Kashmir 2019
Something serious is going on in Jammu and Kashmir. I firmly don’t believe that the raising of Kashmir issue, a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan by Pak PM Imran during his recent visit to the US was accidental. Nor was the prompt offer of mediation by Trump was unscripted. Both the leaders may have had some inkling into India’s actions in the too near future. Despite America’s public stand distancing from Pakistan in recent years, their closeness in the last several decades is well known. The bonhomie is mainly because of the logistical support Pakistan lent the US in the war in Afghanistan.
Kashmir, post Pulwama and post Balakot and after the landslide win of Modi and BJP stands to suffer more than ever. The indomitable trio, Prime Minister Modi, the home minister, Amit Shah, and the powerful National Security Advisor Ajit Doval are more decisive than any of their predecessors. BJP stands committed from their poll promises of abrogating Art 370 and Art 35A, which made Kashmir stand out as something special, all at the cost of India.
Kashmiris, including a few worthy friends of mine, are distressed, thinking that they are autonomous, and India is an aggressor and an occupier. The youth have been held in iron clasp by the Hurriyat and other political leaders. I was in Kashmir and travelled the length and breadth, interacting with the cross-section of the society, including military commanders.
We virtually had ceded a part of Kashmir to Pakistan, which again has allowed a significant Chinese military presence and building of the OBOR, which is a threat to India. Kashmiris must look up at the progress of Sikkim, which became an Indian state and Tibet, in comparison. Tibet Autonomous Region seethes with People’s Liberation Army, with religious and cultural freedom of the Tibetans crushed. China’s despise for Islam and Muslims is proven from the way they have handled the Muslims in Uighur, where more than a million are incarcerated into reform camps. Many youths have gone missing too!
Kashmir happens to be a strategic entry point for the Chinese troops and India; therefore, cannot vacate the state. India did not annexe Kashmir by war but was surrendered to the Indian Union, by its erstwhile rulers. The religious Muslim majority should also consider the part of history when Hinduism prevailed in ancient Kashmir, Pakistan and Afghanistan. There are many razed temples, partly or wholly.
Pakistan has been a cause of precipitating the situation in Kashmir with their proxy war through regular cross-border violations and infiltrations. There is anxiety among Indian opposition and the Kashmiri leaders over the massive build-up of forces by India, close to 65000 military and para-military forces. All leave of the troops are cancelled, the Amarnath and Machail Mata Yatras abruptly ended, instructing the pilgrims to leave the valley immediately. Six Pakistan SSG commandos were killed, as I write this post, following an encounter.
Kashmir may have lost two generations, post, India’s independence. Regardless of who governs, the Muslim population in India is stable and growing, which must be noted by my Kashmiri friends. Our foundations are far too stronger and supportive than a medieval Pakistan as well as a crafty and atheist China. It is time to call the bluff of the parochial Kashmir leaders, and the Kashmiris must join the mainstream of progress as proud Indians.
Sampath Kumar
Intrépide Voix
Pic taken by me from Gulmarg
