There is something in Kashmiris which is defined as resilience in true sense. What is commendable is that despite having suffered heavily due to on-going conflict from 1990s and three movements within a span of eight years from 2008 to 2016 is, Kashmiris refuses to bend. Colossal damage was caused not only economically but socially as well as politically. The 2016 year will be remembered for a lot of reasons especially for pellets.Still we are here ready to begin our life anew. It seems as if nothing has happened, nothing at all.
Is there something dubious about character of Kashmiris? Or is he or she so innovative to make himself/herself adjust to any situation?
Our history is full of suppression and oppression. It has allowed us to adjust ourselves in any given situation and present one is only fallout of this. Our sociologists completely confuse dubious character with innovation and resilience. Kashmiris have faced different types of oppression and they have learned to cope with every difficulty.
This innovative approach is no doubt commendable; however, problems with this approach remain. One particular problem associated with this approach is that we as Kashmiris are not able to sustain our movements. Our history is replete with examples. We stand up for some time then fall back instantly.Then rise again. The problem lies not in the lack of bravery among people but our leadership. Leadership is the one commodity that Kashmir vehemently lacks. In leaders we lack vision, sustenance and selflessness.Of course whenever Kashmiris were provided with visionaries we have proved an excellence in all spheres even in warfare. Historians are still in praise for out exploits under Lalidatadiya, Shahabudin etc.
From 2008 with the movement against transfer of land to Amarnath Shrine Board, Kashmir has experienced a visible gaping hole in our leadership. Neither the pro-India politicians, pro-Kashmiris nor pro Pakistani entities are having a clear vision how to thread out valley out of this conflict trap. What is worse is that people are not allowed to question our leadership. They are either silenced through brute force, an imaginary and horrific thing in a democracy, or through social acceptance and herd-behaviour. It is interesting to see still we have that herd behaviour where by one dictates and others follow. When we have many self-styled leaders at top, it is bound to confuse people and confusion is always honey for an invader. Our patron saint Sheikh-ul-Alam has rightly said Teli Ma Rawiha Kahan Gaw.
Even Hurriyat is confused about gaols and its policies. Their policies have created rucks in our society by resorting to similar tactics in 2008, 2010 and now 2016 without any gaol accomplished. They might boost about the courage of the people on the streets, however, they have lost ground among the youth of Kashmir due to faulty tactics they have resorted to. There is one truth, if pro Indian establishment has not resorted to brute force, Hurriyat would have lost all its relevance.
Youth in urban areas, especially in rural areas are seriously questioning their Reactive approach. Reactive approach is dangerous for a movement. If nothing innovative comes, it is doomed to die. Why people in Kashmir move back and forth between Pro-India and pro-Hurriyat Centres? It is due to lack of vision in both camps to solve this conflict which has costed us dearly from decades. The movement of people is not because of dubious character of people but due to leaders lack of vision. The lack of vision confuses people .Then comes the blame game; our leaders always blame innocent Kashmiris for not supporting the movement. Nothing is bigger lie than this. Even under Hurriyat we have three strands of thought; one supporting Pakistan unequivocally and other Kashmiri nationalism. Their meeting point is nothing but complete shutdowns. It is impossible to achieve out aims and goals only due to Hartals and shutdowns.
India is a growing power in south Asia, both military and economically. It has made many friends in international arena as well. We have to see it clear that United Nations is a toothless tiger, especially Kashmir. This point is clear when it took many months for the secretary General of United Nations, Ban ki Moon, to issue a statement on the pellets without any effectiveness. This is new world order whereby India is going to play an important role in future to come. Innovation in Hurriyats policies is a must now. Lack of vision will keep us entangled in this conflict for years to come.
Our closeness with Pakistan has also cost us dearly. Our movement is seen as Pakistan sponsored, although some strands of people also favour Kashmiri nationalism. Closeness to Pakistan is a buffer for anti-Kashmiri. Hurriyat has failed to see it coming and dangers are evident. In Kashmir it is even worse to resort to it as its history is ingrained in politics of secularism and tolerance; indeed it is called Reshi Vaer. We still in Kashmir wait for Gardner of Mehjoor who will come to rescue us from this uncertainity.
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