When politicians steal the show

Social networking sites and media channels are still abuzz with the slogan: “We are with her”. Yes, I am talking about Zaira Wasim, who by her achievement made her parents and entire Kashmir very proud. However it remains a mystery that who in Kashmir was against her? Although many have expressed their anger about her meeting with chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, but that should be understood only against an attempt by a politician to take political advantage out of an individuals achievement.

Is Zaira the only Kashmiri to have worked in Indian cinema? Off-course not, then what made her an easy prey for politicians and Delhi media? The answer can be found by analysing “Burhan aftermath” and the inability of the establishment to win the hearts and minds of Kashmiri youth. And thus a non-issue was made an issue purposefully to portray some Kashmiris as intolerant, radical and ignorant and to link the same with 2016 uprising.

It has been a recent trend in Kashmir that politicians try to affiliate themselves with individual achievers to draw political mileage out of that. Particularly when they fail to deliver on their promises or when government only earns the wrath of common masses, they resort to such theatrics. Individual achievements are portrayed as achievements of the government.

The way Zaira was trolled may make one believe that Kashmiris seem to reject their young individual achievers. However such a trolling needs wholistic understanding. It can be considered as catharsis of few Kashmiri youth who faced very abnormal circumstances during 2016 uprising. Most of the youth are basically dissatisfied with mainstream politicians who tend to speak one language at the time of elections and other when they come to power. So the trolling is nothing but a well understood emotional reaction to an attempt by mainstream politicians to use the individual achievements by Kashmiries for their political gains.

Many believe that unable to win the hearts of Kashmiris the decision by Ms Mufti to have photo op with Zaira was merely a psychological trick. We all know that Burhan was celebrated like a hero by majority of Kashmiris, particularly youth. The controversy initiated by mainstream politicians in case of Zaira and the hype given to it by Indian media seems to counter the Burhan development. The intentions get quite clear when such achievers are asked political and loaded questions by media. 

The use of psychological operations in conflict situations is not a new. The methods are used with the aim of evoking a planned psychological reaction in target population. Here the propagandists seek to destroy morale, influence the opinions, emotions, attitudes, and behavior of adversary by psychological means so that the opponent begins to doubt the validity of his beliefs and actions. And sponsored media never remains behind in such an endeavour. Media manipulation is a series of related techniques in which partisans create an image or argument that favours their particular interests. Such tactics may include the use of logical fallacies and propaganda techniques, and often involve the suppression of information or points of view by crowding them out, by inducing other people or groups of people to stop listening to certain arguments, or by simply diverting attention elsewhere. Same is being done when it comes to any issue related to Kashmir.

The use of psychological operations in conflict situations is not a new. The methods are used with the aim of evoking a planned psychological reaction in target population. Here the propagandists seek to destroy morale, influence the opinions, emotions, attitudes, and behavior of adversary by psychological means so that the opponent begins to doubt the validity of his beliefs and actions. And sponsored media never remains behind in such an endeavour.

 

 

Many news channels even question the value systems, attitudes and cultural practices of our society. Culture does have an influence on the behaviour, attitudes and beliefs of people. But then who are others to judge our cultural beliefs and practices? If cinemas are not approved in our society, if vulgarity is resisted, if emphasis is given on following the teachings of religion, how that makes us intolerant and radical?  These are politically motivated terms used purposefully to have a false analysis of the situation of Kashmir.  Further let us accept that those who expressed their anger against Zaira are radical or ignorant lot but then how can the same be generalised. It must be understood that the fallacy of research is false generalisation on the basis of small and unrepresentative sample. The same is being done by Indian media and it’s so called intellectual class all the time. Angry comments of few on social media against Zaira are being generalised to entire Kashmiri population. When millions protesting in 2016 unrest were described as only 5%, why cannot be the trolls dismissed?  The message is loud and clear: Kashmir needs a peaceful solution and no matter of psychological operations and tactical management can bring peace.

And regarding Zaira Kashmiris are not so naive to be against their IAS toppers, sports persons or artists. She has a free will and free choice. We do recognise that. And above all we do respect her right to have her space, from angry youth, media and particularly politicians.

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