The susceptible sections among India’s news traders and mainstream media have again resorted to glorification of terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen. This comes two days before the annual Amarnath yatra, even as Hizbul Mujahideen has stated that it has no plans to attack the pilgrims. An audio message claimed to be coming from Hizbul chief, Riyaz Ahmad Naikoo stated that the pilgrims do not need any security cover. The terror commander stated, “You (Amarnath Yatra pilgrims) don’t need security as you are our guests”. This is being vastly reported by media outlets having a sympathetic view towards terror outfits. Hindustan Times stated “Hizbul welcomes Amarnath pilgrims”. Scroll.in, an online portal also seemed to be taking the Hizbul’s assurance seriously. The mainstream media’s attempts at making the Hizbul look benevolent are as bizarre and hideous as the Hizbul’s conspiracy itself.
Naikoo also stated that Kashmiri pandits could return to the valley, however, Hizbul Mujahideen is opposed to establishment of separate colonies for pandits. It does not really matter what Hizbul Mujahideen has to say. They had signed their death warrants the day they picked up arms against the nation and the security forces. They are destined to be shot and killed; they don’t have any right to live leave alone the question of giving opinions about how Kashmir should be administered. Hizbul Mujahideen is no one to allow or disallow or even “welcome” Amarnath Yatra pilgrims. The pilgrims belong to India, it is their country and they are free to travel to any corner of the country’s territory. As far as the issue of resettling Kashmiri pandits into separate colonies is concerned, Hizbul Mujahideen is the last organisation which should have any opinion about it. Those who had killed, raped and thrown Kashmiri pandits out of the state should not tell the pandits and the government as to what should be done about them. In fact, it is the Kashmiri pandits who have the first right to the valley and it is entirely their call to decide if they want to settle down in the state in separate well-protected colonies.
One has to be extremely naive in order to rely upon Hizbul’s claims. Neither the pilgrims nor the security forces are going to fall for Hizbul’s lies and baseless assurances. Only last year, a dastardly attack was carried out by terrorists during the Amarnath Yatra. In such circumstances there is not even a question of considering Hizbul chief Naikoo’s statements seriously. It seems that Hizbul Mujahideen has conspired to divert the attention of forces and mislead them into loosening the security cover around the pilgrimage. However, it is only the mainstream media which is foolish enough to believe its claims; no one else cares for what a terrorist has to say.
This is not for the first time that media has shown its immeasurable love for the terror outfit. No one can forget how sections of the media had desperately glorified and made a hero out of a chickenhearted Burhan Wani. However, this time around these media outlets seem to be taking a cue from their leader, Rahul Gandhi. In his latest gaffe, Rahul Gandhi had stated that there are four political parties in Kashmir- BJP, Congress, National Conference, PDP, the Hurriyat and the terrorists in Pakistan. This is not just about Rahul Gandhi messing up with simple numbers and looking like a fool as he always does, but also about how he thinks that Hurriyat and terrorists are active players in Kashmir. It seems that sections of mainstream media which were already amenable towards terror outfits in Kashmir are now determined at following Rahul Gandhi and legitimising organisations like the Hizbul Mujahideen active in the Valley. The narrative is no longer just about glorifying the Burhan Wanis but also about making the terror outfits look benevolent.