IS Kashmir really burning as some news headlines scream? Or is it all part of a grand ploy to make the people in the rest of India concede to the difficulty of making Kashmiris happy?
We know that the Kashmiris on the Indian side are a pampered lot. They are too happy that they can afford to shut down the state for days at a stretch, and let their children roam on the street instead of going to school. Whereas in that part of Kashmir under Pakistani occupation the Kashmiris live like slaves-poverty stricken, illiterate, exploited by the Punjabi Muslim elite, part of their land ceded to China, deprived of all progress and modern amenities.
The Kashmir on our side is fortunate to have better roads, electricity, education, railways, huge central subsidy and the highest per capita income compared to any other state in the country. Jammu and Kashmir gets the highest central aid which is deprived to such poor states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Supply line from other parts of India is the only source of sustainance for the Kashmiri population. But reports say that the Kashmiris are asking for more, their children are trained to defy curfew, attack police stations, burn down railway stations-the most popular mode of transport for the majority of people in remote hilly regions- and pelting stones at security forces.
So what is the problem with these gentlemen? The problem is not that of Kashmir, but it is one for India to consider and confront. Should secular India facilitate the creation of a fundamentalist Islamic state with the tax payers’ money and indulgence? The country has to consider the price it is paying gratifying a recalcitrant, fanatic lot out to destroy India.
Who are these people who are protesting on the streets, defying curfew and attacking the Indian army? The people of Jammu are happy. So are the people in Ladakh. Even in the valley only four districts, Srinagar, Sopore, Baramullah and Anantnag join the protest. These are mostly Sunni Muslims fed on Wahabi fanaticism alien to Kashmiriat. Among the Muslims in J&K the Shias are also not part of the protest. It is only a small segment of determined, indoctrinated Islamists who are intolerant of everything modern and Indian who create the trouble. They are brainwashed to such a condition that they cannot live in peace under any situation.
The Islamisation of Kashmir is a dangerous game. This was on for the last two decades. First they started changing the names of places and sign boards. For instance, Kashmiri names like Anantnag was converted to Islamabad. Then they imposed a ban on cinema halls, beauty parlours, restaurants and fashion shops. They asked their women to wear veil even in schools and offices. The women were asked not to wear jeans, fashionable outfits and makeup. Some Mullahs also suggested girls not to go to schools. Madrasa education was promoted in a big way. They adopted Arabic script for Kashmir and encouraged promotion of Arabic language.
After sometime they started targeting the Kashmiri Hindus as traitors to their cause. They systematically started hounding Hindus out of colleges, schools, offices and public places. Hindu, Sikh and Christian shops were attacked and looted. Migrant labourers were targeted. Public sector company establishments where non-Kashmiris worked were forced to leave the valley.
There was already the protection of Article 370 for the Kashmiri. Under this Article a Kashmiri cannot marry a non-Kashmiri and if such a marriage happens the Kashmiri will lose his right on property, voting etc. The state administration has already become Islamic. The terrorists also want Friday declared weekly holiday instead of Sunday. Non-Kashmiris cannot buy property, participate in politics or vote in the election and all rights of a citizen are denied under the law. So even Hindu migrants from across the border at the time of partition are still not given citizenship in Kashmir. For the last six decades they are fighting for their democratic rights.
The Kashmiri Islamists continued to implement their agenda unchallenged by demolishing hundreds of Hindu temples all over the valley, selectively killing Hindus and finally forcing them to migrate, leaving their jobs, property and everything. This story of atrocity on the people of India by the Wahabi Islamists is long and unending.
Despite all their tyranny and atrocity secular India has given them a long rope. Some of them are still protesting and shouting Azadi. These are the people who will never be satisfied. They are being egged on by anti-India forces from across the border. There is no point talking to them. Rather they should be asked to get out of India and go to Pakistan, to that part of Kashmir where they can enjoy all the freedom-if that is the freedom they are looking for-under the Islamic rule.
It is high time the centre declared clearly that the territorial sanctity and geographical boundaries of India are non-violable, that will never be allowed to be violated by any secessionist group. Any demand for separate status, special privilege or homeland should be declared treasonable offence. The centre has to at least uphold its primary duty of protecting the territorial integrity of the country.
The problem in Kashmir is not one of bread and butter. This state by the way, has the richest politicians in the country owning villas, hotels and palaces as far as London, Dubai and of course Pakistan. Creating more jobs and development in the valley are good ideas. But that will not bring peace here. Lion’s share of the development money going to Kashmir from the centre are being siphoned off by politicians and part fund the insurgency of the Islamists. Peace is the last thing the politicians want in Kashmir. There are not many options here. India has to resolve with finality that nobody will be allowed to play with the integrity of the country. The writ of Delhi has to run in every part of the country. It has to be enforced whatever the price we have to pay. Only that clear message will douse the so-called fire in Kashmir.
