Posts Tagged ‘Kashmir’
Amnesty International, HR Abuses, Human Rights, Imperialism, Indian Army, Kashmir, Killing, Occupation, Omar Abdullah, Oppression
In Human Rights, India, Innocent Killings, Kashmir, People, Politics on 22 March, 2011 at 1:13 pm
What does one do for revenge? Or for wanting something from someone against his will? Or for hating someone’s guts? Or wanting to ‘teach a lesson?’ Or for bullying someone at school? One can either act on them or just be content without doing anything. A lot of them appear vague reasons, meriting no response. (Some of these reasons are stronger than what our government uses to arrest people (it uses no reason) as you will read later on).
How does one act to fulfil these wishes, if one can not be merely content? A person may kidnap another to ‘teach him a lesson,’ or ‘demand money’ or ‘ just kill him.’ This person then will be considered a kidnapper or a killer, as the case may be. A sane democratic government will hunt this person down and then put him on trial and then behind bars.
Q. But what if a state wants to do ‘all of the above’, and get away with it? What can the state do?
Read the rest of this entry »
Custodial Torture, Human Rights, Hunger Strike, JKP, Kashmir, Mirwaiz, Sahai, SM Sahai, Torture, Yasin Malik
In Human Rights, India, Innocent Killings, Kashmir, People, Politics on 23 February, 2011 at 4:01 am
In the early 90’s whenever there were plans by leaders to fast unto death or go on a hunger strike – a majority of the population would fast with them. Kashmir saw itself as one homologous unit, there were supposed to be no differences. Everyone had one goal: Azadi. There were no contours of this Azadi. It was crystal clear and above all, no one doubted the intentions of the leaders.
Today a hunger strike is seen more as an attempt to make ones presence felt than a tool of non-violent protest, as it is made out to be. And our iconic Hunger Striker is Yasin Malik, who has once again vowed to go on hunger strike for human rights abuses and etc.
Why do these symbolic gestures result in nothingness?
Symbolic gestures are essential, but have to be an extension of
Read the rest of this entry »
Geelani, Introspection, Kashmir, Mirwaiz, Summer Unrest
In History, Human Rights, India, Kashmir, People, Politics, Srinagar on 18 February, 2011 at 6:33 pm
There one skill that we, the Kashmiris, as a nation, can always claim to have: protesting.
We protested the Gujarat riots, the hanging of Saddam Hussein (who, as India’s ally and friend, always stood against Kashmir & Pakistan. 98% of the Iraqis won’t even know what or where Kashmir is). Global events or not, news or rumors, true or wrong, by our own free will or under the cloud of threats and warnings, with or without consequences for Kashmir, we have stood up for every invitation to protest by anybody and everybody who either is somebody or a nobody. We have emerged as one of the finest protesting nation in the history of the world. Kashmir, let alone the issue of Kashmir, might not be well known globally, but we have given the world the Islamic Rage Boy. In the early 90’s Read the rest of this entry »
5 years, 5th anniversary, Blog, Blogging, FreeKashmir, Kashmir, Reading, Srinagar, Writing
In Kashmir, People, Politics, Srinagar on 28 December, 2010 at 11:42 pm
5 years ago, this blog started with just a single sentence:
Ah! Kashmir: so near yet so far!
Kashmir, the dream of a Free Kashmir, remains so near yet so far today, as it did 5 years ago. It is near, for every Kashmiri breathes it and feels the pain of this geographical piece of land called Kashmir. These words may appear poetic, but they are not. The pain of Kashmir is felt, just like a cut by a sharp knife. This pain is as much physical as it is emotional. The images of Kashmir embedded in our memory are not, as most Indians might think and want to believe, of honeymooners, neither are they of a Kashmiri boatman selling shawls by the banks of Dal Lake. The images are of death. They are Read the rest of this entry »
Kashmir, Mehbooba, Mirwaiz
In Politics, Srinagar on 29 May, 2010 at 11:25 pm
Environment, Kashmir, Politics, Srinagar Muncipality
In Development, Kashmir, Srinagar on 17 May, 2010 at 10:20 am
A recent government figure justifies a post, published September 2006, whether Srinagar deserves being called a city at all (The post is reproduced below).
A survey has revealed that Srinagar is the 420th cleanest city in India (seeing the glass half full) among the 423 cities ranked. Whether there was some clever manipulation of the ranking to make sure it wasn’t ranked 419 or 421 – one can not tell. Coincidence or otherwise, 420 is an apt number for the rulers of Kashmir.
Jammu, the Cry Baby that never stops crying injustice – ranks at 186, giving us a decent indicator of where the money is being spent.
And why? The answer can only be guessed: the forever fear within the administration and rulers that they will eventually have to give up Kashmir. And that is good news.
And, as the government mulls outsourcing sanitation, one fails to understand what is this government capable of. Recently it had shown helplessness to construct parking lots and was therefore considering privatising prime locations of the city to Non-Kashmiri corporates, including Palladium Cinema. Public Private Partnership is another buzz word – and an idiots playground to jump into for a state torn by conflict.
And the post of September 2006:
Read the rest of this entry »
Kashmir, Omar Abdullah; Mirwaiz, Politics, Umar Farooq
In Kashmir, People, Politics on 11 May, 2010 at 9:57 pm
Its been weeks of Sundays since a new post appeared on this blog! Today, I end that hiatus. My next post would be ihrams – a new Kashmir that I see emerging. A Kashmir which is losing touch with reality. And this post, to an extent, is what the people, the politics and the media of Kashmir seem to be focusing on: an internetKashmir. A tabloid version of the Afghanistan.
What exactly is the difference between Omar and Umar – the two OUmars of Kashmir who represent, in reality, nothing. Both love designer labels. One can flaunt it, the other just doesn’t want to (or can’t).
The difference between them: one sports watches…
…the other doesn’t.
And, before I sign off – here is a little something about Umar and Omar:
The Abdullah wears the Hindus sacred thread Mali and Farooq wants to look a lot like his father.
Kashmir, Mufti, NC, PDP, Sheikh Abdullah
In Kashmir, News, Politics on 28 February, 2010 at 5:28 am
It has been long since this blog saw a new post and this sudden want to write, even though there have been unpardonable crimes against the people of Kashmir in the last few months, comes from one single desire: to speak when sense seems to simply slip away, and no one appears to be obvious to it.
It was on twitter that news of a brawl between the ruling NC and PDP came to light, that of a poster of the popular Indian film, the 3 Idiots, being spoofed to represent the three generations of Abdullah clan. One can not be joyous for seeing the traitors of Kashmir being made fun of in this way, for the singular reason that it included one person, one leader, who had fought many a battles for Kashmir. That one person is seen as evil by many, for the singular reason of not knowing that person. For being oblivious to his struggles for Kashmir. He is painted a traitor by every tom, dick and harry of Kashmir, just because they know nothing about him. No one will point a finger towards Omar Farooq, the self imposed Mirwaiz , even though his father fought elections for the Janta Dal – an Indian party, for the simple reason that we do not dare question and our perceptions are what we live by every day. Perceptions, not realities.
That one person, who should not have been made fun of, in this manner, is none other than the person, who brought education to the state of Kashmir, who did away with the Zamindari system (it was an effect of Moulana Abdul Kalam’s vision but that vision needed an executor and unlike Punjab, no man in Kashmir owns land enough to house three railway stations) and who spent 22 long years behind the bars of that very state, put there by one of his friends and then his daughter. That man is Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah – a lion or not for Kashmir that one can not comment upon, but a leader in the true sense of the word, without doubt.
It needs more than a blog post to write about this man and I need to refer to my notes, which I do not have access to right now, but the wikipedia article on this man is not a flawed read.
There are a few questions, that one might ask:
Are the Mufti’s of PDP (Plain Dirty Politics) involved in this?
Without an ounce of doubt, they needed to divert the attention of us, the fickle minded Kashmiris, and they have. And they needed to divert attention from something very terrible, they would not want anyone to think about:
These are the official oppression figures. Instead of defending their Healing Touch or speaking against these figures, they chose to fall very low and worked the 3 Idiots poster.
And this does not mean, in any manner, that the Abdullahs are not guilty of crimes. Farooq and Omar are without a doubt, but Sheikh Abdullah, a lot less than all the politicians combined who have willfully destroyed Kashmir. Be it the separatists or the mainstream politicians.
Sheikh Abdullah spent 22 years behind Indian bars, a lot more than the combined jail time of many of our present day ‘famous’ leaders perhaps.
We need to see events in the light of past and present, by being joyous over stupidities of another devil, will only push us further towards misery.
Hurriyat, Kashmir, Politics
In India, Kashmir, News, Politics on 17 April, 2009 at 8:31 pm
“We do not recognise UJC. They are carrying swords. We do not accept diktats,”
Ansari said that his organisation was not in favour of enforcing orders on others and will leave it to the people of Kashmir to decide about the elections as per their “conscience”.
“Why are we people targeting Lone for contesting elections? Have you forgotten the late Sheikh Abdullah also contested elections after heading the Plebiscite Front,” Ansari said. The Hurriayt yesterday said it would not boycott the elections. ( business standard)
Hurriyat’s imminent failure.
Update:
Malik Sajad’s cartoon on Greater Kashmir depicts the situation more precisely than the writing on the wall.
And don’t miss the color at Malik Sajad’s site: of nostalgia and the shattered truth of Kashmir.
Geelani, Kashmir, Politics
In India, Kashmir, Politics on 14 March, 2009 at 9:16 pm
“I was surprised to learn that most of people in New Delhi were unaware of the plight of Kashmiris. They think Kashmiris are terrorists and fighting against Indian rule without any rhyme and reason,” Geelani said. “A senior doctor in Delhi’s leading hospital was in tears when I told him about the Kashmir dispute and the suffering of Kashmiris at the hands of Indian security agencies. I told him under India’s so-called democratic system troops violated the chastity of hundreds of Kashmir girls and killed thousands of youth in the past two decades. He was shocked and he plugged his ears with his fingers.” (greater Kashmir)
Mr. Geelani you realise all this now!? They year we are living in is 2009, you know that, right? It actually took you a couple of visits and a two month stay in Delhi to understand something which has been obvious since like forever!
And Mr. Geelani is candid:
“The group told me that they had never heard this side of Kashmir dispute. I invited them to Kashmir and told them you should have courage to hear the reality and suffering of Kashmiris. But I cautioned them not to forget their identity cards otherwise they wouldn’t escape wrath of the troop,” said Geelani.
And laughs, when he needs not to!
“Now I have got a handful of supporters in New Delhi,” Geelani (laughing) said, “Truth will one day prevail upon the World. Sacrifices of Kashmiris will not go waste.”
Perhaps those are the only supporters he will ever have, in sometime.
Human Rights, Kashmir, Mushaal Mullick, Oppression, Yasin Malik
In Human Rights, Innocent Killings, Kashmir, News, Srinagar on 23 February, 2009 at 3:24 pm
Bells
Bullets
They said the “leaders are human beings with personal problems.” (greater kashmir)
I was always made to believe that leaders are not ordinary human beings. I was told wrong.
But there is something that resonates true every time:
“…remember that as resistance decreases, suppression increases and the peace offered by suppressive regimes is often no more than the peace of prison or of the grave…” (niccolo machiavelli)
CRPF, Human Rights, Imperialism, Kashmir
In Human Rights, Innocent Killings, Kashmir, Srinagar on 12 February, 2009 at 11:05 pm
–Farhat Rukhsar–
A minute mourns and then forgets
My heart to my Kashmir indifferent seems
And while thou native were riddled with bullets
My long dead soul was chasing dreams
While blood oozed and they watched unconcerned
While thou were gasping for each labouring breath
While we joked in colleges in Mughal gardens sauntered
In Dalgate youth approached its untimely death
Riddled by Central Reserve Police Force
Then dropped a grenade in thy bag
This is the Heaven’s secret curse
An Angel given terrorists tag
How long on that pavement thy body bled?
How long resembling humans had their fun?
Thou went left dreams, parents half dead
Dark earth and sky, gone is their sun
Time has ceased what Happy New Year?
Mirth has left the home in paradise
Home were empty eyes look for their dear
Home where walls still echo with painful cries
Home where mere pain Eid would bring
Home where sacrifice already has been done
Home where thy memories forever would cling
Home where celebrations for Eid would be none
But killing innocents has a reward of its own
One lakh rupees and promotion I fear
And in my time conditions have honed
And protesters get killed everywhere
Thou college student and so am I
Though thou shot dead, I am not – yet
Tomorrow they might then they will lie
Then the world would mourn then it would forget.
(In Memory of Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh, 22; Riddled With Bulets on 9th August 2006, click here to read the post)
(poem courtesty of greater kashmir)
Airport, Fascism, Imperialism, Kashmir, Sheikh ul Alam, Srinagar
In Kashmir, Srinagar on 9 February, 2009 at 6:47 pm
Although there should have been no hesitation in naming it after the saint, as Sheikh ul Alam does not represent any radical political belief concerning the Kashmir politics; he being a character that belongs to an era when there was no India, no Pakistan and of course no Kashmir conflict, forms a benign symbol.
If this symbol of Kashmir’s national being is disallowed expression at a place which is supposed to be visited by people around the globe, it strengthens the suspicion that India is always scary of Kashmir emerging as an entity that has its own history and symbols of national being.
Difficult to reconcile that if PDP passed a resolution and sought clearance from the then Prime Minister, A B Vajpaye, why Airport Authority of India did not respond to it? If for such an ordinary and harmless thing it takes concerned authorities in India so long, in case they really are unaware of the whole matter, then how is Kashmir going to solve its bigger problems through an institutionalised mechanism that is in place in the shape of state administration! The reluctance of certain sections at Delhi as alluded to by some sources, smells of the traditional politics of Delhi to disallow any kind of expression to Kashmir’s collective self. It is here that the right wing Sangh Parivar and ‘secular’ Congress finds a reason to join hands.
Both NC and PDP talked of sub-nationalism in their political campaigns in the recently concluded Assembly elections, if they cannot get an Airport in their state named the way they want it, they better stop talking about bigger things like demilitarisation, cross LoC trade, autonomy, self rule etc. It only makes a laughing stock of them.
(etalaat editorial)
Ban Ki-moon, Kashmir, UN, US
In Kashmir, Politics on 5 February, 2009 at 6:31 pm
Hurriyat, Kashmir, Politics
In Kashmir, News, Politics on 2 February, 2009 at 11:28 pm
CRPF, Kashmir, Oppression, Police
In Kashmir, Politics, Srinagar on 2 February, 2009 at 6:30 pm
From a previous post, I Can Kill Everybody , of this blog, written October 25, 2006:
Killing in Kashmir is not uncommon but gradually it appears that the police and the army see themselves as reincarnations of God on earth. Be it the illiterate gun totting policeman or his superior office, they both think that they are the Greater Beings, created to maim and kill the children, the young, the old and the women of Kashmir.
The Jammu and Kashmir Police has turned over the past decade and a half from an organisation supporting the freedom struggle to a people more than happy to kill innocents and it will continue to grow evil.
It has already graduated from beatings innocents to killing them, now they just need to expand their reach and increase the innocent death toll. Once India is confident that the police have been trained well to behave as colonial masters, as is the attitude of the army at present; it can reduce the presence of the army, flash a happy face to the world, confident and satisfied at the thought that the same role is being played by someone else.
Lessons from the colonial masters, the British, has always inspired India: import officers who can act and behave as colonial masters, obtain the major chunk of the force from the local population and impose evil through them.
The new Chief Minister hinted at increasing the role of the Jammu and Kashmir police as if that were a respite to the Kashmiris. Their deployment has already started and 20 police companies are ready to take charge of the Srinagar city- which already has enough respite as compared to the towns and villages of Kashmir that bear the burnt day in and day out. Once the police passes, what the Director General of Police called a litmus test, the Jammu and Kashmir police will then be the only force at the forefront. No surprises the police is all too eager to pass the litmus test! And Kashmir will remain, for sometime to come, a low intensity conflict zone – simmering within.
One may recall that one of the election planks of the PDP in 2002 was the disbanding of the Special Task Force in Kashmir. They were disbanded by being absorbed into the local police, which will now be taking charge of Kashmir.
A person with a gun will remain dreaded for Kashmiris, the name tag matters the least.
Economic Subjugation, India, Kashmir, Oppression
In Kashmir on 30 January, 2009 at 7:33 pm
Kashmiris Pay Rs. 1.1 Million For 5,000 Traffic Violations; Cry Baby (Jammu) Pays Rs. 0.7 Million For 14,000 Violations!
The tip of the economic subjugation ice-berg!
…21206 violators were challaned across the State that included…13539 in Jammu Province, 4620 in Kashmir and 3047 against the offenders on Jammu-Srinagar highway. The IG said that Rs 34 lakh were released from the violators.
In Jammu revenue of Rs. 6.36 lakh was realised, while 4620 challans in Kashmir province realizing revenue of Rs. 11.95 lakh…Rising Kashmir
And the cry baby keeps crying!
Kashmir, Miliband, Obama
In Kashmir on 29 January, 2009 at 3:31 pm
So it’s probably safe to say that after the euphoria of their lobbying victory has died down, Indian officials will probably feel Holbrooke’s breath on their neck. Some Indian analysts are already predicting this. C. Raja Mohan writes in the Indian Express that “reworking the India-Pakistan relationship will be an inevitable and important component” of Holbrooke’s plans. “Whether India likes it or not, Washington will devote substantive diplomatic energies towards the subcontinent, and New Delhi will be drawn into this dynamic.” TIME
Kashmir, may have a chance after all!
Lee Hamilton, veteran Democrat leader and vice chairman of the 9/11 Commission, on Kashmir:
“We certainly need to work with Pakistan and India to resolve the Kashmir problem. The United States can’t resolve that, but we can encourage the two parties to address it,” he said, adding that resolving the Kashmir conflict would require tough diplomacy.
Daily Times
Also read David Miliband’s article.
APHC, House Arrest, Kashmir
In Kashmir on 21 December, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Eggs without yolk, cornflakes and personal gym forms a part of the confined Hurriyat leaders day! Why would I care? Greater Kashmir amazes me!
Beautiful Prison, Clinton, India, Kashmir, Obama
In Kashmir, News on 7 November, 2008 at 12:45 am
Obama seems determined to solve the Kashmir issue, his remark on India’s behavior with Kashmir was:
he also wondered why India wants to ‘keep on messing’ with the Kashmir issue which is a ‘potential tar pit diplomatically.’ Free Republic
He also considers solving the Kashmir issue ‘critical task’ for his administration.
Working with Pakistan and India to try to resolve the Kashmir “crisis in a serious way are critical tasks” for the next administration, he said.
And plans to devote serious diplomatic resources for Kashmir
Saying that Kashmir is now in an “interesting situation”, Obama is ready to explore the option for the U.S. “to devote serious diplomatic resources to get a special envoy in there, to figure out a plausible approach”. Yahoo
His plans on appointing Bill Clinton (who as the President of United States called Kashmir, the most beautiful prison in the world) as an envoy to Kashmir has made India all jittery, it will be seen how India responds to America’s renewed interest in Kashmir. It is pertinent to mention here that it was the Democrat Presidential Candidate Adlai Stevenson, who was supposed to have been talking with Sheikh Abdullah for a possible independent Kashmir. Sheikh Abdullah’s meeting with Adlai Stevenson was one of the reasons why Abdullah was arrested.
What is most interesting about his remarks is that he has not called the movement in Kashmir Islamic Terrorism, all efforts by India to portray Kashmir as an Islamic Jihad have failed to impress the most powerful man on earth; the presence of American-Indians in his team, which the Indian Media is celebrating as an achievement, has made no effect on his thoughts and planned efforts on Kashmir either.
It will be interesting to see how Pakistan will re-jump the Kashmir wagon now, having almost gotten rid of it!
Eni Milan, Kashmir, Oil
In Development, Kashmir on 23 October, 2008 at 8:02 pm
So it is the Oil…
An Italian delegation led by Jonathan Craig, vice president of Exploration Opportunities Division of one of the largest international oil companies, Eni Milan, is in IHK to explore the prospects of hydrocarbons in the state.
Craig, who has made several field visits to IHK earlier, believes that the Karewa formation of Kashmir — spread northwest of the Himalaya, from Pirpanchal range in Kashmir to Zanskar region in Ladakh — has characteristics similar to the rocks of hydrocarbon in Oman, North Africa and Pakistan. Daily Times
It is said, a saying which has almost taken the shape of a folk-lore, that a long time ago a French (or was it German?) company once offered India to construct the National Highway from Jammu to Srinagar, making it motorable all through the year and shortening the distance greatly at an impossible amazing low cost, there only pre-condition was that whatever their spades and hammers strike on will be theirs for good. India never agreed.
Freedom, Kashmir, Pakistan, Zardari
In Kashmir, Politics on 19 October, 2008 at 8:26 pm
For almost six decades Pakistan has been carrying the baggage of Kashmir, unable to resolve it. Musharraf was Kashmir’s best bet, his efforts now rest in history. Unable to bear the baggage of Kashmir anymore, Pakistan through a well thought of policy is throwing off the same. While as it might have been an over-sight and not much credence should be given to news items such as these…
“Federal Information Minister Sherry Rehman was thrilled over the fact that everybody was convinced with her presentation highlighting the government’s policy during the in-camera session of the Parliament,” a participant told The News. He said that some PML-N members protested saying one of the maps used in the briefing showed Occupied Kashmir as part of India. The PML-N raised a lot of hue and cry over it. However, a federal cabinet member told The News that three maps were shown during her presentation and that two maps very clearly showed Indian-held Kashmir (IHK) as disputed territory but one map shown in the briefing was blurred which misled the PML-N members.
The News
…however, it does though show Pakistan’s efforts at gentle shifts in its Kashmir Policy and it also shows that it is testing its domestic waters at the same time. When Zardari termed the Kashmiri Militants as Terrorists; there was the usual expected opposition from the politicians, however the people of Pakistan seemed to take it in stride, to some extent it could be because of being bogged down by the back-breaking inflation, but more so because the people of Pakistan, the younger generations, no longer see Kashmir as their problem with the same lens they did in the past. This shift will in itself shall help Kashmir’s cause more than their support, since India would no longer be able to label the Kashmir Struggle as Cross Border Terrorism. And also so because the younger generations of Kashmir do not identify themselves as easily and sympathetically with Pakistan as the older generations did. To the young people of Kashmir, Pakistan is as far off as say Saudi Arab. One would make a mistake though if one were to say their desire for freedom is that far, it is closer than ever before.
Freedom, HR Abuses, Imperialism, India, Indian Army, Indian Democracy, Jihad, Kashmir, Manmohan
In Human Rights, India, Innocent Killings, Kashmir on 11 October, 2008 at 12:33 am
A message for the world, all Kashmiris already know this:
Rhetoric, notwithstanding.
Two more fall prey to the bullets of India’s Army, as India’s Prime Minsiter visits the occupied state of Kashmir.
Rail Mubarak, a new greeting in Kashmir, wonder whether we will soon have a railway public holiday!
And someone, somewhere was shown his rightful place.
Imperialism, India, Indian Democracy, Kashmir, Manmohan, Occupation
In Human Rights, India, Kashmir, Srinagar on 10 October, 2008 at 9:54 pm
The Prime Minister of India while speaking in Kashmir:
“We cannot change the borders, we can make them irrelevant,”
“We seek the normalization of our relations with Pakistan. A solution of all issues that cause estrangement, including Jammu and Kashmir, through dialogue and peaceful negotiations in an atmosphere free of violence.”
“There are real winds of change in the subcontinent today. Economics, technology and travel are altering older mindsets of suspicion, fear and hostility. It is undeniable that much has changed between India and Pakistan in past few years,” Dr Singh said.
“I feel sad that curfew had to be imposed on many occasions causing lot of problems to the people.”
“If any separatist group wants to meet us we are ready. I have already met them earlier. Kashmir is an integral part of India.”
“The recent incidents in the state show that there is some resentment towards the government among a section of the youth here on certain issues. It has always been our belief that even the most difficult issues can be resolved through dialogue. We started a series of round table conferences and government will welcome dialogue with all sections of people.” Rediff
Mere rhetoric!
Hurriyat, Kashmir, Pakistan, Terrorism, Zardari
In Kashmir, News on 7 October, 2008 at 3:27 am
Zardari has termed the Kashmiri Freedom Fighters (including the Hurriyat Conference) as Terrorists.
President Zardari termed the Hurriat leaders in occupied Kashmir as “terrorists”, adding that he had no objection to the India-US nuclear cooperation pact so long as Islamabad was treated “at par” with New Delhi. The News
In his first press conference after taking oath as the President of Pakistan, Zardari had said that the world would soon hear good newon Kashmir. Having called Kashmiris terrorists he has doled out tons of good news for India, not for Kashmir! For me this is no surprise as I blogged earlier about Zardari’s claims:
….one should really not expect anything huge (at most the good news may be opening of trade route)…
And trade routes are already in the process of being opened
…And about Zardari, one should not expect much from Zardari, who is disliked in Pakistan apparently more than Musharraf was…
Read the entire post Zardari’s Good News May Be No News At All here.
Much before he was elected a President, in March, he suggested that Pakistan would put the Kashmir issue on the back burner, for the future generations to solve. It was obvious since then, Zardari wanted to concentrate on trade ties with India! A single person though can not change what an entire nation thinks, therefore he had to back-track on his first comment on Kashmir. The vibes of how he felt about Kashmir were sent across nevertheless. He may draw some flak in Pakistan for his latest quip, however the effect it will have (and is supposed to cause) will not reverse. I just blogged about The End Of Hurriyat, and it appears to be a lot more truer and closer than I imagined; Pakistan is finally pulling the plug on Hurriyat and that would be Hurriyat’s last nail in the coffin.
I sincerely hope that a new, free from bias, young leadership emerges in Kashmir. In October of 1947 Kashmir was occupied by India, and it appears in the October of 2008, the equations in Kashmir will change drastically.
UPDATE: Statement Retracted
As expected, the Government of Pakistan has retracted the statement:
She [Pakistan’s Information Minister] said that President Asif Zardari had never linked Kashmir liberation struggle to terrorism. In a statement, the federal minister reiterated government’s resolve to hold talks with India on the dispute. The News
All the pro-Independence leaders have flayed Zardari’s remarks; though the remarks are not even half as critical of Zardari as a simple out-of-the-box suggestion from Musharraf usually led to.
Greater Kashmir’s anger is obvious, being the most widely read newspaper, it is a pleasure to see that it did not mute down the expression of anger against Pakistan. With Begging Bowl In Hand , Zardari calls Kashmiri Militants ‘Terrorists’ is how Greater Kashmir reacted. JKLF’s response makes it clear that they have been shocked beyond comprehension; JKLF wants Zardari to take a History course. DeM (Duktaran – e – Millat), who are still living in the delusion that Musharraf’s fall was a consequence of his Kashmir policies, now await Zardari’s fall. In Baramullah, a town where sentiments for Pakistan are the strongest and which has produced the largest number of Pro-Pakistani leaders, people burnt an effigy of Zardari, a first since 1979 when effigies of Zia-ul-Haq were burnt against his decision to hang Zardari’s father-in-law Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
To read Zardari’s interview on Wall Street Journal, click here, Also read the orders Zardari has given to track and arrest those who write jokes on him; you may also be interested in Zardaris’ T.G.I.F. in Manhattan.
Curfew, HR Abuses, India, Indian Army, Indian Democracy, Kashmir
In Human Rights, India, Innocent Killings, Kashmir on 6 October, 2008 at 12:37 am
India Dares Kashmiris To Face Bullets
In an unethical and immoral tone, the state’s Principal Secretary (Home) Anil Goswami went on state run television and warned the people that if they attempt to violate the curfew, security forces would have to respond to ensure that they do not so.
Indirectly Goswami is stated to have hinted at security forces being empowered to shoot at sight any one trying to march towards Lal Chowk.
Etalaat
Israeli Made Tavor Assault Rifle – 21st Century (TAR-21, called Zittara in India) Now Being Used In Kashmir.
APHC, Hurriyat, Imperialism, India, Indian Democracy, Kashmir, Land Row, Protests
In Human Rights, India, Kashmir, People, Politics on 5 October, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Indefinite curfew has been imposed in Kashmir today; this follows the imposition of section 144 yesterday. Yasin Malik has been arrested, while as Geelani was hospitalised. Authorities claim that UPSC roll number slips and Air Tickets will be considered as Curfew Passes, though such consideration was not shown the last time when even a pregnant women on way to the hospital was beaten ruthlessly by India’s Army. A local cable channel has again been banned.
The Hurriyat is failing the people, they have sold-out, and their acts (what made them believe that the government would not impose the curfew?) if seen in a critical manner would lead to one conclusion: that the Hurriyat is exhausting the spirit of the people so that the struggle falls back to its own slow pace, which comforts all but the common Kashmiri people. Last time when the rally was planned; people were hopeful, supportive and full of energy; today they are upset, dismayed and undermined in spirit. This October may not see the withdrawal of the Army from Kashmir; however it might see the end of Hurriyat and the emergence of a new leadership. The Hurriyat may have proved their importance to India and Pakistan, but they are definitely going to fall in front of the people. Emotional fools we may be, but idiots we are not.
Tomorrow may decide a lot of things for Kashmir, I just hope tomorrow does not see the end of more innocent lives. Hurriyat, against my better judgement, may prevail and win their battle, and we the people, will have to continue fighting ourbattle.
Earlier Posts on the land row, the gagging of the people and the spirit of Kashmiris:
Was It Just A Few Hectares Of Land? – I
Yes, I Am A Daemon, But Kashmir Scares Me
No Photoshop This!
Kashmir Strikes Back
Blogging, Indian Army, Kashmir
In Kashmir on 5 October, 2008 at 1:27 am
Armed Forces, HR Abuses, Imperialism, India, Indian Army, Indian Democracy, Jihad, Kashmir, Killing, Occupation, Peace Process, Protests, Srinagar
In Kashmir, Srinagar on 4 October, 2008 at 12:13 am
Asiya Andrabi, Bhim Singh, Fanatics, Freedom, Geelani, Hinduism, Imperialism, Indian Democracy, Kashmir, Occupation, Srinagar
In Kashmir, People, Politics on 2 October, 2008 at 5:39 pm
This is just one of the ills that ail our civil struggle. Absence of self-introspection has plagued our society tremendously, we tend to forget our own sacrifices way too easily, detrimental to our own cause.
Asiya Andrabi’s words are almost always to get media attention. If she were as honest in demanding succour for those martyred and injured as her words claimed to be, she (or her organisation, since she is in Jail right now; on a different note: Kashmir suffers from a lack of Organisations, there are only individuals (read leaders lacking even the basic sense of leadership)) would have fought for their rights in a similar manner she fought for the closure of liquor shops in Kashmir. Geelani definitely has taken a leaf from this news item:
Seven-year-old Bisma looks shabby in ragged clothes. There are no chances of her getting a new pair on Eid. The father who used to get her dresses every Eid is no more. He was killed by Hindu fanatics during the economic blockade of the Valley in August.
According to Jigri the president of Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) president Prof Bhim Singh paid for the admission of the children in a private educational institution.
“No body else has come to the rescue of the children,” she said.
Greater Kashmir
Armed Forces, Freedom, HR Abuses, Imperialism, India, Indian Army, Indian Democracy, Kashmir, Killing
In Human Rights, India, Innocent Killings, Kashmir on 20 September, 2008 at 2:04 am
From a reader’s words
…I was reminded of a conversation with a major in the Indian army whom I met at a friend’s place in Delhi, recounting how he killed a Kashmiri driver during a routine check because he was incensed at the driver’s Muslim name and how this was listed as yet another “encounter” death. That was about eight or nine years ago at the height of the BJP’s rule at the center. Gruesome as it was listening to his slow- motion account of that “encounter”, what struck me at that time was that the man felt no shame or remorse. Instead there was a sense of bravado. That was the first such “encounter” he had had and remembered it as one would remember a first love.
This major went on to join the elite Black Cat commando force set up to counter terrorism.
Read the complete post here
Innocents are killed, killers are rewarded, this is the story of life in Kashmir!