Identity and Violence

This blog seems to be centered on the Jammu-Kashmir divide and seems to portray a picture that this is the problem facing the state/region. While the issue (Shri Amarnath land transfer) has invoked strong sentiments on both sides, I see it only as an effect of what has been going on.
Protests in Jammu were a reaction to what happened in Kashmir.
It is thus, I believe, important to understand why Kashmir reacted the way it did.
For a start, there are two basic issues-that of identity and of recognition, that must be considered if one honestly seeks to understand the ‘people of kashmir’, keeping the biases aside.
Identity
I am a Muslim. I am a Kashmiri. Am I an Indian?
I envy the confidence with which Omar Abdullah asserted that he is one and that he did not see a problem with it. I wish I could say that too.
What is my identity? On what equation does a Kashmiri identity stand when juxtaposed with a Muslim and an Indian identity?
The question is not an easy one to answer. I have been looking for answers. I have been trying to discover my identity. Do I look for it in Islam, in the preamble of the constitution of India or just confine myself to Kashmiriyat? Or is it a blend of them? If it is indeed a blend, is there a hierarchy between them? If not, are they totally unconnected and/or mutually exclusive? Most of all, why am I faced with such questions?
I am facing a major crisis. The issue that I hold closest to my heart has been that of Kashmir. It is a tragedy that I do not have an opinion about it. However hard I might have tried.

Is the Kashmir problem a result of this confusion that I am also facing(if it indeed is, what is the reason for this confusion)?Is a majority of Kashmiris(if not just everyone) facing the same problem as I am? The picture that the past few decades have presented about us..undecided, confused, one moment for azadi, the other for Pakistan and yet another for India, is pathetic. Is this nature inherent in our genes? Is that what I am, a hypocrite?
There is one answer I do know. It is not in my genes. It is not in Our genes. We are not hypocrites. We want peace and we want democracy.
It is not the confusion that is the cause of the problem. It is the way Kashmir has been handled that has given rise to this confusion-of identity, which is inextricably linked to the fact of recognition, of recognition of the simple fact that Kashmir belongs to the people of Kashmir also and it is the people of Kashmir who belong there.
Recognition
I was born a Kashmiri. Something I have always been proud of and a fact that I cherish. Like any other individual, right thinking individual, I am terrified when I see what I see in Kashmir and have often thought about why the situation is so.
I do not propose to delve into any philosophical analysis of the problem. I only wish to bring forth one single experience of mine that shattered me as an individual(not just as a ‘Kashmiri Muslim’) and invoked the abovementioned and various other questions, some of which I find myself incapable of articulating .
I had just finished college and had invited my friends home. To Kashmir. Since I was the one who belonged to the place, they trusted me with the task of planning the trip. Morning of day 3 was booked for Shankar Acharya Mandir.
I was the early riser in the group. That day too, I woke up, offered my namaz and woke everyone up. I got into the drivers seat and set out.
I was really proud of being where I was. Each and every word of praise that I heard about Kashmir from my friends elated me so much as if it was me who was being praised. This was not to be.
There is a barricade about 3 kms before the temple. We were stopped, like all other cars. I stopped and greeted the ‘army wala’. Still proud of the fact that I was in my motherland. Her beauty was still captivating despite the years of turmoil.
The ‘army wala’ asked us where we were headed. I answered. He asked me who the ‘local’ were. I, swollen with pride, declared it was me and a cousin of mine who was sitting behind. All the pride, the self worth, a sense of belonging, the identity, was reduced to ashes when the ‘army wala’ ordered-dono niche utar jao.
It was the two of us who were frisked. The others, my friends, my hindu friends, received a warm greeting and the army wala waved them off with a smiling face.
It was their turn to be proud. I was shattered. Was it not I who belonged to the place?
I needed recognition. I needed respect. I needed the army wala-the state, to, at least, acknowledge the fact that I belonged to the place. The least I needed was to be treated at par with my friends. I have not been at peace ever since. The incident has left a deep scar on my soul. The greater tragedy however is that I see no signs of it healing-not now, not any time in the future.
One can not be but amazed at the linkage between the two incidents. Of Amarnath and of Shankar Acharya. Of a Muslim driving his Hindu friends. But it is the third aspect of the similarities that needs introspection.
It is the problem of recognition and assertion. Perhaps, everyone is not a coward like me. There are some people who would risk their lives to give it back to the ‘army wala’. I could not. I regret. Pehaps some years of living in kashmir would instill that courage in me(I must clarify that ‘give it back’ does not necessarily imply violence.It takes more courage to lodge a non violent protest-just as the Mahatma did)
It is not the mere fact of land transfer, in vacuum, devoid of any history that is causing havoc. It is a million incidents of dissimilar treatment like the one I faced en route Shankar Acharya Temple that build up a psyche. It is this fact that needs to be taken care of.
To say the least, WE also want a right to live with ‘human dignity’.

(The topic derives its name from the book of the same name authored by Amartya sen)

Thoughts for an ignorant citizen

I got some comments from some anonymous blogger who appears to be totally at bay as far as facts are concerned. I have put in a small effort to gather critical facts for enlightening such people.
Dear Anonymous Ignorant Citizen from Jalandhar,
The reason for the sad state of Kashmir affairs today is ignorant people like you – Unaware of history, blind-eyed and deaf-eared towards present - vociferously shouting irrelevant facts.

First, you must read History of Kashmir and of your own motherland. Your grandfather might not have told you, but we were not even under British Occupation. Not even like your 500 princely states. We were an independent state when India and her 500 princely states were fighting for Independence. Do you know that even today, J&K is the only Indian state to have its own Flag, and its own set of laws? You might have never heard of Ranbir Penal Code (RPC) (and not Indian Penal Code (IPC)) that is still being followed in all courts across J&K.

After India got Independence, Nehru and Jinnah decided to divide (and thus fulfill the wishes of the British Crown, by falling to their policy of divide and rule) the great nation into India and Pakistan. About 12 million people were displaced and about 1 million killed in the aftermath of partition. However, personally I feel that millions of people who were killed till date in innumerable riots across India and Pakistan, and the Hindu-Muslim divide that exists today are primarily because of the seeds of hatred that were sown by our leaders by enacting the unique and most dreaded partition of people.

Even after the partition, Kashmir was independent. Seeing a weak neighbor with no military power, Pakistani tribesmen attacked Kashmir. Sheikh Abdullah, who was then the Prime Minister of Kashmir, had no option but to ask India for help. India agreed subject to the state of Jammu & Kashmir acceding into India.

J&K was the most peaceful country and that is the reason why it didn’t even have its own army. It was a symbol of peace. Hindus and Muslims lived in absolute harmony, just as they did in India before partition. Shiekh Abdullah, having seen the dreaded partition did not want that hatred to flow into J&K. That is the reason why he negotiated for Article 370. To insulate our motherland from the hatred that had spread across India and Pakistan, but only till such time an independent plebiscite of the State was conducted as per the UN resolution.

"Led by Britain and the United States, the U.N Security Council passed another resolution (Resolution 47) on April 21, 1948, which enlarged the membership of the UNCIP from 3 to 5 , called for cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan, withdrawal of all Pakistani troops and tribesmen and bulk of Indian troops(except for a minimal number required for maintaining law order),allowing return of refugees, release of political prisoners and holding of a U.N supervised Plebiscite in the (Princely)State of Jammu and Kashmir to determine the aspirations of her people. The Plebiscite was to be held by a U.N appointed Plebiscite administrator. The U.N Security Council passed another resolution on June3, 1948, which reaffirmed the previous resolutions and asked the UNCIP to proceed to the "disputed areas" to carry out its mission as stated under Resolution 47 of April 21, 1948.”

“The U.N involvement in the Kashmir Conflict largely lasted for 17 years (1948-65).After the Indo-Pak war of 1965, the U.N engagement with Kashmir continued at a very nominal level till the 3rd Pakistan-India war of 1971 and completely ended with the signing of the Simla Agreement in 1972, an Indo-Pak peace agreement, which laid emphasis on adopting a bilateral framework to solve the Kashmir imbroglio and kept the U.N out of the picture afterwards.” .

For more on Indian stance on Kashmir during this period click here

What had happened had happened and could not be changed. People of J&K had reconciled with the fact that they were better-off with India. (If you are meek and weak, you need a big brother). However, when our big brother started bullying us the unrest started all over again. Election rigging was the main cause of hatred against India.

"From 1953 to 1975, Chief Ministers of that State [of J&K] had been nominees of Delhi. Their appointment to that post was legitimised by the holding of farcical and totally rigged elections in which the Congress party led by Delhi's nominee was elected by huge majorities." B.K. Nehru, who was Governor of Kashmir from 1981 to 1984, in his memoirs published in 1997.

Now, that you have some background, let us come to your 1-2-3 Agenda.

1. “Stay with us, i.e. INDIA.we`ve all ways treated you like our misbehaved/rotten brothers. We`ll continue to feed you with essential commodities, food supplies, money, central packages, developmemtal work etc. ( All for our motherland HINDUSTAN)”

The fact that you have treated us like your rotten brothers is a justification enough for what is happening today in Kashmir.

2. “Fight with us, leave us and goto the Mighty Pakisthan - the country with ISLAMIC rules. ;)We would be more than happy to see our rotten brother happy. But come to think of it, how and where would you sell those apples, those shawls, those carvings, or nights at dal lake? whom? i bet pakishan with its poor poor people would be more than willing to pay.Fact: pak population 144 million.Poverty rate 35%Ref: CIA Factbook.I`m sure how big a buying power Pakistan is. BIG BIG Industrialised economy of pak. :)”

I have already said that we are weak and cannot fight India or Pakistan militarily. But whatever voices we are raising are against the ill-treatment by our elder brother.

You may like to see how our elder brother treats us:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTNBB94hDBw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gbWI8QHitA

If you have a weaker neighbor, or a brother, do you help him come up or do you stamp upon him with all your might and beat the hell out of him? As far as I have read no religion preaches that. The sad part is that we do everything in the name of religion but never bother to see what it actually preaches.

3. BE independent of INDIA & Pakistan. - This one is a real joke.If you are independent of us, then:you get no subsidised essentials, no telecom, no tax breaks, no cheap food, no cheap labour, no access to our vast capital base, no army protection, amogst others.China, a dictatorship, is more than willing to attck u, to show its superamacy in the region. Pak, with nothin to show off really, would still try n attack, to salvage pride.kashmir would be the worlds biggest terrorist school, a haven for al quidas and SIMIs..America would be more than willing to attck and invade you. The best base america can get, seeing the approxmity with CHINDIA.So, while u decide, i`ll have to get back to work, as you are my liability rite now, if i dont earn, how you get subsidised food, great rail, air, road connect, huge central packages, subsidies for haj ..etc…etc..

Some disgusted people have been raising this point these days. I am happy though that such people a small bunch - uninformed, immature and naïve.

Thoughts for you from another blogger:

“Kashmiris are happy to take the money…’ he (Vir Sanghvi)mocks. One may ask why extend special rights and billions of rupees if there is no justification for them in the normal functioning of the State of India. Or is it that these are given with an insidious intent- a purpose to appease, to numb, to help forget.”

Kashmir's mobile phone chroniclers

By Soutik Biswas BBC News, Srinagar

For many people, recording events on mobile phones has become a hobby

Minutes after 35-year-old Javed Amir Mir was shot in the head by security forces in Srinagar, capital of Indian-administered Kashmir, a young boy recorded his death on his mobile phone camera.
The shaky and grainy clip shows a blood splattered face lying on the road. You can hear the wailing women and the screaming men in the background
Across the city, 25-year-old Imran Ahmed Wani's death was also recorded on mobile phones by friends rushing him to hospital after he was shot during a demonstration.
In fact, Mr Wani's last days unspool effortlessly on pictures which can be seen on the mobiles of his friends - in one he is smiling at the camera, 10 days before his death; in another, life is slowly ebbing out of him as he lies, legs akimbo, in a ambulance racing to get him to the hospital.
"We have all these pictures on our phones. His memories live and move with us," says his friend and mass communications student, Sheikh Suhail, 24.
'Interesting footage'
As the mainly Muslim Kashmir valley erupted into protests last month after a row over transfer of land in the region snowballed into a movement for freedom from India, armies of mobile-phone toting youngsters began trawling the city to record the events.

A row over land has snowballed into a nationalist upsurge
The images and recordings of those momentous events have been swapped between friends, or put up on popular video sharing sites.
One of those, YouTube, spits out nearly 250 results when a search is done for "Srinagar protest" and many of these clips have been put up by youngsters from the valley.
There are now mobile phone recordings being swapped around which have reached almost cult status.
A pro-freedom procession, security forces thrashing children playing in a city park, a friend or a neighbour shot down during a protest, a funeral procession.
In a way, the images and clips comprise an uneven chronicle of the troubled life and times in the valley by these "citizen journalists" of Kashmir.
"This is a new trend in Kashmir. There are a lot of young people moving around the city with such mobile phone recordings," says Amjad Mir of Sen TV, a local news and current affairs channel.
In the restive Batamaloo area in Srinagar, a 29-year-old man, who owns a small mobile phone shop in the city, says he goes out every other day with his phone in search of "interesting footage".
"This is the first time ordinary people like us are coming out with our phones and shooting. This is the only way we can show to the world what is happening here," says the young man, who prefers to be unnamed.
'History in making'
During a recent curfew in the valley, he recorded people in his neighbourhood collecting several thousand bottles of drinking water to supply a local hospital which had run out.
The Batamaloo man shows me some of his other clips on the phone - crowds gathering for a demonstration, tyres burning on the streets, troops chasing crowds. A friend, he says, has clips of a man shot down by troops on his cheap Chinese mobile phone.

The mobile phone clips chronicle life in the city
His favourite is a nine-minute recording of a protest demonstration that he shot on his favourite Nokia phone from a flyover overlooking the road.
"I have never seen so many people in my life as that day. It was a big, peaceful demonstration. And I just kept recording," he says.
Chasing events on mobile phones have now become an obsessive hobby with these young men - they charge their phones regularly every night and hit the road next morning looking for some action.
A young journalist says the mobile phone chroniclers are usually internet-savvy students, who shoot clips and upload them on the internet.
"I want to preserve these memories. They are history in the making," he says.
His favourite clip: local boys demolishing an 18-year-old bunker of Indian troops in his neighbourhood during the recent agitation.
The Kashmir conflict now seems to have become fully digitalised.