r - jan2009 - Panun Kashmir: A Homeland for Kashmiri...
20
K ASHMIR entinel S Vol. 14, No: 1 January, 2009 Pages 20 Price Rs. 20/- INSIDE EDITORIAL NC-Cong Should Change Line............................Page 3 PERSPECTIVE 2008 ELECTIONS- Let us not learn wrong lessons ....................................Page 5 GUEST COLUMN Omar must emphasize on nationalistic outlook....Page 6 ANALY SIS Pandits, Politics and Elections.....................Page 7 SPECIAL REPORT PK stages walkout of Governor's Meeting....Page 8 CITIZEN MEET Panun Kashmir warns against lowering of guards........................Page 9 MEDIA-SCAN Interview: 'It is high time Muslims took responsibility for why Islam and terrorism have become synonymous'..............Page 11 FOLKLORE Sarada Shrine..........Page 13 SOCIAL HISTORY A historic symbol of Kashmiri Shaivism-Bada Shivala ...................................Page 14 HERITAGE Lord Budha at Takshashila.................Page 15 TRIBUTE Witness to an era..........................Page 16 TRIBUTE A Tribute to Sh. J.N.Kaul.............Page 17 CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS.....................Page 19 JKENG 00333/26/AL/TC/94 JK No: 1213/18 Regd. JK-219/2009-2011 website:www.panunkashmir.in email: [email protected] KS Correspondent M ERELY 8 to 9 percent Kashmiri Pandits caste their votes in the just concluded Assembly elections in 2008. This was despite the participation of 43 Kashmiri Pandit candidates across the length and breadth of Valley- a number of contesting candidates which must be highest ever for Kashmiri Pandits in the history of elections in the state. This election is already being discussed as a highly participative election where an unprecedented number of voters, more than 50% turned out to vote in both Kashmir Valley as well as Jammu. Taking place in the aftermath of Amarnath agitation and a protracted campaign for boycott in Kashmir Valley by different sections of separatists, this election is being described as a victory of electoral process and democracy. Lost in the din of accolades to democratic forces and condemnation of boycotters is the very small turn out of Kashmiri Pandit voters in the election process. With 43 KP candidates in the fray, and a protracted campaign by migrant cells of all the main political parties, as also the newly floated supposedly Kashmiri Pandit political party JKNDF, urging Kashmiri Pandits to participate in the elections in large numbers, a mere 8 to 9 percent turnover of Kashmiri Pandit voters in the elections carries a definite message .The retraction of Kashmiri Pandits from electoral process in Jammu and Kashmir since their expulsion from Valley is being ignored by the political class but it carries foreboding of a crisis of unprecedented magnitude. If those sections of population in Jammu and Kashmir who oppose separatism, have full faith in Indian Constitution, and strive every nerve to preserve the integrity of the nation, choose to view elections and eventually the democratic process as meaningless, carries seeds of disenchantment. It may spread sooner or later to all those patriotic people in the state who have already started viewing the democratic set up in the state as a 'dice loaded' to ensure political hegemony of only one section of the society. About 7000 exercised their vote out of a total of 72000 PANDITS ABSTAIN FROM VOTING Kashmiri Pandit voters in Kashmir Valley. This was despite the fact that there was no 'boycott call' given by Panun Kashmir this time. PK left it to the Kashmiri Pandit voters. Its leaders maintained, "We have been educating our community about the implications of exercising their right of franchise when their right to live has been critically jeopardised. We are for democracy which nourishes inclusive culture. A democratic process which legitimises exclusion and acts as an instrument of denial of genocide is negation of democracy. Our community understands it well. But we will not campaign against participation in elections. Let those who see a merit in participation convince the community and mobilise them for vote." A section of Kashmiri Pandits had mobilised resources for a large scale involvement of Kashmiri Pandits in the elections well before elections. In fact this campaign started more than two years prior to these elections when change over to Azad as CM of the state had just stabilised. In a three day conclave of Kashmiri Pandits at Kolkatta from 24th December to 26th December, 2006, All India Kashmiri Samaj gave a 'clarion call to float a political party of KP's’. It was decided to appoint a steering committee to give a concrete shape to the political party. The enthusiasm amongst the advocates for a political party of Kashmiri Pandits to participate in the elections sounded a bit intriguing. Mathematics of KP voters particularly in Jammu and Kashmir and the reality of their being in exile raised doubts about the motivation of such a move. The voluntary abstention of Kashmiri Pandits from electoral process since 1996 had already started drawing attention both at the national and international level. How could an expelled community exercise its franchise in exile for electoral constituencies where it was not living for more than a decade, and where its properties have been usurped or purchased after generating distress, psychological as well as economic. Religious cleansing of Kashmiri Pandits was now in international focus. Attempts to retrieve the situation was being seen with more scepticism particularly in the light of colossal failure of state to prevent the expulsion of Hindus and demonstrate its will to preserve secularism. Abstention (Contd. on Page 4) ELECTION 2008 Cover Story Let Truth Prevail We Wish Our Readers A Very Happy Republic Day We Wish Our Readers A Very Happy Republic Day We Wish Our Readers A Very Happy Republic Day We Wish Our Readers A Very Happy Republic Day We Wish Our Readers A Very Happy Republic Day Long Live The Republic
Transcript of r - jan2009 - Panun Kashmir: A Homeland for Kashmiri...
KASHMIRentinelS
Vol. 14, No: 1 January, 2009 Pages 20 Price Rs. 20/-
INSIDEEDITORIALNC-Cong Should ChangeLine............................Page 3
PERSPECTIVE2008 ELECTIONS-Let us not learn wrong lessons....................................Page 5
GUEST COLUMNOmar must emphasize onnationalistic outlook....Page 6
ANALYSISPandits, Politics andElections.....................Page 7
SPECIAL REPORTPK stages walkout ofGovernor's Meeting....Page 8
CITIZEN MEETPanun Kashmir warnsagainst lowering ofguards........................Page 9MEDIA-SCANInterview: 'It is high timeMuslims took responsibilityfor why Islam andterrorism have becomesynonymous'..............Page 11
FOLKLORESarada Shrine..........Page 13
SOCIAL HISTORYA historic symbol of KashmiriShaivism-Bada Shivala...................................Page 14
HERITAGELord Budha atTakshashila.................Page 15
TRIBUTEWitness to anera..........................Page 16
TRIBUTEA Tribute toSh. J.N.Kaul.............Page 17
CHRONOLOGY OFEVENTS.....................Page 19
JKENG 00333/26/AL/TC/94 JK No: 1213/18 Regd. JK-219/2009-2011
���������� website:www.panunkashmir.in ����������email: [email protected]
KS Correspondent
MERELY 8 to 9 percent Kashmiri Pandits caste theirvotes in the just concluded Assembly electionsin 2008. This was despite the participation of 43
Kashmiri Pandit candidates across the length and breadth ofValley- a number of contesting candidates which must behighest ever for Kashmiri Pandits in the history of electionsin the state.
This election is already being discussed as a highlyparticipative election where an unprecedented number ofvoters, more than 50% turned out to vote in both KashmirValley as well as Jammu. Taking place in the aftermath ofAmarnath agitationand a protractedcampaign for boycottin Kashmir Valley bydifferent sections ofseparatists, thiselection is beingdescribed as a victoryof electoral processand democracy.
Lost in the din ofaccolades todemocratic forces andcondemnation ofboycotters is the verysmall turn out ofKashmiri Panditvoters in the electionprocess. With 43 KPcandidates in the fray,and a protractedcampaign by migrantcells of all the mainpolitical parties, asalso the newly floatedsupposedly KashmiriPandit political partyJKNDF, urging Kashmiri Pandits to participate in the electionsin large numbers, a mere 8 to 9 percent turnover of KashmiriPandit voters in the elections carries a definite message .Theretraction of Kashmiri Pandits from electoral process in Jammuand Kashmir since their expulsion from Valley is beingignored by the political class but it carries foreboding of acrisis of unprecedented magnitude. If those sections ofpopulation in Jammu and Kashmir who oppose separatism,have full faith in Indian Constitution, and strive every nerveto preserve the integrity of the nation, choose to viewelections and eventually the democratic process asmeaningless, carries seeds of disenchantment. It may spreadsooner or later to all those patriotic people in the state whohave already started viewing the democratic set up in thestate as a 'dice loaded' to ensure political hegemony of onlyone section of the society.
About 7000 exercised their vote out of a total of 72000
PANDITS ABSTAIN FROM VOTINGKashmiri Pandit voters in Kashmir Valley. This was despitethe fact that there was no 'boycott call' given by Panun Kashmirthis time. PK left it to the Kashmiri Pandit voters. Its leadersmaintained, "We have been educating our community aboutthe implications of exercising their right of franchise whentheir right to live has been critically jeopardised. We are fordemocracy which nourishes inclusive culture. A democraticprocess which legitimises exclusion and acts as an instrumentof denial of genocide is negation of democracy. Ourcommunity understands it well. But we will not campaignagainst participation in elections. Let those who see a meritin participation convince the community and mobilise them
for vote."A section of Kashmiri
Pandits had mobilisedresources for a largescale involvement ofKashmiri Pandits in theelections well beforeelections. In fact thiscampaign started morethan two years prior tothese elections whenchange over to Azad asCM of the state had juststabilised. In a three dayconclave of KashmiriPandits at Kolkatta from24th December to 26thDecember, 2006, AllIndia Kashmiri Samajgave a 'clarion call tofloat a political party ofKP's’. It was decided toappoint a steeringcommittee to give aconcrete shape to thepolitical party.
The enthusiasmamongst the advocates for a political party of Kashmiri Panditsto participate in the elections sounded a bit intriguing.Mathematics of KP voters particularly in Jammu and Kashmirand the reality of their being in exile raised doubts about themotivation of such a move.
The voluntary abstention of Kashmiri Pandits from electoralprocess since 1996 had already started drawing attention bothat the national and international level. How could an expelledcommunity exercise its franchise in exile for electoralconstituencies where it was not living for more than a decade,and where its properties have been usurped or purchasedafter generating distress, psychological as well as economic.
Religious cleansing of Kashmiri Pandits was now ininternational focus. Attempts to retrieve the situation wasbeing seen with more scepticism particularly in the light ofcolossal failure of state to prevent the expulsion of Hindusand demonstrate its will to preserve secularism. Abstention
(Contd. on Page 4)
ELECTION
2008
Cover Story
Let Truth Prevail
We Wish Our Readers A Very Happy Republic DayWe Wish Our Readers A Very Happy Republic DayWe Wish Our Readers A Very Happy Republic DayWe Wish Our Readers A Very Happy Republic DayWe Wish Our Readers A Very Happy Republic Day
Long Live The Republic
KASHMIRSENTINEL
January2009 22222
Kashmir Sentinel and Panun Kashmir Foundation mourn their sad demise and pray for thepeace to the departed souls
1. Smt. Leelwati Koul W/o Late Sh. P.N. Koulof Magam Kmr;presently residing at H.No: 49-A, Subash Nagar, Rehari Colony, Jammu. 12/2/2008
2. Sh. Devi Dass Malla S/o Sh. Suraj Ram Mallaoriginally resident of Kani Kadal Sgr; presentlyresiding at 68-P-1-A Ext. Mandir Marg TrikutaNagar, Jammu. 12/2/2008
2. Sh. Makhan Lal Bhat S/o Late Sh. Kanth RamBhat originally resident of Areh Kulgam Kmr;presently at R/o H.No: 28, Lane-5, LowerBarnai Netar Kothian Jammu. 13/2/2008
3. Smt. Uma Dhar W/o Maj. Gen. B.N. Dhar(Retd.) originally resident of NawakadalSafakadal Sgr; presently residing at 165-A/DGandhi Nagar, Jammu. 13/2/2008
4. Smt. Kamlawati Bhat W/o Late. Sh. NeelKanth Bhat of Ganeshpora Pahalgam Kmr;presently residing at 307 Nagrota Camp,Jammu. 13/2/2008
5. Sh. Kashir Nath Garoo S/o Late Sh. NandRam Garoo of Handwara Kmr; presentlyresident resident of H.No: 1400, Sector-7,Karnal Haryana, 13/2/2008
6. Sh. Mohan Lal Wali W/o Late Sh. GN WaliR/o Lane No; 7, Talab Tillo, Jammu. 14/2/2008
7. Smt. Shanta /Roop Mathu W/o Late Sh. SomNath Mathu R/o Zaindar Mohalla Sgr;presently residing at 51 Mohinder Nagar CanalRoad, Jammu. 14/2/2008
8. Smt. Gouri Shori Bamboo W/o Sh. HariKrishen Bamboo R/o 59 Jawahar Nasgar, Sgr;presently residing at 98/P, Sector-1, Ext.Mandir Marg Trikuta Nagar, Jammu. 14/2/2008
9. Sh. Gopi Nath Koul S/o Sh. Sona Koul R/oSirnoo Pulwama Kmr; presently residing atLane No: 4/A, Lakshmi Vihar Tomal Bohri,Anantnag Nagar, Jammu. 15/2/2007
10. Sh. Madsudhan Koul S/o Late Sh. Madav Koulpresently resident of H.No: 86, Block-B, HariNagar, New Delhi. 16/2/2008
11. Sh. Mohan Lal Sadhu R/o Hutmarah AnantnagKmr; presently residing at H.No: 504, Sector-5, Surya Vanshi Nagar, Lower Roop Nagar,Muthi Jammu. 16/2/2008
12. Smt. Soomawati Malla W/o Sh. Nand Lal Mallaof Jahab Kulgam, Kmr; presently residing atH.No: 24, Sector-6 Model town Gangyal,Jammu. 16/2/2008
13. Smt. Prabha Devi W/o Late Sh. ShambooNath Raina of Pethbagh Dialgam AnantnagKmr; presently resident at H.No: 56/2, AdarshNagar, Bantalab Barnai Road, Jammu. 16/2/2008
14. Sh. Triloki Nath Handoo S/o Late Sh. GopiNath Handoo R/o HNo: 67, Chinar ColonyBagti Barzulla Kmr;presently residing at H.No:10, Sector-4, Pamposh Colony Janipur,Jammu. 16/2/2008
15. Sh. Chuni Lal Bhat S/o Late Sh. RadhaKrishen Bhat originally resident of Khrew Kmr;presently residing at H.No: 724, JMC, Sector-3 Bhagwati Nagar, Jammu. 17/2/2008
16. Smt. Shobawati Kaw W/o Late Sh. KN Kawerstwhile resident of H.No: 84, Jawaha Nagar,Sgr; presently resident of H.No: 84, JawaharNagar Sgr; presently resident of H.No: 166,Sector-2, Roop Nagar Enclave Block-A,Jammu. 17/2/2008
17. Sh. Prithvi Nath Mattoo S/o Late Sh Dina NathMattoo formerly resident Kralteng SR GunjSgr; presently residing at H.No: 6, Lane No:1, Bharat Nagar Enclave Jammu. 17/2/2008
Those Who Left Us
18. Smt. Roopawati W/o Late Sh. Pre Nath DharR/o Gol Gujral Camp, Trilokpur Jammu andoriginally resident of Sahipura LangateKupwara, Kmr. 17/2/2008
19. Sh. Shamboo Nath Bhan S/o Late Sh. NathRam Bhan R/o Khaipora Tangmarg Kmr;presently resident at Kashmiri Colony, SarorNehar Bari-Brahmana Jammu. 17/2/2008
20. Sh. M.K. Koul S/o Late Sh. Maheshwar NathKaul originally resident of Bagh-Jogi LankarRainawari Sgr; presently residing at H.No; 67,Sector-17, Faridabad. 17/2/2008
21. Smt. Jaikishori Razdan W/o Late Sh. JankiNath Razdan of Salia Anantnag, Kmr;presently residnig at Qtr. No: 188, Phase-IIndPurkhoo Camp, Jammu. 18/2/2008
22. Sh. Brij Nath Wali W/o Late Sh. Shamboo NathWali originally resident of Gurgari MohallaZaina Kadal Sgr; presently residing at 77/C,Pocket-B/5, Dawalgiri Appts. Sector 34, Noida(UP). 18/2/2008
23. Sh. Shankar Nath Koul R/o H.No 117, LaneNo: 1, Vikas Nagar, Sarwal Jammu. 18/2/2008
24. Sh. Triloki Nath Shangloo of Kralakhud-KharyarSgr; presently residing at H.No: 4, Sector-1Lower Roop Nagar, Jammu. 18/2/2008
25. Sh. Janki Nath Kachroo residentof 54-A/DGandhi Nagar, Jammu. 18/2/2008
26. Sh. Amar Nath Dhar S/o Late Sh. Anand RamDhar, R/o Tankipora, Kathlishor Sgr; presentlyresiding at H.No: 6, Lane No: 1-A, Hazuri BaghRoad Bohri Jammu. 18/2/2008
27. Sh. Roshan Lal Turki S/o Late Sh. Amar NathTurki originally resident of Sheel Teng BabaporaSgr; presently residing at H.No: 150, OldJanipur, Jammu. 18/2/2008
28. Sh. Jai Lal Koul S/o Late Sh. Madav Ram Koul,R/o Bragam Doru Anantnag Kmr; presentlyresident of Panchayat Ghar Sabzi Mandi,Channi Himmat Jammu. 20/2/2008
29. Sh. Sham Lal Bhat of Bona Devsar AnantnagKmr; presently resident of Battal Ballian CampUdhampur. 20/2/2008
30. Prof. Badri Nath Parimoo of 126, NarsinghGarh Sgr; presently resident of 302, Block-E,Ambience Gurgaon. 20/2/2008
31. Sh. Soom Nath Tiku S/o Late Sh. KR Tiku ofKhand Bhawan-Bul Bul Lanker Sgr; presentlyresiding at 24/7, JDA Housing Colony RoopNagar (Upper) Jammu. 21/2/2008
32. Smt. Tulsi Devi W/o Late Sh. Prem NathPandita originally resident of Dewan BaghBaramulla Kmr; presently residing at H.No:641-A Janipur Housing Colony, Near DevakCommunity Hall Jammu. 21/2/2008
33. Sh. Pitambar Nath Bhat S/o Late Sh. ShridharBhat R/o Akingam Anantnag Kmr; presentlyresident of H.No: 520 Lane No: 5, Vansh NagarMuthi, Jammu. 21/2/2008
34. Sh. Prithvi Nath Moza of Late Pandit KanthKoul., R/o Bohri Kadal Sgr; presently residentof Gole Gujral Colony Jammu. 21/2/2008
35. Sh. Anil Manwati S/o Sh. S.K. Manwaliresident of Gund Ahalamar Nai Sarak Sgr;presently resident of 274 Patoli MangotrianJammu. 21/2/2008
37. Sh. Veerindr K. Koul S/o Sh. T.N. Kaoul;presently resident of Flat No: 7, 2nd Floor Dee-Bee Tower, Lane-5, South Main Road, KorigaonPark, Pune. 22/2/2008
37. Sh. H.N. Pandita S/o Late Sh. Narayan PanditaR/o Talab Pulwama Kmr; presently residing atH.No: 375, Lane-10 Kunjwani By-Pass
Jammu. 22/2/200838. Smt. Gonwati Bhat W/o Late Sh. Nand Lal
Bhat of Krere Nagbal Uttursoo Anantnag Kmr;presentlly resident of Qtr. No: 921-22, Phase-III Purkhoo Camp Jammu. 22/2/2008
39. Sh. Makhan Lal Wali S/o Late Sh. Shivj Ji WaliR/o F-56 New Plots Lane-1st Jammu. 23/2/2008
40. Sh. Brij Nath Koul S/o Late Sh. Kanth Koul ofSalia Dalsar Pahalgam Kmr; presently residentof 513/5 Muthi Jammu. 23/2/2008
41. Sh. Nand Lal Raina S/o Late Sh. SwaroopChand Raina of Akhoora Anantnag Kmr;presently resident of H.No: 106, Lane-3, DreamCity,Jammu. 23/2/2008
42. Sh. Khamindar Raina resident of 38 SubashNagar, Jammu. 23/2/2008
43. Smt. Shubhawati Bhat W/o Late Sh. Nand LalBhat of Khirbawani Tullamullah Kmr; presentlyresident of Lane No: 2, Chandan Vihar Muthi,Jammu. 24/2/2008
44. Sh. Girdhari Lal Saraf S/o Late Sh. PN Saraforiginally resident of Bagh Jogi Lankar RainaWani Sgr; presently residing at H.No: 618, B2,Block-9, Kailash Dham Sector-50 Noida. 24/2/2008
45. Smt. Shobawati Wattal W/o Late Sh. SNWattal of Jawahar Nagar Sgr; presently residingat H.No: 10, Lane-2, Nova-Ashoka RoadShipra Sun City Ghaziabad. 23/2/2008
46. Smt. Shobawati Koul W/o Late Sh. GobindJoo Koul resident of 186, Upper Laxmi Nagar,Sarwal Jammu. 25/2/2008
47. Sh. Soom Nath Tiku originally resident of BulbulLankar Ali Kadal Sgr; presently resident ofJullaka Mohalla Jammu. 24/2/2008
48. Sh. Romesh Kumar Dhar S/o Sh. Omkar NathDhar originally resident of 402, Jawahar Nagar,Sgr; presently residing at B-1 Kahmiri Appart.Pitampura New Delhi. 25/2/2008
49. Sh. Girdhari Lal Patoo S/o Late Sh. RaghuNath Patoo R/o 91/7, Trikuta Nagar Jammuand originally resident of Bulbul Lankar AliKadal Sgr. 25/2/2008
50. Smt. Kamlawati Bhat W/o Late Sh. Sham LalBhat originally R/o Kharapora Bandipur Kmr;presently resident of H.No: 11, Lane-3, GobindNagar, Gole Gujral Jammu. 26/2/2008
51. Sh. Jagar Nath Zutshi R/o H.No; 138 BanaMohalla Habbakadal Sgr; presently residentof H.No; 270, Sector-2, JDA Housing ColonyRoop Nagar, Jammu. 26/2/2008
52. Sh. Lacha Ram Pandit S/o Late Sh SonaPandit originally resident of Chogal Handwara,Kupwara Kmr; presently resident of SariRakhwala Jammu. 26/2/2008
53. Smt. Poshkuji Bhat W/o Late Sh. Tara ChadnBhat, R/o Gund Dolipora Handwara Kmr;presently R/o Qtr. No; 317, Phase-1st,Purkhoo Camp Jammu 27/2/2008
54. Smt. Somawati W/o Sh. Vasadev Pandit ofBrariangam Umanagri Anantnag, Kmr;presently resident of 20/4 Basant Nagar Ext.Jaggi Darbar Jammu. 28/2/2008
55. Smt. Kamla Devi W/o Late Sh. Dawarika NathRaina of Irkimoo Kokernag Anantnag Kmr;presently residing at H.No; 294, Lane-14-C,Sector-6, Nanak Nagar, Jammu. 28/2/2008
56. Sh. Nand Lal Bhat R/o Village Chickhillora(Magam) Pattan Kmr; presently residing atH.No: 491, Jeevan Vihar Kunjpore Road KarnalHaryana. 28/2/2008
57. Sh. Shamboo Nath Thusoo S/o Late Sh.Anand Ram Thusoo of Gotengoo KupwaraKmr; presently R/o Qtr. No: 304, Phase-1st,Muthi Camp Jammu. 29/2/2008
KASHMIRSENTINEL
January2009 33333
We are onWe are onWe are onWe are onWe are onour ownour ownour ownour ownour own
Sir,Let's not expect too
much from the US, whichcannot do without Paki-stan's help to win its "waron terror" in Afghanistan.India has to evolve a pre-cise and covert strategy ofits own to deal with Paki-stan-sponsored terrorism.Even if that implies destroy-ing terrorist camps in Paki-stan.
--Ashok Ganjoo,Jammu
The inaction isThe inaction isThe inaction isThe inaction isThe inaction isinexcusableinexcusableinexcusableinexcusableinexcusableSir,
The UPA govt, needs totake lessons from Israel,which bombed the Gazastrip soon after rockets werelaunched from there.
Instead the current govtprefers to wear bangles andcry, while complaining toBig Brother US to take ac-tion.
The Americans are anevasive lot and they do notwant to help resolve the In-dia-Pakistan conflict, sincethey would like to continueselling arms and ammuni-tion to both the countriesand keep their Commercialinterests alive.
--R.L.KoulJammu
WhichWhichWhichWhichWhichoffensiveoffensiveoffensiveoffensiveoffensiveSir,
Even as the so-calleddiplomatic offensive by In-dia is underway, Pakistancontinues its policy of'bleeding India with a thou-sand cuts". This is evidentfrom the deep incursion thatthe Pakistan-based terror-ists have made in thePoonch sector of J&K. Themagnitude of the incursionis self explanatory. Indiacontinues to believe thatPakistan will act on its prom-ises. This expectation willprove disastrous. It is timeto think afresh and act deci-sively.
--Subash WaliNew Delhi
LETTERSLETTERSLETTERSLETTERSLETTERSEDITORIAL
NC-Congress Should Change Line
THE new NC-Congress coalition is in saddle now in the state. The electoral mandate of 2008has ensured that PDP gets elbowed out of power. Both NC and Congress being old politicalformations with experience of handling political power, it is expected that this coalition will be
more stable and the functioning of the government will be in an accommodative spirit rather thanthat of one upmanship.
For NC, return to power is critical. It has been desperately trying to retain its influence particu-larly in Kashmir Valley. PDP has made inroads into Kashmiri Muslim electoral base all-over whileretaining its stranglehold in South Kashmir. The five percent swing in favour of PDP is an ominoussignal for National Conference and its top leadership has already taken due notice of it.
Many a political Pandits did not fancy enough chances for PDP to do better this time. In factafter the fall of Congress-PDP government the party faced stiff resistance at the ground. Even inits strong base South Kashmir people attacked its rallies and beat its leaders. This resistance atthe ground reflected in the deffidence of PDP leadership which sought a postponement of theelections. It feared that post-Amarnath agitation atmosphere in Valley was not going in its favourand people were blaming it for duplicity.
PDP had also failed to win support of Jamat-i-Islami and separatists till the eve of elections. Theseparatists as well as Jamaat were publicly opposing PDP and advocating a boycott. The entireseparatist block changed track as the elections began and the fundamentalist establishment leadby Jamaat, as well as Ahli Hadisi formations publicly canvassed for PDP. Did the terrorist attacksin Mumbai and subsequent international isolation of Pakistan influence the decision of separatistsand fundamentalists in Kashmir Valley?
NC leaders have openly acknowledged the role of 'Islamist Agenda' in promoting PDP. Theybelieve that rural urban divide and claims of rural development by PDP may not have beenenough to push PDP into a position were it is now. This however poses a real challenge to the NCthink tank. After all, this think tank had relied heavily on minimicking the PDP ideological line afterbeing thrown out of power in 2002. NC tried to upstage PDP through competitive communalismand secessionism. It abandoned its line on terrorism and tried to befriend Pakistan. NationalConference actually believed that it had effectively neutralised or won over Pakistan and funda-mentalist establishment in the Valley till the beginning of elections.
The message and lesson for NC in this election is that at the crunch time both Pakistan and thecommunal establishment in the Valley have chosen PDP as its running horse and not NC. Will NClearn from such an experience? Or will it pursue the same line of outwitting PDP by appearingmore pro-Islamist and pro-secessionist? If it pursues the game of competitive communalism andsecessionism it will only concede more space to PDP which is now openly siding with Pan Islamicsentiment and seeking to erode the boundaries of Kashmiri Muslim subnationalism.
For Congress Party which has still managed to remain the largest political party in Jammu, thedilemma is no less intense. It has over the years represented mainly Jammu in legislative spheres.But at the same time has pursued the politics of keeping a distance from the dominant politicalsentiment in Jammu. With BJP winning 11 sets and staking serious claims in almost 19 moreassembly seats, Congress Party also has to rethink its line.
The middle ground which both NC and Congress can arrive at, is to have a cohesive strategy tosurvive.And this cannot be other than contesting communal politics and pursuing a balanceddevelopment of all regions. Can this coalition bring about a shift from competitive communalism tocompetitive secularism?
KASHMIRSENTINEL
January2009 44444Continuation
COMPARATIVE STATEMENT CONSITUENCY WISE SHOWING THE STRENGTH OF MIGRANTVOTERS (HINDU) IN YEAR 1988, 2005 & 2008
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------No. & Names of Assembly Total No. of VotersConstituency Upto 1988 Upto 2005 Upto 2008---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1. Karnah 22 Nill Nill2. Kupwara 1753 2340 27313. Lolab 869 744 10514. Handwara 2591 2328 25285. Langate 1423 1025 13386.Uri 635 704 2507.Rafiabad 493 261 5818. Sopore 2140 1503 16149. Gurez 0 0 010. Bandipora 1057 489 122811. Sonawari 358 134 14912. Sangrama 906 520 65913. Baramulla 2314 1967 202914. Gulmarg 1846 1873 208615. Pattan 651 463 47016. Kangan 570 524 58217. Gandherbal 615 684 73818. Hazratbal 5813 1616 193319. Zadibal 523 223 25920. Eidgah 1347 437 51621. Khanyar 2814 795 108722. Habbakadal 22862 8039 1330223. Amirakadal 11450 3422 305824. Sonawar 3035 1507 80125. Batmaloo 7103 2730 284026. Chadoora 739 468 56627. Budgam 1070 748 70328. Beerwah 490 285 48029. Khansahab 546 336 49330. Charar-e-Sharief 661 542 68331. Tral 1697 973 115732. Pampore 1008 872 82433. Pulwama 1383 1066 94134. Rajpora 2503 1781 194235. Wachi 2564 1534 159436.Shopian 1449 1104 139037. Noorawad 609 534 49838. Kulgam 2491 2046 228439. Hoomshalibugh 1296 452 83240. Anantnag 3753 2481 288241. Devsar 2908 2416 258142. Duru 1859 1164 168943. Kokernag 565 2471 237444. Shangus 2962 2216 167445. Bijbehara 4917 3413 400346. Pahalgam 2191 1907 1373---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Total 109285 63137 72793
of KP's from elections onlyhighlighted the state of siegeperpetrated on it. The overeagerness of AIKS and many ofits ilk to mobilise pandits forelections was seen bycommunity more as an attemptto delegitimise genocide than anurge to create political space.
The campaign forparticipation of Kashmiri Panditstook a bizarre comical-turn as theelections drew near. The politicalparty, which was to be floatedas the Kolkata convention ofAIKS envisaged, eventuallybrought a vertical split in AIKS.The faction which came out tookno time in declaring the politicalparty, Jammu Kashmir NationalDemocratic Front. The bitterfeud, which had unleashed inKolkotta conference, seemed asif the two factions where in fiercecompetition for controlling ofsome spoils or favours whichmight accrue out of thecampaign to make KashmiriPandits vote.
As the elections drew nearthe most common feature of thecontesting KP candidate'smindset was an expectation thatMuslims in Valley will boycottthe elections whole hog. Eachone of these candidates fanciedhis chances to go into the stateAssembly on the strength of thepaltry and denuded KP votebank. Election of Raman Mattoofrom Habbakadal Constituencyin 2002 elections by managing afew hundred postal ballot voteshad soared their imagination tothe levels of ridicule. Some ofthem even fancied a cabinetdominated by KP's.
Most of the KP candidateswho participated were unknownfaces with almost no experienceof even rudimentaryinvolvement in communityaffairs. Yet all of them had abloated self image and believedthat they were actually the frontrunners in their respectiveconstituencies. Many of them
where Pandit votes werebetween 3000 and 5000, 2constituencies where votes were5813 and 7103 respectively oneconstituency where votes werearound 11,450 and oneconstituency were votes were22,892. With almost 40 percentreduction of voters in almost allconstituencies in Valley in 2008,we had just 15,000 votes in the
largest KP constituency ofHabbakadal. The fate of votersin other constituency can beonly imagined.
Less number of voters andwide dispersal along the lengthand breadth of the Valley andalso breaking andgerrymandering of thoseconstituencies were KP voterswere in resonable strength has
already reduced KashmiriPandits to a minority whichwould be unable to elect evenMunicipal corporators not tospeak of assembly members onthe strength of its votes.
The pattern of deliberatedenudation of Kashmiri Panditvoters from voter lists since 1988onwards and its implications canbe understood from followingtable.
See TableThe diwindling of KP votes,
despite government claims toensure their presence at least invoter lists in almost allconstituencies, is a part of thereligious cleansing operationwhich is still under way. Thereare many examples in the revisedvoter lists in Kashmir Valleywhere Pandit names have been
Pandits Abstain From Voting
also believed that they will begetting large number of Muslimvotes in the Valley. A jokebecame common during thesedays of electioneering amongstdisplaced community. Acandidate enquired from acommunity worker about hischances of getting KP votes. Thecommunity workers told him thatKP vote strength is so less thateven if everybody votes for himhe may still loose. So he shouldtry to win some Muslim votes inhis constituency in Valley. Thecandidate said he had alreadyvisited his constituency andspent more than two hours thereand people's response wasgood. The community workershared this response withanother contesting candidatefrom the same constituency. Thiscandidate ridiculed theexpectations of the other bysaying 'how could he get moreMuslims votes than me byspending just two hours there.After all I have spent full twodays in my constituency in theValley".
As per the voter list of 1988the total number of KashmiriPandit votes in Kashmir Valleywas around 1,09285 dispersedalong 46 constituencies. By 2005this number had been broughtdown to 63,137 through anorchestrated process ofdeletions. KP's in exile could notprevent it and contest theexpulsions. In 2008 the numberof voters could not be broughteven to the level of 1988. Thehasty revision particularlyduring the penultimate days toelection process lifted thesenumbers marginally upwardsfrom 2005 figures upto around72,000 voters.
In 1988, there were 16assembly constituencies whereKP vote was less than onethousand, 22 constituencieswhere KP votes were betweenone thousand and threethousand, 3 constituencies
JKNUF CANDIDATES
(From Page 1)
(Contd. on Page 12)
KASHMIRSENTINEL
January2009 55555Perspective
2008 elections are nowover. A power shift hastaken place. PDP-
Congress alliance has beenreplaced in the state by NC-Congress alliance. ChiefMinistership of the stategovernment has reverted back toa Kashmiri for full six years, ifthe alliance lasts that long. Allthe major portfolios like home,finance planning, revenue andpower have been retained by NCsignifying the retrieval of thestatus quo of power.This statusquo had marginally changedduring PDP-Congress alliance.
There are attempts to analysethe assembly verdict in Jammuand Kashmir through thetraditional 'secular' prism anddraw inferences which are eitherfalse or far fetched. The wrongassessments will eventuallyeffect the success or failure ofthe 'government' which has beencatapulted into power at a criticaltime when a stand off betweenIndia and Pakistan is building inintensity.
UNDERSTANDING THEFAILURE OF BOYCOTT
The turnout of voters in thiselection particularly in Kashmirvalley has been phenomenal,more than 50% on an average. Itis invariably a big victory forelectoral process in KashmirValley. Many a eminent Kashmiranalysts in New Delhi hadprophecied that, "thegovernment will be lucky if they
2008 ELECTIONS
Let Us Not Learn Wrong LessonsBy Dr. Ajay Chrungoo
get more than 10 percent peopleto come out and vote."
Out of all segments of peopleliving in Jammu and Kashmironly Kashmiri Pandits abstainedfrom voting. Their votepercentage was less than 10%and that too despite the fact thatmore than 43 Pandit candidateswere in electoral fray and therewas also no boycott call.
Both the factions of HurriatConference campaigned forboycott of elections well beforethe onset of elections. JKLFthrough its protracted 'Safar-e-Azadi' campaign focusedeventually on boycott ofelections at the conclusion of itsrallies and interactions acrossthe length and breadth of theValley. Mirwaiz Omar FarooqChairman of All Party HurriatConference had declared withconfidence that 'there will be 100percent poll boycott' Ali ShahGeelani, to enlarge the appeal of'boycott slogan' even praisedJKLF chief Yasin Malik andstated 'we want boycott Safar-e-Azadi way'. The analysts whoconclude that the 2008 electionshave been a decisive rebuff toseparatists essentially underlinethe 'boycott call' as the onlyindispensable strategy ofseparatists. The flexibility andthe deftness of the strategicinterventions of Separatists inKashmir Valley get overlookedin this formulation. Theseparatists establishment doesgive consideration to all suchtactics which delegatimise thedemocratic process in the state.But they have always valueddeepening of its entrenchmentin the power structures withinthe state. Separatism in Valley
has alwaysconsidered its reachand sway toinfluence andcontrol the electedgovernments in thestate as its primarysupport structureperhaps asimportant as thesupport of Pakistan.So delegitimisingelections bylabelling them asrigged or coercedprocess or bycampaigning forboycott are notsimple black andwhite imperativeswhich theseparatists pursue. They operatemore in the grey area where theyengage directly or indirectly intothe election process. Theyinfluence the election manifestoand party policies of the politicalformations participating inelections. They influence theselection of candidates. Theythrow up proxy candidates intothe election fray. The mostessential objective which ispursued is not to allow anyparadigm shift in the state policyand ensure that subversiveentrenchment is only deepenedbut never eroded.
The entire spectrum ofseparatist strategies has evolvedover a period of time. Ali ShahGeelani got himself elected tostate assembly but relentlesslychallenged Indian constitutionalposition and debunked electionprocess. Jamat-i-Islami potrayedNational Conference as itsideological rival in Kashmir andsquarely blamed it for accession
of Jammu andKashmir with India.The anti-Jamaatrivalry manifestedinto streets whenmassive anti-Jamaatriots were lead byNC cadres. But thisrivalary was also nota black and whilephenomenon. As y m b i o t i cr e l a t i o n s h i pbetween NC andJamaat particularlyin the electoralsphere existed righttill 2002. Jamaatcadres wouldmobilise voters forNC and NC would
reciprocate by increasing Jamaatentrenchment in administration.Jamaat and other separatistformations built the samesymbiotic relationship withnewly formed PDP well before2002 and has carried it rightthrough the elections in 2008.There was, of course, a conflictof interests between separatistsformations including Jamat-i-Islami and PDP which had comeinto public domain in last intoyears. Separatists visualisedPDP as a usurper of its agenda.It sensed encroachment on itsspace by none other than PDP.The stand off between PDP andseparatist formations wouldhave continued but the terroristattack in Mumbai changed theCourse of events in the Valley.Increased isolation of Pakistanand pressures on separatist'feeder channel’s across madeJamaat-i-Islami to change track.Mufti as per reports had beenintensely campaigning for theirsupport.
It is difficult to comment asto when exactly Jamaat decidedto comeout whole hog insupport of PDP but itsinvolvement in elections startedmanifesting right after the 1stphase of elections. It built into acrescendo in the later phases.The top Jamaat leaders wereseen openly campaigning forPDP in Kulgam, Shopian,Pulwama as also everywhere.Analysts read too much into theanti-election rhetoric of Ali ShahGeelani but ignored theTraditional line of Jamaat-i-Islami which maintaineddistance from boycott call andcautioned that in the prevailingpolitical scenario such a stance
may prove 'counterproductive'.One thing is very clear now. Theseparatist establishmentintervened in election processnot to boycott as was theirpublic stance but actually toincrease the turnout of voters.
This assessment does not atall indicate that even ifseparatists would havecampaigned aggressiverly forboycott they would haveactually succeeded. In thateventuality voter turnout wouldhave been less but certainly animprovement over 2002elections.
OTHER FACTORSThe rural urban divide in
Valley and developmental issueswere a dominant considerationfor the people. Sweepinginference is being drawn bysome analysts in Delhi that thegrowth of PDP in Valley isprimarily the reflection of ruralurban divide rather thancommunal campaign. Howevermany credible analysts havecome out openly to record thatPDP campaign had a brazencommunal character. Notedcolumnist Sh. Parveen Swamistates, "for the PDP, the returnsfrom the incendiary communalcampaign it ran this summer, aswell as its efforts to reach out tosecessionists have beendisappointing." Immediatelyafter the election results weredeclared Farooq Abdullahopenly accepted that PDP ran acampaign on 'Islamist agenda'.Many residents of Kulgam areaconfided in their Pandit friendsthat Miss Mehbooba Mufti wasopenly telling voters to choosebetween a 'school or a mosque'.
Inspection and demonstration of electronic voting machine at Muthidisplaced camp Jammu.
Voters queuing for voting at one of the polling booths in Jammu.
(Contd. on Page 10)
KASHMIRSENTINEL
January2009 66666Guest Column
A new wave of ‘politicalmodernisation’ isdiscernible in Jammu
and Kashmir. Omar Abdullah,grandson of legendary Kashmirleader Sheikh MohammadAbdullah, has emerged as a topbanana in India’s volatileNorthern state.
He has taken over the reinsof the state administration,heading the resurgent NationalConference-Congress coalitionGovernment, on the crest of therecharged political scenario,following the Amarnath wave.We are now witnessing agenerational change in Kashmir,within a span of 75 years, sinceSheikh Abdullah began hiscrusade against the autocraticDogra regime.
Omar Abdullah (38) hasearned the distinction of beingIndia’s youngest Chief Minister.People, who have voted forpeace, stability, economicdevelopment and democracy,will expectedly find in him adynamic leader, imbued with adifferent outlook and anapproach to various problemsconfronting the state. His line ofaction seems to be different thanthose of his predecessors,including his maverick father, DrFarooq Abdullah, who tookeverything casually.
Omar’s cut out task isformidable. He has to passthrough many hurdles and keepat bay not only the separatists,represented by two factions ofthe Hurriyat Conference—oneled by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq andthe other by rambunctiousJamaat-e-Islami leader Syed AliGeelani—but also the ‘soft-separatist’ People’s DemocraticParty (PDP) clan, led by its patronMufti Mohammad Sayed and hisdaughter Mehbooba Mufti.Omar’s opponents arecrestfallen, but defiant. Peoplehave overwhelmingly voted forbetter governance, stability,modernization and democracy.They are fed up with Pakistan-sponsored militancy.
Omar has a differentpedigree and does not seem tosuffer from prejudiced notions assuch. His mother MollieAbdullah is a Christian. Hisgrandmother Akbar Jehan’sfather, Michael Harry Nedous
Omar must emphasize onOmar must emphasize onOmar must emphasize onOmar must emphasize onOmar must emphasize onnationalistic outlooknationalistic outlooknationalistic outlooknationalistic outlooknationalistic outlook
By J N Raina“ The old order changeth, yielding place to new….”: Tennysonwas a European hotelier. Omarwas born in the United Kingdomon March 10, 1970. He studiedin a missionary school inSrinagar and finally got a degreein MBA from Scotland. He wasthe youngest minister at 29, inthe Vajpayee cabinet as ministerof state for Commerce andIndustries in 1999. Later he wasshifted to the External AffairsMinistry in 2001. His role has
been generally praise-worthy. Itwas Begum Akbar Jehan whowould support him in his politicalactivities.
Soon after he was voted topower, Omar gave vent to hispowerful feelings andannounced that he wanted acoalition government,consisting of parties ‘committedto nationalistic outlook’. Hemade it known succinctly: “ Wecannot afford to have anyexperiments when expectationsof people in Jammu and Kashmirare so high. We have to have acoalition government which canbe stable, which consists ofparties committed to nationalisticoutlook”.
He is upbeat and hasstarted discussing issues withseparatists and others who havea different agenda. He has adifferent wavelength, withemphasis on nationalism ratherthan ‘Kashmir-centric’ polity. ‘No one has talked aboutnationalistic outlook but only onKashmir-specific issues’, he hassaid during and after the poll. Heneed not placate the separatistsas the Mufti did. Omar mustconvince his detractors thatTalibanisation of Kashmir will
not be allowed. He must tell themto roll back madrassas, thebreeding ground of terrorism, asin Pakistan.
The PDP is quite upset withthe NC-Cong alliance, fearingretribution. Till last, the Muftimade frantic efforts to weanaway Congress from NC. Heeven offered Chiefministership toGhulam Nabi Azad, his bete noir,for full six-year term and was
ready to concede more. TheMufti wanted to further hisparty’s interests, and adopt aresolution, aimed at resolving theso-called Kashmir issue, outsidethe ambit of the IndianConstitution. But he has failedin his scheming. Last year hehad supported an “ Out-of-box”solution for Kashmir as wassuggested by former PakistanPresident Pervez Musharraf. Hehad also advocated for floatingPakistan currency in Jammu andKashmir, along with the Indiancurrency. But people couldunderstand his game plan andprankish approach, because noone can dare to talk of resolvingthe Kashmir tangle outside theConstitution. It was this kind ofstance which harmed him.
Poll results have changedthe contours of mainstreampolitics in Jammu and Kashmir.Every segment of the societywas involved in the hectic pollactivity. Azad’s assertion thatmandate was ‘fractured’ thanthat of the previous poll and thatthe ‘unfortunate mandate’ is notgood for the people of the stateis preposterous. His remarks thatthe BJP has won 11 seats, butJammu has lost is not only
irksome but uncalled for. The Mufti was highly
disturbed over the stitching ofthe NC-Cong alliance, althoughthe PDP-Cong combine if formedwould have just been 38, againstthe NC-Cong alliance’s 45 in the87-member House. This clearlyexhibits his opportunisticpolitics and unfulfilled agenda ofmaking Kashmir ‘green’, inalliance with the secessionists.
Ms Sonia Gandhi did best toavoid Mufti on the governmentformation, as it would have ledto horse-trading and politicalcorruption. The former ChiefMinister wanted to further hissoft-separatist ideology, to thechagrin of the nationalists inJammu and Ladakh.
I remember the day whenOmar, then just 12, was roamingbarefooted on Srinagar’sMaulana Azad Road, sucking histhumb. It was September, 1982,a few days before SheikhAbdullah died. When ajournalist friend of mine told himto go home as someone would‘kidnap’ him, Omar just smiledand gesticulated with his thumb.
It is wrong to infer that theNC’s alliance with the BJP (whenNDA was in power) hadtarnished its face in the valley.Rather it was Sheikh Abdullah’spolicy to align with any party atthe Centre to avoidconfrontation. Omar has been ill-advised that ‘his key goal shouldbe to undo NC’s image of beinga party that had bowed down toNew Delhi’. It is absurd, as ifKashmir is a sovereign state.This is how the people are beingmisled. Any party in the state has
to co-exist with the UnionGovernment for speedyeconomic development of thetroubled state. Jammu andKashmir has enough ofautonomy, a separate flag, aseparate Constitution et el. Anyattempt to demand for greaterautonomy will jeopardizerelationship between Kashmirand the rest of the state. It willcreate regional imbalance. Two-month-long agitation in Jammuis an eye-opener. Kashmiris wanta society free from corruption.What has the autonomy givento them? It is a weapon to playfraud with the masses and tohoodwink them.
If Omar has a proposal toset up a “ Truth andReconciliation Commission” toinvestigate custodial killings,torture etc, he must also probethe circumstances which led tothe genocide of five lakhKashmiri Hindus and forcedthem to leave their ancestral landof birth. No government cansurvive if it continues to beKashmir-specific. Mufti’shealing touch policy for themilitants has proved disastrous.Ultimately he had to bow out.Geelani must see the writing onthe wall. Rather than create freshtrouble for Omar. The HurriyatConference has stirred up ahornet’s nest by declaring at aseminar, when Omar was beinginstalled as Chief Minister that ‘elections were not a setback tothe secessionist struggle’.
*(The author is a veteranjournalist based at Pune)
JKENG 00333/26/AL/TC/94JK No: 1213/18Regd. JK-219/2009-2011Printer Publisher B.N. Kaul for andon behalf ofPanun Kashmir Foundation.Editor: SHAILENDRA AIMAComputer Graphic:S.K. BabbuPrinted at : The Kashmir TimesPress, Gangyal, JammuOwned by:PANUN KASHMIRFOUNDATIONPublished from PANUN KASHMIRFOUNDATION, 172, Sector-3,E.W.S Colony, Lower RoopNagar,Jammu-180013 (INDIA)Tele/Fax: 0191-2593166emal: [email protected]: panunkashmir.in
His Excelency Governor N.N. Vohra administring oath of Chief Ministership to Sh. OmarAbdullah at Jammu.
KASHMIRSENTINEL
January2009 77777Analysis
Pandits, Politics and Elections
Nearly 7,000 have died since 2004: MHANEW DELHI: Nearly 7,000 people have lost their lives during the UPA
government's rule since 2004 in over 25,000 incidents, according to latestdata available with the Union home ministry.
While the first year of the UPA government saw 6,029 incidents thatclaimed 1,721 lives, the number of incidents fell as also the number of casualtiesfrom the next year onwards.
In 2005, there were 5,709 incidents in which 1,598 people died while in2006 there were 5,240 attacks that left 1,352 people dead.
In the following year, 4,907 incidents occurred in which 1,215 people losttheir lives.
This year till September one, 3,157 incidents took place in which 760people died.
The figures for the current year exclude the Mumbai terror attacks inwhich nearly 200 people have died.
Major terror strikes during the UPA period includes the Hyderabad blaststhat claimed over 40 lives, Samjhauta Express explosion in which 68 peopledied and Malegaon and serial train attacks in Mumbai that left over 230 dead,besides the latest Mumbai attacks.
During the NDA period, which saw 36,259 incidents and 11,714 deaths,the major attacks were on Parliament House, Akshardham temple and terrorstrikes at an army camp in Jammu besides storming of the Jammu and Kashmirassembly.
Pakistanis buy guns in droves asPakistanis buy guns in droves asPakistanis buy guns in droves asPakistanis buy guns in droves asPakistanis buy guns in droves asinsecurity creeps in: NYTinsecurity creeps in: NYTinsecurity creeps in: NYTinsecurity creeps in: NYTinsecurity creeps in: NYT
NEW YORK Middle class Pakistanis in scores are now procuring guns and other arms toprotect themselves, as a surge in Islamist violence has led to fears that the country may beheaded for a wave of violent kidnappings, extortions and other crimes.
Registrations of guns and rifles have recorded a new high, Wall Street Journal reportedquoting officials who attributed this trend to rising sense of anxiety, fear and insecurityamong the people, who now seeks arms to protect themselves.
This has come in vogue among the middle-class people who foresee a wave of violentkidnappings and robberies that will target those who look like they might have money.
These fears have been generated as over the past year, Pakistan has witnessed theassassination of popular political leader Benazir Bhutto and bloody bombing of Islamabad'sMarriott Hotel.
The recent terror strikes in Mumbai, allegedly carried out by 10 Pakistani militants trainedhere, has further frayed the nerves of the people here.
“The spreading Islamist insurgency in the country has led to a wave of insecurity, andpeople doubt the ability of the new civilian government to safeguard them,” paper said.
"People buy weapons because they're insecure,” a senior Interior Ministry official told thepaper. “No need denying it.”
The 11,758 murders recorded in the first 11 months of 2008 were the highest in Pakistan inat least in a decade, it said quoting Islamabad police, who compile nationwide crime statistics.
Arms licenses are issued by numerous Pakistani agencies.Local authorities and police hand out permits for weapons that can be used only within
their states.
DATA
By S.N. Pandit
KASHMIRI HINDUS have almost completed 19 years oftheir exile and are at the thresh-
old of entering the 20th year. The statehas witnessed three Assembly electionsand four Parliamentary elections since1996 but the situation has not changedfor hapless Kashmiri Hindus. The prom-ises are at galore. In practice all the po-litical parties that came to power at theState or Centre did little to amelioratethe plight of the Hindus in exile and notto speak of the reversal of the exile. Thetragedy of the nation is that an entireminority community has been forced outof their homeland. Addressing their con-cerns is not the priority of the Indianstate. Instead ensuring the democraticprocess that is already loaded in favourof those who have been overtly or cov-ertly responsible for the exodus remainsthe prime concern for the government.Notwithstanding the fact that the exiledcommunity has all these years shownlittle or no interest in the election proc-ess the Indian state and all other inter-ested agencies exploit the vested inter-est within the community and twist thestatistics to project the community par-ticipation in elections to hoodwink thenational and international community.The just concluded elections also reflectthe same story.
Voter list forms the corner stone ofany democratic process and presenceof Kashmiri Hindus in the voter lists ofKashmir is a nationalistic imperative. Un-dermining this fact amounts to contrib-uting to the secessionist and communalpolitics of separatists and Islamist fun-damentalists. The decline of Hindu vot-
ible to address the vows of the Hinduvoters of their constituency. A cursorylook at the 2008 election shows thatjust 8 to 9% migrant voters exercisedthen franchise. It is despite the fact thatthere was no call for boycott from anycommunity organisation. The PanunKashmir that had previously pursuedanti-election campaign vigorously, thistime didn't launch such campaign andleft it to the conscience of the commu-nity after describing elections as irrel-evant for the community.
Why didn't community exercisetheir vote then? It is a big question markon those individuals and organisationswho put the blame of then failure onthe doorsteps of Panun Kashmir. Thefact is that their is unanmity amongstthe community that elections havebeen irrelevant for them not in theorybut in practice. The fact that more than40 candidates participated in the elec-tion process doesn't mean that the com-munity is actually participating in theelection process. It underscores thefact that the vested interests within thecommunity easily fall prey to the temp-tation and trap of various organisationand agencies. These very agentsproject themselves to be the champi-ons of the community but in reality theyhurt the interests of the community.The community has disowned themand it is better for them to read the writ-ing on the wall.
This election shall serve as a les-son for those leaders who were nurs-ing hopes of entering the Assemblyknowing very well that even a miracu-lous victory of an individual cannot tiltany balance in favour of the commu-nity.
ers to almost half should have soundedalarm bells in the Election Commission ofIndia and the nation. Such a decline hasno parallels in the history of world. Onlythe number has not been halved but thedeliberate mistakes in the voter list leavea minuscule Kashmiri Hindu communityeligible for voting. But the issue hasbeen undermined and made a nonissue the same way the exoduswas undermined and relegatedto a non-issue. The ElectionCommission of India, who ispatting itself for holding thefree and fair elections in J&K,cannot absolve itself from itsresponsibility. Extraordinarysituations demand ex-traordinary solutionsparticularly ina situationwhere na-tional integ-rity and na-tional val-ues are atstake.
The In-dian politi-cal estab-lishment needs to rise above narrow po-litical considerations and evolve a con-sensus to ensure that every KashmiriHindu is included in the voter list of hisancestral place. It needs to evolve amechanism to enable him to vote for hispresent residential constituency. Whenthe Indian state ensured the voting of theNRIs, why such a mechanism cannot beevolved for the nationalistic exiled com-munity? Sooner the measures in this re-gard are taken, the better it is for the na-tion.
Participation in elections: Since 1996,election process has remained a non is-sue for Kashmiri Hindus. A communitythat has been denied right to live in itshomeland has every justification for notvoting for the constituency, where fromhe has been thrown out. Every civilisedsociety that values human rights recog-
nises the fact that "right to live"is a primary principal of human
rights and "right to vote" is asecondary one. As such itsounds absurd to ask a com-munity to vote that has beendenied their "right to live". To
vote for a system that has beenresponsible for the plight means
to add to one's vows. It has beenthis consideration in view
that almost all thef u n c t i o n a lKashmiri Hinduorganisa t ionsand leaders metin 1996 and de-cided to boy-cott the elec-tions then.While PanunKashmir and
some other organisations stood theirstand, the vested interest changed col-ours in consideration of their petty inter-ests at the cost of community interests.But the fact is that despite claims and pro-jections, the exiled community showed lit-tle interest in the electoral process.
Even if the political leaders and theiragents within the community exploit thedesperation of the community brethren,the end result has been their humiliation.The leaders who won on the basis of theso-called migrant vote did nothing cred-
Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswamy.
KASHMIRSENTINEL
January2009 88888Special Report
KS CorrespondentJAMMU, Dec 26: Panun Kashmir
staged a walkout from the meeting con-vened by the state Governor NN Vohra inCivil Secretariat on 26th December 2008,to discuss the return and rehabilitationpackage announced by the Prime Minis-ter, with the leaders of the displaced com-munity.
The convening of the meeting to dis-cuss the issue of Prime Minister's pack-age for return and rehabilitation by noneother than the state Governor surprisedmany, why should Governor organisesuch a meeting at a time when electionresults were a few days away and the newgovernment was about to take the reignsof the state. At the very outset of themeeting the Governor Sh NN Vohra didmention that the meeting could only setthe agenda rolling and the actual deci-sions will have to be taken by the newgovernment. However the way theagenda of the meeting was introduced bythe Commissioner Secretary Revenue andRelief Sh Lokesh Jha and then further elu-cidated by Governor Vohra it seemed thatthe meeting was not convened to discussthe Prime Minister's package for dis-placed Kashmir Hindus, as the letter ofinvitation clearly indicated, but to seekthe consent of the displaced leaders for apremeditated and pre conceived objec-tive. The Revenue Secretary took painsto explain how a significant section ofcommunity had already given consent toavail off the economic incentives in thePrime Minister's package to rebuild andreconstruct their houses in Kashmir Val-ley. Revenue Secretary also informed thatthousands of unemployed youth havealready consented in written to return toValley in case they are givenemployment.The issue which was to bediscussed was only how transition livingfacilities have been conceived by the stategovernment to facilitate return. Partici-pants were informed about a power pointpresentation on the same issue could bemade in front of them in case there was aunanimity on the issue.
Intrigued by the manner in which thestate government was treating the sensi-tive issue of return of Kashmiri Pandits.Panun Kashmir leader Dr Ajay Chrungoointervened at the very inception after therepresentation of All India Kashmiri SamajSh. Wangnoo finished his presentation.Dr Ajay Chrungoo appreciated the sensi-tivity of the Prime Minister in giving therelief and rehabilitation made measuressome impetus but cautioned the govern-ment not to treat the issue of return in asuperficial way. "Let us not address theissue of internal displacement ofKashmiri Hindus and their return andrehabilitation in Kashmir Valley as if weare addressing the problems of rehabili-tation of victims of fire, earth quake orflood. We are addressing the issue ofreligious cleansing and genocide of com-munity. The issue of return of such a com-munity has profound political and humanrights implications. There is enough in-ternational expertise available at the in-ternational level as to how such issueshave to be treated. The experience withinternational refugees and internally dis-placed person of bodies like UNHRC andRed Cross should be certainly lookedout.
PK stages walkout of Governor's MeetingSeeks Delinking of Employment Package from Return
Return policy of the government inpast has lead to many massacres. Wewant to return in a situation where wehave not to leave again.
We welcome the employment packageof Prime Minister for unemployed youthbut we urge you to delink this packagefrom return. Employ these youth in Jammutill the situation becomes conducive for
return".Governor Vohra instead of appreciat-
ing the concerns appeared irritated andinterjected many times during the pres-entation of Dr Ajay Chrungoo. He calledthe concerns of Human Rights as a 'Jar-gon' and expressed surprise as to whyDr. Ajay had chosen to attend the meet-
ing when the agenda of the meeting wasunable to accommodate his views. Dr.Agnishekhar immediately took up the is-sue raised by Dr. Ajay Chrungoo andwithout getting raffled by Governor's in-terjections emphatically said, "we havediscussed the issue of return in all thethree Round Table Conference and Work-ing Group Meetings. We asked for a
probe into the crore issues which lead todisplacement. We are not prisoners andwar. Why are unemployed youth beingasked to fill up written undertakings toreturn to Valley in case they want to beemployed. We want the issue of unem-ployment to be delinked from return".
As the government persisted with its
premeditated intention to get some sortof sanction from the Pandit leaders forthe transition facilities for return theywere envisaging to build in Kashmir,Panun Kashmir staged a walk out. Beforeleaving Dr Ajay Chrungoo, addressed thegovernor, "Sir we came to this meeting todiscuss the agenda as per the letter ofinvitation. We have raised serious issuesand that is not Jargon. In fact what gov-ernment is doing is not more than a Jar-gon. We have regards for you and wecame to this place on your invitation. Wedon't think we can be a party to the pre-meditated and predetermined outcome ofthis meeting with utmost respect for youwe beg to leave. "Dr Agnishekhar en-dorsed the line and both the leaders leftthe meeting.
As per sources other than four VijayBakaya, Shadi Lal Pandita, Chuni Lal Bhatand Mr Hangloo all other participantssought delinking of employment packagefrom return. Mr Bakaya parrotted gover-nors line and described Panun Kashmirconcerns as mere 'philosophy'. Mr Bakayawas adequately rebuffed by Hira LalChatta who had contested on BJP ticketfrom Habbakadal Constituency. He said,"I have spent a month in Kashmir Valley.I know what is the condition there. No-body welcomes us there. Those who havenever lived in camps are supporting thereturn in the name of camp dewellers.
We welcome the employment packagebut it should be delinked from return,"As pre sources meeting lasted only forfifteen minutes after PK leaders walkedout. Govt presentation could not bescreened subsequently. Governor con-cluded the meeting by assuring that thereconcerns will be communicated to Govt.of India.
Dr. Ajay Chrungoo andDr.Agnishekhar then addressed a jointpress conference at Press Club Jammu toinform media about their walk out.
The stand taken by Panun Kashmir gotoverwhelming response in coming days.Many organisation came out publicly intheir support.
Why was Governor so eager to pushthrough the return agenda baffled many.The new Chief Minister Omar Abdullahhowever, distanced from creation of tran-sition facilities for migrant "I do not wantto shift them from one camp in Jammu toanother in Valley".
Governor N.N. Vohra reviewing implimentation of Kashmiri Pandits return package in a meeting at Jammu.
Dr. Ajay Chrungoo & Dr. Agnishekhar addressing media persons at Jammuimmediately after the walkout from Governor's meeting.
KASHMIRSENTINEL
January2009 99999Citizen Meet
KS CorrespondentJAMMU, Dec 21: Panun
Kashmir organised a citizen'smeet today at Invitation BanquetHall, Roop Nagar Jammu. Themeeting was addressed by Sh.Shailandra Aima, Kuldeep Raina,Prof. M.L. Kaul, Prof. B.L.Fotedar, Sh.C.L.Chrungoo, Sh.B.L. Ticku, Sh.O.N. Trisal,Shl.D.N.Kissu and many others.
The meeting observedsilence in the beginning and paidtributes to the departedcommunity leader latePadmashree. J.N. Kaul. Thespeakers described Sh. Kaul asa leading light and a friend and aguide.
While welcoming theemergence of a parliamentaryconsensus against terrorism inIndia and the legislation of anti-¬terror laws as well as creationof a federal agency to tackleterror, the Panun Kashmirleaders warned against anylowering of the guard. They alsowere critical of the very rationaleof the Indo-Pak peace processstarted by NDA and pursued bythe UPA.
The meet unanimouslyresolved that “the Indian nationholds Pakistani State squarelyresponsible for the terror actsperpetrated by its so-called non-state actors; and thatGovernment of Pakistan is nolonger a victim of terror; Pakistanis either a responsible State fullyaccountable for what springsfrom its soil or merely a failedstate now”.
The meet welcomed theGovernment of India in seekingglobal cooperation in the waragainst Islamic terrorism. But thePK leaders at the same timecautioned the Indian stateagainst believing that separatismin Kashmir is outside the ambitof the objectives of Pan-Islamicfundamentalism. The leaders
Panun Kashmir warns against lowering of Guards
expressed their strong concernthat Sh, Pranab Mukharjee, theExternal Affairs Minister ofIndia, sought to de-link the terrorattack in Mumbai from theKashmir issue in the Parliament,while describing the attitude ofPakistan to establish such alinkage as a 'straightjacket simpleformula'.
The PK leaders expressedthat Sh. Mukharjee was only
partly correct in stating that "It(attacks) is not related to Jammuand Kashmir. It is a part of globalterrorism." PK leaders said,“The attack in Mumbai wascertainly a part of the globalIslamic terrorism. But so isKashmir turmoil part of theglobal campaign of pan-Islamicterrorism”. The leaders alsowarned that the countriesclaiming to fight global terrorismhave many a time conceded toterrorism in the name of historicalor economic alienation, “The USintervention in Afghanistan post9/ II and spill over of Jehad intorest of India should have madeboth the US and Indian Statewise enough to realize thatconcessions to Islamic terrorismat one front never lead to its
regression or abatement at theother front. In fact, any politicalconcession to terrorism flares upits flames and escalates itsstridency all over”.
The leaders opined that “the26th November attack in Mumbaiis a type of 'performanceviolence' which is guided by aspecial kind of' strategic thoughtprocess'”.
The meet concluded that
“The Mumbai terrorist violencehas galvanized the nationalopinion and crystallized nationalconsensus more than any act ofviolence in recent times.Terrorism in Punjab failed to stirthe national response. Thereligious cleansing of Hindusfrom Kashmir did not outrage thenation even though in intensityand by implication it continuesto be the most gruesome attackon the 'idea of India'. The 26/11terrorism in Mumbai is tendingto become 'a game changer'.
The meeting RESOLVED that“In this atmosphere of newenergy the paramount task forthe government is to reaffirm thecommitment of the nation toindivisible unity of the nation. Inthe war of the nation against
terror those who think that Indiais political invention and its unitydivisible are subversivessapping the national will andmorale. In this war against terrorthose who talk about root causeslegitimize terror. In this war thosewho advocate concession in thename of religion or ethnicitynegate the very idea of secular,plural and free India.
“The war on terror cannot befought by self delusion or selfflagellation. Apportioning blameon politicians or bureaucracy orcorruption in the system mayserve only as a diversionaryploy. Fracturing the nationalconsensus through a systematicprocess of ideologicalsubversion is basically feedingthe callousness, apathy andinertia and this subversioncannot be defeated withoutcommitting ourselves to the
The participants during the citizen's meet. --K.S/Photo
vision that India is not a politicalinvention but a civilizationalcontinuity and also India is anindivisible unity. To defeat thiswar on the 'idea of nation' wehave to neutralize and defeat thatclass in our academic and policyresearch centres, electronicmedia and press as well asbureaucracy which does notshare this vision. To defeatterrorism we have to take care ofnot only of the external enemybut the internal enemy-as well”.
The participants committedthemselves to their resolve tofight the internal as well asexternal enemy, to raise theirbanner of struggle against allkinds of terror and to awaken aworld opinion in their favour forreversing the genocide ofHindus in Kashmir as a cardinalprincipal of fight againstterrorism.
Heartiest Congratulations
KIRTI CHAKRA Brigadier Shri Sunil RazdanJi S/o Late Sh.
Ramchandra Razdan Ji ofPurshyaar Habbakadal is beingconferred with Vishistha SewaMeal for his distinguished serv-ices rendered to Ministry of De-fence! The Officer was instru-mental in establishing the cen-tre for "Joint Warfare Studies"an independent think tank of thethree services on Joint War-fare. President of India ShrimatiPratibha Patil will be honouringSh. Razdan for his remarkablecontribution who not only has made us proud but also madeus feel that we belong to the race of brave people. He alongwith other brave Officers from the community are truly greatLalitadiya's of our community! Before too dearest Razdan Jiwas conferred with Kirti Chakra for his extraordinary braverythat he demonstrated in Kashmir operation during peak mili-tancy.
Please accept our salutations the Bravest son of the greatsoil of Bharat Mata!
Brigadier Sunil Razdan
“In this atmosphere of new energy theparamount task for the government is toreaffirm the commitment of the nationto indivisible unity of the nation. In thewar of the nation against terror those
who think that India is politicalinvention and its unity divisible are
subversives sapping the national willand morale. In this war against terror
those who talk about root causeslegitimize terror. In this war those who
advocate concession in the name ofreligion or ethnicity negate the very idea
of secular, plural and free India.
KASHMIRSENTINEL
January2009 1010101010Continuation
"We are for Mosque. If youchoose a Mosque a school willautomatically come. But not theother way". PDP in itsexpositions has been identifyingwith Muslim causes globallymore than NC. It has sought toproject 'Selfrule" document asmore in consonance with themovement of Pan-Islamism ratherthan Kashmiri Aspirations.
However, under playing ofrural urban divide as animportant influence on theelections will be equallyincorrect. Rural-Urban dividehas evolved in Kashmir Valleywith the emergence of a largerural middle class over the years.Emergence of Mufti MohdSayeed, Late Abdul Gani Lone,Jamat-i-Islami and MuF reflectsit more than anything else. Thistime PDP made significantinroads into North Kashmir. PDPhas won six seats there while NChas done marginally better bywinning seven seats. CentralKashmir extending betweenKangan and Ganderbal withSrinagar as its core has beenvirtually swept by NationalConference. However, PDPretained its stranglehold onSouth Kashmir where it won 12out of 16 seats. The betterperformance of PDP is also areflection of the urge of ruralpolitical class to control politicalpower.
This rural urban rivalary hasdeepened over the years andnow spilled into the publicdomain. Previously this dividewas subdued but now it hasexploded into open.Reverberations of this rivalarycan be heard even afterelections. Recently Sh. M.G.Hassan Mukhtar a freelancejournalists wrote in KashmirTimes that, "The original citizensof Srinagar treat all villagers assecond class irrespective of thelanguage they speak.If a villagergoes to moon the urbanitieswould never digest it and ratherpull his legs...In reality thesuperiority complex (readinferiority complex offoolishness) of urban fellows onthe basis of nothing towardsvillagers is not a good thing" InSrinagar this bitterness can begauged by a cursory talk onpolitics at a vegetable vendorsshop or a burgers shop.
The increased developmentalprocess during PDP-Congressregime in rural areas has furtherheightened the divide. Muftiused the Prime Minister's GramSadak Yojna to build extensiveroad connectivity particularly in
South Kashmir. Any village witha population of 500 or more wasconnected by a metalled road. Alarge portion of the 24,000 crorespecial aid package to Kashmirwas spend in the rural areas.Creation of developmentauthorities in Gulmarg,
Tangmarg Pahalgam, Sonamargand many other places hastenedthe developmental process inrural areas which did translateinto political benefits for Mufti.
Mufti has not only usedpredominantly thefundamentalist card and softsecessionist slogans, but alsothe rural urban divide anddevelopmental slogans tostabilise his party.
NC retained its previousnumber of 28 in the assembly.PDP has increased its tally from18 to 21. In 2008 elections therehas been an overall swing of 5percent in favour of PDP. It hasshown tendency to grow all overthe Valley and has made dent incertain areas of Jammu. The newChief Minister Omar Abdullahhas acknowledged this trend byopenly admitting, "the resultsdefinitely gave a fair idea thatPDP is making inroadseverywhere in Valley. I think weneed to take stock of it.".
JAMMU RESULTS
While belittling thecommunal contours of PDP's risethe 'liberal' analysts infer a riseof communal stridency in Jammuregion. Which well-knowncolumnists like Shankar Jhadescribe as 'historical' as if it isintegral to the attitude of peopleliving in Jammu. Even a betterinformed journalist like ParveenSwami does not contest suchsweeping generalisations. His
comments that," despite theapparently dramaticimprovement in BJP's fortunes-which have taken it from just oneseat in 2002 to 11 now, HinduChauvinism hasn't yieldedexceptional pay offs". Themassive support to Amar Nath
Agitation in Jammu andhightened consciousness aboutthe systematic and organiseddiscrimination meeted out toJammu is an expression of HinduChauvinism for even theunbiased 'liberal' intellectuals inrest of India. This is perhaps anexpression of a faulty visionwhich recognises concession tothe Muslim identity politics inJ&K as a secular imperative. .
In Jammu province Congresswon 13 seats and BJP won 11seats. There was almost a 3percent negative swing againstCongress and a 10 percent swingin favour of BJP. BJP has beenrunners-up in 13 seats and thenumber three in 7 constituenciesin Jammu region which means ithas now decisively staked itsclaims for at least 30constituencies in Jammu. But isthe rise of BJP an outcome ofcommunal polarisation in theaftermath of AmarnathAgitation? Certain features of theelection outcome in Jammu haveto be recognised to answer thisquestion.
BJP candidates lost in mostof the constituencies where theintensity of Amarnath agitationwas high. It suffered defeat inKathua, Billawar, SambaVijaypur, Bishnah, GandhiNagar, Chhamb, AkhnoorUdhampur, Chenani andRamban. Mostly Congresscandidates won from theseconstituencies with one each
Voters queuing for voting at one of the polling booths in Kashmir.
Let Us Not Learn Wrong Lessonsgoing to National Conferenceand JK National Panthers Party.Congress lost to BJP in thoseconstituencies where AmaranthAgitation was weak like Reasi,Basohli and Bani. The defeat ofShilipi Verma the widow ofKuldeep Verma the martyr hero
of Amarnath Agitation isrevealing. Also notable is thefact that those Congresscandidates won who had a betterrecord as MLA's or ministersand who had also supportedAmarnath Agitation. Sham LalSharma from Akhnoor andRaman Bhalla from Gandhi Nagarare the best examples toelucidate the fact. Almost all theCongress Ministers in previousassembly lost this time. The bestexamples are that of Pt. MangatRam Sharma and Gulchain SinghCharak. These ministers had notone come out openly in favourof Amarnath agitation. Even thestar campaigners of BJP like LKAdvani, Rajnath Singh,Narendra Modi, Arun Jaitely,Murli Manohar Joshi, NavjotSingh Sidhu could not succeedin wooing voters against thoseCongress candidates who hadperformed well as sitting MLAsand unambiguously identifiedwith the sentiment of Jammu.
SIDELIGHTS
Towards the end of thisanalysis it will be pertinent torecord some observations whichhave a value for the future.Sakina Itoo won from SouthKashmir against the tide ofIslamists. Mohd. Yusuf Tarigamiof CPI(M) defeated his PDP rivalfor whom Jamat lead no holdsbar campaign. Mr. Tarigami ofCPI(M) who at everyopportunity has supportedseparatists cause and
undermined the exodus ofKashmiri Pandits seemed trailingalmost to the end of the countingprocess only to sail across afterfew hundred Pandit votes castein his favour where countedtowards the end.
The Kashmiri Pandit votescast in small numbers showedpreference in favour of NC wherethe main choice was between NCand PDP. Dr Shafi of PDP wonfrom Beerwah constituency bya mere margin of 124 votes whichincluded 80 votes from KP's. Thismay be an exception because hewas favoured not for his partyaffiliation and was considered abetter person having closerelationship with the Pandits ofhis constituency.
Congress won 3 seats fromKashmir Valley. Has done wellin 5 more constituencies. It hasat least a clear demarcated chunkof 10 assembly seats to work forin the next elections
CONCLUSION
'The 2008 mandate canstabilise the situation if NCplays its cards well. After 2002elections NC adopted a policyline of mirroring or aping PDPline. It changed its policy onPakistan and terrorism hopingthat it will steal a March aheadof PDP. At the crunch time ofelections fundamentalistestablishment and Pakistan madea choice in favour of PDP leavingit in lurch. Will NC ride the sameideological band wagon?
Congress has survived on theedge. Will it ignore its legislativebase as it has done in the pastand loose its relevance inJammu?
BJP enthused by theresponse of people during theelections and hoping to winaround twenty five seas threwenough hints that it was readyto join hands with PDP or NC tocome to government. It hasshown ready willing to dispensewith its ideological baggage forwhich it still has space in Jammu.Will it play the power game orthe role of an instrument to bringa fundamental change in powerbalance in favour of Jammu?
CPI(M) has again survived asole presence in the presentassembly from Kulgamconstituency in Kashmir Valley.Jamaat declared it as a party of‘Kuffar’. People still voted it intopower in a stiff battle. WillCPI(M) still flirt with Muslimcommunalism and separatism asit has done so far?
The future in J&K is pregnantwith possibilities both good orbad.
*(The author heads PanunKashmir)
(From Page 5)
KASHMIRSENTINEL
January2009 1111111111Media-Scan
By Imrana KhwajaQ: Is there such a thing as a
"Muslim Identity?A: Yes, there is such a thing
as a 'Muslim identity'-one's self-consciousness as a Muslim.There is a sense of belonging toa larger community, there are ritu-als and buzzwords which are an-chors and give us a commonalityof identity references. All thesecontribute to our perception ofourselves as Muslims.
However, there is a great di-versity as to how such con-sciousness is expressed becausethe subjectivity underpinningMuslim identity and its modesof expression are largely shapedby the context. And since thecontext (historical, cultural, po-litical) remains in a state of flux,the forms of Muslim subjectiv-ity are bound to change as well.Consequently, Muslim identityis a dynamic reality rather thanan academic construct.
Take for example themulticultural, Indo-Persian con-text of 'Muslim India': Urdu arosefrom a creative synthesis of sev-eral languages and the TajMahal became 'a miracle of Is-lam' because only India couldfurnish the ground for such amiracle to happen, as psycholo-gist Carl Jung noted. This in-clusive dynamic in Muslim iden-tity continued even under Brit-ish rule whether in Sir SyedAhmed Khan's learning Hebrewto write a commentary on the Bi-ble or Maualan UbaidullaSindhi's spiritual politics whereMuslim identity creatively en-gaged with vedantic pantheism,Islamic mysticism, and radicalsocialism.
Q: What expression is beinggiven to Muslim identity in thepresent day?
A: In the present context of asectarian, post-Zia Pakistan,Musim identity has becomeproblematic because violencehas been factored into an 'Is-lamic' self-affirmation-in fact, itis becoming increasingly irrel-evant whether the 'other'against whom such violence isunleashed is Christian, Shia,Ahmedia or Sunni. An exampleof what I'm trying to say wasgraphically summed up on June5 this year, marking Eid-e-Milad-e-Nabi-the very same day onwhich President Musharraf madehis famous speech at the ulema'sconvention in Islamabad, andwhere he virtually conceded thatreligious violence in Pakistanhad reached such a scale thatPakistanis the world over werevirtually regarded as terrorists.
INTERVIEWINTERVIEWINTERVIEWINTERVIEWINTERVIEW 'It is high time Muslims took responsibility for whyIslam and terrorism have become synonymous"
As if to prove the President'spoint, rival Sunni factions werefiring at each other's Milad-e-Nabi processions in Karachi,with one group trying to occupythe mosque belonging to theother. Then on June 6, twobeared men left a copy of the holyQuran at a 'rival' bookshop inBinori town selling religiouspublications. The Quran wasactually a time bomb that ex-ploded after the men left. Whatis disturbing is that the news ofthese incidents was largely ig-nored by the media. I read aboutit in the inside pages of Dawn.
Such indifference is sympto-matic of our complicit culture,where religious violence hasbeen naturalised to such an ex-tent that it has become integralto our religious culture.
It is ironic, that in a societyso prone to taking to the streetson the slightest rumour of theQuran's desecration, therewere no signs of outrage at thisincident. In this case of theQuran's desecration, the tear-ing out of its pages and fittingthe hollow space with a bomb,even the religious right re-mained silent.
This is precisely what oneshould be apprehensive about-the popular attitude that theQuranic bomb might well be re-flective of Ghalaba-e-Islam.Osama bin Laden's Islam is pre-cisely an extension of such amisplaced fantasy of Islam ex-ploding its way to glory andpower. Where power is seenonly in terms of a capacity towreak death and destruction,rather than creativity and con-struction.
The Quranic bomb andOsama bin Laden, then, are twosides of a Muslim identity and aMuslim cultural imaginationsteeped in the crudest forms ofliteralism, erasing the bound-ary between jihad and terrorism.No wonder 83 per cent of Paki-stan regarded Bin Laden amujahid hero (at least until theTaliban's defeat) and his post-ers riding a horse and wieldinga sword were doing the roundsfrom Karachi to Peshawar.
Q: There is a feeling amongMuslims that the equation ofIslam and Muslims with vio-lence and terrorism is a con-struct of the western media.What is your view?
A: I think it is important toask ourselves why terrorism andviolence have become the rep-
resentative face of Islam. Is it thewestern media or are we in someway responsible for this. We saythat this is a western constructand a western creation and a re-sult of the western media. Afterthe September 11 episode I wasaddressing my class of about100 students and there was thisfeeling among some of them thatMuslims will automatically beblamed for these events. My re-sponse at that time and my firstreaction was that the perpetra-tors are Muslims but they areMuslims who haven't lived in'Muslim' society. They havebeen studying in the West andthis is why they could conceiveof such an act. It needs a crea-tive imagination, a certain dar-ing that cannot foster in a Mus-lim society because Muslim so-ciety is a ghetto. The perpetra-tors had been exposed to a soci-ety that allowed them to thinkthe unthinkable.
It is high time that we Mus-lims took responsibility for whyIslam and terrorism have becomesynonymous. It is the simple wayout to blame the western media.At the moment Muslim cultureis promoting a complicit cultureof religious violence. Religiousviolence has been naturalised inour society and, in particular,in Pakistani culture.
Q: Don't you think there arepolitical reasons why Muslimsthe world over have taken upterrorism as a form of expres-sion?
A: Of course we can't denythat. That is a given as far as Iam concerned but I am trying tolook beyond that.
Q: Are you saying that thereason why the political griev-ances of Muslims express them-selves in violence is somethingto do with our religion?
A: There are two levels ofwhich one is of global politics.No doubt there is an element ofdiscrimination and a sense ofpersecution, which is in manyways justified. But the way I amapproaching this problem isthrough the internal dynamicsof a Muslim society. What weare and have been doing and whyhave we reduced ourselves to acultural ghetto. Is it somethingto do with us? I think we haven't
focused on this suffi-ciently. It is easier tolatch on to global is-sues and blame the USfor our ills. But that isnot going to get usanywhere because wehave to function withinthe parameters whichare available to us.
Q: Do you thinkthat religious violencewill remain central toour religious cultureor do you foresee achange, particularlyin the post-September11 scenario?
A: I think a change will takeplace, it has to take place. At themoment, violence is a ready-made channel for expressingMuslim identity. The pressingchallenge today is for creatingthe space for a more inclusiveMuslim identity. We must cre-ate cultural space for express-ing other forms of Muslim iden-tity. This won't be possible with-out tearing down the cobwebs ofa soul-destroying literalism thathas reduced Muslim society toa cultural ghetto. And this re-quires standing up and reclaim-ing the legacy of Abrahamic de-fiance-of demolishing an out-moded form of god in the nameof God'. Or as Iqbal put it in hisPersian verses quoting Rumi:Naqsh-e-Haq Ra Hum BayAmre-e-Haq Shayken".
However, this is a conceptualIqbalian project that most of uswould find too scary and ratherdo without. Consequently, we'drather settle for the more famil-iar-and naturalised forms ofTalibanic Islam and brand thepropounders of Abrahamic Islamas agents of an 'American Islam',as the terrorist opponents ofPresident Khatami are doing inIran.
Q: Do you see the beginningsof this process of change any-where?
A: There is one place wherea Muslim cultural efflorescenceis broadening the horizons ofMuslim identity and creatingthe space for spiritual human-ism as well as a creative engage-ment with the West. Iran.
Notwithstanding the pres-sures of Iran's home-grown Is-
lamist death squads, post-revo-lutionary Iran is probably theonly Muslim society where theconstitution of a Muslim iden-tity in terms of a creative andinclusive individuality is seenas a task by so many Iranians.How has such a tectonic shift incultural imagination come aboutin Iran? There are numerousreasons but I will focus only onone the transformation of armedstruggle-jihad (as war), or even'terrorism' into cultural pro-duction.
In other words, the transfor-mation of the 'heroic' and achange in meaning of the 'heroic'.The best known signifier ofsuch transformation is MohsenMakhmalbaf, an Iranian film di-rector whose film Kandhar wasdeclared the best film of 2001by Time Magazine. Way backin the 70s, Makhmalbaf wastried as a 'terrorist' by theShah's regime and given a longprison sentence for stabbing apoliceman-Makhmalbaf wantedthe policeman's gun to rob abank and then give the moneyto the urban guerrillas fightingthe Shah's dictatorship. He wasin prison as a 'terrorist' when theIranian revolution exploded andwon his release.
In this sense, Makhmalbaf isjust one example of the transfor-mation of the 'heroic' a la urbanguerrilla (jihadi, freedom fighteror terrorist), into an intellectualfighter at the frontiers of culture.His creative experiments are dar-ing leaps of another kind for thatof a teenaged idealist with a gun.
Clearly, Makhmalbaf epito-
For the benefit of our readers we here publish an interview of Sh.Suroosh Irfania well-known Pakistani psychologist and cultural observer who is currentlyteaching at Lahore. The interview was conducted by Sh. Imrana Khwaja and waspublished way back in the Herald annual issue of January 2002. --Editor
Sh.Suroosh Irfani
(Contd. on Page 12)
KASHMIRSENTINEL
December2008 1212121212OpinionsKASHMIR
SENTINELJanuary
2009 1212121212ContinuationPandits Abstain From Voting
JKNUF CANDIDATES
shown Muslim parentages. Thecommunal hatred is manifestwere a Pandit voter is shown theparentage as Nest-u-Nabood.(Annihilated). The votercleansing is the part of thebroader religious cleansingcampaign. Physical cleansing,residential cleansing,administrative cleansing andvoter cleansing constitute asinister process which is a crimeagainst humanity.
Kashmiri Pandits realise thegravity of the crimes committedagainst them. The communityhas sought state intervention toaddress the issue of genocideperpetrated on it. The State haschosen steadfastly to deny thegenocide and trivialise thetragedy. To fudge the issuerespective governments haveresorted to perverted symbolismlike that of 'voting in exile'.
The communitydisenchantment in the electionprocess is reflected by itsvoluntary abstention fromelectoral process. As per reliefcommissioner only 2013 voteswere polled in HabbakadalConstituency which has thelargest number of KashmiriPandit votes. In AmirakadalConstituency which has thesecond largest number of KPvotes only 456 KP voters castetheir votes.
The retraction of KashmiriPandits from voting was evident
from the very first phase. Seeingthe pattern of almost a totalabstention by KPs the stategovernment tried to confuse thepublic by giving the voterpercentages not out of totalvoters in the constituency butout of the total number of M-forms filled up by the KashmiriPandits. Relief Commissionerdeclared that 43% migrants castetheir vote in 7th Phase'. Lookingat the actual figures, reality wasmarkedly different. 3,572 KPvoters had caste their votes outof 8,267 whose M-forms wereentertained and accepted.Percentage publically declaredwas out of M-forms registeredand not out of total voters in theconstituencies which went forpolls. Actually percentage ofvoting fell around 6% only. Thegovernment embarrassment wasmanifest in the disinformationwhich it tried to generate.
Large number of KPcandidates contested in thiselections despite anoverwhelming disenchantmentof community with electoralprocess. Some analystsexplained it as a sponsoredparticipation. These analystssay that the government facedby the spectre of widespreadboycott in Kashmir Valleyencouraged Pandit candidates tofield their nominations fromalmost all constituencies inKashmir Valley. The idea was tosend the message across that
Muslim boycott may helpsending KP candidates toAssembly. This perceptionnever tallied with the groundsituation in the Valley. A largenumber of Kashmiri Muslims hadalready expressed their wish tocontest in the Valley. To scuttlethe boycott call given byseparatists there were largenumber of Muslims candidatesready to take the bait ofgovernment and jump into thefray and make some money. Thecampaigning in variousconstituencies in the Valleyreflected almost no impact ofcontesting Pandit candidates vis-a-vis the turn over of the voters.
Others opine that Panditcandidates participation impartedsymbolic secular hue to theelections in the Valley which thegovernment desired particularlyin the light of polarisation whichtook place in the state duringAmarnath Agitation. Sogovernment must have madesome investment in this directionand many must have been readyto reap the harvest.
The volume of money whichis being spent these days onelections creates a sort of abazaar or market which some tryto exploit. For breaking or addingeven small chunk of votes froma particular section of voters,prospective rich candidatesspend money lavishly. A naivitythat a comprehensive boycott inValley may actually translate into
Pandits getting elected is alsoseen as a factor in Panditcandidates jumping into the fray.
There are however someanalysts who see more in theabstention of KP from voting.Kashmiri Pandit abstentionexposes the contours of a'guided democracy'. Thedemocratic process is devisedsuch that it ensures hegemonyof Kashmiri Muslimsdisproportionate to its numbers.For example the total votespolled by the 3 winningcandidates in the lastParliamentary elections fromKashmir Valley fall short of theloosing candidate from the singleparliamentary constituency ofJammu and Poonch. TheAssembly and Parliamentaryconstituencies in Jammu are farbigger both in terms of voters aswellas area as compared toconstituencies in Kashmir Valley.The average number of votersper assembly constituency inJammu region is 83,263. For theKashmir Valley voters perconstituency are only 70,884.Area wise the assemblyconstituencies in Jammu arealmost double the size that ofValley. In such a structure ofdemocratic setup right toequality as a cardinal principalguiding democratic process hasbeen abandoned to ensure theperpetuation of political powerof only one segment of thepeople in the state. Religious
(From Page 4)
cleansing of Kashmiri Hindusunderlined the lack ofcommitment of the nation stateto preserve even symbolicallythe pretension of secularism andequality. KP Abstentiongradually lifts the lid over thesecontradictions which thedemocratic set up in the statecarries in its womb. If the peoplehaving faith in the India nationstate start internalising theperception that democracy in thestate violates the principle ofequality and legitimisesexclusion, it is a sign ofdeepening crisis. To camouflagethis crisis governments at thehelm may encourage mercenaryparticipation of Kashmiri Panditsin electoral process to give animpression of stabilisation of thisdemocratic process.
Communal establishment inKashmir valley also has stakesin hiding the contradictions ofthe democratic set up in the state.After all the structure of this setup is such that it ensures itshegemony in the state power.Communal entrenchment in statepower has acted as a vitalsupport structure to keepseparatism alive in the state. Thisquarter may also encouragemercenary activity aimed atdiluting KP resistance.
Political naivity but goodintentions, vested interests withnoble pretensions or merely amasochism to submit and playthe game of the usurper, broadlyare seen as the reasons whichprompted 43 Kashmiri Panditsto jump into the fray of the 2008-elections. Kashmiri Pandits inoverwhelming majority chose toremain away from elections. Forthem voting in exile is acceptinga fiat accompli of permanentexpulsion. For Kashmiri Panditsany process which eveninadvertently contributes to thedenial of their genocide andlegitimise a system of exclusionis abhorrent.
END
mises a cultural context and aMuslim identity that has out-grown self-righteous violencefor affirming one's individualityand identity.
However, such a transforma-tion of the 'heroic' has not beena overnight development, as thehistorical seeds of 'the heroic'as an inner battle for self-for-
mation and enlightenment havebeen central in Islamic mysti-cism (termed as Jihad-e-Akbar).In fact, one could recall thetransformation of Tariq binZiyad's 'burning boats' zeal inthe Iberian peninsula into thecultural achievements that madeIslamic Spain a high point inhuman civilisation. Such atransformation also underpins
President Khatami's'civilisational dialogue' initia-tive, in itself just another nodalpoint of post-revolutionaryIran's cultural efflorescence.Indeed, Iran's example shows usthat it is possible to construct apluralistic Muslim identity athome with Islam and the chal-lenges of globalisation. By do-ing so, you exorcise the ravages
of colonialism and the violenceof religious extremism.
Q: How can we in Pakistanlearn from the Iranian experi-ence?
A: There is a great complex-ity in the times we are living inand the challenge today is theintellectual challenge. We haveto create and produce knowl-edge ourselves before we are able
to catch up with the times. Wecan't go on mimicking the West.We have within our own tradi-tion an intellectual rigour andstruggle which was embodied inSufism and which was ingrainedwithin the Indo-Persian cultureof which we are a product. Thateclipsed dimension has to be re-claimed.
**
'It is high time Muslims took responsibility for why Islam and terrorism have become synonymous"(From Page 11)
KASHMIRSENTINEL
January2009 1313131313Folklore
By Upender Ambardar
KASHMIR, a repositoryof an ancient culture,rich heritage and time
tested traditions abounds in un-equalled mysticism and pious-ness. The unsullied serenity andspiritual ambience of the holyland instantly unites us with it’sillustrious past. Folklore, ancientstories, legends and mouth telltales rooted in majestic traditionsremind us of our exalted spiritual,religious and cultural past. Theykeep our hopes and faith aliveand afloat.
Likewise, the famed Saradatemple situated inKrishanaganga Valley shares ahistory that stretches back intothousands of years old legacy.Sh. Janki Nath Dhar, an erstwhileresident of the village Bamhama,district Kupwara (Kashmir) vis-ited Sarada Shrine in August,1947. Despite his declining ageand lengthy passage of time, hestill retains the obsessive rever-ence for the Sarada Mata Shrine.Sharing the cherished momentsof his visit with the author, Sh.Dhar recounted that GoddessSarada was the most revered,most talked about and one of thetallest indigenous deity ofKashmiri Pandits in the times ofyore. The temple was also ven-erated as one of the most holiestshrines as faith in GoddessSarada resonated down the agestranscending social, cultural andbelief affiliations. During a longinteraction with the author, ShDhar revealed that Sarada Shrinesituated in now nondescript areaof Drov. in Krishanaganga Val-ley in Pak occupied Kashmir wasa religious heartland in the daysbygone. The entire neighbour-hood of Krishanaganga Valleywas regarded as the holy domainof Goddess Sarada.
Recapping the fondest memo-ries of his visit to the temple, ShJanki Nath Dhar nostalgically re-called that pilgrimage route com-mencing from his native villageof Bamhama would lead to thevillage of Laderwan, situated ata distance of about four kms.from Bamhama. It would take twohours to foot the distance fromBamhama to Liderwan, both vil-lages lying on the Chowkibalroad. He recollected that the pil-grims would make a night staymostly at the village Zurhama,which is about 3 to 4 kms awayfrom Liderwan, though somewould prefer Liderwan for thesame. The village Zurhama waswholly inhabited by Muslimhouseholds. At Zurhama, thedevotees would commonly makea night stay near the village wa-ter-will. The pilgrimage trek fromZurhama village would take asteep ascent towardsBundookpal, which is about sixto seven kms away from here.Bundookpal, also known by the
Sarada Shrine-Revisiting Folklore-IIISarada Shrine-Revisiting Folklore-IIISarada Shrine-Revisiting Folklore-IIISarada Shrine-Revisiting Folklore-IIISarada Shrine-Revisiting Folklore-IIIalternative name of Ganeshpal isa dense forest populated by hugePine and Deodar trees. KashmiriPandits identified the huge boul-der of Bundookpal with the im-age of Lord Ganesh. They wouldaccordingly engage themselvesin performing pooja with the'Roth' (sweetened home-maderotis) carried by them.Dudhniyal, the next village on thepilgrimage path was situated onthe bank of the legendaryKrishanaganga river. Abouttwenty five to thirty Muslim
households existed in the villageat that time. Many pilgrims wouldprefer to spend the night atDudhniyal, while others wouldmove ahead. A three to four feetwooden foot-bridge held in po-sition by suspended iron ropes,locally known as 'Zampakadal'would ferry the pilgrims acrossthe Krishanaganga river.Marhom (Marhoma) was the nextvillage ahead, which is at a dis-tance of 10-11 kms. fromDudhniyal. About three kms.ahead of Marhom, was the vil-lage of Khargam. A loneKashmiri Pandit, native ofSeerjagir, Sopore owned a shopat Khargam. On the last leg ofthe pilgrimage was a small'Zampakadal' type wooden foot-bridge, locally known as 'SaradaKadal', which would lead to thevillage Saradi.
The village Saradi has a plainarea in the beginning, whichwould extend gradually towardsan upland elevation. Recapitu-lating further. Sh. Dhar recountedthat shopkeepers comprisingboth Muslims and Kashmiri Pan-dits, had their shops situated onthe left side of the approachingshrine path. The temple was situ-ated on a small hillock, whichoverlooked the surroundingSaradi village. The temple is saidto have occupied an area ofabout four kanals of land. Sarada
temple was intermediately posi-tioned, located about thirty feetfrom the last stone-step of thestaircase. An appreciable area ofthe temple courtyard had a lav-ish spread of chisselled stones,.The inside enclosure of the tem-ple was somewhat arched occu-pying an area of about fourteenfeet. The holy 'Shila' comprisingthe sanctum sanctorium occu-pied a central place inside thetemple. The temple built of mas-sive rock stone blocks had awooden roof with a heavy dou-
ble panel wooden door lacedwith a stout fastening iron chainon the outside. The devoteeswith overriding devotion wouldpay obeisance to the holy 'Shila'amidst sacred chants, bhajans,tolling of bells, burning of in-cense sticks and dhoop. Flow-ers and milk usually mixed withsaffron were offered to the holy'Shila' accompanied by vermilionapplication.
The stone staircase wasbraced by stone-walls on bothsides with an accompaniment ofa decorous entry gate-way. Thetemple was approachable bothfrom Muzaffarabad town now inPakistan occupied Kashmir andalso by Chokibal road along thewest bank of Krishanagangariver branching from the frontierdistrict of Kupwara (Kashmir).Amongst the temple priests, Pt.Nand Lal Laderwani was the lonepriest, who was permanently set-tled at Saradi village along withhis family. He owned a houseand a piece of cultivation land,where he would raise maize plan-tation. A few dharamshallasnumbering 5-6 also existed onthe left side of the temple court-yard, where the pilgrims wouldstay. According to Mr Dhar therewere two 'Havan-Kunds' ofabout 4x4 feet dimensions, whichwere 10-12 feet away from thedharamshalla and were used for
offering sacrificial oblations. Awater flow believed to have its'origin from the celestial 'AmritKund' beneath the holy 'Shila'could be spotted on the left sideof the approaching path of thetemple.
It would eventually minglewith the meanderingKrishanaganga river after as-cending down. A little away fromthe temple courtyard on the rightside was the imposing fort. Asmall pathway from the templecourtyard would also lead to the
fort, though it remained mostlyin disuse.
About 200 feet away from thetemple premises overlooking theenthralling Saradi village, a fewnomadic settlements could bespotted. Maize cultivation andcattle rearing were their main stayand source of sustenance. Theirbelief in the Goddess Sarada,popularly remembered as 'Maie'was steadfast as they had un-wavering faith in Her. The na-tive Muslims spoke of Her asbestower of success, prosperity,good luck, nourishment andbounteous crops. During unsa-voury situations and troubledtimes, they would prey and peti-tion Her for protection and shel-ter. Sh Janki Nath Dhar also re-vealed that the native Muslimswould also offer a part of theirmaize crop to 'Sarada Maie' as anoffering of thanks after harvest-ing crops. They also held astrong belief that Sarada Maiewould never let them down andwould steer them through tumul-tuous times and hardships. Thetrust and sureness in the God-dess Sarada was so enormousthat Muslim shopkeepers sellingmilk would refuse to acceptmoney from Kashmiri Pandit pil-grims once they would becomeaware that the milk offering wasfor the Goddess. Ganga Ashtamialso known as Sarada Ashtami
Inside of Sharda Temple complex. This photo was taken on 12th April 2005.Photo Courtesy: Hanif Gharib
falling on BhadrapadaShuklapaksh Ashtami, locallyknown as Bhaderpeth ZoonaPach Athum, was the most en-thusiastically looked forwardfestival. The festival would lastsix to seven days. The templeteemed with devotees and wouldbuzz with religious activities andfervour. The pilgrims would im-merse themselves in heartfeltand meaningful prayers andwould get blessed and spiritu-ally rewarded in entirety. Thesacrificial offering of a malesheep performed on BhadrapadaShuklapaksh Navami, a day af-ter Ashtami was a part of Saradatemple festival. It was effectedin a space reserved for the saidoffering in the backyard spot be-low the temple staircase. The of-fering of 'tahar charvun' (ricecooked with turmeric powder andoil and mixed with cooked sheepliver) was also a part of the tem-ple ritual on BhadrapadaShuklapaksh Navami. The tem-ple priest would invariably getthe shoulder blade meat portionof the sacrificial offering on thesaid day. Many of the devoteeswould also prefer to make veg-etarian offering of halwa andkheer. As per a popular folklorewidespread in KrishanagangaValley and it's neighbourhood innot too distant past, LordKrishna is believed to have madea sojourn to the said area to meetPandvas during their wanderingin exile.
In commemoration and re-membrance of the said memora-ble and monumental event, thenative river Ganga is believed tohave been renamed asKrishanaganga in honour ofLord Krishana by the residentsof the land. In addition to it, thevisit Lord Rama, Mata Sita andLakshmana to the said regionduring their exile also formed apart of the centuries old nativelegend.
Suffice to say that SaradaMata is a part of our native iden-tity and collective faith asset ofthousands of years oldcivilisational heritage. Irrespec-tive of the social and cultural di-versity and beliefs, the reverenceand faith for Her is integratedfully into our local culture andfolklore. The numerous legends,stories, oral narratives and mythswoven around Her have not onlyimmortalized but also historiciedSarada Mata Shrine. Unquestion-ably the Goddess Sarada's sov-ereign authority and hold overthe entire region extending fromKrishananga Valley to Kashmirconstitutes a sort of our folkloreemblem. It is due to Her overpow-ering and overbearing presencethat Kashmir is known as 'SaradaMandal', 'Sarada Desh', 'SaradaPeeth', the native language as''Sharada' and forest, in the vi-cinity of Sarada Shrine as'Sarada Van'. --To be continued
KASHMIRSENTINEL
January2009 1414141414Social History
A historic symbol of Kashmiri Shaivism: BadaShivala of Rani Katra
By Dr. B.N. Sharga
KASHMIRI PANDITS are basically the worshippers of LordShiva, Kashmir is abode of Baba
Amarnath. Every year in the month ofSawan according to Hindu calendar lacsof pilgrims from all over the country visit
the holy cave of Amarnath to pay theirobeisance to naturally formed ice lingam,a rare phenomenon with no scientific ex-planation. Kashmir even otherwise is aunique place in the sense that it has innu-merable asthapans, shrines, temples andother holy places spread all over its areaconnected with different gods and god-desses. These holy places are not only ofreligious and historical importance but areactually symbols of distinct cultural iden-tity of Kashmiri Pandits. So they shouldbe protected and preserved at any cost,because they represent our centuries oldcustoms and traditions and our existenceas a distinct ethnic group in this vast seaof humanity.
The Kashmiri Pandits who had to leavetheir motherland for whatever reasons indifferent periods being Shaivites built anumber of Shiva temples and Shivalas indifferent important cities of North Indiain the 18th and 19th century as nerve cen-tres for their community just to keep theirheritage alive and vibrating even in newlyacquired surroundings. These exclusivereligious places used to serve as impor-tant centres of their social activities and
mutual interaction to strengthen the com-munity bonds as religious functions andsocial gatherings in that period were gen-erally organised at these places for cer-tain reasons to maintain strict privacy onsuch occasion. This system actuallyhelped our ancestors to a great extent inpreserving their distinct ethnic identitywithout any dilution for about 200 years,which otherwise would not be possiblein evolving their social history.
Since Delhi, Lucknow and Lahore usedto have a big concentration of KashmiriPandits diaspora before independenceoutside the Kashmir Valley so naturallythese three important cities have a largenumber of Shiva temples and Shivalasbuilt by Kashmiri Pandits in different timesto carry out their religious obligationswithout any difficulty and to keep theirheritage intact.
Oudh occupies a very important placein the social history of Kashmiri Panditsdisaspora. Its ruler Nawab Asaf-ud-Dauladue to some personal differences with hismother Bahu Begum and grandmotherSadrejahan Begum shifted his seat of gov-ernment from Faizabad to Lucknow in1775. With this change a large number ofKashmiri Pandits employed in the coun-try also shifted their base from Faizabadto Lucknow and a locality after their nameknown as Kashmiri Mohalla came intoexistence, which subsequently played akey role in shaping the destiny of manyKashmiri Pandits with the independenceof the country in 1947. It became a nervecentre for social awakening under the ableguidance of the stalwarts of the commu-nity who were the real visionaries andpathfinders. Various social and politicalmovements were launched by these menof calibre and integrity from this place toinfuse new life in the community and abring certain reforms in it to face the newchallenges boldly and squarely.
Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula (1775-1797) wasa liberal ruler so he gave employment tomany Kashmiri Pandits on important postsin his court. One of them was Pt. ZindRam Chowdhary, who became theincharge of the salary of "tankha" de-partment to give salaries to the court em-ployees. His descendants subsequentlyadopted Tankha as their surname.
Pt. Zind Ram Chowdhari was originallya resident of Chowdhari Bagh ofRainawari in the Srinagar district of Kash-mir. His ancestor Pt. Shankar DasChowdhari was a mansabdar during therule of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb (1658-1707) in Kashmir. He earned a lot of for-tune and built a number of houses inRainawari, his son Pt. Mahesh DasChowdhari became a great builder whenSaif Khan (1668-1671) was the governor
of Kashmir. So that way Pt. Zind RamChowdhari Tankha inherited the con-struction traits from his ancestors.
Actually a branch of this Chowdharyclan left Kashmir during the rule ofMughal emperor Aurangzeb (1658-1707)around 1670. They settled down first atBarielly, which was the capital ofRohilkhand then. They lived there hap-pily for four generations. When NawabShuja-ud-Daula of Oudh conqueredRohilkhand in 1773 and made it a part ofOudh Pt. Bishambhar Nath Chowdharyand Pt. Uncha Nath Chowdhary thenshifted their base to Delhi whereas Pt.Zind Ram Chowdhary came to Lucknowto join the court of Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula.
It is said that a great famine broke outin Lucknow in 1778. Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula then to provide succour to the hun-gry subjects started the construction ofAsafi Imambara for which skilled masonsand artisans were called from Iran andsome other places to execute this project.But according to historian P.N. Oak it wasactually a reconstruction and remodellingwork which was undertaken to give a newlook to the already existing structureknown as Panch Mahal and some an-cient ruins of a fort built at that spot prob-ably by veerver Lakshman the founder ofthe city.
Pt. Zind Ram Chowdhary Tankhagrabbed this god sent opportunity andengaged the same skilled masons and ar-tisans to build a magnificent structure inRani Katra known as Bada Shivala, whichnow some locals call as Sankata Devi KaMandir. There are many stories con-nected with this rare piece of architec-tural beauty. This marvellous edifice ofgreat historical importance was a nervecentre for the activities of the KashmiriPandits for a very long time when thewhole area was inhabited by them. ThisBada Shivala is one of the ancient Shivatemples in the Lucknow city. How itsLingam was brought in the narrow laneand placed inside the sanctum sanctoriumis still a big mystery.
This temple complex besides a uniquelingam a symbol of cosmic power hasother idols of gods and goddesses aswell. A well chiselled idol of Kashmiri Pan-dits' Kuldevi Ragyna made of snowwhiteMaccarana marble also adorns this com-plex. The locals worship it as SankataDevi. There is also a Yagna Shala in itscompound for performing havans andother vedic rituals. During the life time ofRaja Brij Narain Tankha whose ancestorbuilt this whole complex its purohit usedto run a Vedic Pathshala in its precinctsto teach Karmakand to young disciples.The idol of 'Ragynadevi was dressed intypical Kashmiriattire with 'dijahaoos"
and "authoor".On every Navratra and Shivratrai this
complex attracts a very large number ofdevotees from all parts of the city due toits religious significance. It is an impor-tant landmark of Lucknow's history. Onevery Monday in the month of Savan thewhole complex is beautifully decoratedwith flowers and coloured lights. The stategovernment is now contemplating to makeit a destination for religious tourism toearn foreign exchange. In absence of anylegal authority to run its affairs and toproperly look after its management un-scrupulous elements are now desperatelytrying to usurp this uncared valuable
property to mint quick money. This prop-erty is mentioned as H.No: 407/118 in therecords of Lucknow Municipal Corpora-tion. Its real owner Pt. Ratan NarainTankha now lives at Laxmi Niwas, WestField Estates, off Warden Road, Mumbai-400026. The matter was also brought intothe notice of the office bearers of LucknowKashmiri Association several times forsome action but uptill now nothing con-crete has been done in this regard. TheKashmiri Association is giving more im-portance to bhawan and havans as if otherthings are meaningless for them. It seemsthat there is dearth of selfless leaders inthe community to do something for a so-cial cause with a missionary spirit. Actu-ally we have lost the will to act, may bedue to the influence of Kal Sarp Yog onecan take a horse upto the water body butcannot force it to drink. Under the influ-ence of western way of life we have al-ready left many things far behind. Now itis turn of leaving this mortal frame to at-tain complete salvation, Jai Shiv Shamboo!
*(The author is a social history Re-searcher living at Lucknow)
Ragyna Devi. Bada Shivala.
KASHMIRSENTINEL
January2009 1515151515Heritage
Lord Buddha at Takshashila
By Sanjay Godbole
THE city of ‘Taxila’ is situated at adistance of 35 kilometers fromRawalpindi in the Punjab province
of Pakistan. It is the seventh Tehsil ofPunjab province. The old name of ‘Taxila’was ‘Takshashila’ and it was famousthroughout the world as an ancient centreof Hindu and Buddhist culture. There is averse in the ancient epic ‘Ramayana’. Theverse describes how Bharat, the son ofqueen Kaikayi, after defeating all hisenemies in war, established twosettlements, namely, Takshshila and‘Pushpakalavati’ in the Gandharprovince. Both these settlements wereabounding in all necessities of life. Bharatdeputed his two sons, Takshak atTakshashila and Pushpal inPushpakalavati’ to take charge and rulethem. The state capital of ‘Takshak’situated on the top of a mountain waspopularly addressed as ‘Takshakshila’.This name ‘Takshakshila’ in course oftime, got changed to ‘Taksh-Shila’. Thegrandson of Arjuna, named as‘Janmajaya’ conquered Takshashila andestablished his rule on a hill there, called‘Haathiyal’. The first presentation of thegreat epic ‘Mahabharata’ was given by“Vaishampayana’ here only. ‘Haathiyalmeans abode of elephants. This wholeregion was called ‘Gandhar’ meaningthereby ‘Land of fragrance’. In theopinion of some Archaeologists fromPakistan, King Takshak belonged to the‘Naga’ Dyansty and he had establishedthe city of Takshashila.
The University of Takshashila was animportant knowledge imparting centre ofancient India and it was operationalbetween the 6th century B.C. to the 5thcentury A.D. Here the student aspirantswere admitted at the age of 16 and finishedtheir educational courses.
Here various courses, such as archery,horse riding, elephant riding, philosophy,defence sciences, grammar, religion, lawetc. were taught. The merit list of thealumini of Takshashila University in-cluded such famous names such asJyotipal the commander of armed forcesof the king of Varanasi, the physicianJeevak of King Bimbisar, Prasannajeetking of the state of Kaushal and theemperor Chandragupta. The famousgrammarian Panini was at Takshashila
during the sixth century BC. Similarly,Arya chanakya, (Kautilya) was also busyin imparting education at TakshashilaUniversity. Many historians from Paki-stan are of the opinion that Kautilya wroteand compiled his world famous treatiseon economical sciences (Arthashastra) atTakshashila only. Takshashila was re-nowned all over the world then forunequalled quality of education impartedand the discipline observed. In one of the‘Jatak kathas’ of Srilanka, composed inthe fifth century, there is a stray referenceto the University at Takshashila.
During the regime of the Iranianemperor, ‘Dariyush the Is’ prior to the year486 B.C. the King ‘Pukkusati’ ofTakshashila was defeated by the Iranianforces. On the tomb of king Zerzes the3rd (year 338 B.C.) the fact that heconquered ‘Gandhar’ along with theimages of the Gandhar’s warriors arecarved out. Alexander the great reachedTakshashila in the year 326 B.C., whenking Ambhi was the ruler. Ambhi subse-quently surrendered to Alexander. Theregion where the remains of oldTakshashila lie scattered and strewn ispresently known as ‘Bheer’. Theseremains are scattered in an areaadmeasuring some 1600 sq meters. Astrong fortification exists in this area and
has been constructed with wood, bricksand soil. The residences at Takshashilahad storage spaces for food grains in therear walls.
‘Sirkap’ is a small settlement near‘Tamra-Nallah’ near Takshashila. The re-mains of the fortification, surfaced duringan archaeological excavation, have longbeen testified in ancient literature. In thebiography of ‘Apolonius’ authored by‘Philostratus’, he writes that Takshashilais as imposingly colossal as the city of‘Neenwah’. He further adds thatTakshshila has all the characterically
distinctive Greek features including aGreek styled fortification. Sirkap hasnarrow roads like ‘Athens’ and has singlestoreyed houses have Parthian typeroofs. The remains of this city are strewnover a large area of 12000 sq. meters.During the regime of Alexander the greatthe Greeks addressed this city as Taxile’.‘Strabo’ has described this city as vastand expansive and abounding. After theGreeks, emperor Chandragupta Mauryaconquered Takshashila. After, Maurya,the Bactrians, the sakes and thenKushanas ruled Takshashila. The whiteHunas devastated Takshashila on a greatscale during the 5th century A.D. Thefamous Chinese traveller, ‘Fahiyaan’visited this area in the 5th century. He
addressed Takshashila as ‘Chuchshila’.He has described the four large ‘Stupas’there and has praised both the ruler andthe ruled. Hu-en-tsang, the famousChinese traveller visited Takshashila inthe 7th century. He addressesTakshashila as Taa-chi-shilo’. He alsosays that Takshashila was included intothe kingdom of Kapisha initially but wasincluded in Kiyashilo Kingdom (Whichis Kashmir at present.) He has speciallydescribed the brave people, the fountainsand the area abounding in flowers & fruitsand the vegetation in general.
The Takshashila University chargedone thousand ‘Karsharpane’ (the thenprevailing unit of currency) towardstuition fees from the rich. The poor,however, were provided with education,free of cost. The coaching work was onthroughout day and night. Takshashilacould be very aptly described as the oneand the uniquely one University, whichwas fully operative and functional in thewhole of the universe for one thousandrecord years and that too, without anyincessance or disturbance. During theBritish regime, the firstever attempt wasmady be ‘Cunningham’ to fathom thehidden whereabouts of this ancient cityof Takshashila. Subsequent to theseattempts, in the years 1912 AD and 1934A.D. an archaeological excavationexercise was undertaken, under the ableleadership of Sir John Marshall atTakshashila. In this excavation many con-structed structures were surfaced atdifferent levels in various encrustrationsThese include remains of the ‘BhallarStupa’ on the sharda hill at an enormousheight, at the banks of river ‘Haro’. TheKushan Kings erected many ‘Stupas’ andmonasteries at ‘Jalian’. In one of suchmonasteries, many coins struck byTormana and ‘Samantdeva’, so also, manystucco idols (made from lime) of‘Bodhisatva’, Goddess ‘Hariti’ inGandhara style surfaced. At that timecomplete sets of ornaments also surfaced.One ‘Armaiec’ inscription was alsofound. Several earthen pots, terracottas,stucco idols and hoards of Indo Greekand Saka Kushan coins were alsosurfaced. There is a stupa erected byemperor Ashoka at Dharmarajika. At thisDharmarajika stupa, there is an inscriptionof the Sythian king ‘Azes’. In thatinscription the name of emperor Ashokahad been referred to as ‘Dhar raja’. Thisinscription was brought to light duringthat excavation. At ‘Jandiyal’ the remainsof a uniquely characteristic and typicallydistinctive Greek temple were surfaced.
During the excavation at Takshashilamany miniature stupas deployed duringworship and several Urns for preservingthe remains were brought to light. AfterSir John Marshall, Mr. Mortimer Wheelerundertook an excavation at Takshashila.After the partition, Takshashila
*(The author is a notedarchaeologist, based in Pune)
Budha at Jahanabad (Swat).
KASHMIRSENTINEL
January2009 1616161616Tribute
My ancestor Pt. Tika RamRazdan was a highlyplaced officer during
the Pathan rule. Once, thePathan Governor had gone outfor hunting a Lion was spotted.The Governor who was on‘Machan’ shot at the Lion. Hemissed the aim. The Lion cameto attack him. Tika Ram, who wasaccompanying the ruler, put onhis iron glove and thrust it intoLion’s mouth. He pulled histongue out. The Lion fell downand died. The Governor orderedthat, hence forth, Tika Ramwould be called Tika Ram Sher.Since then this epithet has stuckto the family.
Pt. Tika Ram had two sons-Kailash Ram and Chanderjoo.The latter migrated, probably, toGwalior. Kailash Ram had adaughter, Zoonmali and a son,Gopal Joo. Pt. Gopal Joo died inAskardu in 1915 AD. He marriedfour times. My father Pt. MukandLal Sher was born to his first wife.
My family belongs to BulbulLankar Mohalla of Ali Kadal,Srinagar. I was born in 1922. Pt.Mukand Ram Sher served as aPatwari for twelve long years inBijbehara, an ancient town. I hadmy early schooling in LowerMiddle School, Bijbehara. Welived in the Pandit locality ofHaer Mohalla.
13th of July, 1931:During the turbulent days of
July, 1931 we were at Bijbehara.Many of the locals, belonging ,to the majority community wouldoften drop at our residence tohave a chat with my father; Oneof these gentlemen was HakimGhulam Rasool, our neighbour.On 11th of July Hakim Sahebcame to advise my father to re-main indoors on 13th of July. Heinformed him that some localscome to him on the pretext of‘nishandinee’ of their land andtake him our of the town.
Exactly what the good Sa-maritan Hakeem had told my fa-ther happened. Two Muslimgentleman of Jamia MasjidMohalla dropped at our place onthe morning of 13th of July. Theyrequested Pt. Mukand Ram toaccompany them for nishan-dihee’ of their land. Subse-quently, we came to know thatthere was a plan to murder Pt.Mukand Ram. Pt. Balkak Dhar,Wazir-i-Wazarat, Anantnaghelped my father to come out ofAnantnag district.
Kashmir-1930s:During the Roti agitation
(1932), mohalla elders used totake out children to shout slo-gans against the government. Itoo joined them. The children’sprocession would terminate atShital Nath, the headquarters of
Witness to an Era-A Memoir
Yuvak Sabha. Those days lorriesplied regularly between Srinagarand the district headquarters. Inwinters the Banihal Cart roadwould remain closed. There werefew schools for senior stu-dents—Bagi Dilawar Khan andSP High School. In Rainawari,Hari Singh School was upgradedonly in 1936.
In 1938 I passed Matricula-tion. At SP School, my class fel-low was Syed Mir Qasim, wholater became Chief Minister. Myfamily wanted me to join the stateservice. Jobs were scarce. Thestate had little revenue. Duringthe best years of RC Kak admin-istration it totalled just Rs 21/2crores. Pt.. R.C. Kak was my fa-ther’s class-mate at Bagh DilawarKhan. His in-laws, Tikoos werealso our neighbours. My fathermade many requests to him formy job. Pt. R.C. Kak abhorred fa-vouritism. As a matter of policy,he did not want to do anythingout of turn. Kak hated to dosomething that would even-tually sully his reputation. Hepractised a fair-minded ap-proach in governance. It was athis instance that a Session Judgefrom Jammu, who happened tobe a Muslim, was brought asChief Secretary of the State. Myyearning for the job also mademe to meet Kash Kak, the greatSaint, who lived at Manigam(Ganderbal). Those who visitedhim, for getting some wish ful-filled, did not have to commu-nicate it. He would answer on hisown. It was through my father,then Patwari at Harwan, that RCKak purchased 4 kanals of landfrom Pt. Narid Lal Zutshi. Whenthe popular government tookover, its supporters vandalisedhis new bungalow and the landwas also encroached upon.
College Years :I graduated from SP College
in 1942. Prof. Ram Nath Kaul andLate Jia Lal Tameri were my classfellows. The year I joined theCollege, Principal Macdermottwas shifted to as Director SchoolEducation and Prof. Molvi A.Ibrahim took over as new princi-pal. The same year Prof. KanjiLal, an outstanding scholar ofSanskrit, also retired. SP Collegehad some of the finest teachers
in every subject. These includedProf. Giani Ram and Prof.Shamboo Nath Kaul (Mathemat-ics), Prof. Chand Narayan, aLucknow Kashmiri Pandit (Eng-lish; and Prof. Jagadar Zadoo(Sanskrit). Prof. R.C. Pandit
taught us poetry. Two teachersfrom Mirpur, Prof. Maqbool andProf. Ehsan-ul-Haq, who taughtEnglish, were fine people andtaught well. It pained us whenwe learnt that Prof. Maqbool,who was on way to Lahore in1947 to collect the results, wasmurdered at Jammu.
Early Years :I was appointed to the post
of clerk in ‘Peshi office’. ThePeshi officer, Mr. Ramaswamywas a Madrasi. My good hand-writing was one of the factorshat influenced my selection. Thisoffice maintained record of crimi-nal matters and ‘Shikars’(Huntings). Soon, I was sent tothe Palace, where I had the privi-lege to work under Pt. Dina NathJalali (of Rainawari), Private Sec-retary to Maharaja. A great manwith simple habits, Pt. Jalali eventreated his subordinate staffwith great affection.
One day, Pt. D.N. Jalali hadcalled me to his room, whensome one from the staff shouted; Sarkar agai’. The Private Sec-retary came out to receive theMaharaja, while asking me to re-main in the room. I had strongcuriosity to see His Highness. Ihalf-opened the door to have aglimpse of the Maharaja. As Ireached to the door, in fear I tum-bled down. Maharaja. As Ireached to the door, in fear I tum-bled down. Maharaja had already
seen me and opened the door.He reached for my arms to lift meup, when the other members ofthe staff joined. It was my sec-ond encounter with His High-ness. As a college student toTawaza, where Shri RAJ LalKhajuria, a conservator Forests,was on deputation to Depart-ment as Director. Later on Ma-haraja asked the Chief Secretaryto absorb me and another Mus-lim gentleman in the political de-partment, when Tawaza wasclosed down. P Shamboo NathLabroo, PA to the Chief Secre-tary sat over Maharaja’s recom-mendation. I had to seek inter-cession of Pt, Amar Nath Kak toget the order issued.
Political Department :In 1945 I joined the Political
Department. Lala Madan Gopal,who spoke Kashmiri more fluentthan a Kashmiri, was my Super-intendent. He was my realteacher, who taught me the intri-cacies of office procedure. Mystint in the Political Departmentat a period when crucial histori-cal events were taking shape,provided me a ring-side viewabout men and matters in thestate.
RC Kak was a man of sterlingcharacter. He never bypassedprotocol. During Quit KashmirMovement, Pt. Maharaj KrishanDhar, Governor had come toseek his advice to tackle the situ-ation created by Nehru’s defi-ance at Kohala. RC Kak told himcurtly, “You are the DistrictMagistrate and enjoy full pow-ers. 1 do not wield such powersas you do. Why do you ask mefor guidance on such matters? Itis your business,” When RC Kaksubmitted his resignation, twoother senior officers-Sham LalDhar (later Home Secretary) andJustice Shahmiri (SessionsJudge) were also prematurelyretired. They were subsequentlyrehabilitated by SheikhAbdullah.
Violating all the norms of civi-lised behaviour, the new NCgovernment humiliated RC Kak.The latter maintained his dignityand said, 1 had to do whatever Idid because I was loyal to hisHighness”. Despite cool rela-tions with Maharaja later, Pt. Kak
never spoke or wrote anythingthat could have lowered the pres-tige of Maharaja. There are fewinstances in history, where theloyal servant took upon himselfthe responsibility for acts ofCommissions and commissionsof his superiors.
As NC government contin-ued to rough handle Pt. Kak,Nehru’s image suffered a dent.There was strong pressure onNehru from the British govern-ment. Nehru wrote a DO toSheikh Abdullah, asking him torelease Kak forthwith. This DO,which the writer had the oppor-tunity to go through went on topraise Kak for his administrativeacumen. Nehru told Sheikh, “Youwould have earned a name foryourself as a good administratorhad you tried to utilise Kak’sservices by befriending him”.Nehru also reminded SheikhAbdullah about the flak he wasfacing on the Kak issue. Kak wasreleased the following day. Wealso heard that Nehru had sentRaj Kumar Amrit Kour to RCKak, requesting him to assistNehru administration at the Cen-tre. In 1958, after his release fromJail, Sheikh Abdullah desired totalk to Kak.. The former PrimeMinister bluntly told the mes-senger,, “that time is gone”.
Scott’s Mischief:The role of Brigadier Scott,
the chief of staff of Maharaja’sArmy was quite sinister.Britishers had permitted Maha-raja Hari Singh to keep troopstrength below ten thousand.This included three thousandnon-combatants. The state hada long border to defend. Duringthe turbulent days of 1947 thesmall army was hardly sufficientto tackle the situation. Brig Scottfurther complicated the problem.On the eve of the tribal raid he,without seeking Maharaja’sconsent, he dispersed the troopsin such a way that they couldnot put up effective resistanceany where. Maharaja stronglyprotested against Scott’s arbi-trary decision. The latter said,this has been done for ‘borderki hifazat ke liye’ (for protec-tion of border),
Maharaja Hari Singh was aleader who always led from thefront. When raiders attackedKashmir, he had desired to leadthe state army himself. He wasrestrained. He did not leaveKashmir on his own. There wasevery apprehension that raiderswould like to capture him andcoerce him to sign the instrumentof accession. GOI had this con-sideration in mind when theyasked him to shift to Jammu wideno loss of time. In 1947 it was at
Pt. Radha Krishan Sher was a noted Commentator on Kashmiraffairs. He lived a principled life and never compromised withofficial/administrative apathy. The Community' s exile had lefta indelible mark on his personality. Pt. R.K. Sher was a staunchdisciplinarian and a nationalist to the core. He passed awayrecently at Jammu. We reproduce his memoirs published inSept. 2004 issue of Kashmir Sentinel as a tribute to this greatKashmiri Pandit. --Editor
Late. Sh. R.K. Sher
(Contd. on Page 20)
KASHMIRSENTINEL
January2009 1717171717Tribute
By Vijay Kumar Kaul
Late Shri J N Kaul
WHEN ‘Papa Ji’ -PadmaShri Shri J NKaul passed away
on December 16, 2008, after arelatively brief illness, social andcommunity activists from allover the world joined his familyand friends in mourning his lossand remembering hiscontributions. How does oneadd to the chorus of people andorganizations who have alreadyso passionately and eloquentlyexpressed the profound loss ofthis great social activist and thetallest of tall sons of theKashmiri community? Whenasked to write this tribute byPanun Kashmir, I felt honouredto document my memories ofthis great Icon who was perhapsthe tallest if we look back twocenturies in History and who willbe remembered for centuries forthe indelible marks that he hasleft in the History of time.
The creation of SOSChildren’s Villages of India asthe largest Children’s NGO inIndia is widely known. In theearly 80’s, the SOS office wassituated in Nehru Place. This iswhere I had my life’s firstglimpse of Shri J N Kaul, mostsmartly dressed, carrying a briefcase, and catching the lift to hisoffice sharp at 9 A.M, everymorning. Nehru place in NewDelhi had so many corporateoffices those days, but the likesand looks of Kaul Sahib madehim look different as the bestdressed and the most‘impressive’ business executiveone could find in this bustlingbusiness hub. I knew nothingmore of Kaul Sahib those daysexcept for the fact that he washeading a Children’sorganisation. However, at thevery first sight he looked adistinct personality that easilycommanded great respect.
Then came the early 90’s thatbrought to the Community
winters of discontent and aperiod of ‘great depression’.The displacement and Diasporabrought to the fore many wellmeaning community memberswho felt deeply disturbed andshaken up with the sufferings oftheir own community and life ofdestitution and misery thatsettlement in tenements ofJammu had brought along. Oneof these ‘sensitive’ minds wasShri J N Kaul. When approachedby Kashmiri Sewak Samaj,Faridabad in 1992 to head asits President, he felthonoured to accept it. KaulSahib, as one of his firstmajor acts of memorablecontributions, joined handswith All India Kashmiri Samajand placed at their disposalthe resources of SOSChildren’s villages of Indiafor setting up a Centre ofComputer learning for thechildren of Jammu camps.While giving relief to theneedy was the norm in thosetroubled times, Kaul Sahibshowed his vision andleadership by practicing in thebelief “Do not give them fishbut teach them how to catchfish”! This program ran formany years successfully andsucceeded in making breadwinners for many hundredsof families. When Kaul Sahibdonned the mantle of leadingAIKS also, the program got agreat fillip. The cynics alwaysused to sow doubts about theusefulness of this program andsuggested doing this at Jammu,closer to the camps. However,Kaul Sahib persisted andcontinued getting a few dozenboys and girls recruited everysummer, and lodged them inHostels with modern amenitiesat Faridabad.The induced hygiene factor ofattending the School in thebeautiful environs of SOScampus always had ametamorphosis effect on thecamp children’s personality.During the early years of 90’s,many young men and womenalso were given employment invarious SOS schools and thusmany a families were saved fromeconomic hardships in thoseyears of despair. Kaul Sahib alsoset up Hostels for working girlsin Noida, who were helped to getjobs in industries in this area.
Perhaps, this combined activityof rehabilitation launched by thegreat visionary was the mostcommendable non-governmental effort at that pointof time. Every Sunday, KaulSahib used to visit these Hostelsin Noida and verify the safety,security and well being of theCommunity daughters livingthere.
With the initial pain ofdisplacement subsiding a bit,Kaul Sahib started formulating a
blue print for Institution buildingin the mid 90’s. This is where heleft an indelible mark in thehistory of Kashmiri Pandits.“Mochi Fouli Saet Athrot”concept of saving a bit with theaim of giving was very dear toKaul Sahib’s heart. For thetenure of his 15 years of serviceto his community, he alwaystalked and reminded of savingfor our less fortunate brothersand sisters. In this he used tolead by example. Every month,‘Mimmi’ Smt. Indira Kaul, wifeof Kaul Sahib would deposit herfamily contribution with thetreasurer in KSS. As GeneralSecretary of KSS, I am witnessto scores of men and womenwho used to call on him from allover to seek succour and help.Some of them used to beterminally sick. Kaul Sahib usedto treat them with courtesy andhumility. Help was not givenwith the normally practiced traitof “good riddance”. He woulddelve deep and enquire how thefamily of the needy person could
be helped to augment resourcesfor long term survival. Alas,Kaul Sahib’s continuedexhortation to the community todevelop a permanent globalcorpus for help to the needyhas remained yet an unfulfilleddream. Seeing the lack of neededfocus within the Community onthis pressing humanitarian need,Kaul Sahib towards his last dayseven was toying with the idea ofstarting a family trust called‘Athrot”. The idea didn’t travel
far as Kaul Sahib fell sicksoon after.
In the mid-90’s, KaulSahib unveiled his grandvision of Institutionbuilding and gave birth tothe idea of buildingSharika Bhavan and HariParbat in the district ofFaridabad. Sceptics werefull of doubt and poohpoohed both the projects.Sharika Bhawan wasallotted a plot of land byGovt. of Haryana for a sumof Rs. 3 Lakhs close to thefamed Rose Garden ofSector 17. TheOrganisation had nomoney to buy the plot ofland. Kaul Sahib made theentire KSS executive togive personal bonds forraising this sum. The same
was submitted to Haryana UrbanDevelopment Authority, whowere quick to allot the land in aprestigious place in a centrallocation. When Kaul Sahibunveiled his plans and submittedthe Architects plans of buildinga multi-purpose Communitycentre at a cost of Rs. 1 core, itwas met with doubts andcynicism. The advice from allquarters was to build something‘affordable, cheap and low cost-Shrogh Shrogh ta Panahdhar’’!Unmindful, Kaul Sahibcontinued with his thoughts. Irecall, as the General Secretaryof Kashmiri Sewak Samaj, heasked me to send out the firstappeal to the Community, far andwide. He took great pains toguide me in a making a brochureto help sell the idea of necessityof having Sharika Bhawan. Theinitial responses that wereceived, though meagre incontributions, gave us somehope. In close confidence, KaulSahib once told me that hebelieved Rs. 1 Crore was not too
big a sum for the community.However, if the community couldnot afford it, he could get it donesingle handed. Despite all odds,he announced the foundationlaying ceremony of SharikaBhawan. It was attended by 70people from NCR. Kaul Sahibgave a contribution of Rs. 5Lakhs that he had been given bySOS to fulfil his cherished desireof building a Hostel for girlswithin Sharika Bhawan. Thisvery handsome donation byKaul Sahib helped start the workand there after, somephilanthropic minds contributedmany times this amount andhelped build Sharika Bhawan ina record time. The Executivemembers of KSS were so excitedwith this project that they allindividually contributedsignificantly to set personalexample to the masses. SharikaBhavan today is mark ofKashmiri Pandit identity in entireHaryana.
Simultaneous to buildingSharika Bhawan, Kaul Sahibembarked upon building HariParbat in the Aravali hills atvillage Anangpur in Faridabad.The idea to build Hari Parbat wasspurred by ‘Mimmi’, ShrimatiIndira Kaul. She has been anArdhangani in truest sense ofthe word for Kaul Sahib. She wasalways by his side forcelebrating or observing anyevent happy or not so happy.The story is like this. Kaul Sahiband Indira Ji were sitting in thecompany of Anangpur villageelders in the SOS Medical Centrein Anangpur. Indira Ji pointedtowards the hillock in front of herand told the gathering that asimilar hill in Kashmir was theabode of Ma Sharika, thepresiding deity of Kashmiris. Somoved were the village elderswith the story and the fact thatthis temple was out of easy reachfor the faithful due todisplacement that they passed aresolution in the villagePanchayat placing the hill atKaul Sahib’s disposal. Theywanted him to replicate the HariParbat in Anangpur and bringthe sleepy village to life. Thevillagers felt that such a templein their midst would help buildcharacter in their young onesand wean away them from anyvices of gambling and drinking.
(Contd. on Page 18)
A TRIBUTE TO SHRI J N KAULHard Times: A Helping Hand and a Beacon of Light
KASHMIRSENTINEL
January2009 1818181818Continuation
(From Page 17)Kaul Sahib, in order to unveil
his plans of building Hari Parbatin Anangpur , announcedcelebration of Navreh inAnangpur Village and on thisday a large procession of villagefolks and Kashmiris went up thehill wading thorough throughthorny hedges. They
respectfully listened to KaulSahib’s grand plans of buildingHari Parbat in the rocky andinhospitable terrains of AravaliHills. However, some minds werefull of doubt and disbelief.During this time, some Articlesappeared in communitymagazines charging Kaul Sahibwith being a heretic and felt hewas indulging in blasphemy.They did not like Hari Parbat ofKashmir to be replicated. KaulSahib was clear in his mind.Kashmir was not so easy toreach for the vast majority giventhe frenzy of intolerance thereand he saw Hari Parbat inAnangpur as solace to the vastmajority of Kashmiris who hadtaken refuge in the NCR regionof Delhi. He saw this Temple alink to the Original Hari Parbatthat Ma Sharika had built whenshe took the form of a Myna –‘Hari’ and created a hillock todestroy a demon called“Tchand” who had taken shelterin a remanent of Satisar lake inthe vicinity of present HariParbat. The demon “Tchand”was so powerful physically thathe started shaking the hillock tofree himself out of the clutchesof Ma Sharika. To destroy thedemon, Ma Sharika Herself satover the hilltop and thus madethis place as Her permanentabode. While the Hari Parbat inKashmir was built by Ma Sharika
Herself to alleviate the sufferingsof the masses at the hands ofdemon ‘Tchand’, it was Shri Kaulwho replicated this effort at atime of great suffering anddepression that visited us in thetwentieth century. Do we say hewas a reincarnation of a kind inmodern times?
While Sharika Bhawan in
sector 17, Faridabad was beingbuilt by resources raised from thecommunity, the pace ofconstruction was little slowerhere than that of Hari Parbat.Sharika Bhawan needed widerconsensus at each step ofconstruction while at Hari ParbatKaul Sahib acted like a one manarmy, moving the ‘mountains ina hurry’. Once the temple wascomplete, he created a culturalgallery dedicated to Memory ofMa Lalleshwari with her popularsayings carved on black marbleplaques.
He even had identified landfor building the “Pokhairy Bal”in the vicinity of the Hill. Indrajiwas the force behind buildingSwami Vidhyadhar SatsangBhawan at the footsteps of theTemple. Once when I enquiredwith Kaul Sahib, how heenvisaged that Hari Parbat couldrun and be managed in future,he said that it was time that theCommunity started activelytaking interest in its upkeep,organising functionsperiodically to help in keeping itas place of cultural happeningand vibrance. Kaul Sahib hadmany more plans for developingthe place further. He hadplanned to develop an existingkutcha road that would connectthe place from the Suraj Kund-Badhkhal Road side. This roadwould help bypass the village
and provide easy access toSouth Delhi. Prior to one of theNavreh celebrations, hetravelled on this Kutcha Road ina Sumo and was full of plans todevelop the track into amotorable Road. Perhaps, hishealth did not permit him toembark on this mission. Everyyear for the last one decade,Anangpur village sees greatfestivity when thousands ofKashmiris celebrate Navreh andrenew their social bonds. KaulSahib wished that KSS and allother NCR organizations wouldcontinue to organize this eventfor all times to come, the way hehad led it year after year.
Simultaneous to building theabove two centres, Kaul Sahibannounced launch of 3 schemesfor building housing societiesthat were named Sabzar, Gayatriand Lalleshwari Vatika. I vividlyrecall when Haryana Govt.cancelled the Scheme initially; allthe members were unanimous indemanding their earnest moneyback. After seeing this shortsighted approach, Kaul Sahibgot up to address the gatheringand said the opposite of whatthe majority wanted. He said“consensus is that no one willwithdraw money and we will letthe housing societies continue”.These very Societies helped themembers get 4 acres of landallotted a couple of years later.Such was Kaul Sahib’s visionand impact on the ordinaryminds. They would neverdisobey him or dare to disagreewith him in public. Thesehousing projects took nearly adecade to complete but with allthe troubles that Kaul Sahib andhis dedicated team of co-workerswhom he entrustedwith this task had toface, the completionof these HousingSocieties is testimonyto his vision ofgrandeur inArchitecture, conceptof space utilization,amenities andprovisions towardsensuring a betterquality of life for theSociety residents.Kaul Sahib startedliving in one of theSocieties for a fewmonths. He alwayslonged that theresidents showedgreater depth of
understanding, brotherhood andhelped create a ‘Happy place’ fortheir own sake. This was thepurpose of his mission ininvesting so much of his timeand effort in initiating thisproject. He would often say thathis community collectively hadbecome richer by a few hundredcrores with this possession,celebrate!
Kaul Sahib also was called onto take the responsiblity ofleading Kashmir Education,Cultural and Science Society inPamposh Enclave. In spite of hisnot so good a health heaccepted it and it is during histime that construction of acultural centre was started onland that had been allotted toPamposh Colony residents manydecades ago. He brought theCentre to life by organizingevents and seminars,periodically.
Kaul Sahib was appreciativefor the struggle of PanunKashmir and was proud of itsunmatched activism. He hadalways hoped for greater thrustto the cause of the movementwithin the Community.
The achievements ofrespected Kaul Sahib arenumerous to be recounted herein full. In days to come, all of uswho have worked with thislegendry figure need todocument experiencesindividually lest we lose out onhis sagacity and utmostwisdom.
It is hard to write an endingto this tribute to Kaul Sahib.Many years after his death, wewill still mourn him, we still willwish we could hear his voice,read his words, and wonder
Hard Times: A Helping Hand and a Beacon of Lightwhere he will take us next, andwe will miss his welcome smile.No doubt, we will discover morevisions and more struggles. LikeKaul Sahib, may we see eachvision and each struggle as away to pursue towardsexcellence for our young onesand unite us to help each other.
Kaul Sahib was a livingembodiment of excellence in allwalks of life. In every talk andspeech he reiterated that theonly way for survival wasbuilding virtues of excellence inour young ones. He was astickler for punctuality. In theSunday prayer that is held atSharika Bhawan, he was always5 minutes early. He liked to callsocial meetings as ‘Businessmeetings’ and would conductthem with grace andprofessionalism that is of rarekind in many Social bodies.Serious business was alwaysinterspersed with light humourby him. He was intolerant to sidetalk and gossip amongparticipants, and would mildlyadmonish saying “if you haveanything interesting, tell this toyour President!” Even when hewas not in good health in lastfew months, meetings with hisco-workers would bring himcheer and restore him to a jollymood. He emerged stronger,vibrant and cheerful wheneverhe got to discuss communityissues and projects. There aremany ways to honour Pandit J NKaul Sahib’s work and tocontinue the commitment that hedemonstrated while serving thecommunity. May Ma Sharikashow us the way!
*(The author is Ex-Gen SecyKashmiri Sewak Samaj,Faridabad)
Sharika Bhawan Faridabad (inset) Mata Sharika.
KP's from NCR region visit Hari Parbat at village Anangpur,Faridabad on Navreh festival.
KASHMIRSENTINEL
January2009 1919191919Chronology
Chrongology Of Events Dec 1, 2008- Dec 31, 2008Dec 1: Security forces busted a hideout in Kandi, Rajouri and re-
covered a cache of arms and ammunition.Dec 2: Arms and ammunition was recovered in Chingus, Rajouri. A
campaigner of GR Kar, Bashir Ahmed Kababi was killed inNew Hamdan locality in Sopore. A jawan committed suicidein Badamibagh Cantonment.
Dec 3: A grenade was recovered from Town Hall, Doda. A hideoutwas busted and arms and ammunition recovered in Ranthalforests in Dharmsal, Rajouri. AK Antony said that PoK isbeing used for training and recruiting terrorists.
Dec 4: A JeM terrorist was among three arrested in Kashmir Valley.A police search party was attacked in Ganderbal. 10 KGRDX was recovered from Marmat, Doda. 58 civilians and 11trucks crossed LoC at Kaman Post.
Dec 5: A Pakistani was arrested in RS Pura sector. A grenade waslobbed in NC rally in Tangmarg. Civilian movement was yetagain foiled on Friday.
Dec 6: Two Harakat Commanders were killed in Lolab. A hand gre-nade was lobbed towards the residence of an independentcandidate at Wathoora. An LeT terrorist was killed and hisPakistani associate injured in an encounter in Gandoh, Doda.EU said that Pakistan was hosting terrorist groups.
Dec 7: 50% polling was recorded in Budgam and Baramulla dis-tricts.
Dec 8: PSO of an Independent candidate was killed in Doda. NoPoK traveller was on weekly bus service as the Mumbai at-tack shadows Indo-Pak relations.
Dec 9: Masood Azhar was put under house arrest in Pakistan.Dec 10: A jawan was injured in an encounter at Chatru Kishtwar.
Three separatist leaders GM Hubi, Abdul Maman Bukhariand Sheikh Afzal were released. Pakistan detained LeTComdr Lakhvi and Sarar but refused to handover former ISIChief Hamid Gul to the US.
Dec 11: UN Security Council imposes sanctions against terrorist outfitJamaat-ud-Dwah (JuD) and Pak sealed JuD offices. BJPasked government to stop running to US for tackling terror.
Dec 12: Acting against JuD, Pak authorities arrested 31 JuD menand sealed 65 offices. US tells Pak to act forcefully againstterrorism.
Dec 13: A woman was killed and two civilians injured in a terroristattack in Khilani while two HM terrorists including a womanwere arrested in Assar, Doda. One person was killed and19 injured in poll related violence as Shopian-Poonch dis-tricts recorded 47pc turnout. Amidst crackdown on terror-ists, UJC was dissolved as terrorist leaders disappear in PoKand Pakistan.
Dec 14: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asked Pakistan not to al-low its territory to be used by terrorists while British PrimeMinister Gordon Brown said that Pak based LeT was behindMumbai attack.
Dec 15: Separatist leader Shabir Shah was arrested in connectionwith Aug 11 firing that killed Sheikh Aziz. BJP National Presi-dent Rajnath Singh described POTA as deterrent to mili-tancy and asked for ban on all secessionist outfits. 12 PoKcitizens reached Poonch via Chakan-a-Bagh.
Dec 16: While Foreign Minister Pranab Mukerjee asked Pakistan tofulfil her commitment to curb terrorism, Defence Minister AKAntony said there was no plan to attack Pakistan. RajnathSingh said that Pak nuke weapons are not safe. Centralgovernment tabled two anti-terror bills.
Dec 17: Two terrorists including Rayees Kachroo who had escapedfrom a Pulwama Court were killed in an encounter in Shopian.10 Valley constituencies recorded 62 percent polling.
Dec 18: Two terrorists including Pakistani Saifullah Qari were killedin two different encounter in Doda district; a jawan also losthis life in one of the encounterss. Two LeT terrorists were
arrested in Baramulla while a tragedy was averted by defus-ing an IED in Bandipore. Asiya Indrabi was booked underPSA. A Pak boy Pholaj, living in India for last three years atdifferent places, was arrested in Akhnoor sector.
Dec 19: Two more LeT terrorists were killed in Doda, an SPO wasinjured in todays operation. Reports suggest that Jamat fa-voured PDP in Assembly elections. Nawaz Sharif confirmedthat Ajmal Kasab, the terrorist arrested in Mumbai, hailedfrom Pakistan.
Dec 20: One more terrorist was held in Kerala for links in Kashmir.Demanding vote for BJP for ending discrimination with Jammu,LK Advani termed Amarnath agitation as reflection of angaragainst injustice.
Dec 21: Police claimed to have foiled Mumbai like terror attack as itarrested three Pakistani terrorists including HUJI chief SohailAhmed from Samrat Hotel Jammu. Two police personnel wereinjured and lost a weapon as miscreants attacked an inde-pendent candidate in Rajouri. Kadal, Srinagar. CongressPresident Sonia Gandhi said that India is capable of livingbefitting reply to promoters of terrorism, Pranab asked Zardarito dismantle terror infrastructure.
Dec 22: Terrorists gunned down two CRPF jawans in Sopore. 143civilians crossed LoC via Chakan-da-Bagh, Pranab Mukerjeesaid that terror infrastructure in Pakistan is threat to worldpeace.
Dec 23: Another group of four Pakistani terrorists reportedly enteredJammu usuing air and train route. Describing sitution worri-some, Prime Minister said that nobody wanted war.
Dec 24: Two dreaded terrorists were arrested in Udhampur. Srinagardistrict recorded twenty percent polling which is remarkablymuch higher than the previous elections held since eruptionof militancy in the state.
Dec 25: DG Police Kuldeep Khoda claimed that the number of mili-tants has dropped to below 1000. 56 cross sides in Karvan-e-Aman. Amnesty International said that Pak failed to pre-vent attacks from its soil.
Dec 26: A surrendered terrorists was gunned down by terrorists inMarwah, Kishtwar. Udhampur police recovered arms and am-munition on disclosure of two recently arrested HM terrorist.A Pak intruder was killed on IB in Samba sector. After Mirwaiz,Sajjad Lone admits election turnout as a setback. Govern-ment announced post Amarnath Agitation economic pack-age. Service Chiefs called on PM to brief him about defencepreparedness.
Dec 27: Three HM terrorists who had recently entered J&K from Pa-kistan surrendered before Awantipore Police. One anotherPak intrude was shot dead in Arnia sector. Large quantity ofarms and ammunition was recovered in Kalakote, Rajouri.Two HUJI harbourers were nabbed in Chatroo, Kishtwar. UnionHome Minister said that India will weed out terror from Pak ifglobal efforts failed.
Dec 28: NC emerged single largest party in elections as it won 28seats followed by 21 by PDP, 17 by Congress, 11 by BJP,three by NPP and one each by CPM, JNDP-N and PDF andfour independents.
Dec 29: Steep fall in PoK visitors as only three cross LoC viaChakkan-da-Bagh.
Dec 30: Accusing Pakistan of creating war hysteria, India asked Pa-kistan to dismantle 30 terror camps and handover fugitivesto India. Omar will be the next chief Minister J&K as NC andCongress stitched alliance in the state.
Dec 31: LeT admits role in Mumbai blasts as India blasted Pakistanfor being in denial mode. Omar asked separatists to honourpeople's verdict and said that war between India and Paki-stan is not an option.
KASHMIRSENTINEL
January2009 2020202020Backpage
By Mahesh Kaul
INDIA is at the crossroadstoday. The reason being theonslaught on its spiritual and
national core from internal andexternal threats.The grave threatwhich India has been facing rightfrom the partition of thesubcontinent is the terrorism meantto bleed the spiritual core of thenation(tribal invasion in 1947sponsored by Pakistan).The 26/11made it visible to the elite classeswho had otherwise shut their eyestowards any incident that wasmeant to balkanize the Indian nationand hence civilization.The threatfaced by India is not recent one .Itwas there but the media and theintellectual class never paid any heedtowards it.Whether it was the enmass exodus of the Kashmiri Panditsfrom the valley of Kashmir in 1990or the terrorist attacks on thelandmark of the Indian democracy-the parliament.This denial mode hascost the nation in a big way .It hasled to the mindset and the class ofpeople within the the domain of thelaw of the land to dilute the Indiancivilization and create the Indianstate which seems to be in conflictwith the Indian nation and hence,the Indian civilization.
Policy makers in haste andperhaps in a bid to create vote bankshave diluted the sovereignty andintegrity of India.Thus creating apolitical class which has created thepolitical establishment, which seesevery attempt to bail out the fifthcolumnists as their natural duty asit helps them to keep the flawedinfrastructure of their entry intoexecutive intact to subvert the
Spiritual Religion Can Safeguard The Indian Nationcivilizational edifice of India.Thegreatest blow to the nationalcharacter was given by the politicalclass in 1947,who were negotiatingthe transfer of power in tandemwith the partition of thesubcontinent without realizing themagnitude of the displacement andbloodshed that accompanied thevivisection of the Indiansubcontinent.It didn?t stop there,the sore has been developing with
every passing year and now it seemsthat it has graduated to such an extentthat the support to balkanization ofalready divided India is findingtakers in the political class whowant to convert it into electoralgain.But the question is at whatcost?The answer is simple at thecost of the Indian civilization.Thecontinuous invasion of the foreigninvaders in the past appear small asthe acts of internal elements seemto be more dangerous as theyprovide the necessary oxygen tothese external elements by
facilitating their acts overtly andcovertly.And by doing this theseelements want to paint the religionof the land in the black.
What these elements in thepolitical establishment forget is thatthe religion grounded in the humanvalues has been the soul of India.Andno power however, strong has beenable to hurt this core and hence thespirit.That is why despitecontinuous victimization of the
people of the land and destructionof their religious places Indiaemerged as the jewel of the humancivilization.Instead of gettingvanished from the world map it notonly reappeared but also providedthe shelter to the persecuted peopleof various religions.
Swami Vivekananda, the tigeramong the nationalists of the landstressed the need to look inward tokeep the soul of the nation intact. InJune19, 1907- Sri Aurobindoanother proud son of thesoil,revolutionary visionary and
philosopher spoke thus, on SwamiVivekananda, ?Apart from thenatural attachment which every manhas to his country,literature,itstraditions,its customs and usages,patriotism has an additionalstimulus in the acknowledgedexcellence of a national civilization.If Britons love England with allher faults ,why should we fail tolove India whose faults werewhittled down to an irreducible
minimum till foreign conqueststhrew the whole society out of gear?But instead of being dominated bythe natural ambition of carrying thebanner of such a civilization allover the world ,we are unable tomaintain its integrity in its nativehome .This is betraying a trustthis is unworthiness of the worsttype .we have not been able to addanything to this precious bequest;on the contrary we have beenkeeping ourselves and generationsyet unborn from full enjoyment oftheir lawful heritage??..?Further
emphasizing the point hesays,?According to Sidgwick,physical expansion proceeds froma desire for a spiritual expansion andhistory also supports the assertion.But why should not India then bethe first power in the world? Whoelse has the undisputed right toextend spiritual sway over theworld? This was SwamiVivekananda?s plan of campaign.India can once more be madeconscious of the greatness by anovermastering sense of the greatnessof her spirituality. This sense ofgreatness is the main feeder of allpatriotism. This only can put an endto all self-depreciation and generatea burning desire to recover the lostground.?
The challenges before India aremanifold keeping in view the globalscenario. And greatest challenge isthe threat to its civilization.India hasto rise first to pull out itself fromthe state of self deception and lookinto its glorious past and then leadthe world community ,which is in acrisis keeping in view the economicmeltdown and the political fall outassociated with it.Only India caninsulate the mankind with its religionof spiritual humanism that is the bedrock of the Indian civilization.Onlythen can we come out the illusion ofself deception .In which we havebeen entangled by the political classwho don?t pay heed towards thespiritual wisdom of Indianheritage.Consequently, the scenariois there for everyone to see.In thewords of Swami Vivekananda,morethere is an attempt to hide thehumanistic Indian religion ?moreforcefully it reappears .
Policy makers, politicians andintellectual class need to pay heedto these words of advise. SwamiVivekananda says,?In religion liesthe vitality of India ,and so long asthe Hindu race do not forget thegreat inheritance of theirforefathers,there is no power onearth to destroy them?.
*(Writer is a research scholar inFaculty of Management Studies,University of Jammu, Jammu)
(From Page 16)his\initiative that arms were distrib-uted to partisan groups, who wantedto take on the infiltrators. The roleplayed by Ichama front in savingthe Srinagar airport is yet to be ac-knowledged by scholars. During theraid days National Conference alsoplayed a very good role in the city.Ultimately, it helped SheikhAbdullah.
The role of Hari Singh, RC Kakand Sheikh Abdullah in 1947 hasremained a matter of intense debate.A correct picture will emerge onlywhen the classified papers of thatperiod would be thrown open toscholars. It is said Jinnah, who livedin Karachi, had snubbed Sadiq byrefusing to meet him. Jinnah told the
waiter “to tell emissary of SheikhAbdullah that the Kashmir leaderwas master in emotionally exploit-ing his people” and added that Kash-mir was a blank cheque in hispocket.
Emergency administration:Sheikh Abdullah reinstated Pt. ShamLal Dhar and appointed him asHome Secretary. Justice Shahmiritoo was rehabilitated. Prem NathBakaya, Triloki Nath and RK Sherwere on his personal staff. 1953 wasinevitable to happen, because SheikhAbdullah was pursuing such poli-cies, which were bound to take Kash-mir out of India. During those daysIndian intelligence was quite effec-tive. GOI sent a strong DO askingSheikh to explain the dangerous poli-cies he was pursuing.
Bakshi-A clever politician:Bakshi was all out to help his com-munity. There were no Muslim can-didates available. The administrationhad to rely on Pandits. Among Pan-
dits, he was only helpful to the peo-ple of his locality (Khankah-e-Sokhata/Nawakadal). He recruitedaround a hundred people fromamong his neighbours. That was theperiod when he had plenty to offer.The beneficiaries played main rolein crafting up his image as a greatsecular leader.
Bakshi pursued patently dis-criminatory policies against Panditstudents in selection of trainings. Itwas Bakshi who was architect of70:30 policy-30% was reserved fornon-Muslims, which included
Jammuites also. Hardly 2-4 seatswould go to Pandit boys. DuringBakshi era Pandit boys sought ad-mission on their own in collegesoutside the state. Bakshi created anew Muslim middle class and neo-rich mercantile group to bolster hispolitical authority.
It was Bakshi, who thrustedDeputy AG, Gh. Ahmed Shonthooas Chief Secretary. Shonthoo re-mained at the helm for ten years andhad little ability. His nothings neverwent beyond ‘yes’ and ‘no’. BothBakshi and Shonthoo admired syco-phancy. A new practice was started,where a Government servant wasrequired to pay obeisance at the gateof Ama Shonthoo if he wanted anundisturbed service career. Thiswriter hated such a practice and suf-fered terribly. Mr. Abdul Aziz Faziliand SAS Qadri, the competent andnon-parochial bureaucrats undid
some of the wrongs committed bythe Chief Secretary. I retired on 31/1/1977 as Superintendent, whenmany of my colleagues reached thecoveted posts of Secretary/Commissioner.
Sadiq-a man of Integrity : Sadiqwas a man of strong integrity. Hegoverned efficiently, without anybias. He always addressed hissubordinate staff with great respect(Toih, not Chah). Sadiq always wentthrough the files himself. In intri-cate cases it was he who took thefinal decision. Sadiq never compro-mised when it came to defendingprinciples. Many of the wrong de-cisions associated with him werevirtually imposed on him by thevested interests. Sheikh Abdullahinjected communalism and vindic-tiveness in bureaucracy and govern-ance. We are reaping the fruits to-day*
CONTINUATION
In the houseboat in Kashmir in 1898 sitting in inside (L to R) Miss MacLeod, Swami Vivekananda,Mrs.Ole Bull, Sister Nivedita
Witness to an Era-A Memoir
