Indian Dogs go back-The story of Hall Transit camp
One can see a Graffiti that writes- Indian Dogs go back-widely in Kashmir.
The recent incidents in Kashmir, put a stamp of approval on this graffiti. The incidents of attacking of KP’s in transit camps at Hall, Kupwara and vessu further strengthen this belief of the Jihadi –separatist nexus and their supporters. And turning a blind eye on these incidents puts a question mark on the intentions of PDP-BJP Govt.
Why am I writing this? Well, Please read:
I was told briefly by some of my Kashmiri Pandit(KP) friends, about the incidents that transpired with them, after the killing of Terrorist Burhan Wani, at Kashmir. These employees are working under Prime minister’s package for kashmiri migrants, at Kashmir. They are protesting at jammu and Delhi from last 27 days under the banner of All migrant employee association.
An acquaintance, who resided in the ‘Hall Transit camp’ , and was present in the camp from 8th july 2016-15th july shared his poignant ordeal with me in detail. He requested to keep his name Anonymous. I will address him as Ajay in this write up.
“So, Ajay, what happened with all of you, during the nights of 8-10th july”, I asked him over Phone. There was a pin drop silence from the other side. “May be, he is trying to recollect”, I thought. “Are you there, Ajayji?”, I enquired once again.
He cleared his throat, and thus began his story.
“ The news of Burhan Wani’s death came to us at around 8-8.30 p.m. on 8th july. We were apprehensive that, we may get attacked once again.”, Before he could complete his sentence, I interrupted him and asked curiously, “ Have you been attacked previously too?”
“O Yes. Officially, we have been attacked 11 times, and unofficially, it is 17 times. We were attacked in the past , when Afzal Guru was hanged. Every year, on Deewali, the miscreants hurl stones on our Houses. We do not burst crackers on Deewali, not that we don’t want to, but we get attacked if we do so. Instead we only light up the Diyas.” He informed.
Please continue, I requested him.
“Because of our apprehensions, and our past experience, we locked the main entry door of our colony/camp. At around 9.00 p.m, the loud speaker of the local Mosque urged the Kashmiri Muslims(KM’s) to gather at the Mosque. Within no time, a crowd of 5000 people gathered outside the Mosque. A stringent voice from the Loud speaker of the Mosque directed the crowd to surround our colony.” Said Ajay and he paused for some time.
“At least 4000 so-called-miscreants encircled us and started raising derogatory slogans against us and against India. But the most used slogan was-Indian dogs go back. We were the dogs, as we were the Indians. ” He explained. “ Then, they resorted to indiscriminate stone-pelting .They hurled at least 40-50000 Stones on our quarters. The shrilled tones of their slogans was frightening. We felt like trapped pigeons. Children in the camp were crying out of fright. Some of the children clung to their mothers for comfort and hid their eyes in the bosom of their mothers out of fear. Many women fainted repeatedly out of fear”. His voice was brittle. I could feel uneasy emotions welling up in me as well.
“A rivulet passes near by our transit camp. The Jihadi-Mob diverted the route, and the direction of the stream to our compound, They wanted to flood our camp, so that we would be forced to come out of our colony. And kill us. But they could not succeed in their devilish plans.” He said emotionally.
“The hostile mob tried to break the main Door. Some goons or so-called-jihadis, tried to scale the main wall of the compound. It was at that time, the Police(4-5 numbers) meant for our protection, came forward to our rescue. They opened fire into air in order to scare away the mob. 65 rounds of bullets were fired to scatter the crowd. And it did helped. But briefly”. His voice modulation was sketching out pictures of the incidents in my mind.
“Did the mob run away after the fire into air incident”? I asked curiously. “No. It was a temporary respite. The Mob, re-gathered and started hurling stones at us again, once they realized that the police was out of ammunition. They also hurled glass bottles at us. It was so scary. We thought, they would kill us and rape the ladies of our camp”. He said in chocked voice. “The hostile crowd damaged 8-10 cars too, that were parked inside the premises of the camp.”He complained. “The respite came at around 12.30 a.m in the form of rains. It rained heavily and the belligerent crowd dispersed. At least, for the time being” .He informed.
“Didn’t you tried to contact the administration over phone”?, I asked him. “We called up everyone in our contact list. We contacted the police as well as the administration. But whole administration had collapsed. Or if any Administration, existed, it did so to aggravate our woes. The administration was playing wait and watch policy and had kept the lives of the Kp’s of our camp as a bait. They were missing, when we needed them the most.” He complained.
“To be honest with you, we thought, we would be dead soon. We were like the frightened pigeons. We were concerned about the welfare of the two and a half year child, who was hit by the stone. We were nervous about the condition of a pregnant lady of our camp. We needed a doctor. We needed protection. We needed administration. But we were wronged by all those, who are in power.” Said he in a distressed tone.
“What happened after that”. I inquired.
“Next day i.e 9th july 2016, some policemen came to our compound for our protection, but they left the camp by evening. We were again left with the usual 4-5 policemen. And now they were unarmed.” He informed.
“The local Mosque at around 3.30 p.m once again urged all the KM’s to throw away all the Indians. It was a direct threat to us. But nobody cared for us. Again the Mob swelled by the late evening and encircled our camp. Again they pelted stones on our houses. Again they raised the belligerent slogans. Again they gagged us to leave the valley.” He was getting angry. And I could feel a sense of helplessness in his voice.
“It was after 48 hrs, on 10th july 2016, The Army came to our rescue. The Mob refrained to some extend, but still some stones were hurled on us. We asked about the security situation outside the camp from some people. It was decided that the employees would leave the camp for Jammu in the night. An arrangement was made to send away some 250 odd KP residents of the camp in the dead of night, during the next few days. By 16th july whole of the camp was deserted and the entrance was locked by us.” He informed. “The other camps too in the valley had to face the wrath of the Jihadi-Mob. The camps were stoned at Kupwara and Vessu too. An attempt was made by the miscreants at Sheikhpura too. And at all these places, The administration was caught napping.” He said. “There are around 2000 KP employees stationed at Kashmir. Out of these, 1665 employees were recruited under the PM Package. All the employees under PM Package are protesting against the injustice meted to them.” Ajay Informed.
“What do you want now from Govt”? I sked him.
“we all should be deployed/re-posted at jammu until all the KP’s are rehabilitated at Kashmir. We risked our lives in 2010, we were assured of security, we were assured that a conducive environment will prevail, But during all these years of service at Kashmir, we have noted that the jihadi-fundamentalists are gaining their ground and all their activities are directed towards us. We are the sitting ducks for them. Enough is Enough. At least, we did never raise our voices for Pakistan. We are proud Indians and we would like to remain as Indians.” He asserted.
“we also request the center to release our salaries unconditionally. Our KM counterparts in Kashmir, have got their dues from the state, in spite of being absent from the duty. We, on the other hand, have been told that we won’t get our salaries as we were absent from our duty. Why double standards for us”?, he lamented.
The communication was snapped because of some network issue. But, I guess, he told me, What I ought to know.
I was forced to think , Does it matter that KP’s are the indigenous race of Kashmir, with a known history of 5000 years! Does it matter to Hindus and India that Kp’s have been ousted from Kashmir purely on the basis of Religion! Does India care for the Hindus of Kashmir?
If yes,
Where is India? Sleeping? Or, has the eyes of justice been blinded by the shenanigans of the politicians and their polity and their version of Truth!
Kashmiri Hindus are proud Indians. And in Kashmir, when a Graffiti is painted that says, “Indian Dogs go back”. The Dogs that are referred to are Kashmiri Hindus as well….
The point is, will the grievances of KP employees of Kashmir redressed. Or will they be forced to go back, where they will again hear or see a graffiti, that says:
Indian dogs go back……
3 reasons for the Radicalization of Kashmir(1947-90)..
3 reasons about the Radicalization of Kashmir(1947-90)..
In 1990,Tej Krishan Razdan, came back from Punjab to his native village in Budgam District, as he had heard in the TV, and read in the Newspapers about the deteriorating situation in the Kashmir valley. The Target-Killing of Kashmiri Pandits had started. He wanted to make sure that his family is safe and was thinking of shifting his family to a safer place. Little did he knew , What was in store for Him.
On 12th Feb. 1990,in Budgam, He was accosted by one of his Muslim friends. He persuaded Tej Krishan, to accompany him to Srinagar and both boarded the Matador from Budgam to Srinagar. When the Matador reached Gaw-Kadal, Suddenly, his Friend, pulled out a Revolver and Shot him several Times in the chest. He was dragged to the Local Masjid and his Dead Body was put on display there. It was only in the evening, with Police intervention, his body could be secured.
He was killed mercilessly. So were hundreds of KP’s. Before Killing a KP , the militant in many cases would subject the Body to dismemberment, and incidents , like gouging out of eyes, Multiple Fractures, Skinning of KP Victims took place. The inhuman way of Killing was a part of their Planned Strategy, That was carried out by the Militants backed by Pakistan. The message was clear to the KP’s that, “Don’t you dare to stay here “.
Apart from the target individual killings of the Pandits; to keep away KP’s from coming back into the valley, the Pakistani Backed Militants also carried out Massacres’ of Kashmiri Pandits from Time to Time. On 21 Mar. 1997, in Sangrampra, 7 KP’s were led away in the dark and shot dead. On 25 jan. 1998, in Wandhama, 23 KP’s were massacred and the local Temple damaged. On 23 March 2003, at Nadimarg, 24 KP’s were massacred.
Not only that, to dissuade the KP’s and instill a fear psychosis, the Militants confronted KP’s in Jammu region too.3 KP’s were Killed in Garhat Gool village, Ramban by the Militants impersonated as Army men. They identified and separated 5 KP’s amongst the passengers that were travelling in the Bus. There were Muslims as well as Hindu Dogras too travelling in the same Bus, but they were not touched by the Militants. The 5 KP-men were ordered to alight from the Bus. Sensing danger, 2 KP’s escaped from the clutches of their captors as one jumped down into the ravine and the other one ran up towards the Hill. The rest of the3 KP’s were Shot Dead. There was a 6th KP in the Bus, who escaped Death , as he did not revealed his real identity. Instead, he had introduced himself as a Muslim and was thus saved.
The message was again Loud and Clear to KP’s-“Don’t you dare to return, back to the valley”.
All these actions were not abrupt. In fact, if we look from 1947 onwards, the complete-Radicalization of the valley took many years and was carried out in at least 3 stages, before its culmination in 1990.
Plebscite Front(1955)
Sheikh Abdullah’s Bonhomie with Jawahar Lal Nehru was well Known. He formed “All Jammu Kashmir Muslim Conference” in Oct.1932.The name itself suggested that the party ,he formed,was Muslim-centric. In 1939, He changed the name of “Muslim conference” to “All Jammu & Kashmir National Conference” and affiliated it to “All India state people’s conference”. At that time Pt.Jawahar Lal Nehru was the president of that conference. It is evident that Sheikh Abdullah was persuaded by Pt Nehru in one way or other to shun the Muslim conference, make a new party that looks secular, and affiliate the party to his conference.
After Maharaja Hari Singh signed the “Treaty of accession” with India, with the support of PT.Nehru, Sheikh was elected as the 2nd Prime Minister of J&K in March 1948. He remained as the Prime Minister of J&K till 1953, when he failed to prove his majority in the House. In fact all his Cabinet pledged their support to Bakshi Ghulam Mohammed-who went on to become the third Prime minister of J&K.PT. Nehru too was instrumental in abdicating the Shiekh. By, this time, the cracks had appeared in the Friendship of Pt.Nehru and Sheikh.
Pt. Nehru was informed by the Indian intelligence agencies about the ploy hatched by the Pakistani Intelligence agencies, CIA and Sheikh Abdullah and their information was substantiated by the Proof and Documents. From the Proof, It became clear that Sheikh was working against the Nation. For this Sedition, He was incarcerated by Bakshi Gh. Mohd.
The Plebiscite front was formed by Mohammed Afzal Beg -a trusted aide of Sheikh Abdllah- on 9th Aug 1955.He became its titular Head and Sheikh Abdullah was made the Patron of the Front. .From 1955 till 1974, The Plebiscite front acted as the main opposition. To Garner support, the members of this group exploited the religious sentiments of the Muslim Majority of the valley. Plebiscite front issued its own version of decree; and urged the people of Kashmir not to vote for the Congress or NC. Pertinently, National Conference was merged into the congress from 1965 till 1975.
At various gatherings, they would invoke the verses from the Holy “Quran” and incite the religious sentiments amongst the people. They intertwined politics and Islam for as long as “Plebiscite front” existed. They sowed the seeds of Hatred between the Hindus and Muslims of Kashmir.
The objective of the Plebiscite front was to carry out a referendum and through the referendum come to the conclusion whether:
1.Kashmir should accede into Pakistan
2.Remain with India
3.Become Independent Nation.
But after the “Indira-Sheikh” accord in 1974, Strangely , or rather comically, the Titular Head of the Front, Mohammed Afzal Beg, proclaimed that the purpose of the Plebiscite front was to cement Kashmir into India forever. Following the agreement with the Union government, Sheikh Abdullah merged the Plebiscite Front into a renewed National Conference in 1975, which won the democratic elections and affirmed Abdullah as the new Chief Minister of J&K.
However, During their existence of almost 20 years, the seeds of communalism had sprouted in the Hearts of the Kashmiri Muslim and remained so even today.
Unsuccesful Operation Gibraltor(1965):
Ever since, J&K acceded into the Dominion of India, Pakistan had tried its best to snatch away Kashmir by any Means. They had kept a close watch on India .When in 1962, the war broke out between India and China; the vulnerability of India got exposed in front of the World. It became evident that the Militarily equipments are Out Dated and their Air-Force is below standard. At least, this is what Pakistan thought. They were confident that the weapons that India possessed at that time are no match to their’s.
The episode of 1963, when the Holy relic of Prophet Mohamed was stolen, had flared up the religious emotions of the Kashmiri Muslims, and the episode had developed an intense feeling of Islam in KM’s. Pakistan was of the view that because of this incident, KM’s will side with them, if they happen to attack India and enter into Kashmir.
In 1965, They got another shot in the arm, when in an armed confrontation with India at Rann of Kutch, they had some gain .All these factors, made them believe that they not only ready to take India Heads on, But defeat India and annex Kashmir. However, they did not wanted to indulge into a full-fledged war with India.
Under the Operation Gibraltar; Pakistan had planned to capture all the high passes of Jammu Kashmir, and send their troops in Disguise into J&K, incite the Public against India and give the whole episode the color of Local uprising against the state. Their initial Plans succeeded to some extent. But their Theory, that the locals with side with them, was far away from the reality.
Pakistan pushed 40,000 Army personal of Azad Kashmir Battalion impersonated as Locals(Pakistan claims less than 1000) into J&K, But they were identified by the locals of Kashmir as intruders and non-locals. It was the Locals-who gave information to the Indian Army about the intrusion-and the Army took the corrective actions immediately. The fiasco of “Operation Gibralter” resulted in the war of 1965 between India and Pakistan.
Operation Topac(1988):
In April 1988, the President of Pakistan Gen. Zia-Ul-Hak, called a meeting in the President’s residential office. The meeting was attended by selected corps commanders, Top ISI Officials, an Afgan Mujahid Leader, and two Kashmir Liberation Front Leaders.The main contents from Presidents address were leaked through a mole from a third world country, and became available to India’s Research and Analysis wing (RAW) agents somewhere in sept-Oct 1988.The contents were as follows:
“Gentlemen, I have spoken on this subject at length before, therefore, I will leave out the details. As you know due to our pre-occupation in Afghanistan, in the service of Islam, I have not been able to put these plans before you earlier. Let there be no mistake, however, that our aim remains quite clear and firm-the liberation of the Kashmir Valley-our Muslim Kashmiri brothers cannot be allowed to stay with India for any length of time, now. In the past we had opted for hamhanded military options and therefore, failed. So, as I have mentioned before, we will now keep our military option for the last moment as a coup de grace, if and when necessary. Our Kashmiri brethren in the valley, though with us in their hearts and minds, are simple-minded folk and do not easily take to the type of warfare to which, say, a Punjabi or an Afghan takes to naturally, against foreign domination. The Kashmiris however have a few qualities which we can exploit. First, his shrewdness and intelligence; second, his power to persevere under pressure; and the third, if I may so say, he is a master of political intrigue. If we provide him means through which he can best utilize these qualities – he will deliver the goods. Sheer brute force is in any case not needed in every type of warfare, especially so in the situation obtaining in the Kashmir Valley, as I have explained earlier.
Here we must adopt those methods of combat which the Kashmiri mind can grasp and cope with-in other words, a coordinated use of moral and physical means, other than military operations, which will destroy the will of the enemy, damage his political capacity and expose him to the world as an oppressor. This aim, Gentlemen, shall be achieved in the initial phases.
In the first phase, which may, if necessary, last a couple of years we will assist our Kashmiri brethren in getting hold of the power apparatus of the State by political subversion and intrigue. I would like to mention here that as no Government can survive in Occupied Kashmir unless it has the tacit approval of Delhi, it would be unrealistic to believe that the MUF or any such organization can seize power through democratic or other means. In view of this,’ power must “apparently” remain with those whom New Delhi favours. We must therefore ensure that certain “favoured politicians” from the ruling elite be selected who would corporate with us in subverting all effective organs of the State. In brief, our plan for Kashmir, which will be codenamed as “Op Topac” will be as follows:
PHASE-1(TOPAC)
A low-level insurgency against the regime, so that it is under siege, but does not collapse as we would not yet want central rule imposed by Delhi.
We plant our chosen men in all the key positions; they will subvert the police forces, financial institutions, the communication network and other important organizations.
We whip up anti-Indian feelings amongst ” the students and peasants, preferably on some religious issues, so that we can enlist their active support for rioting and anti-Government demonstrations.
Organize and train subversive elements’ and armed groups with capabilities, initially, to deal with paramilitary forces located in the valley.
Adopt and develop means to cut off lines of communication between Jammu & Kashmir and within Kashmir and Ladakh by stealth, without recourse to force. The road over Zojila upto Kargil and the road over Khardungla should receive our special attention.
In collaboration with Sikh extremists, create chaos and terror in Jammu to divert attention from the valley at a critical juncture and discredit the regime even in the Hindu mind.
Establish virtual control in those parts of the Kashmir Valley where the Indian Army is not located or deployed. The Southern Kashmir Valley may be one such region.
PHASE-2(TOPAC)
Exert maximum pressure on the Siachen. Kargil and Rajauri-Punch sectors to force the Indian Army to deploy reserve formations outside the main Kashmir Valley.
Attack and destroy base depots and HQ located at Srinagar, Pattan, Kupwara. Baramulla. Bandipur and Chowkiwala by covert action at a given time.
Some Afghan Mujahideen, by then settled in Azad Kashmir, will then infiltrate in selected pockets with a view to extending areas of our influence. This aspect will require detailed and ingenious planning. The fiasco of Op Gibraltar (1965) holds many lessons for us here.
Finally a Special Force under selected retired officers belonging to Azad Kashmir, with the hard core consisting of Afghans, will be ready to attack and destroy airfields, radio stations, block Banihal Tunnel and Kargil-Leh Highway.
At a certain stage of the operations Punjab and adjacent areas of Jammu & Kashmir will be put under maximum pressure internally by our offensive posture.
PHASE-3(TOPAC)
Detailed plans for the liberation of Kashmir Valley and establishment of an independent Islamic State in the third phase will follow.
We do not have much time. Maximum pressure must be exerted before the general elections in India and before Indian Army reserves which are still bogged down in Sri Lanka become available. By the Grace of God, we have managed to accumulate large stocks of modern arms and ammunition from US consignments intended for Afghan Mujahideen. This will help our Kashmiri brethren achieve their goals. Even if we create a kind of “Azad Kashmir” in some remote parts of Occupied Kashmir as a beginning, the next step may not be as difficult as it appears today. On the other hand, it should also be noted that a part of the Indian Army, particularly the Infantry, will be well trained by now for such a situation due to their experience in the North-Eastern Region and more recently in Sri Lanka. But the situation in Kashmir will be somewhat different; more like the “Infetada” of Palestinians in towns, and on the pattern of the Mujahideen in the countryside to attack hard targets. A. period of chaos in the State is essential in the circumstances.
And what of our Chinese friends? They can do no more than ensure that Indian forces deployed against them are not moved. out; but this may be required only at the last or the third stage of our operations. Of course, if we are in serious trouble, the Chinese and our other powerful friends shall come to our rescue one way or the other. They will ensure if we do not
win-at least we don’t lose.
.”Finally, I wish to caution you once more that it will be disastrous to believe that we can take on India in a straight contest. We must, therefore, be careful and maintain a low military profile so that the Indians do not find an excuse to pre-empt us, by attacking at a time and at a point of their own choosing, at least before Phase 1 and 2 of the Operation are over. We must pause and assess the course of operations after each phase, as our strategy and plans may require drastic changes in certain circumstances. I need not emphasize any further that a deliberate and objective assessment of the situation must be ensured at each stage, otherwise a stalemate will follow with no good for Pakistan.
Conclusion
The seeds sown by the “Plebiscite Front”, and watered by its communal politics, and manure by Pakistan with “Operation Topac” gradually began bearing fruits for Pakistan. 1990 Jan is a testimony to the fact, that how the whole administration collapsed , and how the Mobocracy was rampant .The Fiasco of Operation Gibraltar prompted Pakistan to think differently.Rather than attacking India directly, they started a psychological war based on Islam and pushed forward their own version of islamization, that obliterated the Rishi-Sufi culture and burgeoned the salafi-wahabi culture in Kashmir. All the above factors made Kashmir the Hot-bed of Radicalization……
Refrences;
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Gibraltar
2. http://www.indiandefencereview.com/spotlights/op-topac-the-kashmir-imbroglio-i/3/
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plebiscite_Front
4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jammu_%26_Kashmir_National_Conference
5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1998_Wandhama_massacre
6. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003_Nadimarg_massacre
7. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1997_Sangrampora_massacre
8. http://www.rediff.com/news/jun/16kash.htm
HINDUS and BJP IN J&K
Politics has always been a game of opportunists and manipulators. It will remain so in the future too. Jammu and Kashmir too has seen its share of so-called-leaders. Mainstream leaders, who are in fact softer version of Demagogues. These leaders have always thrived on the hate-they incite on the name of Religion. The exodus of Kashmiri pundits from the valley is a classical example of the divisive politics that is rife in Kashmir.
Congress(I)-that once dominated the Indian Politics had always projected themselves as the messiah’s of Kashmiri Hindus prior to 1990.They projected themselves as the core-seculars, but remained as mere spectators when Kashmiri Hindus were forced to flee their homes. They never raised their voice in support of the KP’s, though they owe their existenance to a KP-Jawahar lal Nehru. They never remained true to their ideologies and practiced opportunist-politics instead of the Secular politics.
A core congress(i)-man, and a freedom-fighter, some years back ,when confronted by a group of non-political KP’s-who blamed congress for the Kashmir imbroglio, received a shock of their lives, when instead of answering them with logical answer, he retorted back and said, “ I can kill the whole KP community for the sake of India”. His answer not only reflected his rotten-thinking, but exposed the congress(i) attitude towards KP community. In fact it reflected the congress’s attitude towards anyone who dare to raise their opinion against them.
Then came BJP.
BJP, along with Shiv-sena and RSS supported KP’s initially in 1990.The contribution of Shiv sens was/is immense. They along with BJP gave reservations to the KP students in Maharashtra. The reservation quota was expanded to other states too in the course of time. BJP-RSS were instrumental in establishing some of the prominent KP organizations that raised the concerns of the KP community as a whole. BJP-RSS were instrumental in raising the demand of Homeland for KP’s through its affiliate organizations.
Surprisingly, today both RSS-BJP seems averse to the concept of Homeland-they once supported. They in fact have made a complete U-turn to some of their demands. It is surprising to see how they backtracked from the abrogation of article 370.Their promise of a Hindu-CM for J&K was also surreptitiously put under the carpet. Not one demand features in their CMP; that can be termed as a step of Core-Nationalists.
Instead, They have acted as an anti-Nationalist party.
Giving a ministerial-Berth to Sajjad lone is beyond the belief of any Nationalist. Just a few months back, sajjad ganie lone-The son of separatist leader Abdul ganie lone and son-in-law of former chief of terrorist organization ,JKLF Amanullah Khan- was spitting venom against India. His father-in-law is accredited with the murders of at least 70% of all the Kashmiri Hindus killed in Kashmir during late eighties and earlier nineties. His elder brother is still a senior separatist leader. How Nationalist of BJP to make him a minister!!!
Releasing a pro-pak-separatist, Masrat alam was another blunder. In 2010, 120 innocent children and youths were killed because of him. He incited the mob against the police and armed forces. The mob was incited on the name of religion and on the name of Amarnath Yatra. It was alleged that India is making a colony in Baltal(at the base of Amarnath). What did BJP do? Except projecting their helplessness! How nationalist of BJP!
Forming a govt. with PDP is a compulsion for BJP. It is a known fact that because of the lust for power, 7 BJP MLA’s of the previous govt(2008-2013) had connived with the ruling party NC. To keep the flock of 25 BJP MLA’s together, this time,they had to form a government. The dilemma is that their partner in coalition is PDP. Though it is a mainstream political party; but it is known to be more communal than NC. Although both of these valley-centric-political parties follow the policy of soft-separatism and pro-Pakistan polity.
I remember vividly, How BJP would raise the slogans like, “Jaha huwe baldan Mukherjee, wo Kashmir Humara hai”(The place where Mukherjee was martyred is ours) and “Jis mitti ko khoon se seencha, wo Kashmir hamara hai” (Kashmir-that was irrigated by our Blood, is our’s).And then I think of the present stance of BJP Govt. in J&K and nod my head in disbelief.
That is why, they could not fulfill even their two basic points, that was in their election manifesto, when BJP was known as Jan-sangh. These two points are always in their election manifesto even after 30 years. The points are:
1.Construction of Ram Temple at Ayodhya.
2.Uniform civil code.
It will be only naïve to think that they will abrogate article 370 or rehabilitate Kashmiri Pandits in Kashmir. They too are just another political party who can do anything to divide and rule. Another opportunist. Another Manipulator…..
Jammu Kashmir elections 2014, winning candidate names..
| Contituency Name | Leading/Winner | Trailing/Runnerup |
|---|---|---|
| Karnah | Raja Manzoor Ahmad (PDP )Winner | Kifil Ur Rehman Khan (JKNC )Runner-up |
| Kupwara | Adv. Bashir Ahmad Dar (JPC )Winner | Mir Mohd Fayaz (PDP )Runner-up |
| Lolab | Abdul Haq Khan (PDP )Winner | Qaiser Jamsheed Lone (JKNC )Runner-up |
| Handwara | Sajad Gani Lone (JPC)Winner | N.A |
| Langate | Abdul Rashid Sheikh (IND)Winner | N.A |
| Uri | Mohammad Shafi (JKNC )Winner | Aijaz Ali Khan (PDP )Runner-up |
| Rafiabad | Yawar Ahmad Mir (PDP )Winner | Abdul Gani Vakil (INC )Runner-up |
| Sopore | Abdul Rashid Dar (INC )Winner | Nazir Ahmad Naikoo (PDP )Runner-up |
| Gurez | Nazir Ahmad Khan (JKNC )Winner | Faqir Mohammad Khan (INC )Runner-up |
| Bandipora | Usman Abdul Majid (INC )Winner | Nizamuddin Bhat (PDP )Runner-up |
| Sonawari | Mohammad Akbar Lone (JKNC )Winner | Yasir Reshi (PDP )Runner-up |
| Sangrama | Syed Basharat Ahmed Bukhari (PDP )Winner | Shuib Nabi Lone (INC )Runner-up |
| Baramulla | Javid Hassan Baig (PDP)Winner | N.A |
| Gulmarg | Mohd. Abass Wani (PDP )Winner | Ghulam Hassan Mir (JKDPN )Runner-up |
| Pattan | Imran Raza Ansari (PDP )Winner | Aga Syed Mehmood Al Mosavi (JKNC )Runner-up |
| Kangan | Altaf Ahmad (JKNC )Winner | Bashir Ahmad Mir (PDP )Runner-up |
| Ganderbal | Ishfaq Ahmad Sheikh (JKNC )Winner | Qazi Mohammad Afzal (PDP )Runner-up |
| Hazratbal | Asiea (PDP )Winner | Mohammad Syed Akhoon (JKNC )Runner-up |
| Zadibal | Abid Hussain Ansari (PDP )Winner | Peer Afaq Ahmad (JKNC )Runner-up |
| Idgah | Mubarik Ahmad Gul (JKNC )Winner | Ali Mohammad Wani (PDP )Runner-up |
| Khanyar | Ali Mohd Sagar (JKNC )Winner | Muhammad Khurshid Alam (PDP )Runner-up |
| Habbakadal | Shamim Firdous (JKNC )Winner | Moti Koul (BJP )Runner-up |
| Amirakadal | Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari (PDP)Winner | N.A |
| Sonawar | Mohammad Ashraf Mir (PDP )Winner | Omar Abdullah (JKNC )Runner-up |
| Batamaloo | Noor Mohd Sheikh (PDP )Winner | Mohd Irfan Shah (JKNC )Runner-up |
| Chadoora | Javaid Mustafa Mir (PDP )Winner | Ali Mohammad Dar (JKNC )Runner-up |
| Badgam | Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi (JKNC )Winner | Gh Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat (Muntazir) (PDP )Runner-up |
| Beerwah | Omar Abdullah (JKNC)Winner | N.A |
| Khansahib | Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen Shah (JKPDF (S) )Winner | Saif-U-Din Bhat (PDP )Runner-up |
| Charari Sharief | Ghulam Nabi Lone (PDP )Winner | Abdul Rahim Rather (JKNC )Runner-up |
| Tral | Mr. Mushtaq Ahmad Shah (PDP )Winner | Mr. Mohd Ashraf Bhat (JKNC )Runner-up |
| Pampore | Zahoor Ahmad Mir (PDP )Winner | Yawar Ali Abass Masoodi (JKNC )Runner-up |
| Pulwama | Mohd. Khalil Band (PDP )Winner | Ghulam Nabi Wani (JKNC )Runner-up |
| Rajpora | Haseeb A Drabu (PDP )Winner | Ghulam Mohi-Ud-Din Mir (JKNC )Runner-up |
| Wachi | Aijaz Ahmad Mir (PDP )Winner | Showkat Hussain Ganie (JKNC )Runner-up |
| Shopian | Mohd Yousuf Bhat (PDP )Winner | Shabir Ahmad Kullay (IND )Runner-up |
| Noorabad | Abdul Majid Padder (PDP )Winner | Sakina Itoo (JKNC )Runner-up |
| Kulgam | Mohamad Yousuf Tarigami (CPM )Winner | Nazir Ahmad Laway (PDP )Runner-up |
| Homeshalibugh | Ab. Majeed (JKNC )Winner | Abdul Gaffar Sofi (PDP )Runner-up |
| Anantnag | Mufti Mohd Sayeed (PDP)Winner | N.A |
| Devsar | Mohammad Amin Bhat (INC )Winner | Mohammad Sartaj Madni (PDP )Runner-up |
| Dooru | Syed Farooq Ahmad Andrabi (PDP )Winner | Ghulam Ahmad Mir (INC )Runner-up |
| Kokernag | Abdul Rahim Rather (PDP )Winner | Peerzada Mohammad Syed (INC )Runner-up |
| Shangus | Gulzar Ahmad Wani (INC)Winner | N.A |
| Bijbehara | Abdul Rehman Bhat (PDP )Winner | Bashir Ahmad Shah (JKNC )Runner-up |
| Pahalgam | Altaf Ahmad Wani (JKNC )Winner | Rafi Ahmad Mir (PDP )Runner-up |
| Nobra | Deldan Namgail (INC )Winner | Tsetan Namgyal (JKNC )Runner-up |
| Leh | Nawang Rigzin (INC )Winner | Chering Dorjay (BJP )Runner-up |
| Kargil | Asgar Ali Karbalaie (INC )Winner | Anayat Ali (PDP )Runner-up |
| Zanskar | Syed Mohammad Baqir Rizvi (IND )Winner | Ghulam Raza (INC )Runner-up |
| Kishtwar | Sunil Kumar Sharma S/O Lt Bansi Lal Sharma (BJP )Winner | Sajjad Ahmed Kitchloo S/O Bashir Ahmed Kichloo (JKNC )Runner-up |
| Inderwal | Ghulam Mohd Saroori S/O Late Saidullah Saroori (INC )Winner | Tariq Hussain Keen S/O Ghulam Hussain Keen (BJP )Runner-up |
| Doda | Shakti Raj (BJP )Winner | Abdul Majid Wani (INC )Runner-up |
| Bhaderwah | Daleep Singh (BJP )Winner | Mohd Sharief Niaz (INC )Runner-up |
| Ramban | Neelam Kumar Langeh (BJP )Winner | Dr. Chaman Lal (JKNC )Runner-up |
| Banihal | Vikar Rasool Wani (INC )Winner | Bashir Ahmed Runyal (PDP )Runner-up |
| Gulabgarh | Mumtaz Ahmed (INC )Winner | Abdul Gani Malik (JKNC )Runner-up |
| Reasi | Ajay Nanda (BJP )Winner | Saraf Singh (IND )Runner-up |
| Gool Arnas | Ajaz Ahmed Khan (INC )Winner | Kuldeep Raj Dubey (BJP )Runner-up |
| Udhampur | Pawan Kumar Gupta (IND )Winner | Balwant Singh Mankotia (JKNPP )Runner-up |
| Chanani | Dina Nath (BJP )Winner | Krishan Chander (INC )Runner-up |
| Ramnagar | Ranbir Singh Pathania (BJP )Winner | Harsh Dev Singh (JKNPP )Runner-up |
| Bani | Jewan Lal (BJP )Winner | Ghulam Hyder Malik (JKNC )Runner-up |
| Basohli | Lal Singh (BJP )Winner | Davinder Singh (JKNC )Runner-up |
| Kathua | Rajiv Jasrotia (BJP )Winner | Som Raj Majotra (BSP )Runner-up |
| Billawar | Dr. Nirmal Kumar Singh (BJP )Winner | Dr. Manohar Lal Sharma (INC )Runner-up |
| Hiranagar | Kuldeep Raj (BJP )Winner | Girdhari Lal Chalotra (INC )Runner-up |
| Samba | Devinder Kumar Manyal (BJP )Winner | Yash Paul Kundal (JKNPP )Runner-up |
| Vijaypur | Chander Parkash (BJP )Winner | Surjit Singh Slathia (JKNC )Runner-up |
| Nagrota | Devender Singh Rana (JKNC )Winner | Nand Kishore (BJP )Runner-up |
| Gandhinagar | Kavinder Gupta (BJP )Winner | Raman Bhalla (INC )Runner-up |
| Jammu East | Rajesh Gupta (BJP )Winner | Vikram Malhotra (INC )Runner-up |
| Jammu West | Sat Paul Sharma (BJP )Winner | Surinder Singh Shingari (INC )Runner-up |
| Bishnah | Kamal Verma (JKNC )Winner | Ashwani Kumar Sharma (BJP )Runner-up |
| R.S. Pura | Dr. Gagan Bhagat (BJP )Winner | Bushan Lal (PDP )Runner-up |
| Suchetgarh | Sham Lal Choudhary (BJP )Winner | Taranjit Singh Tony (JKNC )Runner-up |
| Marh | Sukhnandan Kumar (BJP )Winner | Ajay Kumar Sadhotra (JKNC )Runner-up |
| Raipur Domana | Bali Bhagat (BJP )Winner | Mula Ram (INC )Runner-up |
| Akhnoor | Rajeev Sharma (BJP )Winner | Sham Lal Sharma (INC )Runner-up |
| Chhamb | Dr. Kirshan Lal (BJP )Winner | Tara Chand (INC )Runner-up |
| Nowshera | Ravinder Kumar (BJP )Winner | Surinder Choudhary (PDP )Runner-up |
| Darhal | Choudhary Zulfkar Ali (PDP )Winner | Choudhary Liaqat Ali (JKNC )Runner-up |
| Rajouri | Qamar Hussain (PDP )Winner | Chowdhary Talib Husain (BJP )Runner-up |
| Kalakote | Abdul Ghani Kohli (BJP )Winner | Rachhpal Singh (JKNC )Runner-up |
| Surankote | Ch Mohd Akram (INC )Winner | Mushtaq Ahmed Shah (JKNC )Runner-up |
| Mendhar | Javed Ahmed Rana (JKNC )Winner | Mohd Mahroof Khan (PDP )Runner-up |
| Poonch Haveli | Shah Mohd Tantray (PDP )Winner | Ajaz Ahmed Jan (JKNC )Runner-up |
source-elections.in
J&K ELECTION RESULTS
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BJP’S tactics and idealogy!
Without any doubt, the “Modi- juggernaut” marauded the opponents, and single-handedly catapulted “BJP” to numero-uno among all the political parties of India. For the first time it got absolute majority on its own.
But J&K is different. It has always been so.
With Muslims constituting around 70% of the total population of J&K, and keeping in mind that Islam and politics are intertwined in Muslim World, it is but obvious, that those political parties that will pitch the Islam-rhetoric, though subtly will garner maximum number of Muslim votes. And Kashmir-based mainstream political parties know this well, that is why PDP MLA Peerzada Mansoor, in a rally attended by Muslims, said that only a Muslim can become the chief minister of J&K.
It has always been a battle of Muslim hegemony against Hindu-minorities in the state of J&K. Even the mainstream political parties like NC and PDP have been playing the Muslim-card not only to woo Muslim voters but also tacitly show their supporters, their will and power to subdue Hindus Politically.
The J&k mainstream political parties have been like this since their inception, and it is unlikely that they will change in the future.
But what about BJP! Are they perusing what they had been projecting all along! The answer is a big “NO”. Though most Hindus in J&K are the ardent supporters of BJP and it looks like, they will get around 80% of the Jammu seats, But I fear they may not do so well in Kashmir Valley. Garnering more seats in Kashmir may be good for the party, but, at no cost, should they compromise on their ideology.
Abrogation of article 370 has always been projected by BJP to their supporters as a top most priority , It is a bit disappointing to see that they have fielded candidates , who have vocally opposed the abrogation of this act, like Dr. Hina Bhat from Amira kadal constituency.She had brazenly spoken against the abrogation of article 370 by saying that she will pick up a gun if Article 370 is abrogated. It is confusing for the voters to ascertain whether BJP is sticking to its plan to abrogate article 370 or not!! With one phase already over, it is intriguing to see that BJP has not yet come out with their election manifesto.
Also the inclusion of the known sympathizers of Separatists like Engineer Rashid and Sajjad lone has not given good vibes to their traditional vote bank.
Many intellectuals are of the view that it was BJP, that gave birth to PDP when they were in power in center. To end the supremacy of the NC, It is opined by some that BJP created another party(PDP), that was more communal than NC, just to split the muslim votes. These very intellectuals are of the view that the bonhomie between BJP and Separatist-sympathizers like Engineer Rashid and Sajjad lone, is in continuation of their policy to scatter more conservative Muslim votes and thereby weaken all the Muslim-dependant political parties.
It is also opined that BJP is focusing more on Shias and theMuslim- Gurjars of J&K. The shias constitute 20% of the Muslim –world-Population. But in J&k they are not more than 10% of the total population of Kashmir valley, whereas, The Muslim-Gurjars constitute around 20% of the total population of J&K. Both Shias and the Gurjars have been marginalized by the Kashmir-Based-politicians and have been treated as second-hand citizens since many centuries.
These two groups will prove to be the Kingmakers of the J&K elections. Focusing on these two groups will give BJP their first ever legislative assembly seat in Kashmir. With more that 70% voting in the first phase of elections, the voting trend is a precursor that the voting %age will surpass that of 2008- statistics .It looks like that, BJP will benefit, as people have voted against the ruling coalition of NC-Congress(i). It will be the PDP and BJP that will benefit for the huge turnout of the voting.
With Election-pundits predicting more than 30 seats in J&K, BJP may this time emerge as the single largest party of J&K and may form its government for the first time, On their own or with the support of one of the mainstream Kashmir-based political party. Whatever they do, they must retain their core ideology…
By-vinod kaul
The Modi-fans…..
Prakash-The chaiwala from jhunjhunu-delivers tea at my office at sharp 10.30 a.m and 3.30 p.m. All the offices in our compound prefer to drink the tea made by Praksh. He is an ardent “Modi”-fan. Since last 2 months or so, he has been ostentatiously wearing a T-shirst, that has a photo of “Modi” and it reads “Ab ki Bar, Modi Sarkaar”. He has even changed the name of his shop to “Namo Tea stall”. Some days back I asked him, “doesn’t your open support to Modi, offend some of your customers, who support some other political parties?” His replied back zealously, “Hum to aise hi hain, jisko peena hoga wo peeyaga, jisko mera Modi-samarthak hona aacha nahi lagta, wo kahi aur piye.Deena wala to Bagwaan hai.(I am like this, if somebody is offended by my Modi-love, let him drink somewhere else. It is the God who is the universal giver.)”
Vikas-my friend from Varanasi told me over phone that Ajay rai-the congress candidate and Arvind Kejriwal-The AAP convener are actually fighting for the 2nd and 3rd position. He also emphasized that “Modi” will win by at least a margin of 2lakh votes. ”The crowds are absolutely loving Modiji, we(locals) have taken the Modi-elections very personally. The Benarasis are identifying themselves with Modiji. Modi’s win will be Varanasi’s win. It will be our win” said he in a confident tone.
His statement can be ascertained by the fact that colossal crowds, unheard before , followed “Modiji” everywhere in Varanasi. His opponents are left wonder-struck and they are gaping in surprise since “Modiji’s” first road-show on 24th April 14.His opponents have lost the elections mentally whilst the voting will be held after a few days on 12 May 14.
“The support given to Arvind Kejriwal by JD(U) and its ally CPI has once again exposed the communist support towards their co-ideologue AAP. The metamorphosis of Arvind Kejriwal from a known atheist to a Theist was just a tactics to garner Hindu-votes” said my friend vikas irritatingly. He further said, ”On Modi’s Yesterday(8/05/14) Road show, Kejriwal tweeted that , “No one needs any permission from the EC to perform rituals. Permission is required only for political activities. It seems Modi was aiming for electoral gains through aarti,”-what a joke!!! These words sound so funny, considering that Kejriwal is the official “Dramabaaz” of Indian politics. It is a well known fact that in the past, he even managed “self-attacks” and “self-slaps”, just to get Public sympathy. said infuriated vikas.
I do call up my friends and acquaintances, in Varanasi since the day I heard that Modiji is contesting from Varanasi. The mood there is ebullientally “Modi-fied”. It seems that he will get more votes in Varanasi than in Vadodra. In vadodra the main opposition is congress and the main contestant fighting against Modi there is/was “Madhusudan Mistry”. However the results in both Varanasi and Vadodra will go in favour of Modi-for sure, irrespective of the fact that congress tried every trick in their sleeve to halt the Modi-juggernaut .
In Varanasi,The support given by the known inveterate criminal-Mukhtar Ansari-to Congress candidate is perfidious. It is more than foible on the part of congress to actually accept the support. This treacherous liaising speaks volumes about the decadent politics, congress has indulged into, just to stop “Modi. But the wishes of billions of Indians will make it sure that “Modiji” wins against all odds.
Prakash-our chaiwala-has announced that on 16th May, he will be offering free tea to everyone, as he is sure, like most of us that BJP will achieve an over-whelming victory over its rivals. In our office-compound, everyone has voted for “Modi”. So confident are my colleagues of “Modi’s” win, that they have already stocked crackers worth ten thousand rupees for the celebrations to be held on 16th may 2014. “This time we will celebrate Diwali on 16 may , that too in a broad daylight. we will express our joy with bursting crackers, and exchanging sweets.” said Sachin, my friend , who has a office in the same compound.
Though 16 may is a working day, but I am sure that most of the Indians will be glued to T.V. Everyone is anxiously waiting for that red letter day when the aspirations of billion Indias will come true. The day when “Narendra bhai Modi” will be officially declared, the prime minister of India. I have my fingers crossed….
A kashmiri-Pandits view on BJP,Congress, AAP and MODI
ON BJP AND CONGRESS
“Narendra Bhai Modi”, or simply “Modi”-as he is referred all over India- has captivated the attention of entire India, in a way that many of us had never seen before. And Kashmiri-Pandits are no exception. KP’s have been known to support “BJP”, since their forced exodus from the valley of Kashmir. KP’s unanimously (except some anomalous groups-who follow their own personal agenda) are of this view that it was “BJP” and its allies, that stood behind them, at that time when they were at the nadir of their existence as a community. Also most of the KP’s believe that the “Gandhi’s” ditched them. “AAP” does not even exist for the community of KP’s.
The KP community were the staunch supporters of the “Congress-I”. Prior to 1990, The “Jan-sangh” and other “Hindu-centric” political parties could not make much impact on the “KP” community as a whole, because KP’s considered “Nehru-Gandhi” family as their own, an extension of their families. When Sh. Jawahar lal Nehru” died, many KP men and women were seen mourning his death. En-Masse, many women came on the streets of Kashmir , many of them were seen beating their chests in grief and mourning loudly in Kashmiri, “Kothiy gav sone Jawahar-lal( where has our own jawahar lal gone!) amidst tears.
Indira Gandhi too was adored by the KP-Community. I know for sure that She was in touch with many Kashmiri pundits through letters, and was abreast with the actual-happenings of Kashmir. Her death too was condoled deeply by the community of Kashmiri-Pandits.
In 1990, Kashmiri Pandits soon realized after their exodus that the “congress party”, whom they had supported all along, was no-where to be seen. It was at that time , “BJP” and its allies came forward to the help of the beleaguered community. Reservations were given to the students of “KP” community in various professional collages across India. The voice , concern and views of the KP’s were put forward vociferously by the “BJP”.
Sh. Rajiv Gandhi’s death in May 1991 was too grieved upon by a large section of KP’s even though congress had remained merely a mute-spectator of their forced exodus. Even though it had been over a year, since they were uprooted from Kashmir and that a large section of KP’s were still living in Make-shift tents or they were given a temporary -refugee in deserted Govt. buildings. The congress party’s cold response to KP Community in early nineties accentuated the dirty vote-bank-politics of congress. But in spite of everything, they felt the loss of Sh. Rajiv Gandhi.
A large section of people of India perceive “Gandhis” as “Brahmins” or “Pandits”. Their lineage is traced to Moti lal Nehru and Jawahar lal Nehru-The known faces of Indian independence struggle and Kashmiri pundits by birth. All these years, the Nehru-Gandhi family have projected their KP connection but I am sorry to say that they have done little for the upliftment of the KP community- towards which they owe their allegiance.
The BJP, on the other hand did exactly the opposite. Even though, KP’s are not a vote-bank, still the services rendered to KP’s by BJP is commendable.
ON AAP
To begin with most of the KP’s (as was with most of the Indians), thought that Anna and his team are being supported by the BJP. To a large extent, it was true. The majority of the people(80%) present at their protests were from the RSS and the BJP.
The main bone of contention with AAP is that one of their ace leader- Prashant Bhushan, has in the past obnoxiously supported the redundant theory of Plebiscite of Kashmir. Knowing well, that the plebiscite is a gate-way for Pakistan to usurp Kashmir. Prashant Bhushan’s stand on Kashmir is more or less the same even today as no unequivocal statement on Kashmir and plebiscite has been presented by him, though he has given some feeble dilatory ambiguous remarks on plebiscite on Kashmir. AAP’s soft approach towards him has made it evident that they too tacitly support his theory.
AAP’s known support to Moaists is also questionable? In the recent elections they have given tickets to the known sympathizers of Moaists. It is a known fact that Moasists and Jihadis have been/are working hand in glove, and are getting all the funding from the enemies of India. And that their only aim is to de-stabilize India.The recent vitriolic remarks of Shazia Ilmi- wherein she is exhorting Muslims to be communal-is invidious as well as disgusting. The anti-corruption masquerade of the AAP has become too transparent for a common man not to see through their intentions . Their servile attitude towards the known jihadis and Moaists is awful. The Balkanization tactics of India by the AAP on the name of anti-corruption or secularism will not be allowed in India, come what May…
ON MODI
No doubt, Narendra Bhai Modi is the most beloved leader of the Kashmiri Pandits as of today. Kashmiri pandit community has pinned a lot of hopes on Modiji. KP’s were thrilled to see that not only the abrogation of article 370 was included in the BJP manifesto, but the return of KP’s into the valley with dignity and Honour was also mentioned. KP’s believe that the Narendra Bhai Modi’s coronation as the Prime Minister of India is inevitable and that he will prove to be a force to reckon with. KP’s believe that India as a Nation will emerge stronger under the prime Ministership of Modiji.
And, as is with the rest of Indians, for KP’s as well,” BJP is Modi” and “Modi is the BJP”…..”AB KI BAAR, MODI SARKAR”.
Bending to Separatists: Betraying the Tiranga
Bending to Separatists: Betraying the Tiranga
Nancy Kaul
25 January 2011
India ’s flag is the pride of the country, symbol of our national sovereignty, our constitution, our freedom. The Tiranga stands for our national self-respect, our valour, dignity, unity, and territorial integrity. The fluttering tricolour is the first and foremost identity of the Indian nation. It is for the Tiranga that our armed and security forces are ever ready to shed their blood to secure India from within and at the borders with their sacrifices and martyrdom.
Every 26 January, the country led by the President salutes the Tiranga, presented by the defence and security forces of the country. Salutation to the Indian nation and the right of unfurling the national flag on Republic Day (26 Jan.) and on Independence Day (15 Aug.) is a right every Indian citizen enjoys under the constitution.
Non-hoisting of the national flag at Lal Chowk in Srinagar is nothing less than a betrayal of the nation. In 2008, separatists tore down the Indian tricolour during the unrest created by the Hurriyat Conference (a conglomerate of 23 anti-national and separatist organizations), along with the PDP and other politicians from the Valley.
“De ragda, de ragda, Hindustan (they chanted, vehemently stamping their feet on national flags spread out beneath their feet), jive jive Pakistan .” There followed a mad frenzy of slogans and the hoisting of the Pakistani flag.
CRPF was forced to be a mute spectator to disrespect of such magnitude and State DGP Kuldeep Khuda allowed the Pakistani flag to flutter unmolested at Lal Chowk for several hours, atop the very clock tower where the Tiranga fluttered for many years, even as terrorists continued to attack Lal Chowk with grenades and fidayeen attacks.
On both occasions of Republic Day and Independence Day in 2010, the betrayal continued unchecked by the State authorities and the national flag was not allowed to be hoisted even by Security Forces over the Lal Chowk clock tower.
Now, in 2011, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has announced that no one will be allowed to go to Lal Chowk to hoist the flag as it would antagonize the people. “What is the need for an individual to hoist the flag,” he asked. This prompted terrorist Yasin Malik (chairman, JKLF) to challenge the decision of the BJP Yuwa Morcha to hoist the flag at Lal Chowk on Jan. 26. “I challenge them to come and hoist the flag,” Malik said while addressing a seminar in Srinagar .
These synchronized statements of the Chief Minister and the separatists point to a deep and evil design to push the tide of Indian nationalism back from the state, particularly at a time when the separatists and militants are facing diminishing popular returns. Once the Chief Minister declared he would not allow anyone to enter the state boundaries, Yasin Malik and his slogan-shouting goons were allowed to move freely in a procession to Lal Chowk.
It may be recalled that on 11 Sept. 2010, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq had asked people to march to Lal Chowk from Idgah after Id prayers, which culminated in rioting, violence, burning of Government and security buildings, and the waving of Pakistani flags as his Azadi cacophony continued in Srinagar, leading to a situation best described as instigating and waging war against the State. Yet the Government and State Police Chief looked the other way.
These separatists and anti-nationals are allowed to raise Pakistani flags, yet the Chief Minister and his administration are happy to toe the line of secessionists by not allowing the Indian flag to be unfurled on Republic Day! In fact, Mr Omar Abdullah is even suggesting that there is no nationalist in Kashmir and that not one citizen there wants the Indian flag to be unfurled in Srinagar city! This is grave injustice to those who believe in India and gave their lives for its unity, such as Maqbool Sherwani and Brig Rajender Singh.
These statements must be seen in the light the oft-repeated cacophony emanating out of Pakistan : On 26 Sept. 2010, Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit claimed the state is not an integral part of India and the issue cannot be resolved within the ambit of the Indian Constitution.
Is preventing the unfurling of the Indian flag in tune with a signal from Pakistan ? Certainly not allowing fellow countrymen to enter the State reeks of the agenda of Sheikh Abdullah and has chilling shades of 1953 when Dr Syama Prasad Mookerji was arrested for entering the State of Jammu and Kashmir disrespecting the ‘permit system’ for entry, and then ‘allowed’ to die in jail in circumstances that remain unexplained to this day.
By deploying such heavy force and repeating the same folly, sealing Srinagar as if it were a fortress under siege by hostile forces, the State and Central Governments are furthering the cause of the secessionists. At the time of writing, BJP leaders Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley and Anantha Kumar, who flew to Jammu airport to support the beleaguered cadres of the Yuwa Morcha, were confined within the airport building and asked to return to Delhi . They would do well to stay put till 26 Jan. and unfurl the flag in the airport terminal itself, unless better sense prevails.
It would be in the fitness of things for all other senior BJP leaders, including Chief Ministers, to rush to the State and challenge Mr Omar Abdullah and his administration to arrest them. A full blown crisis could make at least Mr Farooq Abdullah see sense and pave the way for an ultimate resolution of the confrontation. This would also be an appropriate moment for the President of India and the Supreme Court of India to find a way to remove Article 370 from the statute book and fully integrate the state into the Indian nation, which will prove to be the biggest boon to its own poor citizenry.
The right to hoist a flag at Lal Chowk is every Indians’ right. As Congressman lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi said in the Supreme Court in the flag case: Indeed, the very denial of the right to fly the Flag to the Indian citizen – as was the existing status quo for decades after independence – is itself the manifestation of a psychological mindset, a subservience to imperial and colonial notions of governance and a slavish approach to nationhood. Such a denial perpetuates the hiatus between the governors and the governed which is fundamentally antithetical to the very concept of a Republic signified by the emotive and euphoric opening words of our Constitution, ‘We the people of India …’
When Prime Minister Manmohan Singh bats for Omar Abdullah on the issue of denial of the right to unfurl the flag at Lal Chowk, he should view himself as another pawn in the agenda of the secessionists and separatists to hit at the umbilical cord that binds Jammu & Kashmir to India . To appease them is to compromise with the nationhood and sovereignty of India .
Prime Minister, this is your litmus test. Pakistan ’s ex-foreign minister has said that you had virtually concluded an agreement on Jammu and Kashmir , a sovereign part of our country. Is this true? What was the agreement? And is the obstinate insistence on not flying the flag on 26 Jan. at Lal Chowk a part of this understanding?
Have you – like Dharmaraja Yudhisthira after he gambled away his freedom and that of his brothers in a game of dice – promised to give away that which does not belong to you? Such a pact would be bad in law and morality.
The author is convener, Daughters of Vitasta..
source:http://www.vijayvaani.com/FrmPublicDisplayArticle.aspx?id=1602
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