There is a complete misconception in certain societies about Muslims, probably out of ignorance. They must understand that not every Muslim is a “terrorist”, and not every “terrorist” is a Muslim. Till good sense does not prevail on them it would be very hard for either side to restore and respect the aspirations of their individual self, writes Tanvir Sadiq.
I have heard from my elders about laws practiced by the Maharajas during the Dogra rule, and they say that if a Muslim committed a murder, he would be sentenced to death, whereas if a non-Muslim would do it, he would be let off for a measly fine of one rupee! That token fine of one rupee seems outrageous, but is it really any different now? In those days, at least the non-Muslim perpetrators were identified and the public was made aware of who the murderer was - such is my reasoning for the Maharajas imposing the token one-Rupee fine: to identify the killers. Can we say that the situation has really changed since then, or have we taken a turn for the worse? Has the AFSPA changed this same "Maharaja reasoning" for the worst such that not even a token one-Rupee fine, or identifying the killers, for murdering Kashmiris is deemed worth the hassle for the Central Government?
My argument is how much have we changed since then? It’s for all of us to reflect upon. The same elders who narrated the above anecdote about the token fine also like to reminisce about the time when western tourists, visiting our valley during the Dogra times used to write about Kashmiris as the, "..most gentle race of people who have been subjugated.." Sadly, 9/11 has changed the entire mindset of the west. The level of suspicion against Muslims in general is such that even if you carry the best secular credentials, if your passport reads a Muslim name you have to be a subject of surveillance.
What aggravates this for all Muslims is when an incident like the 7/7 takes place and our worst fears materialize when we again discover that Muslims were behind that crime. Those events send you in deep reflection. What has gone wrong and where?
I am not an Arabic scholar, and do not speak or read that beautiful language. But I am thankful to my dad who gifted me an Edward Pickthal English translation of the Holy Qu’ran. I have yet to find a singleayaat where a Muslim is allowed to use violence against innocent people. There is no such term as "Collateral Damage" in the Holy Qu’ran, but it warns us that "..killing a single human is like killing an entire nation.."
Some over-excited extremists thought that they would achieve something by killing innocent people in America, Spain, London, Morocco, and the list of places with terrorist attacks by self-styled Muslims is endless but instead they ruined the prospects of a modern Muslim who wanted to create an atmosphere of peace for himself and the world and live strictly according to the sprit of brotherhood and tolerance as enunciated by Islam. There is a total misconception in certain societies about Muslims, probably out of ignorance; they should also understand that not every Muslim is a terrorist, and not every terrorist is a Muslim. Till good sense does not prevail on them it would be very hard for either side to restore and respect the aspirations of their individual self.
The situation in Kashmir seems to be very peculiar and unpredictable, the words 'firing', 'grenades' and 'undeclared curfew' have become so very common that we take it as part of our daily lives. Gone are the days when people would console a family for days together and not even the mohallas but also the entire area where a tragedy has occurred would get involved in the last rites. We as individuals have become very circumscribed and take sadistic pleasure in seeing people in agony. We have people who die and are forgotten as if they never existed, the hundred and thousands of people who have been injured or disabled for a lifetime. How many of us have come forward and helped them. Some were the only bread-earners in the family and some the pillar of strength.
We claim to be in the 21st century and lack even the basic care. We afford mobile phones but cannot afford to pay a small amount to such people. We spend millions for dowry and marriages but find it below our dignity to pay some amount to the orphanage. Hypocrites! That’s what we have become? I know there are people who do contribute and in a very dignified manner but at the same time there are so many Kashmiris who have settled outside India, it is their inherent obligation to extend a helping hand to their brethrens back home. Time and again I have seen columns by Kashmiris settled outside and their concern about the prevailing situation. It is indeed a very healthy sign but how effective have they been in contributing to any aspect of lives. Only they know.
The past month has seen the repetition of agony and trauma that Kashmiri has become so used to now. The every action and reaction makes me wonder where we are heading towards? I just heard of another attack in the city. Whenever such an attack takes place it’s only the innocent who lose their lives, we only facilitate in counting the dead bodies and with little amazement ask each other “How many this time”.
It’s high time that we react. We have to come forward and should have the courage to write what we feel even if it means displeasing some one. We are real heirs of this trouble torn state and it’s only us who have to come forward and try to initiate a process of rebuilding our place. We should write about the ill effect of all that’s happening here while as the good part is often exaggerated time and again by our leaders. Shouldn’t we be talking about our veins having been injected with poison of selfishness?
And finally, while I write this I think that to make sure people you agree with can speak is to support the rights of people you don't agree with. God Bless Kashmir.
