Kashmir’s Intifada: Birth of A Nation?

What began as a dispute on 99 acres of land two years ago spawned into a snafu which appears to be beyond the imagination of a bard. The pelted stones, every raised slogan & the burgeoned hostility have almost pitched a predicament which was never foreseen. Those uniform clad men who stood undeterred against the foreign intrusion now stand meek and dumbfounded against their medieval attackers. The people who once persuaded masses with their rhetoric now appear unheard and clueless. How things can go wrong to such an extent? It all started with one word from the Kashmiri mouths “AZADI”
The word which Kashmiri’s have come up for their rebellion is ‘Intifada’ – an Arabic word meaning an uprising. The events of June and July have brought the reality home-paradise has been long lost in Kashmir. The procession this time, surprisingly, has included from all walks of life. Amazingly women and children are easily seen pursuing the bandwagon. This all sums up to a conclusion in the mind that there is something genuine behind this turmoil in Kashmir. Injustice has always been there but this time ignorance and indifference has exhorted the Kashmiris to hit the streets. If attention is fostered then 3 main reasons sprout up in mind. The first being the chain of events which included the Amarnath Shrine board land dispute, Shopian murder case and the firings by security personnel on democratic agitations. Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) in place has inflicted wounds which can never be healed. These all nefarious deeds went to challenge the self respect of an ordinary Kashmiri. The secondary reason was the obvious absence of economic development, jobs and infrastructure. In a state where 50% of the population is below 21 there cannot be a better suited overture of revolt than unemployment. The tertiary reason, an alarming fact, stems up from the vested interests of the separatists, namely Hurriyat Conference and JKLF. These skeletons in the closet have stemmed up a revolt which is now a lookalike of the French Revolution.
New Delhi lost the plot due to it’s dichotomy in deeds and words. The human right violations by security forces and the inhospitable AFSPA was never in the Delhi’s cognizance. It’s only this brute force of armed forces that’s keeping now Kashmir with India. Hard to say but yes ,this time security forces have brought shame to the nation by manhandling the innocent Kashmiris. On the economic front, even with militancy absent in the valley for last 3-4 years and still the economic development remains a questionable arena. The troublemakers Hurriyat was given unreasonable liberty. The decision to bring the Army in Srinagar was a historic mistake when the policymakers themselves declined such a move in more troubled waters of Chattisgarh. Message put out by this move was suicidal and democracy took a beating as never witnessed before. No doubt, the goodwill is lost for once and all. The slogans of “Indian dogs go away” and “Freedom now” adds music to the alarming note.
Seeking solution to this grisly scenario is no treasure hunt. They are clear and visible. Greater autonomy should be provided to the state of J&K and it’s government. Mellowing or abolishing AFSPA can be a start for mollifying this public outcry. External security forces should be limited to an optimum number. Rather the strength of J&K police should be increased manifold. The trigger for protest would wane if the Kashmiris did not have to suffer daily humiliations. If people felt that New Delhi really cared to address their concerns, the rage would not be so potent. No effort could be complete without an economic turnaround of the state. Industries and Railways which have been so reluctant should be brought in Kashmir. An employed youth won’t have an inclination of pelting stones. The separatist are nothing short of terrorist and should be and should be met out like them- wipe them.
For Kashmiri’s ‘Azadi’ is nothing but a stalemate. They can’t hope to survive with 3 powerful nations in vicinity and still be independent. Patience and prudence are paramount. Kashmiriyat has the chance of getting enriched only in India. The fact to be realized is that India did mess up but freedom will be a bigger mistake. Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose.