Introduction to KashmirForum.org Blog

I launched the website and the Blog after having spoken to government officials, political analysts and security experts specializing in South Asian affairs from three continents. The feedback was uniformly consistent. The bottom line is that when Kashmiris are suffering and the world has its own set of priorities, we need to find ways to help each other. We must be realistic, go beyond polemics and demagoguery, and propose innovative ideas that will bring peace, justice and prosperity in all of Jammu and Kashmir.

The author had two reasons to create this blog. First, it was to address the question that was being asked repeatedly, especially, by journalists and other observers in the U.S., U.K., and Canada, inquiring whether the Kashmiri society was concerned about social, cultural and environmental challenges in the valley given that only political upheaval and violence were reported or highlighted by media.

Second, the author has covered the entire spectrum of societal issues and challenges facing Kashmiri people over an 8-year period with the exception of politics given that politics gets all the exposure at the expense of REAL CHALLENGES that will likely result in irreversible degradation in the quality of life and the standard of living for future generations of Kashmiris to come.

The author stopped adding additional material to the Blog once it was felt that most, if not all, concerns, challenges and issues facing the Kashmiri society are cataloged in the Blog. There are over 1900 entries in the Blog and most commentaries include short biographical sketches of authors to bring readers close to the essence of Kashmir. Unfortunately, the 8-year assessment also indicates that neither Kashmiri civil society, nor intellectuals or political leadership have any inclination or enthusiasm in pursuing issues that do not coincide with their vested political agendas. What it means for the future of Kashmiri children and their children is unfathomable. But the evidence is all laid out.

This Blog is a reality check on Kashmir. It is a historical record of how Kashmir lost its way.

Vijay Sazawal, Ph.D.
www.kashmirforum.org

Sunday, August 24, 2008

A Clear Case of Disinformation by the Kashmir Watch Published From Islamabad, Pakistan

Two stories - a week apart - published by the Kashmir Watch from Islamabad, Pakistan, clearly show how dis-information campaign by enemies of Kashmiri people has become both vicious and personal


Kashmir Watch, August 17

Javed Iqbal Bhat, Srinagar

There is anger in Kashmir against the Kashmiri Pandit attacks and their propaganda they have unleashed at various places. Pandit groups through their various website, blogs and web forums have been justifying the mass murder by the Indian paramilitary forces in Kashmir – calling the Kashmiri population 'anti-national', 'separatist' and therefore worthy of wanton bullets. Now a Kashmiri Pandit based in the US – Vijay Sazawal who formerly headed notorious anti-Kashmiri Indo-American Kashmir Forum has been spreading lies that Kashmiri mass movement is being run by terrorists and therefore tacitly supporting the Indian brutality. massacre.

Kashmir Watch, August 23

Junaid Ahsan, Srinagar

Similar statements have emanated RAW contact in the US – Dr. Vijay Sazawal who formerly ran rabid anti-Muslim organisation Indo-Kashmir American Forum. Sazawal recently accused that Kashmiris were Islamists and sought to ridicule the massive public demonstrations.

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