars were waged over Kashmir issue, several committees were constituted to seek a way forward. Despite incessant endeavors of various governments no break through could be achieved till now. Kashmir which yearned for a unique linguistic and cultural identity levitated towards Pakistan to foster it struggle for autonomy. But Pakistan which has clambered to two-nation theory had strong plans of usurping the province since it was Muslim dominated. Moreover Kashmir issue become knotty due to India’s avowed denial of certain facts. Pakistan’s covert insinuations began to yield fruits with erosion of valley’s secular fabric. Vivid hues of the Valley soon blighted, intrinsic secular tone was muted leading to the worst ethnic cleansing of Hindus and forcible eviction of thousands of Kashmiri Pandits from their homeland. Indian government cognizant of the grave atrocities and its serious repercussions preferred to remain a mute spectator. Like an albatross burying head in sand, India failed to act. Consequently the fervent aspirations of azaadi unabashedly took refuge in the Islamic jihad. This drift can be traced to Pakistan’s shifting implacable seemingly secular credentials to Islamist ideologies and subsequently to the doctrine of “thousand years of war”. It may not be surprising that political parties in Pakistan like PPP too affirmed its allegiance to this doctrine in its party’s founding principles. Even now, when the valley is besieged by anti-national elements from across the border, government failed to cull the divisive forces causing the unrest. Countries like Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan having lost its syncretic credentials have become a breeding ground for global jihadi narrative.

Intellectuals argue that Kashmir having suffered neglect, unemployment and lack of opportunities has plunged into despondency and despair. But indeed, states which are dwelling at the bottom of the poverty charts or high unemployment aren’t exploding at a snap of the string. Kashmir is faring relatively well in terms of human development indices with respect with other states. It has been receiving more than fair amount of its budgetary allocations too. Indeed East of India, notoriously referred to as red zone, infested with Moaists and Naxalites suffer from great levels of poverty, illiteracy and over population. Almost 10 Indian states are battling with this Naxalite menace. Massive combing operations are launched regularly but none of the states had ever exploded the way Kashmir valley does. The violent reactions of irate mobs and dangerous civilian unrest crippling the normal functioning of state is unprecedented. While historical misgivings and blows suffered by state have dented the morale of the Kashmiris’ Indian Republic has always stood by the Kashmir. Syed Ata Hasnian, retired Army Personnel, who served in Kashmir opined that an extensive political activism, engagement and effective communication with people can instill new hope. But a prolonged anti-Indian tirade and the double-speak of the stake holders with vested interests has brutally crippled all these prospects very often. The alarming flare-up after the killing of an Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HuM) commander, who revolutionized and glorified jihad and resurrected militancy has all annihilated hopes of political solution for the valley.  problem is exacerbated by Hurriyat leaders who continues to toe in line with Pakistan’s version of “Kashmir is a disputed region” giving enough leverage to its masters across the border to incessantly spark tensions  in the Valley and engage its stooges in nefarious activities.

Self-professed liberals and media sprang up to feet lashing out at Centre for failing to hear to voices of azaadi in the Valley. But alas!!! The hoarse calls for azaadi are overtaken by the jihadi Islamic movement few decades back. When Kashmir was hit was worst ever deluge in 2015, Indian security personnel and Police risking their lives rescued and moved thousands of people in valley to safer zones. Now the valley is reverberating with voices of India and the same impudent bunch is hounding the forces with stones. Reports from Aaj Tak indicate that people were paid Rs 500 for pelting stones and creating ruckus during curfew. The despicable attitude of citizenry towards security forces and Indian government is unacceptable. Similarly Kashmiri separatist leaders and interlocutors who enjoy the luxurious hospitality and round the clock security from Indian government ruthless indulged in instigating crowds and fomenting trouble in the valley. Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who sought Z-plus security (accorded to Prime Minister and other mainstream leaders) due to increased threat perception from Indian government last year, flagrantly sings peons of Pakistan. Indeed Mirwaiz chose to remain deliberately silent about the issue of youth attending his rallies waving IS flags. Other Kashmiri leaders who enjoy security provided by Centre are Abdul Gani Bhat, Abbas Ansari, Bilal Lone, Fazal Haq Qureshi and Shahid-ul- Aslam. These leaders called for Kashmir Bandh protesting the killing of Burhan Wani and unduly extended the protests till July 25^th. Interestingly, despite luxuriating on Indian tax-payers money, Kashmiri Leaders audaciously indulge in flagrant deception and revel in misplaced allegiances. They lash out at India for heavy handedness of security forces.  The diabolical arguments and demands of Hurriyat leaders are truly intimidating- repealing of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and release of political prisoners. How can any sane nation evacuate its forces when the land can explode on a mere provocation?

Pakistan has been waging a proxy war with India and the latest dimension to this clandestine war is triggering trouble in the valley by flooding the social media with numerous trolls and responses from unknown locations. The strategy of fomenting trouble is valley though anti-India sentiment was masterminded by Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) kingpin, Hafiz Saeed. Post killing of Wani, Saeed joined hands with Syed Salahuddin, HuM chief to control and coordinate the protests in Valley. India authorities has imposed a ban on internet services in the valley to rein in on anti-India insinuations. Moreover, the HuM, JuD, JeM and LeT are feeder channels of Al-Qaeda whose aim is to strengthen any Muslim movement against a non-Muslim force. The Kashmir liberation movement is not indeed about recognition and autonomy but a means to bolster the larger Islamic jihadi network. Similarly ban was initially imposed on the print media for few days but later, publishing houses experienced severe difficulties in going ahead with printing. Thus, newspapers were off the stands for six days in a row. While there is no denying that political parties in Kashmir has much ground to cover to win the confidence of people, the trouble in the valley has been creation of deep state of Pakistan. As I am writing this column, more authentic and incriminating evidence of formidable ISI links with Hafiz Saeed has emerged. Hafiz Saeed lately is more aggressively integrating anti-India forces and stiffening Pakistan’s campaign. Reports indicate Abdullah Gul, son of former ISI chief Hamid Gul has been actively assisting Hafiz in coordinating anti-India forces including the anti-Kashmir forces. Paradoxically, as Kashmir’s call for azaadi which is now synonymous to Islamic freedom movement “intrinsically contradicts the very idea of freedom”.

Pakistan is now increasingly viewed as hub of international terrorism. It recent attempts to malign India at UN has been futile which is reflected in the muted response of international community. Time for anticipation is now over. Kashmir problem is clearly exacerbated by Islamic terror outfits and its apologists operating in the valley. It is time India crushed the home grown militancy, fathered by Burhan Wani with iron hands. India must clearly evolve a strategy to counter the stinging attacks of Pakistan which follows no norms of war.

 

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