Unfortunate as they are, the sectarian clashes in Budgam have once again highlighted the growing religious intolerance that is steadily creeping into our society. However, more unfortunate is the perfunctory manner in which no less a person than the venerable Hurriyat (G) Chairman, SAS Geelani, has sought to obfuscate this grave issue by conveniently dubbing it as a conspiracy to distract attention of the people from Gool bloodbath and desecration of holy Quran by the BSF personnel.
While the timing of the sectarian violence in Budgam, coming just after the Gool incident, may raise suspicions, the very fact that a petty altercation between two men belonging to different sects should have escalated into a full blown sectarian battle is something which should worry all of us. If it is indeed a conspiracy, then it speaks poorly of our leaders, elders and the civil society, as they have collectively failed to inspire sectarian amity and mutual confidence amongst the masses. And by merely burying its head in the sands of the conspiracy theories, the separatist leadership is unwittingly allowing our society to be inextricably drawn into the quagmire of sectarian disharmony.
Conspiracy theories appeal to the widespread persecution complex existing in the minds of the people and, as such, are, no doubt, a versatile tool for rallying the masses. However, the problem with indiscriminate use of the conspiracy theories is that over a period of time people actually start seeing a conspiracy in everything. And, from what one gathers from media reports, it is likely that this is exactly what may have happened in this case, when a spontaneous altercation between two individuals over a petty matter was obviously perceived by either one or both sides as a premeditated conspiracy against their respective communities!
Though instances of sectarian animosity leading to violence have been rare in Kashmir, they have nevertheless shown an upward trend in the last few years. However, instead of introspecting on this disturbing development and working out a plan to arrest this dangerous trend, the separatists appear to have found it more politically expedient to use this as a stick to beat New Delhi. In April last year, Hurriyat (M) Chairman, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, publicly accused New Delhi by claiming that the government had activated institutions and its paid agents to create conditions for a sectarian conflict in the Valley through the medium of construction of mosques, shrines and religious schools. He went on to say, The government has even employed a section of the paid clergy to divide the Muslims here and promote a particular school of thought. While the Mirwaiz may have intended to embarrass New Delhi by accusing it of dividing the Kashmiri Muslims on sectarian lines, he himself unwittingly sowed the seeds of sectarian discord amongst the public. And while he may have thought that by not naming the beneficiary of New Delhis largesse, he was only hauling New Delhi over the coals, his barb directed at New Delhi also found its mark on a particular section of the Kashmiris!
Rather than attribute sectarian violence to conspiracies and then sit content, our leaders need to take a serious note of how sectarian divide is taking roots in the Islamic world. We have before us the examples of Pakistan, Iraq and, more recently. Syria, where popular movements have degenerated into sectarian bloodbath. Our leaders need to realise that these developments are bound to have an impact on our people too and they can no longer rely on the traditional sectarian amity of the Kashmiris to withstand external influences. Holding peace marches, convening meetings and forming coordination committees after the sectarian clashes erupt may help temporarily calm tempers but will certainly not help narrow the sectarian chasm. So, its time our leaders took this issue head on!
Tailpiece: While condemning New Delhis nefarious designs to initiate a sectarian conflict in Kashmir, Hurriyat (M) Chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq had on April 27, last year declared, We will oppose all efforts aimed at fanning division of the Kashmiri Muslims on sectarian lines. If need be, we will expose the elements and institutions patronised by the government for this purpose. Now with the Hurriyat (G) Chairman SAS Geelani calling the Budgam sectarian clashes a conspiracy, will the respected Mirwaiz kindly do the Kashmiris a favour by exposing those who are stoking the sectarian passions in the Valley!
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