Sikandar Noorani
RESTORATION of peace in South Asian region remains a far cry until Indo-Pak tension tackled with a serious head on shoulders. Kashmir issue has transformed the region in such an unpredictable nuclear flash point which may bring unimaginable catastrophe for a large number of population at any moment. Obviously, Indian contribution in worsening the regional peace is matchlessly exclusive and extra ordinarily volatile.
Persistent human rights violations by Indian state institutions have started fuelling the fire of freedom all across the valley and pushed the youth towards the path of armed struggle in quest of freedom. What transpired from New Dehli, in the form of highly objectionable one sided unwise step of revocation of Article-370, is nothing except oppression, disgrace, deceit and anti-Muslim conspiracies. Deadly vacuum of political engagement created by New Dehli, stretched over decades, have started sucking all the probabilities of peaceful solution. Deep scars of genocide, rape, extra-judicial custodial killing, inhuman torture and pellet gun blinding eventually left Kashmiris with no other choice but armed resistance.
This phenomenon is not restricted to sentimental youth like Burhan Wani who picked weapon in retaliation to inhuman treatment inflicted upon his family by none other than state of India. Well educated youngsters like Mannan Wani had willfully opted for a gun instead of pen. A report published in Washington Post, few a weeks back, very rightly pointed out the same aspect that rapid inclusion of well educated intellectual cadre of Kashmiri populace in armed struggle against illegal Indian occupation will no more be manageable for New Dehli in the days to come.
While having all the desires to deal the matter in peaceful manner, Pakistan is left hardly with any choice to cool down the environment on either sides of the LoC while having a neighbour like India which persistently keeps spoiling peace through inhuman atrocities. Pakistan has no other option but to reply in the same coin, not to crush the rival but to defend the motherland. Indian media is playing key role in fostering anti-Pakistan hatred in the hearts of public and its negative outcome surfaced at various occasions.
Trash posted on social media about Pakistan, in the context of 5 August misadventure, by the prominent figureheads from across the border was disgusting, distasteful and full of hatred. It was in fact the true reflection of centuries long anti-Muslim mindset prevailing in the folds of Hindu society which compelled a large part of masses to stand up for a separate country on the basis of religion. Pakistan came into being as a collective reaction against anti-Muslim mindset.
Modi led-BJP regime has proved it in a loud and clear tone. Burial of Kashmiri martyrs with Pakistani flags in hand and slogans of Pakistan Zindabaad in IoK have proved that Kashmir is unfinished agenda of partition. Brutal state sponsored torture and worst human rights violations in the form of an unprecedented prolonged curfew and communication blackout have proved counter productive. Kashmir is bleeding in the hands of Hindu extremists who desire cleansing of Muslims from India.
Indian democracy has delivered rapes, killings, custodial torture, blind eyes, house demolitions and curfews. There are heart breaking stories in every street and house of Kashmir. Salute to the firm resolve and determination of Kashmiris who bury their beloved martyrs wrapped in Pak flag. It is writing on the wall that Kashmiris have detached their heart and soul from Modi’s brutal, prejudiced and inhuman India. Prominent Indian intellectual Arun Dhati Roy many a times objected upon Indian flawed approach towards Kashmir.
What India holds today is just a piece of land! No moral authority left with India to hold Kashmir which has factually turned into a tragedy with every passing day. Unfortunately, leadership on our side has to deal, while carrying the back-log of past regime’s inaction on her back, with such regional complexities which are complexly interlinked. State carries a policy on Kashmir as expressed with conviction at international forums in front of the whole world. What thereafter? Have we really tried to heal the Kashmiris in real sense ? If yes, then how? Bitter fact is that our ruling elite cannot present any concrete step on this account except visionless optical measures.
Desperation in Kashmir portrays a serious fall out scenario for the whole region. Pakistan will definitely face the maximum spill over effect. Legitimate non-violent freedom struggle in occupied Kashmir will always be an undesired scenario for India due to multiple understandable global trends. A call for freedom from India on religious narrative by armed Kashmiri youth provides enough exploiting space to fetch international support by building a cross border terrorism case against Pakistan.
On the other hand, traditional inefficiency and flawed policy framing on our part has enough potential to portray Pakistan as a betraying state in the eyes of desperate Kashmiris.
Regional rift between global players is another relevant factor which must be kept in focus. Remember Indian initial cry against CPEC was based on calling Gilgit-Baltistan as a disputed territory. Who doesn’t know about Indo-USA nexus against Chinese economic expansion through Pak territory. Our rivals are competent enough to raise a violent group under the banner of any notorious extremist group. Fall out is not difficult to predict. Pakistan is a stake-holder and exposed to serious regional consequences. Are we reading the situation in correct perspective? Definitely, the answer is a disappointing NO.
Gradually, a serious case is being built against Pakistan for sponsoring terrorism. Loose stereo type statements and press releases will not work any more. Our leadership, in the past, has displayed criminal negligence by trivializing and de-contextualizing the Kashmir issue through persistent inaction on diplomatic front. A greater regional disorder will not be manageable for us at all! Recent threats from top Indian ministers and army chief are too serious to ignore. Failure in building consensus about Indian aggressive posturing may bring serious repercussions
—The writer, a retired Lt Col, writes occasionally for national and international newspapers.
