Need of Reviving Kargil-Skardu Road in changed geo equations

 Published: 

http://epaper.kashmirtimes.in/archives.aspx?date1=10/13/2021&page=4 

https://countercurrents.org/2021/10/need-of-reviving-kargil-skardu-road-in-changed-geo-equations/ 

By:

Ravi Nitesh ,(Twitter/ravinitesh)

At a time, when Afghanistan is in news everywhere and Taliban’s rule has been interpreted in different ways, the geo equation experiencing a shift from ‘western’ domination, there can be multiple ways of future actions at strategic and diplomatic levels of the region’s power, particularly by China, India, Pakistan, Russia, Iran and others. But irrespective of what is changing or going to be changed, it is people to people relations, their cultural and trade connections that must be a priority for every country. All other equations are temporary, unstable and can face change depending upon various factors, but people who are living in the region are connected with each other for thousands of years and we should believe that their mutual connection will benefit the countries and their governments.

Now particularly in context of Afghanistan and India’s concern on China-Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, India’s investment in Afghanistan, Scope of SAARC and security concern in J&K and Ladakh regions, there are much to think and it brings importance of Ladakh region once again because it is connected with China on one side and remained in dispute for LoAC clashes, Across LoC- Giglit-Baltistan on other side to which Afghanistan touches the border.

In view of this, what is of greater need to India is having trust of the people who are living in and around this region, but this trust cannot be achieved unless there would be a genuine approach to keep the region’s future prosperous, stable, peaceful and far from war and violence.

J&K witnessed change and is now being identified as J&K and Ladakh separately as two UTs of India. Two decades ago, when J&K was facing terrorism and despite the Kargil had happened between Pakistan and India, an act of courage to bring stability and peace in the region was shown by leadership of both sides and cross LoC bus and trade (start of buses across LoC in the year 2005 and later opening of two routes Poonch-Rawalkot and Uri-Muzaffarabad routes across LoC in the year 2008) was started which was supported wholeheartedly by local people and thus brought a trust.

Now, with the changed geo equations, it is once again reminded that we need to work more upon people to people connections and a need for cross LoC route Kargil-Skardu is felt because it can come with a lot of benefits.

The fact that before being a separate UT, Ladakh was part of J&K state and many of its priorities could not be looked into. Speeches and promises regarding Kargil-Skardu road opening were made but there were no official proposals sent by the then J&K governments regarding this. Now, when Ladakh is a separate UT, it seems that such proposals can get space in the government’s priorities.

Kargil-Skardu road has a historic relevance, but not limited to this. Among other possible routes that need to be opened across LoC, such as Jammu-Sialkot, Kargil-Skardu, Nowshera-Jhangar and others, Kargil-Skardu may get prioritised in view available potential and benefits.

In already opened routes of Uri-Muzaffarabad, Uri falls in Kashmir region while in Poonch- Rawalkot route, Poonch falls in Jammu region. Clearly, it is only Ladakh region that lags behind to be connected and Opening Kargil-Skardu route is a popular demand of people in this region.

People living in this region on both sides of LoC (Kargil and Skardu) speaks same language and have cultural and ethnic similarity while their language and culture have no affinity with other regions on both sides of LoC and therefore opening this route may also give a sense of oneness and unification of hearts and emotions. In security terms, this region did not show any pattern of militancy, infiltration or any such activities and is considered comparatively more peaceful than even areas of presently open routes.

Opening of this route can bring huge benefits to nearly 8000 divided families living in this area by reducing the distance between them. Distance between Kargil and Skardu is just around 170 kms and from the adjacent hill of the last village (Indian side) Hundarma, one may see villages across LoC through naked eyes as they are not on much distance. People have their immediate ancestors in each other’s villages. With these divided families of the same ethnicity, re-opening the route would help them a lot. At present people need to travel from Kargil to Skardu via Srinagar, New Delhi, Atari, Lahore and Islamabad that counts for more than 2500 km and 4-5 days, while the same would be done with travel of a few hours condition to opening of the route.

Trade on this route may serve purpose to the future vision of connecting with Central Asia to stronger regional bonds. International Tourists who visit Ladakh region may also get an option to travel via this route and may bring more revenue to the region on both sides of LoC. At present, when China has already constructed all weather road with its CPEC (China Pakistan Economic Corridor) Projects under BRI (Belt and Road Initiative), and India could not join CPEC due to policy based issues, opening of Kargil-Skardu road may create a new chapter of regional cooperation and both (CPEC and Kargil-Skardu route) can get benefitted from each other and can bring greater stability in this region.

Opening this all-weather route will be a boost in CBMs (Confidence Building Measures) and may pave the way in resolving conflicts, bringing prosperity in the region. More importantly, the true objective of bringing peace should have a base of strong bond through not only trade and strengthening the local economy but more through emotionally by connecting hearts. Kargil-Skardu route deserves all such virtue to qualify for being opened and it may help the government to get their objectives fulfilled.

The government of India should take steps to announce the desire of opening of this route and should ask the Govt. of Pakistan to come forward to act together.

Ravi Nitesh is a social activist and freelance writer. He can be reached on twitter @ravinitesh

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India and Pakistan Must Do More for Their Cross-Border Prisoners

 By: Jatin Desai & Ravi Nitesh

https://thewire.in/rights/india-and-pakistan-must-do-more-for-their-cross-border-prisoners 

On July 1, India and Pakistan exchanged the list of the other country’s prisoners in their custody. This exchange – of lists containing the names of civilian prisoners and fishermen lodged in each other’s jails – has become a ritual that is being followed twice a year; on January 1 and July 1.  

It started under the Agreement on Consular Access, which was originally signed on May 21, 2008. This was done under the confidence-building approach; the ‘prisoner’s list exchange’ was added to the earlier provision – which was signed in 1988 and came into force in 1991 – to exchange information on nuclear installations between the two countries.

Prior to this agreement, there was no proper mechanism in place to inform the other side about people who are caught in one’s territory. In many instances, even families were unaware of members who crossed the borders inadvertently or stayed longer than their visas allowed and got caught. 

For any ordinary citizen of India or Pakistan, it could become a herculean task to find a missing family member, merely on the suspicion that they may have been lodged in jail on the other side.

After the consular agreement, governments started exchanging information officially about all the people who were in their custody and were believed to be citizens of the other side. This information included the date of their arrest, the charges under which they had been jailed, their consular access status and their case status. With this list exchange and the simultaneous formation of the India-Pakistan Judicial Committee on Prisoners, there was hope for a positive outcome for cross border prisoners.

On this July 1, as per the lists exchanged between the two governments, there are 51 civilian prisoners and 558 fishermen who are, or are believed to be, Indians, in Pakistani jails and 271 civilian prisoners and 74 fishermen who are, or are believed to be, Pakistani,  in Indian jails. These may just seem like numbers, but when one digs into the data – and into the lives of these people – the tragedy seems more human. 

Data from January 1, 2021 revealed that there were 49 civilian prisoners and 270 fishermen in Pakistani jails who were, or were believed to be, Indians while there were 263 civilian prisoners and 77 fishermen from the other side. Among the 49 Indian civilian prisoners in Pakistan, 32 have already completed their sentence but have not been able to return yet. Two of these civilian prisoners are deaf and mute; their names are unknown. 

Among the 263 Pakistani civilian prisoners in India, 67 have completed their sentence but could not return to their home country. This paints a worrying picture; despite the completion of their sentences, these people are unable to return to their homes. This, in fact, is no less than a jail term and just as inhumane. Article 12(4) of the United Nations General Assembly’s ‘International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights’, which came in force on March 23, 1976, reads, “No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of the right to enter his own country.” India and Pakistan both are parties to this covenant, but it doesn’t seem to be followed.

Fishermen who are lodged in either side are not criminals; they were detained while fishing in the deep sea, where no physical boundary exists. These fishermen have often been made ‘peace doves’ when the governments released them as a sign of goodwill. These fishermen have even died and the repatriation of their bodies took months.

It is also important to note that the eight members of the Indo-Pak Judicial Committee on Prisoners – formed in 2007 for legal and humanitarian support to these prisoners and fishermen – have not been meeting since 2013. This committee, composed of retired judges, last met in India in 2013. Pakistan was supposed to organise the next meeting, but that never happened.

India had approached Pakistan in 2018 regarding the nomination of Indian members to the committee and the organisation of visits but both sides have not been able to reach a consensus yet.    

Promises have been made earlier too on the cases of cross-border prisoners, be it the Ufa declaration of 2015 or the Heart of Asia Conference in 2016. Both sides accept that the issue needs to be looked at through a humanitarian approach.

The governments of both countries could take important steps, such as providing details of the detainees on a public portal with the updated status of their case, their acquittal or release and the addition of the names of new detainees. Print and electronic media advertisements should be provided for deaf and mute prisoners whose identities cannot be confirmed. 

There should be a dedicated person who can work for nationality confirmation, NoC cases in a speedy manner so that the acquitted person can return to their home country as early as possible. Fishermen and their boats should be freed in the sea itself. The Judicial Committee on Prisoners should be revived to look into the cases for legal and humanitarian support and the fast-tracking of court hearings to keep the undertrial status as short as possible.

We believe that such provisions would be a great help for these cross-border detainees and their families, and could also strengthen bilateral relations. We hope that promises and decisions come out from the bureaucratic corridors from both sides and are implemented on ground for the purpose it has been made for.  

Jatin Desai is a journalist and peace activist who works for cross-border prisoners and is associated with PIPFPD. Ravi Nitesh is a social activist and founder of Indo-Pak Friendship initiative Aaghaz-e-Dosti.

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खान अब्दुल गफ्फार खान : गांधी की प्रार्थना सभाओं में उनके अनुरोध पर जो सुनाते थे पवित्र कुरान की शिक्षाएँ

By: रवि नितेश

https://janjwar.com/janjwar-special/khan-abdul-ghaffar-khan-was-a-political-and-spiritual-leader-known-for-his-nonviolent-opposition-and-lifelong-pacifism-757268 

जनज्वार। आज जब देश में मानवाधिकार कार्यकर्ताओं का उत्पीड़न, कई स्थानों पर सांप्रदायिक हिंसा और राजनैतिक चेतना का अभाव दिख रहा है, ऐसे में ये ज़रूरी हो जाता है कि हम इतिहास में जाकर वो परिस्थितियां और उन लोगों के बारे में भी जानें, जिन्होंने समझौता किये बिना अपना जीवन पूरी बहादुरी के साथ लोकतान्त्रिक और अहिंसात्मक मूल्यों में भरोसा रखते हुए जिया और एक उदाहरण बन गए। ऐसी ही तमाम शख्सियत में एक थे खान अब्दुल गफ्फार खान, जिन्हें बच्चा खान और फ्रंटियर गांधी के नाम से भी जाना जाता है। बच्चा खान एक ऐसे नेता थे जिनसे लोग विशेषकर भारत, पाकिस्तान और अफगानिस्तान में बहुत प्यार करते थे और आज भी बहुत सम्मानपूर्वक याद किये जाते हैं

प्यारेलाल जो उनसे मिलने के लिए भाग्यशाली रहे, अपनी पुस्तक सरहदी गांधी (वर्ष 1970 में सर्व सेवा संघ द्वारा प्रकाशित) में लिखते हैं, इस उप-महाद्वीप में अब्दुल गफ्फार खान की भूमिका मुख्य रूप से महत्वपूर्ण थी क्योंकि उन्होंने शांति का प्रयोग और सफल दर्शन किया है और पख्तूनों के बीच, जो हमेशा महान योद्धा माने जाते थे, अहिंसा को सफल रूप से प्रसारित किया है। अब्दुल गफ्फार खान ने उनके बीच शांति का संदेश फैलाया और यह स्वीकार कराने में सफल रहे कि शांति और अहिंसा बहादुरी का सर्वोच्च रूप है, जो हिंसक प्रतिरोध से कहीं ज्यादा मजबूत है। पख्तूनों के बीच बाचा खान के काम ने वास्तव में हजारों लोगों को बदल दिया। 1930 के दशक के सविनय अवज्ञा आंदोलन के दौरान, पेशावर में सैकड़ों पख्तूनों ने बिना किसी प्रतिरोध और बिना पीछे हटे बहादुरी और निर्भयता के साथ ब्रिटिश गोलियों का सामना किया। बिना किसी हथियार और बिना किसी हिंसक प्रतिरोध के पख्तूनों की इतनी भारी भीड़ को देखकर, रॉयल गढ़वाल राइफल्स के कुछ ब्रिटिश सैनिकों ने गोली चलाने से मना कर दिया। यह दिलों और दिमागों के परिवर्तन का एक उदाहरण था, जहां लोग इस दुनिया को बेहतर जगह बनाने के लिए बाचा खान के विचारों पर विश्वास करते थे।

भारत के स्वतंत्रता संग्राम के दौरान गांधी जी ने जो कुछ किया, उसके अलावा हमें ऐसे परिवर्तन के दुर्लभ उदाहरण मिलते हैं और यही कारण है कि बच्चा खान और गांधी जी इतने करीब थे कि भारत में रहने के दौरान, गाँधी की प्रार्थना सभाओं में कई बार गांधी जी के अनुरोध पर, बच्चा खान ने पवित्र कुरान की शिक्षाएँ सुनाईं, जबकि गांधी जी ने पवित्र गीता सुनाई और धीरे धीरे बच्चा खान, सरहदी गांधी या के रूप में लोकप्रिय हो गए। दुर्भाग्य से विभाजन के दौरान बच्चा खान को वह नहीं मिला, जो वह चाहते थे क्योंकि वह विभाजन के पक्ष में नहीं थे और इसलिए उन्होंने पाकिस्तान और भारत दोनों से दूर रहने की भी कोशिश की। कांग्रेस की कार्यसमिति के दौरान जब लोहिया, जेपी और गांधी के साथ-साथ बच्चा ख़ान को छोड़कर अधिकांश लोग विभाजन को स्वीकार करने पर सहमत हो गए, उन्होंने कार्यसमिति के समक्ष कहा, 'हम आपके साथ खड़े थे और स्वतंत्रता प्राप्ति के लिए महान बलिदानों से गुज़रे हैं, लेकिन आपने हमें भेड़ियों के लिए फेंक दिया।'

गांधी जन्मशती वर्ष में 1969 के दौरान बच्चा खान भारत आए। उस समय, भारत की आजादी के 22 साल हो गए थे लेकिन बच्चा खान यह देखकर खुश नहीं थे कि गांधीजी ने भारत के बारे में जो सोचा था, भारत उसके अनुरूप नहीं था। 1969 शताब्दी वर्ष के दौरान, गांधी जी की जीवन यात्रा को मनाने के लिए कई सामजिक राजनीतिक तैयारियाँ की गई थीं। जेपी भी अपनी सक्रिय भूमिका के साथ पूर्ण समर्पण में थे। एस एन सुब्बाराव गांधी दर्शन ट्रेन के लिए पूरे भारत में स्वयंसेवकों के साथ यात्रा करने की तैयारी कर रहे थे। इस बीच कुछ स्थानों पर सांप्रदायिक हिंसा भड़क उठी और बच्चा खान सांप्रदायिक हिंसा के खिलाफ गुजरात में उपवास पर बैठे। 9 नवंबर 1949 को संविधान सभा में बहस के दौरान, सदस्य एच वी कामथ ने अब्दुल गफ्फार खान के बारे में बात की और कहा कि पूरे भारत ने स्वतंत्रता के लिए उस शानदार संघर्ष में भाग लिया। 'उत्तर में, कश्मीर में, मेरे माननीय मित्र, शेख अब्दुल्ला ने भाग लिया। भारत के उत्तर-पश्चिम में, जो दुर्भाग्य से आज हमसे अलग हो गया है, खान अब्दुल गफ्फार खान और उनके भाई डॉ खान साहिब राष्ट्रीय संघर्ष में सबसे आगे थे। भारत का वह हिस्सा अब हमारे साथ नहीं है, लेकिन हमारी आशा और हमारा विश्वास है कि जो कुछ भी हमारे बीच से चला गया है और जो हिस्सा अभी भी हमारे बीच है, उनमें आपसी मतभेदों को दूर किया जाएगा। जो भी हो, वे सुचारू हो जाएंगे और हमारे संबंध दिन-ब-दिन और अधिक प्रगाढ़ होते जाएंगे और पाकिस्तान और भारत वर्षों तक सबसे अधिक सौहार्दपूर्ण जीवन व्यतीत करेंगे।'

अब्दुल गफ्फार खान ने सत्ताईस साल जेल में बिताए, जिसमें बारह साल अंग्रेजों के अधीन और पंद्रह साल पाकिस्तान में रहे। वह विभाजन के मुद्दे पर कांग्रेस से अलग थलग रहे, जनमत संग्रह के मुद्दे पर उन्हें पाकिस्तान से इनकार मिला; फिर भी वह अपने विचारों, अपने लोगों और मिट्टी के प्रति प्रतिबद्ध रहे। हिंसा, घृणा, संदेह को न केवल अपने मस्तिष्क से बल्कि दिलों से भी जाने दें। सरकारों और नागरिक समाजों, सामाजिक और राजनीतिक नेताओं, शिक्षाविदों और नौकरशाहों, मीडिया और आम लोगों सभी की इसमें भूमिका है। चाहे वह कश्मीर हो या छत्तीसगढ़ या उत्तर पूर्व, ऐसी जगहें, जहां हाल के दिनों में हिंसक प्रतिरोध, संघर्ष, गलतफहमी अभी भी मौजूद है या इसके निशान हैं, गांधी और गफ्फार जैसे लोगों को आकर जन सामान्य को सांत्वना देने की जरूरत है। सत्ता या हिंसा के माध्यम से कोई भी दमन एक दीर्घकालिक समाधान नहीं हो सकता है और मानवता के साथ और भविष्य और आने वाली पीढ़ी के लिए उज्ज्वल दृष्टिकोण के साथ एकता की भावना ही केवल एक आशा ला सकती है। इसके लिए सभी पक्षों को एक साथ आने की जरूरत है। मानव जाति में उनके योगदान के लिए, बच्चा खान को 1987 में भारत सरकार ने भारत रत्न पुरस्कार से सम्मानित किया। 1988 में पाकिस्तान में उनकी मृत्यु हो गई और अफगानिस्तान में उन्हें दफन किया गया। इतिहास में बच्चा खान का योगदान हमें यह बताने के लिए जीवित रहेगा कि शांति और अहिंसा की कहानियां केवल पुस्तकों या आध्यात्मिकता के लिए नहीं हैं, बल्कि गांधी और गफ्फार के रूप में इस उप-महाद्वीप के आधुनिक इतिहास में जमीन पर प्रयोग करने एवं मानवीय मूल्यों में योगदान देने के लिए हैं।

लेखक भारत पाक दोस्ती अभियान आग़ाज़ -ए - दोस्ती के संस्थापक हैं, दक्षिण एशिया बिरादरी के सदस्य और शांति, मानवाधिकार के विषयों पर स्वतन्त्र लेखन से जुड़े हैं  

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कौन थे डॉक्टर आई ए रहमान, जो अपने मानवीय दृष्टिकोण के कारण दुनियाभर में थे चहेते

By: Ravi Nitesh | 

Published at: https://janjwar.com/world/pakistan-human-rights-advocate-ia-rehman-ravi-nitesh-comment-742608 

जनज्वार। आई ए रहमान अब नहीं रहे। 12 अप्रैल को वो इस दुनिया को छोड़कर कहीं और चले गए पर उनके जाते ही संवेदनाओं का जो सैलाब उमड़ा, उसने दिखा दिया कि इंसानियत और इंसानी अधिकारों के लिए दिल से और निरपेक्ष भाव से काम करने वालों के लिए सरहद, धर्म-जाति या क्षेत्र की दीवारें सचमुच ख़त्म हो जाती हैं। पाकिस्तान के रहने वाले रहमान साहब के लिए सबसे अधिक संवेदनाएं पाकिस्तान के बाद उसके पड़ोसी मुल्क भारत और तमाम और देशों से सामाजिक कार्यकर्ताओं, मानवाधिकार में यक़ीन रखने वाले लोगों और कई प्रख्यात व्यक्तियों द्वारा आना और कई संगठनों, संस्थानों द्वारा उनकी याद में कार्यक्रम आयोजित किया जाना वाकई में एक मिसाल है।

भारत और पाकिस्तान के बँटवारे से भी पहले 1 सितम्बर 1930 को डॉक्टर रहमान का जन्म पलवल (हरियाणा) में हुआ था। पलवल के मॉडल हाईस्कूल से पढाई के बाद वो अलीगढ वकालत की पढाई के लिए गए, लेकिन फिर भारत पाकिस्तान का बँटवारा हुआ और रहमान साहब का परिवार नवम्बर 1947 में पाकिस्तान चला गया। बताते हैं कि उनके पिता वकील थे और भारत से विस्थापित होकर पहले पाकिस्तान के शुजाबाद और फिर बाद में उनका परिवार लाहौर में रहने लगा। शायद विस्थापन और उस वक़्त के बँटवारे की यादें रहमान साहब के लिए हमेशा एक ऐसी विषय वस्तु के रूप में काम करती रहीं, जिसने रहमान को सामजिक मुद्दों, न्यायप्रियता, बराबरी और अन्य मानवाधिकारों के करीब बनाये रखा। रहमान शुरुआत में मूलतः एक पत्रकार थे और बाद में एक सामजिक राजनीतिक कार्यकर्ता के रूप में वो हमेशा मानवधिकारों के पक्ष में खड़े रहे।

1970 के दौरान पूर्वी पाकिस्तान (अब बांग्लादेश) में हो रहे मानवाधिकार उल्लंघन के खिलाफ खड़े होने की बात हो या फिर ज़िआउल हक़ के वक़्त कट्टरता के खिलाफ खड़े होने की बात हो, रहमान हर जगह खड़े मिले। 1989 में वो पाकिस्तान टाइम्स नामक अखबार के मुख्य सम्पादक बने। उसी वक़्त अस्मा जहाँगीर के साथ मिलकर पाकिस्तान मानवाधिकार आयोग (ह्यूमन राइट्स कमीशन ऑफ़ पाकिस्तान-HRCP) की नींव रखी गयी और रहमान मानवाधिकारों के लिए अपनी आवाज़ बुलंद किये रहे। उनका ये विश्वास रहा कि भारत और पाकिस्तान के अच्छे सम्बन्ध ही दक्षिण एशिया में शांति और एकजुटता के आधार हैं। पाकिस्तान इंडिया पीपल्स फोरम फॉर पीस एंड डेमोक्रेसी के संस्थापक सदस्यों में रहे और साथ ही तमाम और संगठनों, संस्थाओं, अभियानों के रहनुमा भी।

रहमान साहब के लिए लोगों के बहोत कुछ लिखा, कुछ ने अपने अनुभव साँझा किये तो कुछ ने उनके चले जाने पर अपना दर्द। अमन की आशा की संपादक बीना सरवर ने लिखा कि कैसे रहमान साहब का जाना सबके लिए एक बड़ा नुकसान है। PIPFPD के महासचिव एम जे विजयन कहते हैं कि असल में दक्षिण एशियाई शान्ति आंदोलनों में से अधिकाँश या तो उनके साथ शुरू हुए या फिर उन्होंने ऐसे आंदोलनों को एक दिशा देने में सहयोग किया। प्रख्यात सामजिक कार्यकर्ता डॉक्टर सईदा हमीद ने कहा कि रहमान साहब का जाना ऐसा है जैसे ध्रुव तारे का चले जाना। मशहूर लेखक मोहम्मद हनीफ ने ज़िक्र किया कि कैसे एक बार जब रज़ा भट्टी ने न्यूज़लाइन के लिए लिखे गए रहमान साहब के पहले लेख के लिए एक चेक भेजा तो उन्होंने चेक को एक नोट के साथ वापिस भेजा, जिस पर लिखा था कि आप चेक देना शुरू कर दीजियेगा, जब आप अपने दस लाख बना लें।

हनीफ कहते हैं कि न्यूज़ लाइन दस लाख बना नहीं पाया, और रहमान साहब ने लिखना नहीं छोड़ा। ऐसे ही फ़ातिमा फैसल लिखती हैं कि कैसे जब एक बार उन्हें इस बात का निर्णय लेना था कि वो प्रतिष्ठित LUMS विश्वविद्यालय में नौकरी ज्वाइन करें या पाकिस्तान मानवाधिकार आयोग में काम करें तो उनके एक प्रोफेसर ने उनसे कहा कि HRCP में आई ए रहमान के साथ काम करने का अनुभव हर किसी को नहीं मिलता। नजम सेठी ने लिखा कि हमारे समय की रोशनी चली गयी। तमाम राजनीतिक दलों के प्रतिनिधियों जिनमे कुछ प्रमुख नाम मरयम नवाज़ शरीफ, बिलावल भुट्टो ज़रदारी, अहसान इक़बाल, शेरी रहमान, फ़रहतुल्लाह बाबर, शाह महमूद कुरैशी आदि है, ने भी अपनी संवेदनाएं व्यक्त की। भारत के नौ सेना प्रमुख रह चुके एडमिरल रामदास और प्रख्यात सामाजिक कार्यकर्ता ललिता रामदास भी रहमान साहब के करीबी लोगों में से थे और एक ख़ास बात और कि रामदास और रहमान दोनों को मेग्सेसे पुरस्कार साथ ही मिला था। एडमिरल रामदास ने बताया कि कैसे रहमान उम्मीदों से भरे एक इंसान थे और उन्हें हमेशा ये विश्वास रहा कि भारत और पाकिस्तान के आम लोग मिलकर बदलाव ला सकते हैं। ऐसे न जाने कितने लोगों के अनुभव हैं जो आई ए रहमान के साथ खुद को जोड़ पा रहे हैं और आज उनके चले जाने से खुद को अकेला महसूस कर रहे हैं।

बहुत से सम्मान और पुरस्कार से सम्मानित डॉक्टर रहमान प्रसिद्ध अंतरराष्ट्रीय न्यूरेम्बर्ग मानवाधिकार पुरस्कार और शांति के लिए रैमन मैग्सेसे पुरस्कार से भी सम्मानित किये जा चुके हैं, मगर पुरस्कारों की चमक उन पर कभी भारी नहीं हुई। रहमान साहब की खासियत ये भी थी कि वो इतने सहज स्वभाव के इंसान थे कि बच्चों से भी उतनी ही शिद्दत और उत्साह के साथ मिलते और बात करते थे जितना साथ काम करने वालों और अंतरराष्ट्रीय मानवाधिकार कार्यकर्ताओं से। 

कुछ साल पहले 2017 में लाहौर के फैज़ घर में (फैज़ घर दरअसल मशहूर शायर फैज़ अहमद फैज़ का ऐतिहासिक घर है ) हिंदुस्तान और पाकिस्तान के बच्चों के बीच एक दुसरे को भेजे गए पत्रों की आग़ाज़ ए दोस्ती अभियान द्वारा लगाई गयी एक प्रदर्शनी में उन्होंने बच्चों से खूब बात की और फिर डॉन अखबार में इस पर लिखे एक लेख में उन्होंने विस्तार से इस बारे में लिखा। उन्होंने लिखा कि लाहौर में ईस्टर के बाद हुए बम विस्फोट के बाद कैसे एक बच्चे ने अपने खत में लिखा कि वो सोचता था कि एक अच्छे खिलौने के साथ रहने वाला बच्चा किस्मत वाला है, लेकिन अब उसको लगता है कि किस्मत वाला बच्चा वो है जो सुबह स्कूल जाए और शाम को सलामत घर वापिस आ पाए। डॉक्टर रहमान ने लिखा कि आज दोनों मुल्कों में बच्चों और युवाओं के बीच आपसी संवाद और समझ को बढ़ाने की ज़रूरत है। 

एक मानवाधिकार कार्यकर्ता के रूप में पाकिस्तान में हो रहे मानवाधिकार उल्लंघन के खिलाफ वो लगातार डटे रहे। पाकिस्तान में अल्पसंख़्यकों के अधिकारों की बात हो या फिर सामाजिक समानता का मुद्दा, रहमान हमेशा आगे रहे। यही नहीं, पाकिस्तान से अलग भी दुनियाभर में चल रहे मुद्दों पर उनकी समझ और उसके प्रति मानवीय दृष्टिकोण की वजह से वो दुनियाभर में लोगों के चहेते बने रहे। 

कुछ दिनों पहले ही 25 मार्च की शाम आग़ाज़ ए दोस्ती अभियान के साथ 'बात तो करो' नामक कार्यक्रम के प्रथम संस्करण के अतिथि वक्ता की भूमिका में रहमान साहब ने लगभग आधे घंटे तक बातचीत की, जिसे कई लोगों ने ऑनलाइन देखा। इस बातचीत के दौरान उन्होंने आसान शब्दों में ये कहा कि पाकिस्तान और भारत के लोग एक दूसरे से जो संस्कृति, इतिहास और विरासत साँझा करते हैं वह दक्षिण एशियाई शान्ति कार्यक्रम का एक मजबूत आधार हो सकता है, जिस पर काम किये जाने की ज़रूरत है। 

डॉक्टर आई ए रहमान का जाना सिर्फ एक शान्ति एवं मानवाधिकार कार्यकर्ता का जाना नहीं है, बल्कि एक ऐसे इन्सान का जाना है जिसे बहुत से सामजिक कार्यकर्ता अपनी छत मानते थे। मेरी उनसे व्यक्तिगत मुलाक़ात कभी नहीं हो पायी पर ईमेल के जरिये कुछ बार संपर्क रहा। हालाँकि हमारे कई पाकिस्तानी दोस्त और आग़ाज़-ए-दोस्ती के सदस्य उनसे हमेशा मिलते रहे और उनकी उपस्थिति हमेशा कार्यक्रमों में बनी रही। रहमान हमारे बीच न भी रहे हों तो भी उनकी यादें पाकिस्तान, हिंदुस्तान और अन्य देशों के कार्यकर्ताओं के बीच हमेशा रहेंगी और उनको हौंसला देती रहेंगी। 

(लेखक भारत पाक दोस्ती अभियान आग़ाज़ -ए - दोस्ती के संस्थापक हैं और शांति, मानवाधिकार के विषयों पर स्वतन्त्र लेखन से जुड़े हैं।)

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Bacha Khan: A Shared Hero Of Subcontinent

By: Ravi Nitesh
Published: https://nayadaur.tv/2021/02/bacha-khan-a-shared-hero-of-subcontinent/  

India and Pakistan share not only its borders but also a history, heritage and heroes who achieved remarkable heights as public figures defying all borders and other identities. After being separated as two sovereign nations, they underwent a path away from cordial relations most of the time. Both sides fought wars, restricted movement of its people and goods and even postal services. These are the same nations whose founding fathers and many leaders, historians, and writers shared a beautiful bond.

Now, this is a high time for governments on both sides to re-visit the history which has the potential to transform the future. Among many such steps, one can be bringing social leaders and writers together to create a bridge between two sides. Bacha Khan is one such leader whom people from across boundaries – particularly in India, Pakistan and Afghanistan – love and respect.

On 6th Feb, it was the birth anniversary of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, popularly known as Bacha Khan and also as Frontier Gandhi. Pyarelal, who has been fortunate to meet with him a few times, wrote the book Sarhadi Gandhi (published by Sarv Seva Sangh in year 1970) about life and philosophy of Bachat Khan. He writes that Bacha Khan’s role was primarily important in subcontinent because he successfully experimented and lived philosophy of peace and non-violence among Pakhtuns who were always believed to be great warriors. Bacha Khan spread a message of peace among them and that non-violence was the highest form of bravery, stronger than violent resistance. Bacha Khan’s work among Pakhtuns actually transformed thousands of people.

In a protest during the civil disobedience movement of the 1930s, hundreds of Pakhtuns in Peshawar encountered British bullets fearlessly without running away. Having seen such a huge crowd of Pakhtuns without any arm exhibiting no violent resistance, few soldiers with Royal Garhwal Rifles refused to fire. This was an example of transformation in heart and mind that he inspired not only in his people but enemies as well.

We find rare such examples of transformation apart from what Gandhi did during India’s freedom struggle and this is why Bacha Khan and Gandhi were so close. Sometimes, during his stay in India, on request of Gandhi, Bacha Khan would narrate Holy Quran’s teachings while Gandhi narrated Holy Geeta during prayer meets of the two. Subsequently, Bacha Khan became popular as Sarhadi Gandhi or Frontier Gandhi.

When British were leaving and India and Pakistan were emerging as two separate countries, communal violence erupted in many parts of subcontinent. While India was preparing for its Independence Day and leaders were gathering in Delhi, the most renowned leader Mahatma Gandhi kept himself away from any limelight. He went to Noakhali (then in East Pakistan), to spread message of communal harmony and bringing amity between Hindus and Muslims. Gandhi walked on his feet talking to people there and it was his magic that Noakhali became peaceful. Afterwards, he moved to Bihar where violence was at peak and then he felt need for Ghaffar Khan to ease tensions. Ghaffar Khan reached Bihar and they both tried to cool down the flame of violence together.

In 1969, the centenary year of Gandhi, Bacha Khan came to India. At that time, India had lived 22 years of independence but Bacha Khan was not happy to see it was not in match with what Gandhi had envisioned. During the 1969 centenary year, many preparations were in line to celebrate Gandhi’s life. JP was also in full dedication with his active role. S N Subbarao was preparing for the Gandhi Darshan Train to be travelled to all over India alongwith volunteers. Meanwhile, as communal violence erupted in few places, Bacha Khan sat on fast in Gujrat. This was when ‘Insani Biradari’ (brotherhood) was formed. While addressing joint session of Parliament in India, he spoke vehemently: ‘You are forgetting Gandhi, the way you forgot Buddha’.

This is need of the hour to look towards Bacha Khan once again. Let the violence, hatred, and suspicion melt away not only from thought but also from hearts. Governments and civil societies, social and political leaders, educationists and bureaucrats, media and common people – all have a role in this. Bacha Khan’s contribution in history will remain alive to tell us that stories of peace and non-violence are not just for books or spirituality, but to live on ground as Ghaffar lived, the modern history of this subcontinent. 

(Ravi Nitesh)

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DEMOCRACY IS NOT ABOUT DETENTION AND SUPPRESSING DISSENT

By Ravi Nitesh. Dated: 8/11/2020

http://www.kashmirtimes.com/newsdet.aspx?q=104284 

https://countercurrents.org/2020/08/democracy-is-not-about-detention-and-suppressing-dissent-release-political-prisoners-and-restore-trust/ 

Release political prisoners and restore trust

It has been one year now since Article 370 abrogation done undemocratically and immorally by Government of India where thousands of persons including prominent political leaders were pushed behind walls over the night because the largest democracy of world feared that these political leaders have a base in population which was required to be cut to avoid any dissent , resistance against the decision that was taken in Parliament of India with representatives of 120 million people about future of a state that was associated with Union of India through a special status provided to it under special circumstances and with agreeing constituent assembly of constitution of India. In a single shot, in single day, such a big decision was made approved in Parliament with an agreed convenience of President of India without any larger debate in which the J&K state was parted in two and the new J&K became a UT with legislature while another one Ladakh, a UT without legislature. 

As the status of state changed, there was a discontent among people and to stop any protest, preventive detention of leaders was done with relocating few in jails in J&K, outside the state and with some under house arrest. Even the former Chief Ministers Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah were also arrested. Interestingly, while talking about Farooq Abdullah in Parliament, the Home minister of India spoke in an unprofessional way to which parliamentarians never questioned. In the Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Indian Parliament), it was informed that a total 5161 people were detained in Kashmir (excluding Jammu and Ladakh) during Aug5, 2019 to Nov1, 2019. Government considered these detention ‘With a view to prevent commission of offences involving breach of peace and security of state and maintenance of public order’.

Now, when a year is completed, many youths, political leaders are made free but many are still under detention, (mis)utilising draconian provisions of PSA. Recently, a video and picture of Saifuddin Soz surfaced in media where he was looking from behind the barbed wire boundary wall and security persons pulled him back while the Govt. of India stated in Supreme Court in official capacity that Soz is not detained, but unfortunately, opposition remain unable to raise the issue among public.

Mehbooba Mufti’s detention was further extended under PSA. She is the one who took steps earlier to form a government in collaboration with BJP as a moral decision to obey people’s wish who voted for both parties in electorates, but even she was not spared from the wrath of detention. Now, when NC’s Omar Abdullah, Farooq Abdullah are also free, still the extension in Mufti’s detention is unfortunate and reflects that probably the government considers her larger acceptability and leadership among people. Recently, in an interview, Mufti’s daughter and youth face of PDP Iltiza shared how hard it is for them to see all this. Mehbooba Mufti is also one of the most prominent leaders who spoke about bringing CBMs as a part of development and she has been very vocal to have better Indo-Pak relations for a peaceful future of the subcontinent. In earlier years, even successful start of cross border bus and trade relations were done under PDP leadership through which many people on both sides got some ways to heal themselves by meeting relatives, family members who are divided due to the conflict-ridden region. Now, it seems that after the episode of abrogation and sidelining voices of all Kashmiri political narratives, India-Pakistan relations may actually become worse, which cannot be said to be fine for the South Asian region.

Number of people who are still under detention is not known exactly, but it seems that emotions of common people are not coming out, which is obviously a dangerous sign. People say that many Kashmiris are suffering from disorders and depression. Schools, colleges everything is shut, terrorist attacks threat are still continuing, mobile internet is still unavailable.

Legally it can be a matter of argument in ambit of courts whether disabling 4G networks, censoring media, changing domicile rules, detention of people and leaders, bi-furcation of state without asking will and advise of state leaders and people; were legal or illegal; but when one will see it through frame of ethical or unethical, right or wrong; there can be more points and weightage on the side which would stand against what happened last year through Parliament of India. Just following a manifesto promise or to gain popular sentiments for voting could have been avoided for a greater future of the country and its people.

It never meant that the situation in the valley remained well prior to 370 abrogation. In fact, regular incidents of terrorist attacks, encounters, stone pelting and civil curfew were a routine thing in the state. Internet shutdown had happened earlier too. Summer unrests were so horrible and psychological pressure among young minds were all earlier too. A report of JKCCS stated that during the year 2003 to year 2017 around 318 children (aged between 01 year to 17 year) lost their lives in incidents of violence in the valley. Valley of Kashmir remained one among highest military zones in the world. But after August 5, the situation turned another turn with addition of another psychological pressure among people’s minds and even blocking the safety valves such as freedom to register protests, public rallies too.

As the Kashmir issue was already complex and a conflicting one due to different narratives, now it has been made more complicated with addition of more narratives, fear of speaking, sense of confusion and uncertainty of future. No one knows where this all will go. Government must start restoring trust and instead of confidence building measures, there is a strong need for trust building measures. And as nothing can be predicted, only hope exists, where one can hope that things will be settling down one day.

Ravi Nitesh is a peace activist and freelance writer. He tweets @ravinitesh

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When Indian Army Officer Put a Letter in Pocket of a Pakistani Army Officer

By: Ravi Nitesh

India and Pakistan have always been in rivalry with each other and public at large in both countries sometimes adopt jingoism and war-mongering, fell in hyper nationalism and start hatred with each other, particularly from each other's state and army. However, we must understand that army, irrespective of which side it belong. made of people, human being like us, who have same hearts, emotions, values and expressions; but they are bounded with their duty and many a times, unable to reflect upon their individual emotions. 

As an institution, armies, everywhere in the world without exception to Indian and Pakistani armies; have many feathers in their cap along with many spots too. But what people should learn from them is their dedication to their duty and also that their confrontation against other side is part of their professional actions. At a personal level, there are many stories that tell about them, their humanity, their respect for each other and each other's bravery. They remain enemy till they remain on ground confronting each other, while off the ground and in peace time, they look each other as equal human being, not as enemy. Among many such stories, one is here:

This is a story from Kargil time (Year 1999), when 192 Mountain Brigade of Indian Army was on front lines and the war was at its full-fledged. Brigadier M S Bajwa, who was the brigade commander of 192 Mountain Brigade, asked 18 Grenadiers and 8 Sikh regiments to start preparation capturing Tiger Hill. Tiger hill was important because Srinagar-Leh highway was on its direct monitoring and intense and direct fire were received at highway from posts there.  

After a planned approach towards Tiger Hill, Captain Balwan Singh of 18 Grenadiers captured the hill and reached on top but battle was on. A counter attack was very much possible and all soldiers were stayed prepared at different locations. Next morning, counter attack started which was confronted and overpowered by Sikh regiment, however after sometime, a fierce attack by Pakistani Army Officers started and it became a tough, heavy exchange of fire. Observing the situation, Brig. Bajwa, who was main command of operation, spoke to forward most soldier and got to know that Pakistani army captain Khan was leading the attack and till then many soldiers have been injured and few died. Sepoy Satpal Singh, as per order of Brig. Bajwa, finally killed three Pakistani soldiers and shot Captain Khan with few yards distance.

Brig Bajwa arranged to bring down body of Captain Khan through porters. He was aware that Captain Khan fought very bravely.

After bringing down his body from hill, during search, they found letter in Urdu written by Captain Khan’s sister*. Brig Bajwa informed his General Officer Commanding about everything and also about bravery of Captain Khan. He also expressed his desire that bravery of Captain Khan should receive recognition and thus sought permission from his GCO which he approved.

Before dispatching body of Captain Khan to Delhi, Brig Bajwa placed a hand written letter in Captain Khan’s pocket, writing ‘Citation that Captain Karnal Sher Khan of 12, Northern Light Infantry of Pakistan fought very bravely’.

Captain Khan was awarded Pakistan’s highest military gallantry award ‘Nishan-e-Haider’ by Pakistan posthumously. His hometown Naway Kallay was renamed as Karnal Sher Khan Kallay.

Captain Khan’s Father later sent a Thank you note to Indian Army.

   

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Ref:

https://theprint.in/defence/how-an-indian-officer-helped-an-enemy-captain-win-pakistans-highest-gallantry-award/266973/

https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/050419/hyderabad-brigadier-mps-bajwas-letter-helps-pakistan-captain-wi.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karnal_Sher_Khan

https://www.dawn.com/news/114146     

https://www.dawn.com/news/675889

Pic Source:

https://bit.ly/2ZEKvCj 

https://www.wnsstamps.post/en/stamps/PK009.13 

*In few news reports, it is reported as letter was written by sister, while in few, it was said that letter was written by wife.

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From freedom fighters in British India to Dissenters in Free India: Face Sedition- Section 124A is the simple answer

Published:

https://countercurrents.org/2020/06/from-freedom-fighters-in-british-india-to-dissenters-in-free-india-face-sedition-section-124a-is-the-simple-answer/ 
http://www.kashmirtimes.com/newsdet.aspx?q=103357 
https://clarionindia.net/from-freedom-fighters-in-british-india-to-dissenters-in-free-india-face-sedition-section-124a-is-simple-answer/ 

Recently, Amulya Leona got bail from a Magistrate court after session court had denied her bail however, later, Magistrate court accepted the bail on the basis that Police didn’t file chargesheet within due time and during this she spent around four months in jail.

Saroofa Jargar, a youth activist in Delhi has been picked up from her home for her involvement in Ant-CAA protest on the charges that her involvement allegedly caused riots in Delhi. Saroofa is pregnant, a research scholar in Jamia Millia Islamia (which is in Top10 universities as per NIRF of MHRD).

Devangana and Natasha are founding members of a group Pinjra Tod and they were active in Ant—CAA protest in Jaffrabad area of North East Delhi and have been picked up by police on the charges that their involvement allegedly caused riots in North East Delhi. Devangana and Natasha are JNU students (2^nd Rank University in NIRF universities ranking)

Delhi Minority Commission Chairman Zafrul Islam Khan is facing inquiry under sedition charges allegedly for his social media post and several visits of Delhi Police have happened at his residence in the name of inquiry.

Anup Singh, an individual from Prayagraj (U.P.) booked because he had posted a comment on a facebook post on migrant workers issue and had made an objectionable remark on CM Yogi Adityanath.

Many more known and unknown names across India can be added in above list with one thing common that they all are those who faced sedition charges in recent time. These known-unknown names include Students of JNU like Umar Khalid, many other Jamia and AMU students, journalists like Vinod Dua, Dhaval Patel, activists like Khalid Saifi to less known Kashmiri students, local journalists, individuals who wrote something against CM, PM, Government. You just name someone, share reports, criticize heavily, organize protests and the next week you may face undesirable guests in the form of police to detain you under charges of sedition filed against you by any less known person or a political worker in any xyz district. Mostly, sedition is not alone, and added with other charges such as UAPA, defamation law or other IPC sections etc.

Most of them have been in detention by police without any clear involvement of them in any riots or any evidence to prove that their actions are against the sovereignty of India. They have been pushed behind the ‘anti-national’ tag merely for their open criticism against the policy of the government with peaceful protests in writing or through practicing their right to have assembly and freedom of speech. Most of them are students, young researchers but they have been made accused with the help of amended laws of UAPA (in many cases) and also under sedition. The same colonial era sedition which already has caused difficulty in earlier years too such as in cases of Binayak Sen and in Kundankulam Protest, but in present, used excessively to suppress even basic criticism or even in the matter which could be ignored.  

Section 124 (A) of IPC was made initially in the year 1870 (IPC-1860) by British against the Indians to suppress their voices of dissent and imposed against freedom of speech and expression, probably to ‘protect’ the British crown from any criticism by creating fear among freedom fighters, dissenters who were active through protests and through their newspapers. Bal Gangadhar Tilak faced sedition for his activities during the freedom struggle and later Mahatma Gandhi also faced the charge for writing an article in his newspaper Young India.

Section 124A in its present form states:

“Whoever, by words, either spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible representation, or otherwise, brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards, the Government established by law in India, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, to which a fine may be added; or, with imprisonment which may extend to three years, to which a fine may be added; or, with fine.”

After Independence, IPC continued and sedition also remained a part of it and applied by the Indian government also against its own citizens when they tried to speak against the government. With the basis of accusing someone’s action seditious through using words like ‘disaffection’, this extremely serious allegation looks very vague and with all potential to be misused due to lack of clarity of ‘Disaffection’, which is free to be interpreted by anyone.

Probably looking at this and the trail that this law has been misused to tag people, particularly dissenters, activists etc. even a paper of the Law commission advocated to repeal or at least review section 124(a). In its report, Law commission states ‘Section 124A should be invoked only in cases where the intention behind any act is to disrupt public order or to overthrow the government with violence and illegal means.’ It also stated ‘Berating the country or a particular aspect of it cannot and shouldn’t be treated as sedition.’

Also, despite the fact that IPC already has many other provisions and there are many other separate acts in India which are more than sufficient to deal with any actual sedition charges but still applicability of sedition has not been reduced.

Considering the scope and applicability in terms of conviction, even the Supreme Court of India, in its judgements clearly said that statements against government cannot be termed as sedition. In the famous judgement of Kedarnath Singh Vs State of Bihar in 1962, court observed that any criticism and comment against the government cannot be termed as sedition unless it incite people for violence or with intention of creating public disorder. Similarly in Balwant Singh Vs State of Punjab case 1995, Supreme Court observed that casual raising of slogans once or twice (in this case Khalistan Zindabad) cannot be said as an attempt to excite hatred.

With the recent data of NCRB, it is clear that conviction rate is extremely low (only 1 case in 2016, 1 in 2017 and 2 in 2018) as these cases couldn’t stand on legal ground inside courtrooms where constitution provides fundamental rights of speech and expression, but still the machinery is picking people frequently, probably because sedition also provides an easy ground to detain because of no clear definition or criteria and till the time a particular case will be judged in court, the dissenter may feel the fear and pain of being lodged in detention.

In recent times, these people, mostly university going boys and girls, research scholars who have been pursuing their thirst of understanding society, putting their opinions on front and without fear are in grip. In fact, a healthy democracy should welcome such people as any critical analysis, critical comments, protests, resistance and dissents are actually a true reflection that democracy is living in paper and spirit. A government in power at center or state, must not see itself as flawless or free from any public advice or public demand for change or criticism. A democratic government should be in fact more welcoming towards the change, as democratic values are like a river that flows continuously and stopping it would result in death.

Government must start striking off the sedition law first and any such actions, even if found to be punished, should be dealt with through other available provisions and this draconian provision, which is a sign of British colonial mindset to crush dissent, should be repealed to respect people’s freedom in Independent India.

Even if this can be done now, after 73 years of Independence, this would be a step in s larger contribution of making a democratic values stronger.

By:

Ravi Nitesh

(Author writes on issues of Peace, Human Rights and Development. He Tweets @ravinitesh)

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Kashmiris denied Justice: Does anyone care?

Published: 

https://beyondheadlines.in/2020/06/kashmiris-denied-justice-does-anyone-care/ 

The Jammu and Kashmir (Now J&K and Ladakh UTs) has always been vulnerable and capricious in terms of peace and security. People who lived here since centuries developed an intrinsic culture of state that was called as ‘Kashmiri’ and represented Pandit-Muslim collective culture in valley along with Dogras, Buddhists, Hindus, various nomadic tribes etc. in regions of Jammu and Laddakh. People in other parts always knew this beautiful land that was popular by the phrase ‘Agar Firdaus bar roo-e-zameen ast, Hameen Ast-o hameen ast-o hameen ast’ coined by great poet Amir khusro.

 

With the undecided princely state king at the time when India and Pakistan emerged as two sovereign nations, and then later developments of Sheikh Abdullah’s campaign ,invasion from Pakistan, then accession of Kashmir, Mountbatten-Jinnah Lahore meet, plebiscite promise of Nehru and UN resolution, bringing four members from J&K in constituent assembly for Constitution of India, provisions of Article 370 in Indian constitution and then 1954 Presidential order in terms of J&K for introducing 35(a) separately, a separate constitution of J&K, Emergence and Vanishing constituent assembly of J&K and then many further amendments by Congress governments, the controversial elections, the start of armed militancy and exodus of Kashmiri Pandits, An everyday violation of human rights, Separatist movements, Autonomy demands and AFSPA 1990, Confidence building measures of cross LoC trade and bus movements, Interlocutors never implemented report, and then recently the present government’s actions in August 2019; Kashmiri population that has witnessed a long journey of sufferings.

Now again with August 2019 decision by Govt. of India that came through imposing Governor Rule then President Rule, then orders of President through Parliament resolution of abrogation of Article 370, then Presidential order to remove 35(a) and making null and void of all previous orders, J&K state reorganization act, J&K domicile act, and on ground, a long series of sufferings, sometimes physical, sometimes psychological with curfews, lockdowns, shutting internet etc. there are so many things occurred in J&K in the name of restoration of peace and confidence building but still there doesn’t seem any positive outcome from all these.

This continuous treatment of the population with trial and error formula has made a permanent mark upon mindsets of people and they internalized it deeply in their unconscious mind. As I learn from people, few years back one of my friend told me that when she went to Delhi Haat (A craft and art market in Delhi showcasing diverse culture), a Kashmiri shopkeeper told her that ‘Crowd is very less here in haat today and it seems like there is Hartaal (shutdown)’. Though it was a simple line, what she observed was that the person has normalized the ‘Hartaal’ as he may be witnessing it frequently in Kashmir during state imposed curfew and separatists mandated hartaal where both resulted in closing of shops, emptying roads and vanishing crowds. For me, this was a new perspective and it led me to think about the fact that how this everyday pain is now conceived in subconscious. She also told me about what the family of one of her friends who was a Kashmiri pandit witnessed during exodus. And while advocating human rights, we discussed how narratives from all sides are important to understand anything in a better manner and to look at the issue through a third angle. It was true that Kashmir faced huge human rights violations under AFSPA for which no one received punishment as security personnel have been granted impunity under the sections of the act. Despite few very highlighted and controversial incidents like of Asiya-Neelofer, Kunan Poshpora, Ramban, Maachil, Pathribal etc. and many less known and unknown incidents where no complete truth ever came before people, this only widened the already existed gap between state and people and created separate groups.  

Addressing these challenges were like walking on tightrope with balance, but instead,  government with August 2019 actions of abrogation of articles, without bringing people in confidence pushed more internalization of sadness, grief, anger and irritation among common people who couldn’t move out, couldn’t even call each other to share pain, couldn’t make themselves busy in even social media, couldn’t receive medical prescription through tele-medicine, couldn’t continue studies and fear remained prevalent. Government may have its own version of deriving the change to ensure minimum violence, avoiding bloodshed and enhancing public safety and it may argue the similar reasons for shutting internet, imposing lockdown and keeping hundreds of political activists under preventive detention and arguments of government may have its impact and validity to be judged in courts on techno-legal grounds but certainly for common people, it is no-where a justice, particularly to those who belonged to mainstream politics in J&K and social activists who remained active for peace, developmental works, RTIs etc. in former J&K state as now they are also felt cheated.      

On the other hand, by altering status, terrorist activities have also been not reduced and instead it also forced Pakistan to reignite the issue in international forums and exploiting it internally in the country to propagate anti-India sentiment. The fact is that soldiers deployed are also in vulnerable positions for their safety.

Nepal moved its constitutional amendment to include few areas (Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiadhura) as it was clearly stated by Nepal that India had issued a new map after J&K state reorganization. A Chinese think tank also indicated that this new map issue also contributed in Chinese aggression towards Ladakh. Question will remain that what benefit India would be receiving with such reactions and adverse environment where the three neighbor countries (Pakistan, Nepal, China) may be objecting, Threat of terrorism increased, Local population even losing its trust that were gained in last decades.

     

Such moves, may have been well thought with all such angles before adopting it on ground and India may be prepared to tackle it in a particular and well thought way but it may not be true also. However, it must be remembered that the local population, a common person in J&K remained a victim of all such state, anti-state and geo-state dynamics.

Ceasefire violations are still continuing, civilian populations near the border are in fear as usual, daily lives in rest of places are restricted, a fear of any unknown bomb and firing still persists, and memories of horrible past still exist. Even in recent days, civilians and soldiers died in ceasefire violations, while a few days back they had died in terrorist attacks. COVID19 is rapidly increasing, people are sitting in home, mass is leaderless, many cellphones are still not working or in slow speed, media is being regulated through new media policy, and all together, the local population is upon mercy of state policies but still hopeful as there is nothing else except ‘Hope’ for them.

By:

Ravi Nitesh

Author writes on issues of human rights, peace and developments. He tweets @ravinitesh

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