Why Geelani realized late to call pundits back to their villages and towns”

It was news for Kashmir watchers who have an observant eye as well as to KP Community to see a Fundamental change in the mind set of Hurriyat leaders’ like Ali Shah Geelani and others. There was a necessity to understand the reason behind their utterances, calling and appealing Kashmiri pundits to return to their birth places located in villages and towns of Kashmir valley to live together with Muslim brethren. After slumber they have realized that they were in sleep. We Kashmiri pandits have been knowing since long the Hurriyat chief Ali Shah Geelani was an MLA of J&K Assembly for four consecutive terms wearing the semblance of loyalty towards the constitution of India. After a long time of twenty three years they broke their silence appealing Kashmiri Pandits to return their home valley. We understand that the talk of political parties, separatists, hardliners inviting them back is hogwash. We wonder at a change of their policy of shedding crocodile tears at the happening of brutal Killings, terrorizing Kashmiri pundits of which they were the architect. There surprising behavioral change is all temporary, moonshine, politically motivated and can also be temporary effect of magnanimity shown by some individuals of KP community and group of Kashmiri pundits who met, hand-shaked and embraced them at some religious and other occasions in the valley and also demonstrated their solidatory and sympathy towards the muslim victim families of shopian Kashmir who’s daughters were raped and killed, while fully knowing that not a single word of sympathy and condemnation was uttered as and when KP daughters like Shaheed Girja was raped and chopped for having no fault of her.

We K.Ps still remember their vitriolic speeches, intimidating the minorities, sowing seed of dissension in the otherwise peace loving society, starting campaign of vilification speak in volume of their negative tactics of destruction. We fully understand their duplicity which is the hallmark of their personality. Their lack luster policy of giving vent to their communal ideology and provocative incidents held during the times of Amar Nath land Issue, forcible vacation of non-Kashmiri and pro Indian workers, Laborers and Traders after branding Indian Mukhbirs and agents, were asked to leave the valley within 24 or to face the consequences is an open secrets. All sanner souls, policy maker, icons in the KP community cannot be fooled again and again. We KP’s still recount their provocating speeches which were loaded with hate india virus infused in the blood of Muslim youth, which culminated in the blood bath of innocents and destruction of Kashmir. The saner elements among Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs hold firm opinions that this massacre of humanity was engineered by their favourite country Pakistan on active support of these leaders and their gun yielding youths whose mission was looting, killing and terror. They levy a serious allegation of annihilation of humanity. They are trying to hide their malice mind, but this ostrich like state of denial is no longer sustainable. Kashmiri terrorists to whom they support, shield and proclaim hero’s and jihadis are infact enaged in a Fasaad” which is in Arabic language implies that they are saboteurs of peace. The actual Jihad has special significance and message in Holy “Quran” which finally terminates at the welfare and protection of humanity, and mankind.

In fact at present Kashmiri Muslim community lack recognized broad –visioned wise leadership, who could act as role model for their youth to follow and emulate. Those who are worth are discouraged by leveling false allegations. Those who deserve credit are being harassed and dubbed as Indian agents. Their Indoctrinated youth spread venoms and the moderates among Muslims bear with the offensive language silently. Their silence should not be considered confirmation to the ideology of these leaders. There are also trouble creators among their followers who are bent up on to keep Kashmir cauldron boiling for their vested interest and their acts and utterances have been instrumental in bringing devastation, destruction and bloodshed of innocent people. Their policy of Balkanisation, vivesect the state raising pre-posterous and unviable demands have brought discredit to the Muslim community and also made them doubtful and distanced from peace loving and progressive Indian nation. Therefore, their reputation is on the wane. The peacefull Muslim in general in valley have chosen the path of following silence as they do not digest their policy of poisoning the mind and follow double speak politicians and have also well understood the policy and patience of Kashmiri Pandits who are the main victim of the acts, preaching’s and propaganda of these leaders.

Before calling Pandits back to Kashmir, have Hurriyat Leadership given a thought to the facts whether they are in a commanding position to protect their (KPs) life and property, can they bring back the Hey days of peace, love and tranquility. Can they stop criminal acts of those youths to whom these leaders have infused hate India, hate Hindu virus in their blood. Can they return the land and property to KPs which has been either looted, burnt, encroached, occupied and snatched or sells out under distress sale. Can they restore the confidence, faith and trust of the community which has shattered at the time of mass exodus of KPs and none of their Muslim brethren asked them to stay back or came to their help and rescue. Can they allow KPs to live as per their own will and choice in the valley as free Indian nationalist? Perhaps not but it is sure they would be forced to join their ranks and files, anti Indian movement and other acts which would not be suitable and digestible to the said community.

Every individual has a right to love his country. If anyone dislikes India and prefer Pakistan or any other nation, then why do they suppress their conscious and it would
be to their advantage to shift lock, stock and barrel to their country of choice and not to disturb the peaceful life of common men and disintegrate the nation of peace loving citizens, A wishful thinking is best and a dangerous idea at worst. But at the same time they must also take into the consideration those Muslims who migrated to Pakistan in 1947 are not accepted as Pak citizens and given them Muhajreen status even today. While as Pak born personalities settled in India are running polity of Indian Nation at the top.

K.P’s understand their declaration of inviting Kashmiri pundits to their village and towns is fully loaded with malicious design. They need scape goats to be called as and when needed. They wanted Kashmiri pundits to be used as shield to execute their nefarious designs, the other viable reason for their utterances and invitation is that they have realized the importance of Kashmiri pundits after their mentors in Pakistan have made them understand that their demand for independence or anaxation with Pakistan or self rule or Autonomy can never mature without the participation of Kashmiri Pandits, who practically are a party to so called Kashmir issue. We have been hounded out of our birth land with disrespect and disgrace which is unforgettable, but we have to definitely return to our home valley with all constitutional guarantee and with safety on consolidated piece of “Kashyap land” and have to establish that what they could not achieve with so much loss of life and destruction during twenty three years for which they are themselves responsible.

Kashmiri pundits need not require any body’s sympathy or suggestion for return as they know where lies their interest safety and when is the appropriate time to return to their “Kashyap land”.

We suggest these leaders to apology to all Kashmiri masses for the atrocities inflected to the innocents by the gun yielded youths and goons on the back and support of these leaders, although some people have already shown the magnanimity to forgive and forget them, but majority have not. State and central government have stood behind them by providing concession and healing touches in different ways, forgetting how much nationalist forces suffered as well as destruction and devastation they made. This is an opportune time for them to join national main stream and to show the loyalty towards the nation they live and enjoy. The recent statement of Barrack Obama the president of USA regarding Kashmir is complete message for them.

(This article has been written by Mr. Kundan Kashmiri)

OOPS—Geelani does it again

OOPS—-Geelani does it again
Syed Ali shah-the octogenarian separatist leader (with a heavy tilt towards Pakistan) knows exactly how to remain in news. Time and again, It has been proved that his political ideology is based on heavy dose of communalism. Over the years, he has mastered the art of exploiting religious beliefs of the common kashmiri Muslims .His rantings like his character have changed from time to time, First he had passionately persued the idea of merger of Kashmir with Pakistan and when he saw that the majority of people found his idea repelling, he immediately retracted like a true demagogue.
All the separatists are having a lean period from last two seasons, 2011 as well as this year till today, the people of Kashmir have totally rejected them leading to frustration among the separatists. They are trying every trick in their sleeve to galvanize the public to create the state of chaos and uncertainty.
Amarnath Yatra began in the last week of June and suddenly,all the rabble rousers become active , they know that exploiting this yatra has in the past yielded desired results for them .In 2010, S.A.S. Geelani had blatantly accused the Government of India of conspiracy.he had told his followers that G.O.I is planning to settle the ex-army men at the 100 acre baltal base. He had also accused the govt. of changing the demography of Kashmir by stealthily settling the non-state subjects in Kashmir.
The unfortunate fire at the revered Dastgeer sahib was mourned by all irrespective of the Religions. There are rumors that the inferno at the Shrine was not accidental . The Govt. says that the fire was the result of electrical short circuit. The separatists saw this as their chance to “30 minutes of fame” and tried to exploit the feeling of people. They were successful but “Alas”, It only backfired. Shabir Shah’s face was blackened. Some said even SAS Geelani was also heckled.
All this has happened with the separatist leaders because of the huge tourist influx in Kashmir. Tourism Industry had never been better than this season ,the Taxi Driver, The shikara walla, the guide, The Hotel owners, The shopkeepers and a common Kashmiri are happy because tourists is a synonym of prosperity for a common man. The common Kashmiri ,this season opened the doors of their homes to the tourists as there was a severe dearth of accommodation. The common man knows that if this trend continues , he, his family and Kashmir will prosper by leaps and bounds. Hence a common Kashmiri has given a cold shoulder to the separatists.
To be in news is the bread and butter of the separatists and Kashmiri Pandits, the vulnerable ousted indigenous community could serve the purpose of the separatists especially for S.A.S Geelani.
From past 6-7 years, Govt. has been planning to re-locate the Kashmiri Pandits to Kashmir. The prime factor that has deterred the return of KP’s to Kashmir is their security. The GOI knows this fact and hence GOI and the successive govts. Of National conference and PDP had come up with the idea of making condominiums for the KP’s to instill the idea of security in them. Some flats were made at Budgam district and even some Pandits started living in these flats. But by and large this idea has so far proved to be a fiasco.
Since the inception of this project, SAS Geelani had opposed this move, But never did he uttered in the past that GOI is settling RSS agents in these camps .The fact is, he actually never wants the Pandits to come back to their homeland. His figment of imagination has not even left the MOSSAD-the Israeli intelligence .He has deliberately used the names of RSS and MOSSAD. He wants to convey to the common Kashmiri that RSS or the idea of Hindutva will weaken them ,and linking RSS with the return of Kashmiri Pandits is a way of suggesting that RSS and Kashmiri pundits are one and the same. Linking MOSSAD with the return of Kashmiri Pandits is his way of suggesting that Israel is also a part of this K.P project and hence it become the duty of every devout Muslim to oppose Israel-the known enemy of muslims .
It is very difficult to say whether he is having prophetic dreams, day dreaming because if insomnia, or whether ISI and his handlers across the border are giving him these suggestions, But one thing is sure-he has a phobia—doctors call it xenophobia —I call it KP Phobia….

Islamization of Kashmir through Media Manipulation

 On August 15, 2008, on India’s Independence Day, Kashmir valley witnessed an unprecedented event as Pakistani flag was hoisted in Lal Chowk in the heart of Srinagar while Indian security forces stood by as moot and passive spectators. Following this, on August 18, 2008, separatists organized a huge rally attended by over 100,000 Kashmiri Muslims denouncingIndiaand demanding Azadi and the imposition of Islamic rule inKashmir. The demonstration was led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani an ex-government school teacher and Congress supported former Member of J&K Legislative Assembly. He was accompanied by other Kashmiri Muslim leaders such as Mirwaiz Omar a religious leader, former terrorists Shabir Shah, Yasin Malik and invited guests such as leftist writer Arundhati Roy and other fellow travelers for maximum propaganda effect.

 

According to press reports (Guardian 8/22/08) “there were green flags on every lamp post, every roof, every bus stop, and on the roof of chinar trees. A big one fluttered outside the All India Radio building. Roadsides were painterd over.Rawalpindithey said or simplyPakistan”

 

Everywhere there were Pakistani flags, everywhere the cryPakistanse rishta kya? La illah illah (What is our bond withPakistan? There is no God but Allah.) Azadi ka matlab kya? La illah illah (What does freedom mean? There is no god but Allah). The crowd chanted “crushIndia”, “When Lashkar comesIndiawill be defeated”, “Kashmirki Mandi-Rawalpindi”.

 

Syed Ali Shah Geelani a leader of Pro-Pakistani faction of Hurriyet began his address with a recitation of Qur’an told the crowd that the only way for the struggle to succeed was to turn to Quran for guidance. He said “Pakistanwas created for Islam and must continue to safe guard interests of Islam. Likewise inKashmirnationalism will not work, the American world order will not work, only Islam unites us……….”

 

In an interview (Rediff.com) with Asha Khosa on August 25, 2008, Mr. Geelani expounded on his plans forKashmir. He said “I have a three point target, first to impose Islamic Nizam (jurisprudence) inKashmir. Islam should govern our political thought, socio economic plans, culture and the ongoing movement. The creed of socialism and secularism should not touch our lives and we must totally be governed by Koran and Sunnat (precedents from Prophet Muhammad’s life)”.

 

Watching this scenario unfold in theKashmirValleymust give the rulers inPakistan, the Pakistani Army and ISI great satisfaction. Having failed to annex Kashmir by force in 1947, 1965 and 1971 wars withIndia,Pakistanwas finally achieving Islamization of Kashmir through subversion, intrigue, media manipulation and terrorism.

 

ISLAMIZING KASHMIR VALLEY

 

To achieve the goal of Islamization, Pakistan ISI had been working hard for over 30 years to change the centuries old Kashmiri Muslim outlook of secularism and Kashmiriyet to the ideology of fundamentalist Islam. This was done by implanting seeds of subversion and terrorism in two stages:

 

Stage I began in 1965, with operation “Gibraltar” with heavy infiltration of Pakistani nationals as well as  military training of Kashmiri Muslim youth. These youths were recruited by Jamaat-i-Islami a theo –fascist outfit with connections to Rabita-ul-Islam the international headquarters of the Islamic fundamentalist movement based in Saudi Arabiaand Pakistani Jamat-i-Islami. This organization developed an elaborate infrastructure for propagating Wahabi style Islamic ideology through mosques, study groups and schools in Kashmiri towns and villages with the connivance of civil adminstartion funded by Indian tax payers. Study circles received money directly from Arab countries through the medium of Muslim Welfare Society, ostensibly for promoting Islamic culture. In mid seventies these Study Circles started operating openly in colleges and universities as well as in Government offices. Moulvis were recruited from UP and Bihar in Indiato whip up communal and secessionist passions. These Moulvis have played a critical role in subverting the Kashmiri Sufi-Islamic tradition and whip up passions against secular and liberal Kashmiri Hindus and Muslims. To expand its influence among women Shoba-i-Khowateen was launched. It advocates strict observance of Islamic codes for women. Its impact began to be noticed when Kashmiri women who for centuries never accepted veil now were using Arab style Burqa. Many members of this organization formed Dukhtarain-i-Millat with the goal of supporting Islamic terrorists by engaging in intelligence gathering, ferrying arms, keeping under custody the kidnapped victims as well as raking up false stories of human rights abuse and accuse Indian security forces of committing rapes in order to gain international media attention. Stage I produced Kashmiri leaders such as Yasin Malik of JKLF, Syed Ali Shah Geelani of Jamat, Dr. Ayub Thukar of World Kashmiri Movement, Ghulam Nabi Fai of Kashmir American Council as well as Syed Sallahudin of Hizbul Mujahdeen based in Pakistan. These people have been at the forefront of media manipulation to denigrate India and present Islamic movement in Kashmir as a movement for liberation and freedom to hoodwink Indian and foreign Journalists, Academics and Politicians.

 

 Stage II of Pakistani subversion and terrorism began with operation “TOPAC” in late 70’s after the defeat of Pakistan in 1971 war with India. It was designed as part of a proxy war byPakistanagainstIndiato wrest control ofKashmir. Having established a viable fundamentalist Islamic infrastructure through Jamat controlled schools, colleges and with thousands of trained sympathizers in the police and civilian government, Operation TOPAC aimed to bleedIndiaand make it powerless inKashmir. The goal was to providePakistancomplete deniability of its involvement as the conflict would appear as an indigenous uprising by Kashmiri Muslims fighting for Azadi against “oppressive Hindu Indians”. Operation TOPAC was conceived by Gen. Zia Ul Huq as an Action Plan for incorporation of Kashmir intoPakistanthrough Jihad and creating a grass roots movement of freedom fromIndiausing Islam as the uniting force.

 

 

 

OPERATION “TOPAC”

 

Operation TOPAC had four aims:

1. Train Kashmiri youths in handling of sophisticated arms

2. To destabilize and discourage the state administration

3. To makeKashmirvalley a Hindu-less Muslim area.

4. To prepare Kashmiri Muslims for Jehad.

 

This was to be accomplished in two phases:

 

Phase 1

1. The sentiments of students and farmers be aroused againstIndiaand their cooperation will be sought for anti-government demonstrations and riots.

2. Create chaos and spread terror

3. Impart military training to Mujahdeen for fighting Para-military forces and the army

4. Disrupt communication links between the valley,Jammuand Laddakh.

5. Help of Sikh militants be sought for insurgency activities inJammuregion in order to divert the attention of security forces in the valley and make the governments position awkward and disgraceful

6. Take control of the areas where security forces are camped.South Kashmiris suitable for this action.

 

Phase 2

 

1. Mount pressure on the Indian Army in Siachin, Kargil, Rajouri and Poonch areas in order to bring down the morale

2. Sudden and vigorous attacks be made on the Army depots and Army convoys atSrinagar, Pattan, Kupwara, Bandipoa and Chowkibal.

3. Afghan Mujahdeen would be infiltrated from Azad Kashmir (PakistanoccupiedKashmir) in order to intensify the freedom struggle of Kashmiri Mujahdeen.

4. Mistake in carrying out “Operation Gibraltar” of 1965 should not be repeated.

5. Special task force under the command of retired Pakistani Army Officers, mainly Afghans will be sent to blast the railway stations, Aerodrome, Jawahar Tunnel, Leh Sonamarg road and Army cantonments etc. After successful operations in the valley, parts ofJammuand Laddakh will also be brought under the full fledged armed insurgency operation.

 

OPERATION “TOPAC” IN ACTION

 

The very first evidence of the presence of arms and trained terrorists in the valley came in August 1988 during the riots that occurred inSrinagarafterPakistanPresident General Zia-ul-Huq’s death in an air crash. The entire town ofSrinagarwas in turmoil with wide spread looting and arson. Curfew had to be imposed on several areas of inner-citySrinagarstrong hold of Jamat-i- Islami. During curfew hours mobs attacked the paramilitary police with semi-automatic weapons, a phenomenon which was unknown before this time.

 

After a lull of one year violence started again in September 1989 with the murder of prominent Kashmiri Hindus such as a prominent Lawyer Mr. Tika Lal Taploo, Justice Neel Kanth Ganjoo, famous Kashmiri poet Sarwanand Premi along with thousands of Hindu teachers, engineers, doctors and civil servants.

 

Mosques became the hotbed of terrorist activity during the winter months of 1989-90 for the recruitment of Kashmiri Muslim boys for the cause of Jihad. Video shows describing terrorist tactics and guerilla warfare began running on a 24 hour basis in the mosques and other public places.Pakistantelevision and radio started creating a sense of hysteria by broadcasting vicious propaganda aimed at arousing the religious feelings among Kashmiri Muslims. Posters started appearing inSrinagarand other towns asking people to observe strict Islamic codes regarding dress, food and entertainment. Video shops and cinema theaters were forced to shut down, drinking of alcohol was banned. Pakistani currency started to appear in circulation and several attempts were made to ban Indian currency. By the end of 1989Kashmirvalley had become a de-facto Pakistani territory with each move of the terrorists legitimized and accepted by the public under duress. Young men wielding guns and pistols began to be accepted as a status symbol inKashmirand being called a Mujhdeen became a real honor for the Muslim boys and their families.

 

HINDU EXODUS

 

On January 4, 1990 Aftab an Urdu daily ofSrinagarpublished a press release from Hizbul Mujahdeen asking Kashmiri Hindus to leaveKashmiror face annihilation. Alsafa another Urdu newspaper repeated these warnings. On January 19, 1990 JKF, Hizbul-Mujahdeen and other terrorist outfits declared the introduction of Nizam-e-Mustafa (Islamic rule) inKashmir.

 

On the night of January 19, 1990 all mosques in the valley began to issue threats and warnings to Kashmiri Hindus with loudspeakers broadcasting taped messages, continuously for 24 hours for three consecutive days creating a psychosis of fear and doom.

 

“Kashmir mein agar rehna hai; Allah-o-Akbar Kehna hai” ( If you want to live inKashmiryou will have to convert and chant Allah-o-Akbar)

 

“Asi gachchiPakistan; Batao roas te Batni san” (We wantPakistanwith Kashmiri Hindu women but without their men folk)

 

“Yhan kya chalega; Nizame Mustafa” ( What kind of law will work here Islamic law)

 

These threats led to the exodus of 350,000 Kashmiri Hindus form the valley ensuring complete Islamization.

 

MANIPULATION OF MEDIA

 

1. Misguided Youths, Militants, Jehadis and Islamic Terrorists

 

The manipulation of Indian media by Kashmiri Muslims began in late sixties after 1965 Indo Pak war with the formation of Jamat-i-Islami affiliated Al-Fatah and Muslim Janbaz Force. These outfits were at the forefront of armed terrorists acts inKashmir.  Their cadres received training inPakistanand funding from Arab countries, eventually morphing into JKLF (Jammu and KashmirLiberation Front) and present day Hurriyet with the active backing ofPakistan. JKLF and Hurriyet touts itself as a secular even though its core ideology is to impose Islamic rule inKashmirand banish Kashmiri Hindus. No one in the media ever questioned why its leaders were only Muslims if it was indeed secular. When some of their activists were arrested and convicted for murder, loot and arson the sympathetic J&K Government Officials would release them by referring to them as Misguided Youths. As reported inIndiaToday, April 30, 1990 “Between July and December 1989, 70 hardcore terrorists were released by Farooq Abdullah government. All detentions had been confirmed by the Advisory Body headed by the Chief Justice of theJammu and KashmirHigh Court”. No one in the media took Farooq Abdullah to task for releasing convicted killers and thus encouraging more terrorism.

 

These misguided youths later became, Militants, Jehadis and now Islamic terrorists

 

2. Migrants, refugees or internally displaced people

 

Kashmiri Hindus forced to flee their homes were dubbed as Migrants by Kashmiri Muslim press. No one in Indian media challenged this terminology. Calling them refugees or internally displaced people would call into question the secular façade ofKashmirvalley and its Muslim Leadership who were in cahoots with the Congress Government.

 

3. Militant religious organizations operating under secular garb

 

InKashmirvalley many organizations espouse to be secular where as their core membership comprises of people with close association with Jamat-i-Islami such as People’s League, People’s Democratic Party, and Hurriyet etc. OutsideIndia, World Kashmir Movement (WKM) inLondonand Kashmir American Council (KAC) inWashingtonDCserve as mouthpiece of Islamists and pro Pakistani elements.  These organizations have hired western lobbyists to project Islamic terrorists as freedom fighters fighting for liberation of J&K fromIndia. These Lobbyists are paid byPakistanand Arab countries.

 

In order to keepIndiaand its security forces on the defensive these organizations employ leftist Indian Journalists, Academics and politicians to espouse and parrot the cause of the secessionist. Kashmir American Council has published pamphlets for distribution to journalists and members of the Congress and Senate in theUSA. These pamphlets have sympathetic reports from Ashok Mitra of Daily Telegraph 5/16/1990, Dr. N. Y. Dole of Rashtra Seva Dal, Syed Shahabudin President Insaf party, reports from All India Revolutionary Students Federation Karnatka, Dipankar Bhattacharya, Secretary General, India’s People Front, Minoo Masani of Dalit Voice and retired Justice V. M Tarkunde. In order to discredit Indian security apparatus inKashmir, Separatists falsely accused Indian Army of rape which was at first accepted at face value and reported as such by the leftist Indian media.

 

In the last 18 years new generations of anti- Indian Mao- Islamists have been recruited to be the mouthpiece of radical Islamists operating under the secular garb. Some of them are Dr. Angana Chaterjee,Arundhati Roy,ASAiyar etc. These pamphlets are used to give legitimacy to the point of view espoused byPakistanfunded secessionists outfits.

 

4. Worldwide Disinformation Campaign through Demonstrations, Symposiums andTours

 

Pakistani ISI and Arab countries have organized and funded the formation of various organizations in Kashmir and around the world to coordinate demonstrations, organize symposiums and lectures to promote disinformation regarding human rights abuses by Indian security forces and project humane face of Islamic insurgency fighting for the liberation ofKashmir. Some of these organizations are: Muslim Welfare Society, Falah-I Am Trust, Dukhtarain-e-Millat in Kashmir and Kashmir American Council in Washington D. C, World Kashmir Movement inLondon, International Institute of Kashmir Studies inLondon,Jammu and KashmirCouncil for Human Rights in London etc.  Amir of Jamat-i-IslamiPakistanQazi Hussein frequently toursSaudi Arabia,Egypt,Sudan,Qatar,Kuwait, UAE in support of Independence of Kashmir and fund raising.

 

One of the earliest examples of disinformation campaign undertaken by Kashmiri Muslims and their secular allies inIndiawas to deny that any atrocity or ethnic cleansing of Kashmiri Hindus had happened. All the blame for the exodus of 350,000 Hindus was laid on Governor Jag Mohan who according to them wanted Hindus out so that he could deal with the Islamic terrorists. Indo American Kashmir Forum has worked hard to debunk this canard through symposiums and workshops.

 

Another example of disinformation was the massacre of 35 Sikhs in Chittisingpora nearSrinagaron 3/20/1990 by armed Islamic terrorists dressed in official Indian Army uniforms. Islamists and its allies in Indian media initially blamed Indian Army for the massacre which was proven not to be the case after detailed investigation by Barry Bearak of New York Times.

 

5. Task Forces, Petitions and Letter Writing Campaigns.

 

Faroukh Kathwari a prominent U. S based Kashmiri Muslim businessman has financed Kashmir Study Group composed of University Professors and U. S Diplomats to examine the situation in Kashmirand propose solutions. The Islamist Separatists have taken politicians, journalists and diplomats from various countries to visit Kashmirvalley for propaganda purposes to show-case human rights abuses by Indian security forces. The cadres of Jamat-i-Islami along with Dukhtaran-i- Millat are used to spin horror stories with usual drama. Whenever there is a demonstration in the valley KAC, WKM get into action and activate their friends and sympathizers worldwide to write petitions and letters to the United Nations as well as various Government Agencies. Recent case of a petition to U.N by Dr. Angana Chaterjee againstJammu agitation in support of Amarnath Yatra is a good example.

 

CONCLUSION

 

Reacting to the demonstrations inSrinagar, a well known liberal   Indian Columnists Swaminathan A. Aiyar in Times of India dated 8/17/08 wrote: “We promised Kashmiris a plebiscite six decades ago. Let us hold one now and give them three choices: independence, union withPakistanand union withIndia. Almost certainly the Valley will opt for independence.Jammuwill opt to stay withIndiaand probably Laddhakh too. Let Kashmiris decide the outcome not the politicians and armies ofIndiaandPakistan.”

 

On 8/19/08 Arundhati Roy commented to Times of India “Indianeeds Azadi from Kashmir as much as Kashmir needs Azadi fromIndia”

 

It is surprising that these Indian columnists who claim to be liberal, secularist have no problem to propose the dismemberment of Indiato appease and satisfy Islamist demands. It seems after sixty years of partition we Indians have learned nothing from Muslim mechanization of deceit through Taki’ya to createPakistan which resulted in the ethnic cleansing of Hindus from West Punjab, Sindh andEast Bengal. If we do not wake up it is only a matter of time that India will be partitioned into hundreds of small Muslim enclaves governed by Qura’nic Sharia laws, virtually no-go zones for Hindus and Indian security forces from where Indian Mujahdeen will be free to engage in murder and arson to terrorize Indians and demand freedom from the “Oppressive Hindus”.  Recently Gen. (rtd.) S. K. Sinha, former Governor J&K gave an interview with Kallol Bhattacharjee, The Week 31/08/2008, which sums the challenge we face in Indian media. He said:

 

 “There is an environment of religious intolerance inKashmir. There was ethnic cleansing of Kashmiri Pandits (Hindus) from the state but no one talks about them.Kashmirhas been Talibanized by the Separatists. The Secular lobby never condemns the communal politics of Syed Ali Shah Geelani”.

 

 

 This article has been written by Mr. Hira Fotedar

Hira Fotedar is Co-Founder and past President of IAKF (Indo-American Kashmir Forum). This paper was presented at the Sixth Annual Human Empowerment Conference in Chicago in October 2008 as a Case Study in manipulation of Indian media.

 

 

Osama, Geelanis and Kashmiri Pandits….

Around thirteen years back, My friend who was my classmate met me after a gap of year or so in Bangalore, a  self confessed moderate Muslim from Kashmir Valley . He was feeling ebullient because he could feel the absence of Fear and uncertainty which has become synonym with Kashmir since last 21 years. There was a visible change in his physical appearance and he was looking weak , his face had lost that healthy pinkish tinge which was found ubiquitously  on the face of Kashmiris-whether Hindus or Muslims. I  asked him the reason for his cadaverous looks and he said,” I was picked by the Police in Kashmir for being  hand in glove with the terrorists and I was beaten mercilessly and  even some of my bones were cracked”, I asked sympathetically ,” Is that True?” He said,” No, I was framed by a former terrorist who has now become an informer”.

We had a good time together until the word “TALIBAN” popped up in the discussion. Taliban was new at that time and I had no interest in another Extremist Muslim Group operating in Afghanistan. But my friend bubbled with joy at the name of Taliban and said,” Taliban is doing good work in Afghanistan, they are adhering to the tenets of Islam and I pray to Allah that their ideology spread to every part especially Kashmir.” I thought he calls himself moderate,yet he is visibly exited about “Talibanis” and got lost for a while thinking of those who  don’t call themselves moderates!!!

Yesterday Prime Minister of Pakistan Yusuf Raza Geelani came out with clarification for the first time after the death of Osama Bin Laden who was hunted down by the American navy seals in the Backyard of Military establishment of Abbotabad in Pakistan . Pakistan just got “exposed” and It was sheer shame and a slap on the face of Pakistan, Many wrote that Pakistan’s golden Goose is Dead. No longer can they extract  Billions of Dollars from U.S.A ,the way they used to, on the name of Osama Bin Laden.

Prime Minister Geelani flayed Al-Qiada with some strong words but Tactically omitted out the other Devil namely the Taliban. It is widely believed that Taliban is the creation of Pakistan’s  I.S.I  and whole world knows the relation of Al-Qiada with Taliban.The terminologies or names such as Jamat-ul-dawa, Hizb-ul-Mujahideen or Taliban may sound different but they are just the different facets of the same epidemic which has killed tens of thousands of innocent people and ISI has been supporting these groups for a long time now. The whole episode of “Laden” made it evident the role of I.S.I in giving shelter and other strategic tools to Osama Bin laden and thereby Al-Qiada.The other Islamic extremist groups are safe in Pakistan as long as they don’t challenge directly U.S.A the way Al-Qiada did.The role of Pakistan as the center of Islamic terrorism as well as outsourcing of terrorism on the name of Islam has become crystal clear…

Meanwhile Another Talib of Kashmir, Syed Ali Shah Geelani  lead the funeral prayers for the most wanted Terrorist of World and declared him a “Martyr” an Hero of Islamic world and said at the same time,” Kashmir is not a battle of religions”. If it is not the battle of religions then why on Earth did he led the funeral procession of a man from Middle east!! …By the way he has scored a point by restricting the duration of Amarnath  Yatra to 15 days which was previously extended to one month.

Ethnic cleansing of Minorities is widely prevalent in every Country where Islam is A Major religion. Taslima Nasreen’s Book  “Lajja” which was written in the Backdrop of Babri Masjid demolition has captured the mind and Mood of Islamic zealots Photographically. I had read that Book long time back and I still remember the names of the protagonists family  like suranjan, Sudhamoy, Kironmoyee and Maya, while Maya does,nt come back to his family and It is presumed that she has changed her faith to Islam in order to live, the other three at the end flee to India in order to survive. Isn’t it the same thing which happened to Kashmiri Pandits, we left our homes and properties too in order to live. We left our everything in order to escape  the Bloody ideology of Islamic fundamentalists, which had long time back left us with two choices-convert and embrace Islam  or Die. At the time of our exodus there was nothing like Babri Demolition, or any other Hindu-Muslim riot in India but still,  Kashmiri Pandits were ousted because they happened  to follow a different faith.

Kashmiri Pandits-the victims of Jihad ,know very well the devious designs of fundamentalists and separatists. The Crocodile tears of Former terrorists and separatists has little effect on us. They may act to be friendly  and laugh with KP’s but their laughter is like the laughter of Hyennas-Deceptive ,cunning and dangerous for the lives of K.p’s.

Is their a civil society of Kashmiri Muslims who have ever raised their voices in support of K.p’s? the answer is “NO”. There are some moderates, but what is the use of those moderates who like the three monkeys of Gandiji-see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil whenever it is a question of Kashmiri Pandits. But when it comes to the Human right issues of Kashmiri Muslims, suddenly from             Gandhiji’s Monkeys they transform into torn out loudspeakers and cry and scream for the violations.

The mainstream political parties are to some extent better than the separatists but till now there has been no sincerity, synergy and cohesiveness in their words and actions. Their lip service underline their unctuousness and their political interests  and more so over they have to water the garden of their vote bank .

Since last 21 years time has stood still from the KP perspective, Kashmir –The land of our ancestors  is still far, our deserted homes tell the story of our forced exodus, our depilated temples tell the story of the battle of our faith, The lakes and mountains of Kashmir silently recognize us as their own but cannot utter a word and those who have the power of speech have never spoken for us. we may go to visit Kashmir as many of us do But none, not even those who are working there under PM employment package can call it “SWEET HOME”…..not under the present circumstances……..

Kanea Jung(stone pelting)-The emerging sport of Kashmir…(Humour-readers take it easy!!!)

Somebody said to me that Geelani had told his followers, ”Khoon ka badla june mein lenge” which means the revenge of the blood will be taken in June. The hibernation period starts from November and lasts till the announcement of Amarnath Yatra , usually June, by then many of the front line players of the most emerging game namely “Kanea Jung” A.K.A “Stone pelting” come out from a vegetating state and play an active role in the new pastime of some youths.
Emergence and Rules
There was a long religious discussion, among the religious scholars of Islam in whole of India particularly Kashmir, about “Kanea Jung”, whether it is “Halal” (religiously legal) or “Haram” ( religiously illegal), with most of the scholars terming it as “Haram”, but that did not deter Geelani and company (sponsored by Govt. of Pakistan) and they termed it as “Halal” and thus gave a green signal to the sport of “Kanea Jung”.
“Kanea jung” for me has emerged as a new age sport of Kashmir valley,considering the involvement of a large segment of masses which includes all sects of people irrespective of their professions and educational qualifications.Stone pelting, and stone pelters had/have Conspicuously grabbed much of the attention of the Indian as well as International media, with the youths armed up to the teeth, and stones weighing from some grams to even a kilogram, ready to aim at policemen, and cry foul when retaliated back by the police personal, who attacks back in order to save their lives.
Unlike other sports where there is a binding for dress protocol, “kanea jung” has no such bindings as one can dress as per one’s will, but those dresses will be given preference which has lot of pockets and which is not very tight to the skin such as Cargos( loose with multiple pockets).sports shoes is given preference by more professional and serious players of this game, head and face cover, such as scarf, is almost a must as it helps the player to conceal one’s identity and attack ferociously on the opponents which in case of Kashmir happens to be JK Police.
This is a game which demands that the player should have strength as well as stamina, strength to throw the stones , which sometimes can weigh half to one kilogram, without missing the aim(policeman’s body particularly head ) Stamina, to run short as well as long distances (because policemen will be chasing).The positive point about this game is that there is no age limit and even female members are also welcome provided they are above 50 years of age.
This is a game of high endurance, considering the length of time which can stretch up to 10 hours a day, and a player may have to travel fairly long distances. The selection of stones is of utmost importance, and different stones are used for different purposes, small stones are used when the target is far, may be 100 meters away, medium sized stones are used when the target is at moderate distance and very large stones (as big as a boulder) are used , when a group of players of this game happen to catch a single policeman, and unanimously decide to club and bludgeon the man in khaki uniform and later on crush the bones with the boulder.
As in all the games, there are two parties to contest, so is the case with this game. A stone pelter is the protagonist of this game and the policeman is the antagonist. As far as this game is considered ,the antagonist plays rather a submissive or defensive role, with most of the time spent in saving himself from the hailstorm of stones. Occasionally ,the police team fires tear gas at stone pelters, which disperses only that team which is rather new and which probably have jumped into the fray for the very first time. The more seasoned players of this game, when confronted with the same situation ,rather very swiftly pick up the tear gas shell and throw back at their enemies, and leave them with flood of tears. However the antagonist sometimes resort to firing also, when things go more violent and that is why this sport is not meant for feeble hearted sportsmen.On the other hand, the protagonists firing disguised as antagonist at its own team is also a fact.
The rule of the game is simple, protagonists have to hit antagonists and vice-versa with stones, but to a large extent, it is the protagonist, who is attacking on most of the occasions. One more noticeable difference between the two teams in the arena is that the antagonists are equipped with shields and helmets to protect themselves from the raining stones, while the protagonist have no such armory but they make up with the numbers , as at any place of action between the two parties the ratio of protagonist to antagonist is 50:1.
Pros
1.This is a game which promotes both strength and Stamina.
2.It keeps general masses away from the real problems.
3.It promotes team spirit among the teams of both protagonists as well as antagonists.
4.It has been noted that active participants of this game have better cholesterol levels ,lower blood pressures and high bone density.
5.The high adreline rush associated with this game keeps the participants physically as well as emotionally charged, beneficial most for those who are in depression.
6.for some, It gives a purpose of life.
7.It is a good therapy to vent out oppressed emotions.
Cons
1.The cons of this game is that it is a game of labyrinth, with some of the team players of both the sides camouflaging and deceiving its own men and thus risking and playing with their future.
2.This is still an unorganized game and only few protagonists get their salaries while others shed their blood for free.
3.only few protagonist make a breakthrough and get promoted to the political arena of Kashmir.
4.the common man of Kashmir is left jobless as it is almost mandatory that such games are played with unofficial announcement of hartal/strikes, which affects most the simple man of Kashmir.
5.this game in its present form promotes unemployment and kills the working ability of the general masses.
6. The captain of the protagonist does not participate directly in this game.
7.there are no big time sponsors of this game.
8.there is a very high risk of physical disability/dismemberment or even death associated with this sport.
Role of other political parties in this sport
Other mainstream political parties, who are not in power, particularly the main opposition party,are alleged by their opponents that for their short term benefits, they are surreptitiously helping the stone pelters by giving them financial aid to keep the action alive for the whole world to watch and later attack the ruling political party for inaction and inaptness of administration. These political parties sending their stooges in the garb of protagonists cannot be ruled out.
IPL and sepratists
IPL is due next month, and like most, I too will be glued to TV for the thriller matches, after all IPL will be spending tens of millions of dollars for the event, Players like Gautum Gambhir and Yusuf Pathan got exorbitant sums like 11 crores and 10 crores respectively. Lucky guys, On the contrary this season’s “kanea jung” will be almost a repeat of last season.For the information, last years’s man of the tournament for “Kanea Jung” was “Masrat Alam” who was later found to have received large sums from across the border in order to add fuel to the fire which claimed 117 lives last year and left thousands injured.Fortunately/unfortunately he is cooling his heels in a jail and won’t be available for this season, But I am sure the captain of protagonists , Mr. Syed Ali Shah Geelani ,must have had a discussion with the selectors who happen to sit across the border, and have/has a Substitute who may be as good as Masrat Alam and who can lead his team in this seasons “Kanea Jung”.
I am not sure about the antagonist’s strategy of this season, but it can be be assumed that even they will be better prepared unlike last season, when they were suddenly awaken from the deep slumber by the thunderous noise and showers of stones.
P.S-For stone throwers
I have a businessman friend in Jammu who owns a stone crusher, he can deliver good quality stones of all shapes and sizes at your door step in the valley, Free boulder with a truckload of stones..Hurry rush your orders..limited stock.
Yours aficionado
————————

Contrition of a separatist leader….

21 years may not be a long time in History but for a mortal like man it is a hell lot of time. One entire generation is born and raised in 20+ years. Time provides a tough challenge and makes or breaks sprit in men. For some It gives them courage to speak truth which though looks very easy, but in reality ,is one of the most difficult virtues to stand for. Not everyone can be like Mahatma Gandhi who makes Truth look so easy and who practices non-violence in form of thought, word and deed. But at least one can always try to stand for Truth. Recently Separatist leader Prof. Abdul Ghani Bhat also showed some courage as he spilled the beans,and spoke that truth, which for long ,pro-pakistani separatists were hiding in their hearts.
His stark revelation was long known to Indian administration, but in this phase of unrest ,nobody would have believed them. It may come as a shock for some to know that their beloved religious leader Moulvi Faroq and Separatist leader Abdul Ghani lone were cold bloodily murdered by their own men!!! Prof. Bhat revealed, that even his brother, Mohammed Sultan Bhat, was also killed by those who were espousing the separatists cause.

From his speech, I have extracted some of his statements..
““We have to first accept and speak the truth about ourselves. We can’t build a movement on lies,”
““This movement started with the assassinations of thinkers and the people who held an opinion,”
“If you want to rid people of Kashmir of sentimentalism bordering on insanity, you have to speak the truth.”
“India didn’t kill him either.”

Prof. Bhat also flayed the idiosyncratic dictum of chronological hartals, forced by “G” faction of Hurriyat, which affect common man the most and termed it as a result of “no thinking” and “no strategy” on the part of Hurriyat Hawk syed ali shah Geelani. Geelani was also imputed for the death of 114 innocent lives as his faction was spearheading the 6 month long agitation.

Some blame, definitely lies with Indian administration also because ,they are also responsible for the imbroglio in Kashmir. If Kashmiri Muslims feel alienated, from rest of Country, It is the responsibility of Indian administration which includes both governments at state and centre to dispel their fears of alienation.
Sometimes,I wonder if the problem of Kashmir has been created by India? Is article 370 mainly responsible for the sense of alienation as far as Kashmiri Muslims are concerned! Because that article somehow, somewhere has created a division of inequality in the minds of Kashmiri Muslims. Mainstream Political parties speak of “Self Rule”And “Greater Autonomy” which further strengths the idea in Kashmiri Muslims that they are unequal to rest of the Indians. I would definitely like to ask the mainstream political parties of Kashmir about the concept of “self rule” or “Greater Autonomy” and how it can dilute the fears of alienation faced by Kashmiri Muslims!
At the time of India-Pakistan Partition, we all know that J&K was under the monarchial rule of Maharaja Hari Singh who acceded to India by his own will. Since Pakistan was not even born before 1947, there was not any uprising based purely on religion, as is in the case of today’s Kashmir. It was not any “epiphany” for common masses , as was stated by noted Novelist Arundati roy, But a heavy dose of lies and conspiracy coated with religion, which has made the” Kashmir”, of today.
Coming back to Prof. Bhat’s catharsis and contrition of heart, His revelations have uncovered the ugly facet of so called Kashmir Freedom struggle , which was draped otherwise in a thick layer of lies. This whole episode also implies the struggles and war of pride, prejudice, envy and personal aspirations of those who claim to be at the helm of the struggle. Another thing which became clear from this episode is that, there is lot of rivalry between different separatists, for supremacy, of becoming “the Alpha” among leaders of Kashmir.

Ms. Roy and Her love For Kashmiri Pandits

I am not a expert in International affairs nor am I a member of some esoteric groups of intelligentsia. I am not even affiliated to any political or religious groups who can talk for hours on Kashmir based on their vicarious knowledge, But as a Kashmiri I supersede the above mentioned groups as the existing problem is directly centered around me and my place of birth…..Kashmir.
The last six months have brought Kashmir back on the center stage and I am sure the policy makers of India and Pakistan must be burning many mid night lamps in order to device new tactics and strategies to settle this issue and thus score a point over each other.
Indian democracy is the largest democracy in the world and thus there is a lot of freedom for raising different voices irrespective of their nationalist views or anti-national diatribes. The role of Chinese and ISI cannot be ruled out in funding those groups whose only aim is to Balkanize India. We all know 7 lakh Kashmiri Hindus were forced to leave their hearth and homes in wake of the terrorist activities by a section of Kashmiri Muslims who killed tens of hundreds of Kashmiri Hindus. We are also aware of carnages carried out by Naxalites and Maoists who killed with impunity and without compunction. section of Bodos,Nagas,Tamils and some Khalistanis have also beeen known to use more voilent ways  in order to prove their point.
But things are changing. With majority of people disapproving the violent ways , a new breed of Terrorists have mushroomed, who advocate openly to Balkanization of India. Recently I also attended one such function in new Delhi. The name of the function was” Azaadi-the only way”. It was organized by anti-Indians and this was my first experience of modern terrorists. It consisted of Ex-Khalistanis,Kashmir’s Hurriyat,A splinter group of Tamils, Maoists, Naxalites, Nagas and more..It was intellectual terrorism at its best. The high point of the whole function was when someone from the crowd flew his slippers towards syed Ali Shah Geelani. Those slippers became a huge “hit” with the Media and everything else got shadowed by those slippers.
Noted writer Ms. Arurdathi roy had also come though she came 2 hours late. She has won a “Booker prize” for her book ”the god of small things” in 1997.However it is noteworthy that she could not make any ripples in the literary world or media again after this book, which makes it look highly suspicious that even the above mentioned book may be a classical act of plagiarism. Only, God of small things know…..Meanwhile, She also spew hatred against India.
All this happened in the capital of India in the police protection provided by Government of India. Those who opposed their devious act were swiftly rounded by the Police and packed to Jail at Parliament street, New Delhi. This convocation raised many eyebrows, and a justification was sought from the government. As usual, nothing happened…
Though Ms. Roy gave her justification from Kashmir some days later wherein she reiterated her support to Geelani’s Hurriyat who want to merge Kashmir with Pakistan.

What surprised many was her remark on Kashmiri Pandits as she said,” for Kashmiri Pandits who live out the tragedy of having been driven out of their homeland”

 

It hit me like a Boxer’s Punch .It is well known that she has no affinity for Kashmiri Pandits because we are contrary to what she supports in Kashmir..”Azaadi”.She should understand that under UN Resolution Kashmir has only two choices, to be with India or to be with Pakistan. there is no provision for Azaadi and Syed Ali Shah Geelani knows it very well. She advocated Geelani’s plebiscite, which is not possible in present times as Pakistan has changed the entire population ratio in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, just like China did in Tibet. The indigenous population of POK has been marginalized. The other communities in J&K do not want to be Pakistan. She must understand that Dogras, Gujjars, dards, Shias,Sikhs and Ladhakis are more than happy with India. She should also understand that Kashmir valley constitutes only 8-10% of the total area of Jammu and Kashmir.
The remark was also a crass because she shares the common dais with those who are prime responsible for the genocide and exodus of Kashmiri Hindus. Her remark was lacking genuine sincerity and were just words, a mere lip service for beleaguered community who are living like refugees in their own country…..
If her heart feels the pain of Kashmiri Hindus, she should raise her voice for our cause also. Let me remind her that we want “Panun Kashmir”.. our Homeland. Panun Kashmir is a cherished dream of 7 lakh Kashmiri Hindus who want homeland within Kashmir, with a union territory status, no article 370 and full flow of Indian constitution. The homeland is also a necessity because we have seen 7 exoduses during last 5-6 hundred years due to stringent Islamic sharia…Till then, Ms. Roy, Kindly spare us, because we are not “Bookhe” or “Nangey”(Hungry and stark, without clothes), we are not even Maoists or Naxalites,or ex-Khalistanis or Nagas and above everything else “our hearts still beat for India”…..

An Open Letter to Syed Ali Shah Geelani

Website Link is below:

http://www.kashmirherald.com/featuredarticle/openlettertojeelani.html

Mr. Syed Ali Shah Geelani,

Now that Yasin Mallik has openly accused you of exploiting Islam, I feel vindicated. I along with lakhs of my fellow Kashmiri Pandits have always held that view. All the displaced Kashmiri Pandits hold the exploiters of Islam responsible for the loss of their moorings. I believe no religion including Islam will permit the barbaric persecution of a minority. I also believe in the inherent philosophy of love and brotherhood that was propagated by all messengers of God, whom Hindus call Avtars and Muslims call Prophet. I am not a great student of religion and, therefore, I cannot have an in-depth knowledge of the philosophies behind the great faiths, but I am sure no religion teaches hatred for fellow human beings. It is the hypocrites like you who have not only brought misery to their fellow beings but have also tarnished the name of their religion.

I don’t know you personally and except on one occasion, we have never crossed paths with each other. Whatever impression I have about you has been gathered through your writings, speeches and media interviews. And, of course, my very brief silent confrontation with you nearly a quarter century back has been responsible for my firming an opinion and image about you being a fundamentalist involved in exploiting the delicate religious feelings of the people for the furtherance of your political ideology. Though, you will not be able to recall that incident but I still nurture the vivid memories of that afternoon as it gave me the first hand impressions of dichotomy between your preaching and practice. One day, it would have been either 1980 or 1981, when as a fresh man out of the college and on the threshold of starting my career as a Medical Representative, I found myself stranded in the village of Doabgah on the Baramulla- Sopore road. My companion, that day, was another young man from Sopore who was also in the process of establishing his pharmaceutical business. While in the village, we found you addressing a small congregation in a nearby open space. It was a fiery speech full of political rhetoric and religious fire. As a young Pandit boy, I found your speech mortally scaring and intimidating. I desperately wanted to leave the village, though my companion, a great fan of yours, kept constantly reassuring me about your virtues of not differentiating between the people of different faiths. Nevertheless, a lone non-muslim amongst the sentimentally charged populace was proving to be beyond my comfort levels. Unfortunately, due to some blockade enroute, no buses were coming from the Baramulla side, which could have taken me away to Sopore on way to the security of my home in Srinagar. Meanwhile, we kept waiting for the busses that never came. Some time latter you finished your address and we were given to understand that you would be going back to Sopore in your vehicle. My friend, out of concern for my eagerness to reach home, volunteered to request you for giving me a lift up to Sopore. I was hesitant but on his assurance I allowed him to approach you with the request. Soon I saw him returning with his head down, cheeks red and the expression that told the whole story. As usual, the Almighty was both merciful as well as beneficent that day. Some time later a taxi screeched to stop besides me. It was my neighbour driving home after dropping somebody in another village. Many years latter I learnt at the very beginning of the Holy Quran, the first invocation reads, “In the name of GOD, the most Merciful and Beneficent.” And throughout the holy Quran, GOD’s name is thus invoked no less than 113 times. I also believe the Prophet is quoted as saying “O Ali, the best of qualities in this life and there after are the words of courtesy, generosity, and to forgive those who inflict injustice on you.” I know for sure, that taxi driver is an illiterate person and would not able to interpret the subtle niceties of religious scriptures, but that day he proved to be a true follower and practitioner of his faith. I wish I could speak the same about you the one who claims to lead his life according to divine commands and prophetic sayings.

At times, I also feel you are a confused person who isn’t clear about his objectives. On one hand you claim Iqaamat-e-Deen as your objective as Maulvi Abbas Ansari and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, according to you, are now drawing inspiration from “un-islamic ideologies like secularism, socialism, nationalism and even communism.” Yet, on the other hand you want Kashmir to become a part of Pakistan even though you also believe Pakistan rulers have not been able to live up to the moral standards which Islam demands.

You have been highly critical of some leaders whom you believe have not been acting in the true spirit of Islam and claim you invite people towards Islam and present its philosophy as a complete way of life. I have no objections towards any body living by the tenants of his faith. But, one can’t only practice what is politically convenient for him. How can you explain the exodus of an entire populace of Kashmiri Pandits from Kashmir? You are against secularism and pluralism, which in itself points towards your practice of exploiting the religion to suit your own agenda. I gather, when Prophet Mohammad took over the administration of Yathrib (Madina), its population consisted mostly of two large Arab (Aws) and three Jewish ( Khazraj) tribes. The Madinan Arabs wanted the Prophet to administer the strife torn city as an outsider with no vested interests in the local disputes. They also wanted this potential messiah to be part of their group and not the rival Jewish tribe. Upon arrival in Madina, the Prophet set about getting all parties together to sign a covenant, which would set standards for pluralism, tolerance and cooperation between various religious and ethnic communities. The covenant gave equality to all its citizens and accepted the coexistence of different religions in the community. The messiah’s inspiration was the Holy Quran, which makes it incumbent upon Muslims to accept and respect all the previous messengers without distinction.

“The Apostle believeth in what had been revealed to him from his Lord, as do men of faith. Each one of them believeth in God. His angels, His books and his Apostles. We make no distinction between any of his Apostles.” (Quran 2:285)

The Holy Quran states on more than one occasion that if people, Jews, Christians and Sabeans lived by their tenets they would have their just reward. ” Verily they who believe and they whom are Jews, Christains, Sabeans whoever believes in God and the Last Day, and does that which is right shall have their reward with their Lord. Fear shall not come upon then neither shall they grieve.” (Quran 2: 62)

Your assertion of only Nizam-e-Mustafa being the ultimate goal for your Tehreek-e- Hurriyat goes against not only the traditions laid down by Bul Bul Shah, Shahmir, Badshah, Nund Reshi etc, whom your co-religionists in Kashmir hold in very high esteem, but it is also against the teachings of the Quran. Nizam-e-Mustafa in a hundred percent Muslim society is understandable but in a society as diverse as Kashmir, it would amount to coercion. My small study has been able to find at least three references in the Holy Quran, which say, ” There is no compulsion in matters of faith.” (Quran 2.256, 10.99 and 18.99)

Many Muslim scholars and writers have described the propagation of Nizam-e- Mustafa as an exploitative tool employed by certain people to serve their purpose. These writers even claim, slogans like Nizam-e-Mustafa have been deliberately kept vague by its propagators to create confusion among the masses. These writers further claim since the concepts of “Aqamat-e-Deen”, (Establishment of Deen), “Hakoomat-e-Illahia”,(Government of Allah) or “Islamic Nizam” failed to cut much ice with the society earlier, a new term “Nizam-e-Mustafa” was invented. Further, concept attached to it varies form sect to sect. Different Islamic sects have even disagreement on the personality of Mustafa, let alone “Nizam-e- Mustafa”. It is pertinent to point out here that in 1951 twenty one Muslim religious scholars from different sects passed a unanimous resolution demanding all Government Laws in Pakistan be based on “The Book(Holy Quran) and Sunna”. Twenty years later, Maulana Madoodi, one of the main supporters of the resolution had to declare, ” It is impossible to make a set of public laws as per The Book and the Sunna which all Muslim sects will unanimously accept as Islamic”. In an article published by Idara Tolu-e-Islam, Lahore in 1977, the writer has made a significant observation, which says, ” The flag bearers of Nizam-e-Mustafa belonging to various Islamic sects have their own Fiqah (Jurisprudence). It is evident as all these sects considere their own Fiqah as unchallengeable Islamic law, no set of laws could be made which will be acceptable to all, their differences are so deep that each one of them have declared the other as Kafir , at one time or other.

You have also strange logic for justifying the militant activities of fidayeen by terms their violence as sacrifice. Nothing can amount to more blatant exploitation of religion then that. “….. and GOD calls to the home of peace.” (10:25). Kashmir press is now openly accusing you of playing your politics as a Pakistani stooge and interpreting the religion to suit your convenience.

You may have your reasons for playing the politics the way you do. The justification of that politics is a subject matter of a different debate, however, one needs to understand enough blood has been spilled over the beautiful vale of Kashmir. The madness needs to stop now. Otherwise, the history will not pardon the people who have prostituted Kashmir according to their own peculiar religious and political beliefs.

The author has drawn heavily from the following sources for writing this piece:

Teachings of Islam- Imam Shirazi.
On Islam and Jihad- Dr. Farida Khanum
Questions about Islam, Answers that every muslim should know- Dr. Jamal Badawi.
Islam and Pluralism- Javed Akhtar.
“Sirf Eik Sawal”- English translation by Ubedur Rahman Arain.

The Author of this article is Mr. Kamal Hak

the changing political situation of then and now…

It is needless to say that Kashmir is witnessing phases of killing and violence during last 21 years. “Killings “ has become such a common word whenever anyone refers Kashmir .All the communities in Kashmir viz Muslims, Pandits and Sikhs have lost their brethren to sanguinary violence. Probably all the communities of Kashmir are looking for those who can empathize and sympathize with their pain, no doubt the heart of a common Kashmiri is bruised and wounded and has inured to pain, sufferings and Humiliation. The holy land of Rishis and Sufis has become the land of Human sufferings and Humanity is lost somewhere in this chaos.

Being a K.P, I too have witnessed death due to violent activities by terrorists who flaunted their A.K 47’s and killed scores of my Brethren in early 1990.They took Guns and killed many innocents with this belief that they are the soldiers of Holy war. Not once, the thought and act of killing unarmed KP , sounded absurd, unholy and irreligious to them. the crowds cheered them for their acts of crime…That was the beginning of downfall of Humanity in Kashmir. But amidst this madness there were many Kashmiri Muslims who cried on the death of their KP’s Brothers.

The viscous cycle of violence continued unabated, except some intermittent and brief periods of peace. The armed forces of India and terrorists backed by Pakistan played the cat and mouse game of killings with each other and many innocent kashmiris lost their lives in this deadly game. The strategies of warfare between Pakistan and India is constantly changing, but a war is a war whether hot or cold, and wars have killed people everywhere. Kashmiri Pandits, Kashmiri Muslims and Kashmiri Sikhs too are the victims of politics and war. KP’s became targets of those who advocated the concept of Islamic state. K.M’s became targets of those who didn’t wanted Islamic state and Sikhs became the targets of both the parties.

The separatist political parties of Kashmir are obviously paid handsomely by the Pakistani agencies to keep the pot of hatred against India boiling. This is the main reason that they are not interested in talks with the Indian central government. So what do the separatists do to ensure that peace never returns to the strife stricken valley? The answer is that they are using the religion to incite the hatred for India without considering the implications of their devious act. But this effort is akin to striking the head against a Mountain and the result will be injuries and precisely that is what is happening in Kashmir. There has been unprecedented increase in the injuries of common Kashmir whether police or civilian. Geelani’s Hurriyat have become the whole sole distributors of Pakistan sponsored concept selling of Islamic Jihad.

Somebody has to remind them that India is one of the most populous Muslim countries of World. This concept selling by the the geelani faction is believed to have made S.A.S.Geelani richer by some 20 million U.S $ in last 5-6 years alone. His prime responsibility of showing rosy pictures to gullible public has yielded results for his masters sitting across the Line of control. The world of dreams created by Geelani in the grab of religion has already killed thousands of kashmiris in the last two decades.

During my last visit to jantar Mantar on 8th Aug 2010, I was a witness to the propaganda by the young Muslims from Kashmir. A gentleman reiterated that both Kasmiri Muslims and Kashmiri Pandits are victims of terror and in the same breath declared that 207 pandits and one lakh muslims have been killed in the 2 decade insurgency. It was such a Hypocritical statement because the figure of 207 has been provided by the state government agency and the same government agency has put the tally of overall deaths at 37,000. Out of 37,000, the number of civilians killed by terrorists and para military forces are 11,135,security forces number at 5223 and terrorists backed by Pakistan killed are 19,273.Of course the statistics provided by government are not right. But 1lakh is an exaggeration by several degrees of magnitude; It means 14 death per day, every day for twenty years.

Now imagine 65 people have died in Kashmir by the direct or indirect involvement of Police and Pakistan backed terrorists during last 3 months. The after effects of these causalities are well known to all of us .Stone pelting, strikes and virtual shut down are the reactions of these deaths. Now imagine if 1288 would have been killed, what would have been the magnitude of reactions. These canards though baseless are being invented, marketed and subsequently spearheaded by Geelani faction.

Kashmir has in the past also witnessed several protests. I am witness to the death procession of late Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah a.k.a Sher-i-Kashmir(lion of Kashmir).As a young boy, I was taken by my Grandfather to some place near Chatti Padshah gurudwara, Rainawari to witness that procession. At the point where I was sitting and witnessing the procession, It took almost three hours for that procession to pass. Many people were crying and many were beating their chests in grief and many more fainted. It was as if someone from their own family had expired. That was also a time, and today It is the geelani who is controlling the political sentiments of Kashmiri Muslims. The phase of Late sher-i-Kashmir was temporary and the phase of Geelani is also not permanent. At that time The late Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah was termed as “Lion” and the Present Hurriyat leaders as “Lamb”. The deadly mixture of religion and politics has metamorphosised the lamb into the Lion. Only time will tell who will be remembered in the History of Kashmir and who will emerge as the real winner and the real friend of the general masses.

Mr Geelani, were you served biriyani for the day?

Mr Geelani, were you served biriyani for the day?

More than a decade-and-a-half back I was on a photographic assignment to Fatepur Shekhawati, a town in Sikar district of Rajasthan, known for its exquisite havelis and frescos. It was a beautiful, wintry but sunny Friday afternoon at the bus adda in Jaipur. When the bus didn’t leave at its stipulated Rajasthan Roadways timing, I went to the driver to ask why he was delaying the departure. “I am sorry for the delay, bhaisahab,” he said politely and pointing towards a remote corner on the platform, he added, “Some countrymen are offering their Friday namaz.” As I turned around, I found some 8 to 10 Muslims offering namaz in a seamless queue and in perfect synchrony. It was a sight to behold, and to be honest I loved it. For a Muslim in India, and that too in a state like Rajasthan, where Advani et al had left no stone unturned spewing venom against Muslims some years before that on Babri issue, it was azadi at its best.

Since it was only a few years before this incident that I had become a so-called Kashmiri migrant (some Indian dhoti-clad, paan-spitting politicians still call us refugees, not knowing the difference between the two; but that is another story, not debatable here), my instant reaction to this incident was that the bus driver is a Muslim. I could not hold my inquisitiveness and asked him if he was himself a Muslim. Pat came the reply, “I am a Hindu.” Needless to say, I had asked a ridiculous question.

More than a decade-and-a-half later, and some 3 weeks back, as I was taking pictures around old Amirakadal in Srinagar, I found this little boy of around 8-9 years jumping into almost every other frame till he caught me perfectly into one that I intended to have this gloomy-looking but typically-smiling man (a trait wed to Kashmiris – both Pandits and Muslims – despite pain and parch) in thirties selling fresh currency notes in exchange for the old, torn-out currency.

The boy was impressive and innocent, likable to the core, and rather than dissuading him from doing his lovable mischief, I tried to strike a chord with him. Reluctant and shy in the beginning, he walked a step towards me later. “You look pretty smart in the picture,” I complimented. He smiled and came one more step closer, his cheeks growing pink. “Do you want to see how you look?” I asked. “Aa hawkhe haz,” he asked as if doubtful. As I handed over the camera to him for a live view, his doubts shrank and trust grew more. Looking at himself he smiled and tried to frolic away; but before he would, I asked him if he was studying. He gave a vertical nod first and soon effaced it with a horizontal one; seemed to be in no mood to take another question on the topic and freed himself from my grasp and went out of sight.

Long after the incident, the boy was lingering on my mind and I wondered what his hybrid nod meant. Did he mean he was enrolled in a school but because of frequent hartals and official/ unofficial closures he was infrequent to attend; or did he mean school, as it used to be, was nomore a basic right of children in the Valley? I cannot and must not presume answers for this dilemma; because I leave that to Syed Ali Shah Geelani and men and women of his ilk who are so blinded by their personal aspirations and interests that for young boys as these they feel it is wise to let them march from post to pillar instead of encouraging them to go to school. For innocent boys as these – sadly some of whom fell prey to bullets recently – this certainly is not azadi of any sensible kind.

However, for people like Syed Ali Shah Geelani this must be azadi of the very true and ‘kind’ kind. Diagnosed with renal cancer he knows no other country (not to speak of a bankrupt nation as Pakistan) could have been as sumptuous on him as India by providing him free sarkari biriyani and free medical treatment throughout his detentions and doing everything to defy God’s will and keep him up and running against the nation itself. Azadi, for him, is his best weapon to incite vulnerable parents of the Valley to deprive their children of the previous gift of education, exploit youth to pick stones, take out procession and alas, destroy their own futures by what can never be a fulltime, honorable profession; so much so that youth of the Valley have found a good pastime in sanghbazi until CRPF retaliates.

For Syed Ali Shah Geelani azadi, as a Urdu word, would be more sweeter than Kashmiri phirni, since it is this word that helps him blackmail India and extract money from Pakistan to prevent his own fortunes from plummeting. There are reports that Hurriyat chairman has received a whooping 80 crore rupees ever since the “struggle for self-determination” began. Hurriyat is once believed to have remarked that the money was “collected” for “relief and rehabilitation” of “militancy-affected people of the Valley”. Relief and rehabilitation? One may ask where and what did they rehabilitate so far. And can one expect relief and rehabilitation from a party that incites hapless Kashmir’s to come out in to streets, pick stones with an intention to kill or get killed in the process. All this looks preposterous; it may be a human being on one or another side of the fence; at the end of it all, it is someone’s son, someone’s brother, someone’s husband and someone’s loved one that departs.

It has become an irony in Kashmir that when a sanghbaz gets killed, people who initiate him into the most medieval act actually convey his dear ones a message that he was worth just Rs 50 to 150 a day. Well-meaning, thoughtful people of the Valley realize this; some even want to speak out since they believe it is time to be in peace rather than turmoil, but they can’t since either they fear elimination or don’t have a platform to do so. History is also testimony to the fact that evil spreads fast; trampling goodness on its way.

Goodness in the Valley has been strangulated; but fortunately still prevails. People at the grassroots, irrespective of being rich or poor, still beat with a warm heart; they welcome you, they hug you and they respect you as a fellow human being, a fellow Kashmiri from whom they had departed 20 years ago. Matchless hospitality, as against azadi, runs through these people’s veins. Such people – during my personal and innumerable interactions with them – have come as a ray of hope who might keep the impeccable Kashmiriyat alive.

The general perception that I gather is that people of this understanding are well-informed about all aspects of the Valley as it stands ruined post-terrorism now and as it was beautifully flourishing before murderers started getting glorified post-1990s. That must bring Kashmiri awam to Yasin Malik, whom money accumulated from terrorism landed him from a congested Maisuma Bazar house to a plush new bungalow in Maisuma, not to speak of commercial buildings, hotels, and investments in real estate not only in Kashmir but in United Kingdom also. Renunciation of violence, as he has done, after accumulating so much of fortune is a natural and safe recourse from the movement that took lakhs of lives in what he had promised as “separation of Jammu & Kashmir from secular India as an Islamic Nation”. Ironically the guy who can barely speak sense, whenever he opens his mouth, says now he is looking for “peaceful methods to come to a settlement on the Kashmir conflict.” Sadly no one questions his integrity that he had shown earlier, no one dares him ask his accountability for the personal fortunes he has built over the dead. Average, hapless Kashmiri has been and still is at the receiving end; his mind practically a hostage to a misled thought emerging from a perverted mind. The trend is fatal, and if it continues parents would wish in future if only they could have reverse the past for their children’s good.

Bytheway, it is Friday again, and across the length and breadth of the country devout Muslims would be offering juma namaz peacefully (and surely in complete azadi) in thousands of mosques. In the Valley, however, menacing concertina wires have been put up to prevent any human movement. A friend calls me up and says he has run out of milk and vegetables for lunch; and in the same breath (almost as a salute to his Kashmiriyat) he asks me if I needed anything? I tell him I can live on just oxygen-rich air nonstop for at least 76 hours; but am seriously worried about Geelani whether or not he was served in time his regular biriyani for the day ….

source:Dr. Sanjay Parva
the author can be contacted at– drparva@gmail.com