Once king Jahangir had said “Agar kahi swarg hai to wo yahi hai yahi hai yahi hai…”… “If at all there is heaven then this is it…this is it...this is it…” It is true as Kashmir is really beautiful and is heaven.
We need to see how come this heaven turned into hell and by whom and for what? Rarely we try to see actual facts and see things from larger angle and try to analyze what is really happening and to whom it is affecting? Who is on the gaining end and who is on the losing end?
From centuries Kashmir was a peaceful region where Kashmiri Pandits, Muslims, Sikhs and Buddhists lived together peacefully. You will not find a single instance of riot or fight among them for anything. Absolutely not a single thing. Then how come suddenly in last few decades everything turned upside down and this peaceful, beautiful region ended up into violence, chaos. If we look carefully at history then this whole game begins from the partition of Bharat now called as India. British partitioned this holy land called Bharat and suddenly one virtual country called Pakistan was created. Land of Baloch, Sindh, Punjab and Pashtuns were suddenly declared as Pakistan. Huge massacre happened in the riots which emerged afterwards and till date no body is held responsible for the same. Huge number of cattle were destroyed which was one of the livelihood of many people. British looted Bharat for almost one and half century and on top of that people destroyed their economic resources as well. If we look at the economic condition of people at that time then it was very bad and so was a newly formed center called Pakistan (It is not a country). One piece of land (Princely state) called Kashmir did not merge itself into India or Pakistan and King of Kashmir was thinking what to do about his state. He wanted to remain independent but newly formed center called Pakistan immediately attacked Kashmir. This is very interesting. How come newly formed state which is economically poor, everything is in chaos and disorder, immediately attacked Kashmir? Even well established, well developed countries think a lot before attacking some other country. Answer is simple, it looks like this state is created by British to create their proxy Army by using youth of Pakistan. If you observe, ISI of Pakistan and their Army journals and officers have huge plum properties of acres in Briton. If you check history of their every ruler, prime minister, president then each one of them has studied in Briton or US and has rich family background and has no connect with poor families of Pakistan. It looks like till date all of them are sponsored by big people from US and UK. Same thing happened in late 1940s and Pakistan got all the resources from them and immediately attacked Kashmir. King of Kashmir then realized his mistake and reached immediately to govt of India. Sardar Patel who was then home minister of country took strong stand and defeated this Pakistan’s Army and Kashmir was incorporated in India. Imagine our own people separated from us, Pakistan got created, they were given weapons and they attacked their own land, killed their own people and created conflict for their own People.
Next bad thing happened with Kashmir is passing of Article 370 which granted it independent status with bare minimum interference of Central govt and that too requires permission of state government. Just imagine, state which was recently attacked, enemies are looking for further opportunities and you give it independent status. People of Kashmir were left in further vulnerable status and they were not even aware of what further chaos that were planned for them. This means our politicians were/are equally involved in misery of people of Kashmir. In between many regimes changed in Pakistan, many assassinations of their own leaders, many military rules were enforced but few things remained central to its policy Destruction of economy of their own country, destruction of education, spreading poverty and increasing Zamindari, radicalizing youth and giving birth to same western sponsored military generals who dance to western power’s tunes and use these radicalized youth where ever western powers want. They used them in Afghanistan, Baluchistan and after lot of planning in Kashmir as well.
For almost 2 decades Kashmir remained in this state and suddenly during late eighties politics began in the valley. Politicians incited hatred against community of Pundits and lot many people’s properties were destroyed. As per reports, many of the political leaders, their party workers were involved and actually took part in riots. If we carefully observe who takes part in riots – people who do not have any work, who are paid, few fanatics, political leaders. Common people who have work and job to look after their families never get into this nonsense. Once riots start rumors are spread, media gives it air in most fearful fashion and fear is instigated in people’s mind and heart. Media reports it one community against other and people who are not involved in it also get dragged into it and they bear unnecessary brunt of it.
Later on in the beginning of 1990’s situation deteriorated and radicalized people began giving threats and killing of people and all pundits were asked to leave. Is it possible without support of local political leaders? Absolutely No. From where people got the weapons? From across the border, where these western sponsored Pakistani Army generals & politicians are looking for such opportunities to radicalize youth who unfortunately destroy their own motherland and finally themselves. Benazir Bhutto was prominent Pakistani leader who instigated youth at that time. Timing of these incidents collide when there was weak leadership in central government of India. Out of fear for their lives, most Kashmiri Pundits moved out of valley and then Kashmir landed up in the hands of these politicians who provoked people for riots. Not all Muslims were involved in all these things. In fact many of them asked Kashmiri pundits not to leave valley as this is their homeland and in fact they protected many and this is the reason almost 750 to 800 Kashmiri pundit families are still staying in valley. Many wanted to help but could not come to help as they feared for their own life as militants with political support were killing. Whole situation was portrayed as all Muslims targeted Hindus, of course many got carried away and joined riots but not all.
Afterwards real economic, social plundering of valley began. Whole region fell in the hands of few politicians who themselves are living in plush properties, are rich and common people’s fate was left in darkness. Surprisingly you will find many of the Kashmir’s politicians again studied in UK and US and have properties there as well. Despite of such beauty and nature’s all around blessings, no development happened, no good education facilities, no agricultural growth. In fact if you visit few of the rural areas of Kashmir, people don’t even know what refrigerator is. They are very poor. Over the time Militancy increased in Kashmir. Whether youths agree or not they were forced into militancy. There are today ample examples of youths who got out of it and they tell their horrible stories. How they suffered and how they were used. Sometimes even youths who leave such terrorist groups and start their normal life are killed in Kashmir. Look at the Kashmir which is under territorial control of Pakistan. What is happening with People who are on that side now. Terrorist camps are run there. Youths are forced into terrorism and GOD only knows in which part of the world they are deported. What have people achieved by separating from India? People must come out of this mirage and perception that Pakistan is country. It is military center operated by ISI run on the funds of few western powers and this proxy army has been even used in the destruction of Middle East as well.
Look at the economic havoc created by this issue and despite of being in heaven, people are living in very bad condition. All people of Kashmir are clearly losers from all sides! Then question comes who are the ultimate gainers? What I have found is few western powers or rather few western politicians, businessman and few of our own country’s people - politicians, Bollywood also have equal hand in it, yes Bollywood as well! Look at the total area of Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. How many apple orchards are there. Is this land utilized to its full potential, absolutely No. In Kashmir itself not much. Ideally this region of our country should have developed to its full potential and this region not only would have supplied Apples to India but would have exported to many other countries! People and our country would have been Rich! Forget about exporting, today India imports so many Apples from few internationally dominant countries and we lose money and potential jobs. When everyday your whole area is publicized negatively with news of militancy and literally zero development by local politicians how come these areas will grow? Same goes for Saffron. Kashmir produces finest saffron in the world which has high medicinal properties. Are we utilizing it to its highest potential? Are people getting fair prices, is enough employment generated out of it? Answer is No…Same goes for Shawls, Carpets, Wooden Crafts etc...Kashmir is surrounded by beautiful Himalayas and good amount snowfall also happens in valley. Imagine how many jobs would have created by various dedicated trekking corridors, dedicated ice skating areas. This place would have been full of tourist all around the year.
Next most important aspect of Kashmir is Tourism. It is the most affected sector of this area. Most beautiful land and its tourism is hit badly. If this issue would not have been there, not only from India but from across the world tourist would have landed up in Kashmir for their vacations. Now though tourist come but very few. Imagine amount of jobs tourism would have created. Hotels, Restaurants, Local shopping, sightseeing and many more such opportunities. People of Kashmir would have earned so much money that they would have become one of the richest on planet. Government also would have collected huge taxes which they would have used in many other areas. I have observed that media publishes most negative news about Kashmir. Not only Militancy but even small cloud burst is shown in big way and even today due to this negativity many tourist cancel visiting Kashmir. Local people may not be realizing this play of Media. At one point of time negativity was so high that people used to not even dare to think about trip to Kashmir! Though situation has little improved today but it is far away from even good. Then where do tourist land up? First destination is Switzerland then few other European countries, Malaysia, Thailand. Billions of dollars which would have gone to Kashmir are going there. Bollywood has assisted in great way in destroying tourism of Kashmir. After early nineties you will observe, most of the scenic movies of Bollywood are shot in Switzerland. Even one of the producer and director has one train named after him in Switzerland. Most of his movies he made in Switzerland and developed their tourism in great way. In fact in one of the most hit movie which was released in 1995, a very good love story in which perfect marketing of Switzerland was done. Knives, bells, trains, nice mountains and nice backgrounds. If you go to Switzerland they exactly sell such bells, knives and Indian tourist are ahead in buying them. In fact that movie posters are kept at few places. If you ask me to title that movie, I will name it as “Dilwale bewakoof banakar paisa uda le jayenge”. After this movie many movies came which were shot in Europe and in subtle way did develop tourism there. I am not against Europe or Switzerland, it is beautiful but Kashmir is also equally beautiful or far more beautiful and it will be cheaper option to the people of world compared to other tourist places. We as tourist go to other places and show off our tour to others but never pay attention to our own burning heaven. Just see after early nineties Bollywood produced what kind of movies on Kashmir. Gone are the days of movies like ‘Kashmir ki Kali’. Movies which come are only based on terror, militancy, kidnapping which terrify people. Never ever they show beauty of Kashmir. If people can go to Kashmir to shoot such movies then why can’t they make movies which portray beauty of region and promote tourism for region.
From all of the above thing, to me Issue of Kashmir cannot be looked into isolation. To me it looks well planned and well organized internationally driven event in which lot many people of our country are involved. What I have seen is, it is ensured that in every way people of this country lose and few big western powers gain. When Kashmiri pundits where moved out from valley they were living in refugee camps. Look at the condition of those camps. It is terrible. Lot many of us didn’t even know that they are living like this as this is never news in print and electronic media. Why our own politicians never paid attention towards them. Why are they not even given proper homes to live. Who has stopped politicians from this? Will they blame militants for this issue? Are they not equally part in larger conspiracy? Are all of them getting equal share of money at the cost of nation, at the cost of Kashmir and its people? At least my mind says yes to it.
Even today many of local people of Kashmir want Pundits to return to their homes. I feel they only can solve this issue now. All the people who are currently living in Kashmir must unite and demand bringing back Kashmiri Pundits. They must put pressure on their politicians and ask them to put this thing as main agenda. Prosperity comes where peace is and poverty rules where violence is happening.Whatever happened has happened, now they must come forward and bring back their brothers into valley and start new life for themselves and for this Country!
Comments
Post a Comment