KASHMIR-2010 is Shutting down…

                            Saving its settings…

Ahmad Kashmiri

Almighty Allah has not made anything futile in universe, instead, everything is useful and also there are lessons worth learning and signs therein in all things, he has created. Computer is such a machine of modern age which like all other things holds as many lessons and signs in it as one can perceive. Here we will mention a title specific (Year KASHMIR-2010 is Shutting down…Saving your settings...) instance that is to say whenever we do some work on computer we need to SAVE it continually for it may not get lost due to power failure or due to some other machine interruption. And when finally we are supposed to close the machine, we need to close it by giving a certain command called ‘Shut down’ in computer terminology. By closing the computer through ‘Shut down’ we ensure that the fundamental as well as the changed things called, Settings in computer terminology, are saved for future use. Indeed, this is a basic principle of every aspect of life for that if the achievements are not saved and preserved then every work or mission or a movement has always to be begun from zero. And any freedom movement is no exception to this universal principle.

Year 2010 can be said as a vital year from multidimensional view points of the ongoing resistance movement. Indeed, the sweeping changes with respect to resistance movement that took place in 2010 can be categorized variedly in many aspects. Infact, the five months public uprising created its recognition at indigenous as well as on foreign level.

Indigenous aspect: 

Bloodbath, curfews, shut downs:

In this aspect the future historian can’t afford to oversight the changes that took place in 2010. Primarily for the reason 112 people, most of them the teen agers have got killed when these lines are being written.

Citizens witnessed round-the-clock curfew, got locked up inside their homes, in every town of the valley. For three months, shops, businesses, most government offices and schools remained. Even the publication of newspapers remained halted due to severe curfew wherein several media persons were beaten when they were carrying their professional jobs. In a convulsion of anti-India anger, residents—thousands at a time  defied curfew and harsh restrictions to come out on the streets almost daily, raining stones at everything that symbolizes the state's authority. They fought pitched battles with police and paramilitary forces, who have responded with lethal force

In Kashmir, it started on Jan. 8, 2010 with the killing of Anayat Khan, 16, of Dalgate Srinagar when the paramilitary forces killed him. Till April 24, 6 more teenagers were killed in the different parts of the valley. And it was June 11, this year when the blood bath started with the innocent killing of Tufail Ahmad Matoo, 17, of Srinagar who was coming back home from his tuition centre and was hit by a tear-shell. June 19 witnessed the killing of Rafiq Ahmad Bangroo 24, who was with his people protesting the killing of Tufail and others including those three innocent kashmiris who were killed in a fake encounter in Karnah. Then the sky of Kashmir witnessed killings almost daily or sometimes the toll showed a higher graph than those of days. But the “sky” never turned Red.

The space does not permit here to list the killings that took place everyday with more deaths taking place while yet the deaths of former ones were being mourned.. However the heart-piercing part of the “story” is the killing of those children who were yet innocent to understand that what was happening in their surroundings, who were just coming out of their infancy. Tawqeer Ahmad Rather of Delina Baramulla is one among them who was “put” into grave just at the age of 9 years. More heart rending was the killing of Sameer Ahmad Rah of Batamaloo who was beaten to death in his lawn. All the 112 killings have such tragedies that volumes of books will not suffice. Not only males but females too were not spared. Fancy of Batamaloo and Mubeena Akhtar of Sopur are the two, here to mention.

In a short span of 4 months Jun- Oct, most of the teenagers were brutally killed, world raised voice but this blood bath did not stop in Kashmir. The teenagers who were killed were almost all reading in schools and colleges. I remember Iqbal of Tangmarg, who was a distinction holder in his studies, was a Khateeb (who would give sermon on Fridays), who when recited Quran, his voice would resemble with the voice of Immame Qabba, who after his graduation had the dream to join Madina University for higher studies. Iqbal along with 5 other youth was killed on 13^th Sep. in Tangmarg , when he was protesting against, the desecration of Quran in America.

Prisoners account: 2010 witnessed imprisonment of number of people including youth and profreedom leaders. The veteran, woman, resistance leader, of Kashmir, Syeda Asiya Andrabi,Chairperson of Dukhtrane Millat,  alongwith her companion Fehmida Sofi  was imprisoned and the duo is languishing in jail with hundreds of other leaders and icons including Mia Ab Qayoom, The President HC Bar Association Kashmir, with its Gen Sec. Shaheen. Miyan Qayoom would plead the cases of poor and hapless prisoners imprisoned under various Acts but year 2010 imprisoned him also

Foreign impact: Year 2010 witnessed major and unique developments taking place, with states chief minister Omer Abdullah making a statement in state assembly first of its kind in last 23 years, wherein he vowed that Kashmir was an international dispute and its fate was yet to be decided. Home Minister of India P. Chidambaram in his official statement said that the accession of Kashmir with India has taken place in unique circumstances and its solution too has to be unique.

On international level, significant developments, with regard to the attitude towards Kashmir dispute, took place. OIC passed a special resolution to impress upon that the issue should be solved, China issued Staple Visa for kashmiris, even Norway, Russia and Germany passed resolutions for that the long pending dispute of Kashmir should be solved now. In Nov. American president, Barrak Obama, visited India and stated that Kashmir was a long standing dispute for resolution between India and Pakistan. 

Indian society first time in 23 years rose to the occasion and asked India to indulge into a meaningful dialogue with Pakistan and Kashmiris for the resolution of Kashmir dispute. In Delhi on Oct. 21^st a seminar entitled “Freedom –The Only Way” was organized. Similar kinds of symposia were also organized in Kolcatta and some other places. The children of Haiderabad organized a protest march with play cards in their hands, asking Indian prime minister to stop killing Kashmiri children, the play cards read,“ Manmohan Uncle Kashmir Mein Bachoon Ko Katal Mat Karo”. Similarly many student organizations in Delhi too organized protest processions in favor of Kashmiris.

Indo-Kashmir Dialogue Process: After the visit of APD, Central Govt. appointed three special interlocutors to look into the ‘Kashmir-problem”. They include three Indian social icons who are said to be non-political, Dilip Padgawoukar, Radha Kumari And M M Ansari. Although the profreedom leaders decided to not to meet them but yet they started a process, which barring its results, will enter the pages of the history.

Public Movement through Intellectual Eye: In Srinagar on 24^th Oct. 2010 a seminar entitled, “ Wither Kashmir: Freedom or Enslavement was organized by Coalition Of Civil Society Srinagar, wherein besides the local intelligentsia the celebrated writers, HR Activists, Film Makers and trade unionists and the experts of resistance movements  participated and advocated for the resolution of Kashmir dispute. The crux of some of the luminaries is:

“Do not short circuit your gains, it must not be a series of short circuits…Occupation has not been a part of your cellular structure” (World celebrity writer and intellectual Arundhati Roy).

“…..You will have to fight more  for Azadi, the ground is ready, opportunity is with you, how will you utilize, whatever has to happen, has to be decided by you only,…you will have to come out of rooms, people don’t know what they have achieved, what they have made to happen…” (Renowned Indian HR Activist and intellectual, Govtum Novlakha).

“Trade Union Movement in Kashmir has the potential to garner support for the just cause, in India,…so we should promote and strengthen the movement.”(Renowned trade union leader and Gen. Sec. of Traders Movement in Delhi, Ashim Roy)

“At least there is a ten fold change in India’s attitude towards Kashmir due to protests on Kashmir streets ,… I want to maintain that whatever we see on Indian media regarding Kashmir is not opinion of Indian people (Outside settled Kashmir-native film maker Sanjay Kak).

Since the weaknesses and loopholes while traveling towards destination are unavoidable due to human errors. But the need always remains that we should not only confess for erring but keeping the previous mistakes in consideration in view while devising a future strategy. While freedom movements need spiritual guidance on one hand but at the same time the scientifically devised accountability and analysis is mandatory.

Although the analysts believe that the 5 months people’s resistance movement resulted in considerable changes and in bringing these sweeping changes the 4^th generation which is also called as Conflict Generation or Internet Generation by analysts, was the main causal agent but yet the analysts believe that if this uprising would have been coordinated or much organized then its age would have been longer. This uprising went ahead analogously for 5 months but then had a gradual collapse for which the main factor can be ascribed to its structural discordination between its various entities.

Uncertain approach: History is witness to that the freedom movements have not been taken to the destination alone by its leaders but it needs an unambiguous and practically-structured-approach by its all entities depicted in oneness as a nation. Even despite the 5 months vigorous public uprising it was observed that on social front it was ambiguous as the social icons of the society remained silent. And even if they spoke they talked of offshoots only did not dare to vow about the root cause. Meaning that they raised their voice for timely atrocities but did not dare to demand for the solution of the root problem i, e, The Right to Self Determination.

Unequal participation: Analysts believe that due to the lack of an organized infrastructure this resistance movement witnessed unequal participation intentionally or unintentionally from cooperation and sacrificial view points. That is to say some sections of the society faced many problems due to Hartal while as some escaped from the participation due to structural loopholes. Though the equal participation of all sections always is not possible but yet this loophole could be a guiding point for future.

Main streamers towards “Main Stream”: The attitude of pro-Indian leaders erroneously called as mainstream leaders towards Kashmir issue has been like that of a milking cow that they issued for milk obtaining as and when one needs it. But no mainstream leader dared to define this cow, instead by the mere name of two or three words that is Kashmir Issue or The Issue of Kashmir et al. In this way these leaders can said to have been cashing peoples aspirations (as the kashmiris are primarily concerned about the Kashmir issue) for their vote banks. As in the ‘view’ of National Conference the solution was seen in Autonomy under Indian constitution and in Self Rule as per the view of PDP. Similarly the other small main stream parties too did their business with their ‘vision’ of Kashmir Issue. But it was only 2010 when seeing the mood of peoples movement and the killings of teenagers some main stream leaders, though timely, started vowing differently with regard to Kashmir Issue. On the arrival of All Party Parliamentary Delegation of India many main stream leaders atleast told the delegation that the solution must be asked to the people of Kashmir. In addition to the chief minister’s statement given in Assembly some other legislators too gave unique statements with regard to Kashmir issue. MLA Langate Engineer Ab Rashid through his grudging speeches vowed the issue many a times, renowned leader of NC and uncle of chief minister, Dr Sheikh Mustafa Kamal too vowed many unusual statements this year. Similarly congress minister Sham Lal Sharma pleaded for that Kashmir according to him being the main consuming province of the finances in the state, should, according to him be separated now and given Azadi. Although the intentions are best known to almighty but seemingly the scope of these statements is very much their to enter the pages of history.

 A Lighter Vein: On social front many changes took place in 2010. One among them is that till yesteryears we would write on wedding invitation cards, “Marriages are settled iIn Heavens and Celebrated on Earth” but 2010 changed the things. Many marriages took place with regard to advertisements of ReT and Aanganwari job opportunities. As the advertisements were made sooner the marriages celebrated before the last dates of submission of forms for such posts. As such, humorously, 2010 witnessed “Ret Brides and Aanganwari Bridegrooms”.

Ab Ahad Jan to Noor Mohammad Bhat:Uprising-2010, witnessed some unique and ‘innovative’ straight and slanting things too, Two of them, worth mentioning here, first being that of Ab Ahad Jan, a police constable’s shoe throwing incident on states chief minister Omer Abdullah on the eve of 15^th August. Second the “episode” of Noor Mohammad Bhat, a college lecturer who asked a few ‘general’ questions pertaining to the prevailing circumstances of the time, while setting the question paper of “Gen English” for an under-graduate class. Police constable, Ab Ahad Jan became hero of the day as soon as the news of his shoe-throwing spread. People, especially, youth throughout the valley praised him with slogans, Teri Jan Meri Jan Ahad Jan Ahad Jan(Your Life, My Life, Lovely Thy Ahad Jan Ahad Jan) and applauded him for the ‘bravado’ he seemingly had depicted for raising his voice against the atrocities done to kashmiris. But his heroism did not last long because just after two days he met the chief minister and the cat was out that he was worried about his promotions and perks which alone forced him to commit the shoe-throwing incident. While as the pristine lecturer might have sensed apprehensions of consequences at the time of paper setting but perhaps, he might not have imagined that while he is asking for or against the heroism of stone pelters, he would him self become a hero.

Ababeelein Kab Aayein Gein: Due to long spell hartal, the schooling of the students got affected and a debate on the issue got started. I feel it pertinent to mention here a feeling of a kid as narrated by a friend of mine living in a Srinagar locality, that one day, when during protest, after stone pelting incident in the area a heavy group of ‘security forces’ evoked their wrath by breaking the glasses of the windows of their house and drumming main gate of the house, the kid, who my friend told was reading in Class First, turned dumbfounded and in shock his face turned pale due to fear. He only came to senses after the attacking forces had gone away and his family members had started moving in the room fearlessly. The first word muttered by the kid was, “Tim Kar Yin”(when will they come) on asking who he meant? the kid mumbled “Yem Auchan Manz Seki Daane Chhi Trawaan” (Who drop sand particles in eyes….) On hearing this family members understood the kid and helped him saying whether he  meant……Touuuui….. “Touran Ababil” and the kid at once mumbled yes “Toiran Ababeel”. It can be imagined that when the attack on the house had been carried out, how fearful the kid had had turned and seeing even his family members and parents helpless and hapless …..how the kid pondered upon the creatures who throw sand particles in eyes, an event mentioned in Holy Quran which the kid might have heard earlier from his parents. I think no more elaboration is needed that how children learn the real education in conflict zones.

Internet Generation: notwithstanding the vested interest of the corporate media the Kashmiri youth developed a missionary zeal for utilizing the social networking media like Facebook and Twitter with utmost communication and innovative skills and in this innovative way they spread the pain and agony being in vogue in Kashmir across the length and breadth of the world. A few FB profiles to mention here are Kala Kharab, Bleeding Paradise, Sangbaz- e-Kashmir et al.

 The Farsightedness of Leadership: As per the role of leadership in 2010 is concerned it on the whole depicted farsightedness in its approach of cooperation towards each other. Since every leader in himself is a vital person but for the success of any movement unity of command is integral and in the public, movements the guidance of only one towering leader from spiritual viewpoint is mandatory. Though leaders are not angels for they could not commit errors. But year 2010 will not disappoint the future historian for the leadership this year extended cooperation to each other and each leader performed his role as per his capacity and caliber. In this regard the Hurriat-M Chairman, Mirwaiz Moulvi Umer Farooq not only strived indigenously but also outside the state participated in certain symposia organized on Kashmir dispute, despite heckling by some rightist forces he continued his mission. Meanwhile the unification-duo Shabir Ahmad Shah and Nayeem Ahmad Khan remained behind bars for most of the months of the year but the detention did not break their resolve, instead, their resolve strengthened.

Recognition of leader is not personality propensity:  Since times immemorial the kings have exploited the simplicity and haplessness of kashmiris and as such this nation has lost the trust upon its leaders as a result of which kashmiris, recognition factor, too has got affected and the brunt of this thing is being bore by the real leaders.

 Geelani The Man Of The Sea: In 2010 an NGO declared Syed Ali Shah Geelani, with whose name  some Indians assign the words like Hard Core and Hawkish, was declared one among the most popular 50 persons of the year even the states chief minister Omer Abdullah according to the account of the NGO, is lagging behind.

The whirlpool of 2010-uprising with its full vigor can be credited to the 4^th generation, who, notwithstanding any compromise on their stand which is represented and has got catalyzed by the towering resistance leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani. His name depicts the collective Azadi sentiment, with all its qualifications, of the people of Kashmir.  Indeed, he has got personified for the freedom movement of Kashmir. Geelani prepared 5 point formulae as an initiative to the resolution of Kashmir problem and handed over the same to APD members who visited Geelan’s residence in private capacity. Although this 5 point formula was not discussed by the visiting delegation but it took it along and as such it will find its place in history.

Success is subservient to “Guide cum disciple” kind of relationship: History, experience, observation and the experiments reveal a common need with regard to the success of the freedom struggles that is a relationship between a spiritual guide and his disciples. This can be made understandable by giving an example, our teacher once told us in classroom. She told us that the Revolution Of Iran has been the out come of Supervision of Iranian revolutionary Guide Aaeytulla Khumanee^RA, who while living an exilic life in France did not leave his nation(read nation as disciples) but maintained a continuous contact with them by using telephone, to which our teacher called the Small Media. To the response and result of this supervision, yet another example narrated by a friend, pertinent to mention here, that during the Iranian Revolution, BBC’s some correspondent was walking through some village in Iran, he saw a strange incident of a just then delivered mother along with her new borne baby being kept on a bed outside the home in the open sky. The correspondent, as my friend revealed, got astonished and asked the caretakers about all what they had done and why they were risking the mother and the baby. To the utter surprise of the correspondent the delivered mother told him that, that day it was a call given by their leader, that everybody should come out of their homes as a mark of protest and national harmony but if she would have not complied to her leader and the angel of death would visit her during that period and she would die inside her home in non-compliance, she would die as an unfaithful person!!! Thus there lies a lesson in this example both for the leader as well as the nation.

Hopelessness is Infidelity (Kufur): The history of world is witness to the fact that all freedom movements, despite all odds and weaknesses, have marched ahead in all times. Indeed, all kinds of movements do achieve and possess gains but the important thing always has remained that these achievements and gains should be preserved for future travel and strategy. Since according to the commandment of Holy Quran, Allah says, that He does not change the condition of any nation until that nation itself changes its condition. Thus the Tail piece, remains that despite all kinds of foreign support, the ultimate goal can be reached at by only indigenous strive and struggle. This can be made easy by a biological example of cell division of some unicellular creatures that get only segregated by the indigenous structural segregation called the Fragmentation.

Goodby 2010.