Kashmir – Where Saviours Are Thugs

People of Kashmir are struggling for justice and freedom from oppression but, at the same time, are being labelled for their mistaken elite selfishness. The selfishness of the Kashmiri populace, where everyone yearns for a unique social identity. A society where every mere shelf of a shop is a Parliament, a society where every tom, dick and harry puts forward a new proposition for the effective functioning of the system. A society where every day is unpredictable, like the weather.
Law and order has always been a concern for Kashmiris. This crisis in the law and order situation of the land is being presented before the world by various people subject to their vested interests. For writers, it has been a good theme to write on and cash in. For selectively biased news channels, it garners high TRPs for their masala loving debate viewers. For opposition parties, it is a strong weapon by which the ruling party can be put under pressure, till their own time comes. Lastly for the executive local police, it presents an opportunity to drain Kashmiris of their wealth.
The last might seem quite ironic but the reality is that our criminals, disguised as saviours, are sucking the blood of every single citizen of Kashmir. From taking the Bollywood clichéd hafta from cart sellers to fining every vehicle on the roads without valid receipts,they have turned into complete seasoned dacoits. Police, which is considered a ray of hope for any civilized society, becomes a liability when it makes a business out of its granted powers. With this erosion of trust in the police, people have started to look at this department with a critical and negative view. When the department meant to stop crime commits crime itself, how will the society of that very place feel secure? Its a classic case of the pot calling the kettle black.
The vicious charge sheeting of innocent people in the name of links with the so called extremist groups continues to be a scary factor for Kashmiris, both within and outside Kashmir. Within Kashmir, where we have seen the emergence of intellectuals like Dr. Shah Faesal and an inspirational cricketing talent like Parvez Rasool, Kashmiri youth are striving to progress. They are struggling to overtake the ones who enjoy backdoor entries in every field of life.Organising awareness camps and cricket tournaments will do little to atone for what the police have done so far. They have enslaved the courage of the people and robbed them of their will to succeed.
The society can move in a positive direction if people unite for these causes. One cannot blame the whole department, but these blacksheep need to be identified and sentenced for their actions. The image of this very agency can be reinvented only when they are seen doing their job with honesty. It is the public relations which need to be addressed foremost, otherwise the gap will widen with each passing day.
Allama Iqbal has said of those who are disunited and enslaved due to this disunity that:
“Main Band-e-Nadaan Hoon Par Shukur Hai Tera, Rakhta Hoon Niha Khaan-e-Lahoot Say Pyewand.
Lekin Mujhe Paida Kiya Us Dais May Tuunay Jis Dais Kay Banday Hai Ghulaami Pay Razamand!
Instead of being empty vessels and building castles in the air, Kashmir should unite and fight against this prickling oppression. Bhagat Singh was a terrorist for the British, but he fought for his rights. Similarly, one should feel proud to be called a terrorist if he is striving and struggling for his rights which are fundamental to him.
Abandonment of sensibility among people of the valley has been the prime cause for the deteriorated situation of life. Amidst all this chaos, the poor people suffering in Kashmir are turned a blind eye. Primarily the poor, who are deeply bearing the cruelty of their own natives, have been subject to mental and financial torture. The disunity adds to the sufferings of Kashmiris. This injustice can only be overcome when the hearts of the poor are given due voice.
People of the valley should dive into their passions and interests and present themselves as a collective voice, which will power them to act fearlessly. Only this collective voice against the oppressive regime of fake saviours will lead to the total upholding of human rights in this so called mistaken society.

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