The best memory that one could recall of Kashmir is that of Bollywood movies made in 70s and 80s when the valley had been portrayed as a synonym of love and romance. Although geographically nothing has changed in the valley, the square feet area still remains the same. However, the romance capital of Hindi movies is seeing a gradual shift from Gulmarg to Manali.
The increasing number of militants in the region, genocide of Kashmiri Pundits, the growing demand of an Azaad Kashmir, radicalisation of youths have made this heaven, a hell. Although for a brief period during early 2000s we saw a stable and a peaceful Kashmir. But in today’s Kashmir we again see growing number of recruits in militant organizations in Kashmir which started since 26/11 after India became tough in dealing with Pakistan and Hurriyat leaders.
Burhan Wani Episode taught us that the gun totting goons are still there, very much there
In last 15 days, situation in Kashmir took a dramatic turn which started when the commander of Kashmir militant group Hizbul Mujahideen Burhan Wani killed by Indian Security forces. The death was intimidating and has terrorized the entire valley, ruthless radical Kashmiris were back on streets and forcing security forces to impose curfew.
People were out to mourn the death of a terrorist who had 10 lakh bounty and was the mastermind behind the several attacks that caused death of numerous security forces in the valley. Burhan Wani fan base mostly include people born in 90s and have spent most the time of their life during period When Kashmir was peace and quiet and tranquillity was all around and have spent their teenage during social media ages. Burhan Wani used the same social media to inspire to act Pro-Pakistan sentiments and transform the youth Kashmiris to hatred faces who have now no qualms in declaring Indian Army and India as their biggest enemy. Burhan Wani was good at manipulating the government message and often raised the voice against the spirit of Indian democracy.
Burhan Wani Episode exposed the overly exposed media
As expected, the dead man soon became the darling face of whole gang Indian media baring a few exception Times Now and Zee News. Some even compared him with the legendary Bhagat Singh, intellectuals sitting in their air-conditioned offices started blaming Army for the eerier situation created in the Valley. Some went to valley with the help and support of Indian army and then created (rather faked) a documentary how army has terrorized the region. Electronic media are broadcasting an hour long documentary on the plight of Kashmiri protestors and militants and baring a few noon, had time to cover the defence casualties and the police men who were brutally injured and murdered in Kashmir and to those families of security personal who suffered.
Pictures of the victims of Israel and Palestine conflict are being used in Twitter and Facebook to malign the name and stature of our security forces. One leading newspaper publication put Wani’s funeral picture as their Facebook cover, may be their way to show their solidarity with Burhan Wani. Some giving arguments and thesis that
Lack of educational and job opportunities turned them into terrorists. Some even argued hoisting a Pakistani or an ISIS flag is just a freedom of expression and India being a secular nation should tolerate such anti state activities. Human right activists have termed the killing of this 21 year old lad as “extra judicial”. But they should not forget that their youth icon also happened to be the commander of Hizbul, a world acknowledged terrorist organization and an enemy of the state. Interestingly these Indian intelligentsia never spoke a word on the sufferings of Kashmiri Pandits who are always been peaceful, non-violent, law abiding, patriotic, citizen of India and are made to live as refugees in their very own nation.
Burhan Wani Episode exposed the proxy war of Pakistan, yet again
India and Pakistan have fought there conventional war over Kashmir. A 3-0 humiliating score made Pakistan resort to proxy war. An unrest in Kashmir is a part of our neighbor strategy to internationalize Kashmir issue and seek UN support to resolve the issue.
Since 1947 India is been trying to bring Kashmiris in main stream Politics but for every time India sees a hope it soon turns into despair. Leaders in Kashmir always had choice between separatism and main stream Politics, but for majority them choice was obvious separatism which always been the best a concern for New Delhi. The new generation Kashmiris in Valley has vetoed the idea of democracy as they have been kept in the dark by their fathers and forefathers. If you are told to worship Ravana at your tinder age, by the time you are grown up you will start seeing him as your hero. Today the peace on this land seems a distant, what India best can do they could eliminate the radical leaders in Kashmir and nurture a new set of leaders who represent local community and have respect for democracy.
Burhan Wani Episode taught them that the ones in Delhi are not the ones who take assaults lying down
The response this time from Delhi was different. India’s National Security Advisor is not a diplomat unlike his predecessors, but a former RAW chief. Remember he cut short his trip to Africa and came back to take over the help of affairs. He directed security forces to act more aggressive than ever before. The message was clear and loud, dialogues and diplomacy have their own thresholds and the fig leaf of religion cannot be used to cover the hideous face of violence. For the first since Independence, India and Kashmir both government which is governed with common ideologue of “India First” and naturally if someone tries to act against the nation then there will a retaliation.
Deployment of additional 4800 CRPF in the valley shows the aggressiveness of the government, India has clearly conveyed its message to the world that if someone tries to destabilize its territories then India will not count bullets while retaliating. India is blessed with a lethal and a well-trained armed forces and no amount of power in the world can snatch even a 1 inch square of land from India. Thanks to our tolerance the armed forces in valley have been asked to use maximum restrains in dealing with protesters.
A peaceful and prosperous Kashmir is must for India’s harmonious growth trajectory as a nation can’t flourish when a part of it is paralyzed. Hoping that with a nationalist government at Centre, Vajpayee’s dream of restoring peace in Kashmir will soon be realized.
