Karma & Aemal
The recent events has left me in a very awkward position of defending my political views. As you must recall, I am a proponent of granting Kashmir full autonomy that it possessed prior to 1953. This view is interpreted as being pro-India by some Kashmiris; however I view it as pro-Kashmir more than anything else. I will be talking about Kashmir's autonomy in a separate post, but today I would like to talk about why the recent actions by security forces have made my political views very hard to defend and might alienate the people we have worked hard to win over.
I would not hold it against people to paint all politicians with a broad brush as being corrupt and self-centred. This sadly is the state of our current politics both in Kashmir as well as the rest of India. You must be wondering where I fit in all this mess; therefore, let me go back to the time when I decided to take the plunge into the sea of confusion called Kashmiri politics.
Like others I would have logged onto to one of the blogs about Kashmir and wrote a few lines calling for Kashmir's independence before going for my evening walk along a beach. Content that all is well in my life.
That is the difference between words and action. From the bottom of my heart I have a sincere desire to steer Kashmir out of this mess. I respect the wishes of the people who want Independence or who wish for Kashmir to merge with Pakistan. Similarly, I expect them to pause for a moment and respect my wishes as a Kashmiri to have a differing opinion about how I would like myself and my supporters, and fellow Kashmiris to get us out of this mess. I however have a problem with them somehow projecting that they represent the majority of the wishes of the Kashmiri people. Until Kashmir, Pakistan and the world community agree on holding a referendum or plebiscite in Kashmir to seek the wishes of the people, we have to still run a government here, build our infrastucture, and take care of our development - that is where I come in.
Granted, the actions of the security personnel are unforgivable and in some instances even makes me wonder whether I should be going ahead and defending my decision to stay in politics and being an advocate of autonomy within the framework of the agreed areas between Shere Kashmir, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, and the Indian National Assembly in 1952. But what keeps me serving my land is the desire to make a difference in the lives of Kashmiris by using my skills in every small way that I can contribute. Being a proud member of the Srinagar Municipal Council has given me the honour to help people and make their lives easier. It is in Kashmir where my presence is desired the most. Even though my contribution would seem trivial in comparison to what other big names in politics, but I am proud of my accomplishments and it is the love of the people of the constituency that I represent that keeps me going everyday.
I will not defend the actions of the security personnel neither will you find any other NC member do that. I am looking at the wider picture of what I want Kashmir to be like a decade from now or even 50 years hence. Just as many other Kashmiris must be thinking about the future, to figure out what would be the best option for us to follow; I personally am not convinced about the other options other than being a fully autonomous state. I do not see a prosperous indepndent Kashmir in the middle of the most volatile region of the world. The propenents of Independence or merger with Pakistan (as I mentioned, I respect their views, and expect the same from them for my opinions) have failed to convince me as a Kashmiri that my rights and those of my future children will have the same safety, security and chances of future development that we could have by being a fully automomous state .
As for the security personnel, all I have to say is that growing up in Kashmir, I had the good fortune of being taught by my dear tutor, a Kashmiri Pandit, Mr Pradeep Kumar Tikkoo, and I remember once visiting their home and his loving mother and some others were talking about 'Karma'. And that is so similar to the concept of 'Aemal' that I learnt in the Maktab lessons in childhood. These secuirty personnell who perpetrated these attrocities on innocent protestors will have to face their Karma one day or the other.
The recent events has left me in a very awkward position of defending my political views. As you must recall, I am a proponent of granting Kashmir full autonomy that it possessed prior to 1953. This view is interpreted as being pro-India by some Kashmiris; however I view it as pro-Kashmir more than anything else. I will be talking about Kashmir's autonomy in a separate post, but today I would like to talk about why the recent actions by security forces have made my political views very hard to defend and might alienate the people we have worked hard to win over.
I would not hold it against people to paint all politicians with a broad brush as being corrupt and self-centred. This sadly is the state of our current politics both in Kashmir as well as the rest of India. You must be wondering where I fit in all this mess; therefore, let me go back to the time when I decided to take the plunge into the sea of confusion called Kashmiri politics.
Like others I would have logged onto to one of the blogs about Kashmir and wrote a few lines calling for Kashmir's independence before going for my evening walk along a beach. Content that all is well in my life.
That is the difference between words and action. From the bottom of my heart I have a sincere desire to steer Kashmir out of this mess. I respect the wishes of the people who want Independence or who wish for Kashmir to merge with Pakistan. Similarly, I expect them to pause for a moment and respect my wishes as a Kashmiri to have a differing opinion about how I would like myself and my supporters, and fellow Kashmiris to get us out of this mess. I however have a problem with them somehow projecting that they represent the majority of the wishes of the Kashmiri people. Until Kashmir, Pakistan and the world community agree on holding a referendum or plebiscite in Kashmir to seek the wishes of the people, we have to still run a government here, build our infrastucture, and take care of our development - that is where I come in.
Granted, the actions of the security personnel are unforgivable and in some instances even makes me wonder whether I should be going ahead and defending my decision to stay in politics and being an advocate of autonomy within the framework of the agreed areas between Shere Kashmir, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, and the Indian National Assembly in 1952. But what keeps me serving my land is the desire to make a difference in the lives of Kashmiris by using my skills in every small way that I can contribute. Being a proud member of the Srinagar Municipal Council has given me the honour to help people and make their lives easier. It is in Kashmir where my presence is desired the most. Even though my contribution would seem trivial in comparison to what other big names in politics, but I am proud of my accomplishments and it is the love of the people of the constituency that I represent that keeps me going everyday.
I will not defend the actions of the security personnel neither will you find any other NC member do that. I am looking at the wider picture of what I want Kashmir to be like a decade from now or even 50 years hence. Just as many other Kashmiris must be thinking about the future, to figure out what would be the best option for us to follow; I personally am not convinced about the other options other than being a fully autonomous state. I do not see a prosperous indepndent Kashmir in the middle of the most volatile region of the world. The propenents of Independence or merger with Pakistan (as I mentioned, I respect their views, and expect the same from them for my opinions) have failed to convince me as a Kashmiri that my rights and those of my future children will have the same safety, security and chances of future development that we could have by being a fully automomous state .
As for the security personnel, all I have to say is that growing up in Kashmir, I had the good fortune of being taught by my dear tutor, a Kashmiri Pandit, Mr Pradeep Kumar Tikkoo, and I remember once visiting their home and his loving mother and some others were talking about 'Karma'. And that is so similar to the concept of 'Aemal' that I learnt in the Maktab lessons in childhood. These secuirty personnell who perpetrated these attrocities on innocent protestors will have to face their Karma one day or the other.
This article was published in todayz Kashmir times .
15 comments:
Dear Tanveer,
The security official will face no "Karma" as he is doing his duty and following orders so stop blaming a security official.In other words, a security official is a pawn in the hands of a machinery that uses him as it wishes.If you have to blame then blame Government of India.
Switzerland,Bhutan, Luxembourg, Monaco and a lot of other countries are prime examples of how Kashmir can and will survive if given a chance. You might say..that their case is different but I beg to differ...just 50 years ago in World WAR II no one would have dared to say that these countries would survive as independent nations but the fact of the matter is that these countries have survived and prospered. Just look at the world atlas...there are countries much smaller(more than 65 in number) than Kashmir and they are doing very well.Even the mighty Soviet Union had to let go of many of its erstwhile states.....so the ill-conceived notion that we won't survive is baseless and playing into the hands of INDIANS/PAKISTANIS.
What makes you think that India would not again in the future do what it did in 1953 i.e. dissolve the autonomy legislation and merge Kashmir by force or coercion into the Indian union.
You have been in Canada..then you know about Quebec and Nunavut...do you seriously think that India can follow those kind of democratic credentials in Kashmir.Never when they have killed thousands of innocents in cold blood.
My brother the reason your ideology lacks the support of a common Kashmiri is simply because you are not understanding his psyche properly.In other words why do you have a situation like this today. Its simply because the Indians in the core of their hearts consider each and every Muslim Kashmiri an eternal enemy irrespective of the logical reasoning behind a Kashmiris current state of mind. Now you may debate over this but why is it that people in Pakistan Administered Kashmir are not up in arms against the Pakistan government....According to Indian media their condition is far worse than ours...then why aren't they taking up arms or demonstrating like people in Srinagar.The answer is simple...Pakistan army never raped and pillaged their women, never killed a hundred thousand of their innocent civilians and most importantly(YOU CAN CONFIRM FROM Prof.SAIFUDDIN SOZ ABOUT THIS ONE)NEVER TRIED TO CHANGE THEIR DEMOGRAPHICS....From being a 90% Muslim region in 1948 to being a 70% Muslim region today........with hundreds of thousands being slaughtered in Jammu region by Hindu fanatics in 1948.Just think about how your people are being eroded,subjugated and degraded.
If elections are an issue then what is keeping the Government of India from conducting an impartial plebiscite.If all or the majority want India, then we will surely come to know and accept it.
The Freedom seekers are not without faults but how they score over you is that their fundamental ideology is clear and follows the aspirations of the common man on the streets of Kashmir.
I am honestly touched by your comment that you left a life of comfort to do something for Kashmir. Brother do some introspection and see how best you can serve your brethren i.e. if you really mean what you are saying.
I am certainly not advocating Pakistan here but honestly as a common Kashmiri I will never see my future with India. I will teach my children the same values that my parents taught me i.e. we deserve the right to self determination and the flame of Aazadi will continue to burn in our hearts even if we are pulverized by the Indians into submission for the time being.
I will pray to almighty that he guide you and your likes according to the fundamentals of equality,secularism and liberty.The Quran says "it is a sin to oppress but a greater sin is to keep quiet if you are the opressed"
Once again at the end...what makes you think an autonomy would not be again abrogated by the Indians who to me are nothing but a "MAKAAR KOUM" and if they did it once...surely they can do it again.
Regards
Dr.Allahbaksh
Dear Tanveer
Its after a long time have i enjoyed a write up. I went through your blog and liked it for its diverse opinion. Its great to see young Politicians talking their heart out. May god show you all the way to take kashmir out of this mess.
As for the above write up , in public life or civil services you have to have a lot of patience,I saw worse in obliging people who dont know th psyce of kashmir, but had to owing my alligience to the law . I agree the present situation may have broken even the steel hearted person but remember if autonmoy is granted what is the surety that in next 10 years they will not take it away.
I feel anythng that satisfies the heart and mind of the kashmir- jammu and ladakh people should be granted and as soon as possible.
Keep up the good work
brother
You go to canada , bangalore or delhi , we will fight our own war.
Geelani sahib agay badoo , hum tumaray saath hai..
We are to be blamed for the mess we are in-- The previous generations (SORRY TO SAY) of Kashmiris were not serious people, they easily believed others-- may be long years of tyranny had effected their political thinking .I as a young boy in 70s has seen all this-when people used to go in to pointless and fruitless discussions and fight with each other and also ask any elderly person about earlier times he will say the same—The political decisions are not taken on personal or myopic considerations .It has exactly happened ,when people believed blindly in their leaders and took them for granted and the leaders were prejudiced and narrow minded .They lacked nationalism and were against each others throat. This has been tragedy of past kashmiri Muslim leadership –they had never shown tolerance to each other. They kept their false ego above peoples interest.
Today we are reaping for their misdeeds and nation of Kashmir is in turmoil.
One should not fear from introspection. Gods doesn’t change destiny of nations unless they are ready for a change.
It should read God doesn’t change destiny of nations unless they are ready for a change.
Dear Tanveer
Only if opinions were respected by Indians. Things would have been diffferent,rightly said by someone few regions in the world may not have had worse luck than kashmir in the name of leadership and uprising.
a Kashmiri
Its been a long term policy of india to some how abolish art 370, so as to have small settlement of indians, what isreal did in west bank , india is trying to do the same in kashmir ,they have tried and will try again. If you look in outskirts of jammu you will only find people from ludhiana , amritsar, himachal , bihar and people all over india staying permenently there. You wont beleive it that they possess the state subject also .
My friend in such a situation , you say karma,though i feel you would want peace and sense of security for kashmir but for these killers there is no such thing as karma or god. they know only one thing that is , kill kashmiris and break their resistance.
Dear Mr Tanveer
Autonomy is not the remedy. Between themselves Kashmiris are divided in three groups: 1.Independence, 2. Autonomy; 3. 3.1 Autonomy under India; 3.2: Autonomy under Pakistan; 4. The entire erstwhile Dogra Empire returning to one unit territory as it was in n1947, sit together, and decide their future.
During the past half a century barring exceptions, myriad of public men have developed career and affluence staked in continued hot and not so hot schematised problem.of Kashmir. Since cold war vis a vis Afghanistan, USA become pathological with anti-Muslim phobias. They talk interminably about 9/11 but have entirely lost memory of Hiroshima & Nagasaki or virtual slaughter by genocide of 9 million red Indians. They have become obsessed with idea of Muslims being out to convert to people of the world to their faith by force. They forget what their own historians have said{"Of 1o Muslims you meet 7 are a gift of Sufis, 2 under temptation of a career, 1 by force," In 200 AD, Judaism was the largest religion in the world. To avenge them for Crucifixion of Christ through methods and means which cannot call for description of a routine casual letter, the JUdaist today are numerically less the the Sikh cult in India.
The Superpower will never allow India & Pakistan resolving matters: It will mean loss of biggest bully status the claim they have and for India & Pakistan removal of the beggars bowls ht hold in heir hands. which they use with USA and their seven satellites. The politicians with a price-tag will never allow that to happen.
The best way idealistically would be what the British did in India: Be graceful; fix a date to quit allowing time to people to draft their Constitution and a word of honesty that India will recognise the new state. It should be for them to solve their problems with Pakistan and whatever portion of the erstwhile state of J&K my be logged in Pakistan
All political exercises currently strike me as political seven star table d'hote bouquets!
Sincerely Yours
P N Duda
Dear Tanvir,
I wanted to say something about your views on autonomy.
Is India ready to grant Kashmiris autonomy? It doesn't seem so. Most Indians want Art 370 to be scrapped so that they can colonise Kashmir.
Kashmiris have a strong legal case under the UN Resolutions and the Instrument of Accession. Are we to relinquish this case in favour of a weak autonomy that can be destroyed by a third-rate policeman arresting our Prime Minister in Gulmarg?
Does Jammu wish to remain with an autonomous Kashmir?
Regards
check the site for all historical findings on kashmir. Uploading it and updating it soon.
check the site:
www.himalayanhunter.com
http:\\blog.himalayanhunter.com
gallary.himalayanhunter.com
Going live soon still on parking. Blog is ready
Karma doesn't sound like a political term in what is an extremely politically fraught situation.
dear tanveer,
nice to cee that some one else also uses his logic and brains for understanding the prb...
..,
dear bro i think and feel for kashmir thats why i want to have same things for kashmir as i do for myself ..
and am nt hippo cratical that , i would personally work in some good multinational , or earn loads of money .and will wand my fellow kashmiris to die...
abt the discrimination bwn jammu and kashmir , its true but have u realised what is the reason...
its just those ppl come into the system , and work for thier betterment and we only pelt stones...
why dont we first establish ourselves , produce world class doctors , scientists and then we can make our voice be heard...
we are the first to say that the govt is corrupt ,but have u ever realised ppl in the govt are a part of society..
dont u think we have bigger problems to resolve...
dont u think we need to aggitate for better hospitals , education system ,infrastructure etc..
all those ppl who r criticising me for not understanding ur sentiments , just tell me how many a times have u visited a yateem khaana to help the orfans of this confict...
how many of u even realise that there are segments of society who dont get a piece of bread...and u help them...
how many of u know that there is a leper hospital in the heart of srg and it has not been renovated since 1895 ..and ppl livig there ate dieng every day , coz we dnt help them...
how many of u know that that the dal lake will extinct in next 20 yrz if we dnt do some thing abt it...
how many of u know that our handicraft industry is dieng...
how many of that if we dnt stop polythene our soil will become poisenous soon...
how many of u know....
dear may be i am wrong and the majority is correct but till when will we blame govt for everything...
WHY DNT WE DO SOME THING
most of us dont see all this ,its just because eithet some ppl dnt want us to see all this or we have becone selfish
i think indis is the best option for us..
first let us get azadi from all the above ,and then talk..
for me atleast educating an orphan or feeding hungry is JIHAD ...
may allah guide us all...
ALLAH HAfIZ !!
....
yasir
dear tanveer,
nice to cee that some one else also uses his logic and brains for understanding the prb...
..,
dear bro i think and feel for kashmir thats why i want to have same things for kashmir as i do for myself ..
and am nt hippo cratical that , i would personally work in some good multinational , or earn loads of money .and will wand my fellow kashmiris to die...
abt the discrimination bwn jammu and kashmir , its true but have u realised what is the reason...
its just those ppl come into the system , and work for thier betterment and we only pelt stones...
why dont we first establish ourselves , produce world class doctors , scientists and then we can make our voice be heard...
we are the first to say that the govt is corrupt ,but have u ever realised ppl in the govt are a part of society..
dont u think we have bigger problems to resolve...
dont u think we need to aggitate for better hospitals , education system ,infrastructure etc..
all those ppl who r criticising me for not understanding ur sentiments , just tell me how many a times have u visited a yateem khaana to help the orfans of this confict...
how many of u even realise that there are segments of society who dont get a piece of bread...and u help them...
how many of u know that there is a leper hospital in the heart of srg and it has not been renovated since 1895 ..and ppl livig there ate dieng every day , coz we dnt help them...
how many of u know that that the dal lake will extinct in next 20 yrz if we dnt do some thing abt it...
how many of u know that our handicraft industry is dieng...
how many of that if we dnt stop polythene our soil will become poisenous soon...
how many of u know....
dear may be i am wrong and the majority is correct but till when will we blame govt for everything...
WHY DNT WE DO SOME THING
most of us dont see all this ,its just because eithet some ppl dnt want us to see all this or we have becone selfish
i think indis is the best option for us..
first let us get azadi from all the above ,and then talk..
for me atleast educating an orphan or feeding hungry is JIHAD ...
may allah guide us all...
ALLAH HAfIZ !!
....
yasir
Bro Yasir,
The meaning of "Jihad" is to struggle against all things wrong. So in essence, you have to rise up and fight against every form of injustices/wrong.
Now what you would choose to fight against is your prerogative......and what other people choose to fight against is their prerogative......much like how a doctor chooses to fight disease, a teacher to fight illiteracy and an Imam to fight the evil.
For a society to survive, the "JIHAD" has to be on multiple fronts otherwise it will disintegrate in no time.
Hope this explanation helps all!!!
Post a Comment