"What Have We Gained?"

Fida recounts a sad history of unfulfilled expectations. But can any expectations be met if these are grounded in fantasy?

(Mr. Fida Iqbal, 47, was born in Sopore. He attended the D.A.V. School in Nayadyaar, Rainawari, and the Government Higher Secondary School in Sopore. He obtained his Bachelor's degree in Agriculture/Floriculture and Landscaping from Chowdhry Chottu Ram College at Muzaffarabad Nagar in Uttar Pradesh. Mr. Iqbal works with the Jammu & Kashmir Tourism Department as a landscape architect. He enjoys kitchen gardening, reading writing, and is very a passionate and dedicated golf player.)


Beyond Bandh Calls and Hartals

Dominating mindset and consequent struggle for existence have always got mankind into vortex of conflict since ages. In a situation of conflict well defined lines are drawn between exploiters and the exploited and a chain of agitation initiates in one form or the other. Conflict and following agitations can have several manifestations, ranging from non-violent movements to bloody wars.

Kashmir is a conflict zone, emitting lava of discontent for the last more than six decades. In real sense whole sub-continent is charged because of existing political inconsistency and atmosphere of mistrust. The real sufferers at the moment are Kashmiris and if, God forbid, things go out of hand at any point of time many races will suffer for ages. The ramifications of the conflict are so severe that a once beautiful valley has turned into a big garrison and sufferings loom on the whole populace. The political errors committed by the leaders in 1947 and subsequent abrasions and developments had culminated into a situation of severe turmoil, Kashmir is facing at the moment. Six decades of great effort for justified solution of vexed Kashmir issue had annihilated many souls and agonizing three generations of Kashmiri population. ‘Justice delayed is justice denied’. This maxim holds good for Kashmir and its people. In 1947 when majority of Indians were celebrating the dawn of independence, Kashmiris were mollified with a fascinating promise of self determination at appropriate time by the most credible leaders of the time, but history is witness to the delay. May be the delay ultimately will culminate into shameful denial. Kashmir has a history of its own, history of exploitation, subjugation and conflict but last six decades were more painful as it all was inflicted in the garb of democracy. Much has been written about the plight of Kashmiri people and their struggle for emancipation and empowerment and it will be wastage of precious time of esteemed readers and newspaper columns to add more to it.

Real leadership decides about the right move at the right time without giving any consideration to any ego and personal feeling. Real leaders are custodians of sentiments and aspirations of the people and any fudging with people’s mandate is extreme deception. 1931 was watershed of Kashmiri struggle against autocracy and situation of enslavement, a powerful leadership got shaped out of this bloody confrontation. From 1931 to 1947 Sher-i- Kashmir enjoyed absolute mandate to lead and decide the fate of Kashmiris. On the ‘D’ day personal relations prevailed over logic and heart took over the mind in deciding the fate of Kashmiris and that is how seeds of prospective conflict got sown in Kashmir. All other actors and stake holders of the partition can not be absolved of making wrong moves and initiatives, knowingly or unknowingly. Role of raiders, sweet trickery of Indian polity and a hesitant ruler, all contributed in making the situation worse for future. Making it very short and precise, this conflict has carried itself from one century to next and at present we are completely entangled in a situation of unending divergence and relentless deceit. All the three stake holders, India, Pakistan and people of Kashmir seek solution of their choice, on their own terms and conditions which can never materialize in practical norms.

After armed insurgency in eighties and nineties of last century the present non-violent resistance smeared with occasional stone pelting has brought Kashmir issue to limelight and gained significance not only on national but international level as well. Passion, euphoria and unrelenting spirit of present younger generation have dominated the current agitation. Being predominantly non-violent it has attracted the attention of many advocates of liberty and human rights activists who firmly believe in emancipation through nonviolent means. Energetic agitation and sacrifices of youth changed the landscape and equation of Kashmiri resistance movement and leadership. Many existing leaders were marginalized and a preferred leadership got pushed into this intractable situation , not necessarily by choice. Presently all other resistance leaders are in a state of wait and watch while Syed Ali Shah Gilani is holding the fort and steering ‘Quit Kashmir movement’. For last four months ‘Quit Kashmir movement, has paralyzed every sphere of life in Kashmir, and put enormous pressure on the central government. Every effort has been utilized by authorities to douse the raging fire of discontent and disturbance in Kashmir. Anger of Kashmiri people is not waning away, even after much of administrative efforts and political handling. People of Kashmir supported every move and call of the leadership without uttering a single word of disagreement. In the words of Gilani “Azadi comes at a cost” and people of Kashmir not only like this argument but supported it resolutely. All segments of life, whether education, economy or social setup got harshly effected and Kashmiris faced it all, willingly.

Now, after months of long drawn strategy of Hartaals and Bandhs many people are of the opinion that the buck of non-violent struggle for emancipation should not get stuck within the confines of Hartaals and Bandhs, but we should explore and open up new options of peaceful struggle and move beyond this myopic concept of resistance. Every saner voice and view can not deny the impact of past four month’s unrelenting agenda of shut-down and Bands. A larger population of India is now aware of the turmoil and pain of Kashmiri people. Many voices within India have come forward to plead the genuine demands and aspirations of Kashmiri people. Impact of present situation has made central government and Indian leadership to accept the fact of discontent within Kashmir and several initiatives and measures are in pipeline to deal with Kashmir issue. How far these measures will address the real issue of Kashmir only time will tell? Until then based on past experience, apprehensions of separatist leadership regarding sincerity of Indian leaders will be valid. Present leadership which has emerged out of a complex situation and is leading people in a much charged atmosphere at a crucial juncture has to intensify its campaign. However it should seek a way-out and explore many other alternatives while sticking to its approach of nonviolence. We should think and go beyond the concept of strikes and Bandhs so that this movement can sustain and end to its logical conclusion.

Leadership should not shy away from changing strategies with honest and sincere intentions and for the betterment of people of Kashmir and their genuine aspirations. Guns in nineties played their role so did the Hartaals and Bandhs. Sustainability of movements demands a simultaneous intellectual, social and economic pursuit along with other forms of resistance. It is not necessary that we get stuck in a particular mindset of struggle. Instead we may have to rethink our strategy but religiously keeping sacred blood of our martyrs and aspirations of people into consideration. In any struggle clock of resistance moves both ways and never remains static. Our earlier experience of last many decades if analyzed properly provides us with an idea of ups and downs and resultant shifting of strategies. Resistance movements demand vigorous strategies with every changing scenario and any static position will prove fatal for situation of seeking justice and our leaders should consider this situation of facts without any bias and malice and redraw their policy.

Kashmir Stonewalling the RTI

Muzaffar highlights poor implementation of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, following the State's historical record of stonewalling laws meant to promote public good


(Dr. Raja Muzaffar Bhat, 35, was born in Wathoora village in the Budgam district and matriculated from Tyndale Biscoe Memorial High School in 1993. He completed his Bachelor's degree in Dental Surgery from from the Karnatka University in 2000. He has a private dental practice in Chandoora and is a social activist dedicated to educating public on the Right To Information (RTI) legislation. He is the Convener of the J&K RTI Movement and associated with the Commonwealth Human Rights Intitiative (CHRI) office in New Delhi.)


RTI Act Not Implemented Fully in J&K

Srinagar: The J&K RTI Movement Convener, Dr Muzaffar Bhat today said the J&K Right to Information Act was yet to be implemented in the state in letter and spirit.

“We are yet to receive information under the Act on assets of IAS officers, National Mental Health Policy and old age, handicap pensions from GAD, Health and Social Welfare departments,” Dr Muzaffar said in a statement.

“In fact CM’s office intervened in one such case and CM’s political advisor wrote a letter to Social Welfare department several months back, but we are yet to receive any reply,” he added.

“The PIO’s do not provide information within stipulated time under the Act. We have filed applications in state Home department in March regarding details of custodial disappearances and other rights issues, but till date we have not received any reply. We wanted to file complaint with the State Information Commission, but the it is yet to be constituted,” he said adding the RTI applications were being “thrown in dustbins” by the departments.

He said almost all the designated Public Information Officers and Assistant Public Information Officers of various Government departments “had not received” any formal training on implementation of J&K RTI Act 2009. “Since the enactment of Act 2009 in March 2009 the Government has conducted only one training programme for the officials,” he said adding the people were not aware about RTI law and not a single programme had been sponsored by the Government for creating awareness among masses through radio, TV or print media.

Confronting the Truth About Pandit Migration

Aima takes on the "Jagmohan" crowd among Kashmiris posing as well meaning intellectuals when in fact such people are only exposing "latent radicalism" who pay lip service to the plight of minorities. The writer closes his essay with a couplet by Shams Faqir

(Mr. Peyaray Lal Aima, 76, was born in Srinagar. He matriculated from the Standard Public School, Bohra Kadal, Srinagar, and attended the Amar Singh College, Srinagar. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Jammu & Kashmir. Mr. Aima retired as the assistant manager of finance in the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation of India (NHPC). He lives in Jammu city and enjoys reading books in his leisure time.)


NOT MYTH BUT THE TRUTH OF MIGRATION

Prof M.A Sofi calls migration a myth. Perhaps he feels that the Pandits have gone on an excursion. He has raised a number of issues in his write up which are partly correct and partly misconceived:

1. For the exodus of the Pandits he has accused Mr. Jagmohan. If a lie is repeated time and again, day in and day out it becomes a gobellian Truth. We do not expect the educated elite to repeat lies and spread canards. The truth is that a wave of insanity generated by the Jihadies through Pakistan Philosophy of hate spread like wild fire in the valley which led to the exodus of the Pandits. Incensed by this message of hate a Mulsim boy turned militant killed his own father in FatehKadal area calling him an impediment in the Raodmap of Jihadi concept of Azadi. Did Jagmohan also advise him to kill his father? After some years I found that boy selling clothes on a ‘Raide’ on the Residency Road in Srinagar. I was reminded of some events of history. Allaudin Khiljee killed his uncle to achieved the throne of Delhi. Aurengzeb killed his brothers, imprisoned his father and became the emperor of India. This boy killed his father and became a ‘Radiwalla’ selling old clothes. What a wish fulfilled.

The Pandits have preserved the threat letters sent to them. They have the Audio and Video evidence to show what happened. They have preserved the local Dalies through which they were warned to leave the Valley within 48 hours. These evidences also include still photographs of Pandits killed by the Jihadis and the desecrated temples. These evidences emply prove that the movement was communally oriented. Mr. Sofi wants us to believe that people involved were measly & fringe elements. However, we estimate the damage caused and not count the number of people involved. We admit that the Muslim Civil society suffered irreparable losses as a result of this insane wave. But how can we help it. Let us, therefore bury the hatchet and admit the truth that it was wave of insanity which overtook the Valley in early nineties that led to the exodus of the Pandits and also resulted in killing of many members of the Muslim Community. Let us speak the truth if we want restore peace in the Valley. I admit that under the influence of ‘Janoon’ the civil Society could not hold back the Pandits.

2. Mr. Sofi is right that Kashmir problem has always been political and has no religion angle to it at all. But this is not acceptable to our adversaries. Their politics of hate has already vitiated the atmosphere, poisoned the youth of the valley, and trained them on radical lines.

Pandits have a share in the geography of Kashmir, they are a part of the history of Kashmir, they have a share in the politics and administration and commerce of Kashmir. We want our share to be identified and codified to ensure legal safety and future security and safe return to the valley.

3. Mr. Sofi wants to bet his last penny to prove that Pandits will not return. The truth is that the events of the last twenty years have created a trust deficit between the majority and the minority community. It is therefore, that we demand a Homeland under the protection of Indian constitution. This set up will have sufficient space for the secular and moderate Muslim friends who can join hands to fight the Jihadi menace politically. This is the only permanent solution to ensure peace in the valley.

4. The worthy Prof. wants to bet his every penny on the Non-Return of the Pandits to Valley. Giving reasons in support of his views he talks of the plum posts held by the children of the Pandits in and outside India which shall withhold them from returning to the valley. Such a statement boarders on disinformation campaign.

Mr. Sofi should look inward and search for the truth. The fact is that Kashmiris are a race apart, irrespective of the fact that they are Hindus or Muslims. We are a gifted community. How otherwise are the Kashmiri Muslims boys holding good job or even doing business in Gulf or States or even in Britain and Canada. They are not in these places out of any pity for Kashmiris. They are there because they possess merit. They work honestly with dedication and devotion. It is only their Cousins dealing in dishonesty and corruption in the Valley.

What has after all a Kashmiri youth to learn from a Taliban whose identity is religious frenzy, a gun on his shoulders, Beef in his belly and inate desire for carnal pleasures? Does he possess anything more? The Kashmir youth have their dignity and national pride why compromise it with the radicals. History is witness to the atrocities committed by the Pathans in Kashmir. There is still a Kashmiri Mohalla existing in Kabul, where, in the past, abducted women of Kashmir were sold and settled for providing comfort to people. Their progeny is still in the trade. In fact these Talibans, Pathans, Pashtunes must apologies to the people of Kashmir like Japan which apologised to the people of Korea.

Further, the truth is that Pakistan has succeeded in introducing disorder and disorientation in the Civil Society of Kashmir. There is no doubt about the fact that wealth has come to the Valley through Indian and non- Indian sources but the values have been eroded. This is what is hurting the reasonable and sensible people of the Valley. Opinion given by the elite educated persons of the Civil Society of Kashmir is expected to generate more light than heat. Only a secular approach can restore order in the society and all of us must work towards that. Why leave our problems to interlocutors when we have the capacity to solve these ourselves. It is only the Public will that is needed for this purpose. One Mr. Bharti has commented on the protest by Pandit youth against Mr. Geelani in New Delhi. Let us concede that the K.P’s. living in Valley survive owing to the good will of the majority. But what is the guarantee that this goodwill will not change into ill will by the mischievous machinations of the radical elements at the behest of ISI. It is for this purpose that Pandits ask for a Homeland where all secular forces irrespective of cast, creed, colour, gender could be accommodated under the cover and protection of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution supported by the umbrella of State Subject.

It is a fact we oppose any move about the solution of Kashmir that directly or indirectly supports the nefarious designs of the ISI. We know that sacrifies made by the people in Kashmir have been orchestrated by the Pak agencies to promote their interest in Kashmir. We know for certain that Pak is interested in the land of Kashmir and its water resources. They are not interested in the people of Kashmir because they know how intelligent the Kashmiris are, strong contenders to the Civil Society of Pakistan. One General Aziz Bhat of Pak Army being of Kashmir origin would always write General Aziz and not Aziz Bhat. This is how Kashmiris are treated in Pakistan. When he was tipped for the post of Chief of the Army by Nawaz Sharief, a coup took place and General Mushraf became the head of the State (ref Crossed Swords by shuja Nawaz). Kashmiri Pandits know that Mr. Geelani is a respected leader but so long as he espouses the cause of his handlers in Pakistan, he has to be opposed. What is wrong about it? Speaking of religious harmony and brotherhood are sweet words but the situation on ground is different. So many temples were desecrated throughout the Valley. If religious tolerance is a apart of Mr. Geelani’s policy why does he not condemn such dececration and support the Pandits who want the Temple bill to be passed by the state Assembly. Love and hate should be visibly seen on ground and not on paper.

Mr. Sofi has refered to Dr. Sameer a Kashmiri Pandit who has some good words for Mr. Geelani. Family Doctors are bound by Medical ethics and they always follow that. Had the Doctor treating late Mohd Ali Jinnah disclosed that Mr. Jinnah was living on borrowed time, the history of the Subcontinent would have been entirely different. However, the Doctor was bound by the principles of Medical ethics and therefore did not disclose the truth.

The opposition to the removal of AFSPA by the Pandits is on sound grounds. The first condition for talks placed by Mr. Geelani is that Indian Army should be removed. Let us suppose that the Army is removed then who will fill the vaccum caused by such removal. It is surely the PAK Army that will fill the vaccum. What happens then to the cause of Azadi. Will they allow any space for such demands. Pakistan still rues the day they lost the chance to capture Srinagar Airport in 1947 (Refer Crossed Swords by Shujah Nawaz). Geelani Sahib knows it, so do others understand it but since Geelani Sahib is committed to his masters across the LOC, so he is also helpless. We admire his sincerity towards his masters, however we oppose any demand that goes against the fundamental interest of the whole of J&K State.

Prof. Sofi’s reference to 2% against 98 % or 98% against 2 % may be partly relevant. Some via media to avoid subordination and servility has to be chalked out if we are really interested in restoring peace in the Valley. This is where legal safe guards are needed. As already stated change of Good-will into ill-will cannot be guaranteed against by any leader at present.

I admire Prof. Sofi’s belief in Kashmiriyat.

Now coming to the point of Kashmiriyat. Kashmiriyat is infact, a nectar churned out of the interaction of the Principles of Kashmir Shaivism and Islamic sufi-ism. The writing of great sufi poets like Shams faqir, Samad Mir, Lal Ded, Nunda Rashi, Ahad Zargar, and many others having tasted this nectar have given us a great wealths of guidance. With the passage of time we have been ignoring their guideline and now the whole Society is paying the price. The claim on the Heritage of Kashmiriyat does not belongs to Kashmiri Muslims only. Pandits have equal share in this Heritage of which they feel proud of. Let us not loose this wealth of knowledge. While closing I would like to quote a few lines of shams Faqir and request Prof. Sofi to find its linkage with Kashmiriyat.

Turya Sushafti Swapun Zagrati, Dopun Kar Zano
Shamas faqiro Gham Khe Ati, Lo Lati Lo
Rai Traw my Kar Chhayi Gitee, Lo lati Lo
Aath Rang Mandori, Hang Chai Rati Sang ti Gyano
Shunia Kin Dari Baar, Chhai Wathi , Lo lati Lo

The debate must continue.

Cause and Effect

Will Kashmiri Pandits return? No amount of rhetoric will work until and unless the State Government does not create political and economic space to give them a level playing field for survival


Supreme Court Calls for ATR on Migrant Kashmiri Pandits

Legal Correspondent (The Hindu)

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Centre to file an action taken report on housing, employment and payment of cash compensation to Kashmiri Pandits who were forced to leave their land.

A Bench of Chief Justice S.H. Kapadia and Justices K.S. Radhakrishnan and Swatanter Kumar gave this direction on a public interest petition seeking a White Paper on the plight of Kashmiri Pandits living here and in other parts of the country.

The petition by the All-India Kashmiri Samaj and others wanted the displaced Kashmiris involved in all future meetings, negotiations and agreements being entered into by the government concerning the Kashmir Valley. It said the Kashmiri Pandits should be declared internally displaced persons as per the principles laid down by the United Nations General Assembly.

Taking into consideration the petitioner's plea, the Chief Justice asked Additional Solicitor-General Indira Jaising to associate leaders of the Kashmiri migrants and file the action taken report in four weeks.

Earlier, the ASG said Rs.7.5 lakh was being given as compensation to those whose houses were completely destroyed and to those who were willing to return to the Valley and wanted to construct a house; and Rs.2 lakh for those whose houses were partly destroyed.

Also, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, during his visit to the Valley, had announced a relief package of Rs.1,600 for each migrant Pandit family. The monthly compensation per family staying in Delhi had been raised from Rs. 4,000 to Rs. 6,000. However, senior counsel S.L. Ganju, appearing for the petitioner, said only Rs. 4,000 was still being given. Ultimately, these migrants had to return to the Valley, and for this, they had to be involved in the consultation process.

Moreover, though about 2,000 people were killed during 1989 when the Pandits were forced to leave the Valley, there was not a single prosecution.

The CJI told counsel: “First we will concentrate on the economic issue and then we will consider other issues. We are not concerned with politics, keep politics out.” (9 November 2010)


No Migrant Family Returned to Valley: GOI

New Delhi: The Government of India Tuesday said that no migrant family has returned to the Kashmir valley.

“No family (migrant) has returned to the Valley and it is not possible to indicate any time line for the same,” Minister of State for Home Ajay Maken said in a written reply to Lok Sabha.
Maken said nearly 59,000 families are reported to have migrated from Kashmir following the outbreak of militancy in the 1990s and none of them has returned to the Valley till now.
“Due to the onset of militancy in the 1990’s, 58,697 families are reported to have migrated from the Valley and are temporarily settled in Jammu, Delhi and other parts of the country,” he said.
Giving details of the various measures taken for rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrants, he said 200 flats have been constructed at Sheikpora in Budgam district.

Two model clusters in Matttan and Kheer Bhavani containing temporary shelters for Kashmiri migrants have 18 flats and 100 one-room tenements respectively, Maken said

Imbeciles Leading Sheep

An editorial in the Kashmir Images highlights, once again, a mentally and morally bankrupt group collectively calling itself leaders of "Azadi"


Answers please…

In the year 1994, when militancy in the Valley was at its peak, a group of five women from mainland India, under the banner of ‘Women’s Initiative on Kashmir’, visited Srinagar and other districts of the Valley as a voluntary fact-finding team. At the end of the visit, the team published a report - ‘Green of My Valley is Khaki’ - documenting its findings. The intention here is not to discuss that report as much water has flown down the Jehlum since, and today the situation is entirely different from what it was then. But one simple anecdote from the report is of some interest here. One of the team members narrates details of her meeting with various people. Of the people she met, some stood for accession of Jammu and Kashmir with Pakistan; some were for global Islamization; some for independence of Jammu and Kashmir, making it free from both India and Pakistan and; some supported states’ formal accession with India. Most of the times and almost from everyone she would listen the word ‘Azadi’ (freedom) which was as audible during those days in Kashmir as it is today!

During their visit to a carpet weaving workshop in the outskirts of Srinagar, this team member asked a 7-8 year old boy what he wanted. “Azadi”, replied the boy. And when he was asked whom he wanted Azadi from, the team member narrates: “He showed us his bruised palms and said, ‘Azadi Is Se (freedom from this)’!” The gold dust of that ‘dreamed Azadi’ may not have been realized into the gold brick of reality thus far, but we have, during past five months, nevertheless assured that people got Azadi from back-breaking and palm-bruising chores they called earning livelihood. This indeed is an achievement that should be appreciated, and appreciation is greatly due for those who have been in the forefront of the agitation which ensured the achievement!

Sorry for the nasty ridicule; but it is frustrating to see a non-repentant, tactically bankrupt leadership demanding blind adherence to its self-inflicting mass suicidal programmes. And despite having got it, and having ridden the massive wave of ‘popular consent’ (both voluntary and manufactured), today when their tactics have failed, they believe it would, and should be taken sitting down by the people. That, they don’t owe an explanation to the people who invested everything afresh into a new showdown once they were, yet again, told the resistance had “entered a crucial stage” wherein Azadi is the sure end “just round the corner”!

Azadi, a slogan that caught popular imagination of young Kashmiris by late eighties and continues to enthuse millions even now, is yet to be explained by those who raised the slogan, and understood by those who continue to drum it every now and then, summer after summer. What is the Azadi we are actually talking about? Do we intend to change the political masters only? Isn’t this theory of Azadi propagated by some very senior stalwarts? Or, is it the real Azadi of the heart and mind, something that would reflect in people’s access to opportunities wherein they could do whatever they want to do in the best of all possible worlds?

Unfortunately, the term Azadi and its slogans are yet to be given the thought they deserve. This is perhaps why despite thousands of Kashmiris being already buried in hundreds of graveyards spread over length and breadth of the Valley the ‘leaders’ are yet to come up with a viable road-map for Azadi. And worse still is that they persistently refuse to get out of ‘hartal’ (shutdowns and strikes) politics. They seek people’s support, their sacrifices only to squander it owing to their inability to think what to do with it. People are genuine if hey conclude today that these leaders have failed them. If leaders think otherwise, they must spell out how; and articulate why people should continue supporting them. Otherwise also, they owe answers to some critical questions irrespective of whether the silent majority asks questions or not.

Fishing in Kishenganga

Yusuf hooks in an enchanting valley along banks of the Kishengaga river

(Mr. Mohammad Yusuf, 57, was born in the Dalgate area of Srinagar. He attended Government Schools in Drugjan, Sonawar, and Batwara, all in Srinagar, and completed his college studies at the Sri Partap College, Srinagar. Following his graduation, he briefly attended the University of Kashmir, and in 1980, joined the Physical Education Department of the University of Kashmir. Mr. Yusuf teaches aquatics and adventure sports (swimming, mountaineering, snow and water skiing, rafting, parasailing, skating, kayaking, canoeing, etc.) and has won many local sports trophies. He has led many exploration expeditions in Kashmir, and is the Treasurer of the Winter Sports Association of Jammu and Kashmir, General Secretary of J&K Aero Sports Association and the J&K Ski & Mountaineering Association, Secretary of Srinagar Winter Sports Association, and Vice President of the J&K Yoga Association. In his leisure time, Mr. Yusuf engages in social work, gardening and writing.)


Make Gurez Suitable for Sports Angling

Gurez is a small but an enchanting and mesmerizing valley, lying in farthest north of Kashmir Himalayas, surrounded by Shamasbari Mountains with Mount Habba Khatoon in the middle and river Kishenganga running like a serpent through its entire length from Tulail to Kanzalvan.

Gurez was considered an important destination for explorers and adventurers in the mid twentieth century. Pertinently Srinagar-Bandipora and Gurez route was a nearest and easiest access to mighty Mount Nanga Parbat before independence. Most of the German climbing expeditions preferred this route to Nanga Parbat. It was also favorite route for traders in the ancient times. It reveals that tourism is not a new concept to Gurez but has remained an important tourist centre since time immemorial. It lost its importance after independence when the traditional route to Neelam Valley was blocked by the armies of two sides. Nothing special was left behind to attract tourists to this hidden hamlet except the rich cultural heritage.

After thorough exploration of Gurez valley by Kashmir University Reconnaissance Expeditions the Tourism Department and other tourism players have come to forefront and are now trying their utmost to put Gurez on international Tourist map for last few years. No doubt efforts are being made to raise basic infrastructure there but little attention is being paid towards exploring and exploiting the new components of tourism which suites to this mysterious valley. Appreciatively the Tourism Department is holding tourism festivals there regularly to acquaint tourism players about Gurez, while the Tourism Minister, Mr. Nawang Rigzin Jora is suggesting introducing Mountain Biking Rallies on Srinagar-Gurez sector like the one organized by the Indian Motor Sports Federation on Mughal Road in June this year but he is silent about other possibilities. Mountain biking is possible beyond Gurez. One could extend it up to Drass via Tulail, Baduab. Chakvali and Mushko valley once the road on this sector is thrown open for general public. It is great of Forest Minister and local M.L.A that they recently managed to travel on this newly built road. It is in fact a cherished desire of the Member Legislative Assembly, Mr. Nazir Ahmad Khan (Gurezi) to see domestic and foreign tourists visiting this wonderful Himalayan valley. He is leaving no stone unturned in motivating different organizations in Kashmir to send their teams to hold one or the other tourism related activity in Gurez, which would certainly pave way to attract the tourists from other parts of the country but he needs support of the Tourism Ministry to fulfill his dreams. There are many untouched tourism products those need to be developed in a big way, making thereby Gurez a major tourism destination of the state.

No doubt Gurez has a tremendous scope of becoming one of the leading and most favored tourist destinations of the state but the basic facilities lack there. There are many tourist attractions which one could offer to intended tourists here. The concept itineraries could make Gurez a distinctive tourist destination. Pertinently, besides heritage, cultural and medicinal plant tourism, the valley has the potential to offer many adventure outdoor pursuits like ski-touring, paragliding, parasailing, mountain biking and wild water sports etc.

Besides these activities, there is possibility of introducing sport angling on the gushing waters of river Kishenganga. No doubt sport angling is an old sports tourism activity in the world but it would be a new concept to our tourism industry. Sport Angling is an international sporting event and is catching up fast in the sub-continent.

God has bestowed beautiful river Kishenganga (Neelam) to Gurez valley which is full of trout fish but we could not use it for tourism activities. River Kishenganga actually originates from Kowbal, the upper reaches of Tulail valley and after running down through the entire length of Tulail and Gurez valleys it finally flows down to Neelam valley across the actual line of control. From Tourism point of view Kishenganga is ideal for competitive angling. It is wide and deep with turbulent and wild waters at many places. The calm and scenic environs of Gurez offer best opportunity for sport angling but should someone take a lead in exploiting this sector.

After setting up sub-offices at Dawar and Tulail the Fisheries Department has identified many fishing beats at places like Budogam, Sheikhpora, P.T.L, Kashpat, Burnio, Markot and Dawar etc for commercial fishing.. Commercial fishing is conducted on this river for long but to our dismay the Department has never given a thought to make fishing a regular sporting event. They just remained confined to its commercial activities unaware of the fact that it has tremendous scope in tourism sector. At the moment their activities are limited to sale of permits to fishermen, rare fish efficiently at their farms and then sell it out to public. This is no doubt generating huge revenue for the state but its other indirect benefit like promotion of rural and sports tourism are being ignored.

Fishing for sport, recreation, and relaxation is called sportfishing, or angling. Angling is one of the most popular forms of recreation in the world. Sport angling could take our tourism to new heights once it is recognized as a tourism product. The Tourism Department had in fact made an attempt to promote sport angling as a recreation when they highlighted this tourist component in their brochures. They should now give serious thought to this sector and put it on their annual calendar of activities. It is admitted fact that sport angling will never grow in Kashmir unless the Tourism Department adopts it. No doubt holding Tourism Festivals at Gurez is important but conducting recreational activities such as angling, skiing, mountain biking, paragliding and parasailing etc are equally important, as they have great significance in rural tourism. The sources and expert manpower is available in the Tourism Department who could pursue and patronize these activities. Pertinently the Deputy Director Tourism, Mr. Mahmud Ahmad is an avid adventurer and explorer who have helped his department exploring new trekking routes in Kashmir and Ladakh. He also played a lead role in introducing Snow Baseball at Gulmarg last winter. His expertise should be utilized for promoting sport angling in the valley as well. Director Tourism, Mr. Farooq Shah is a visionary person in whose tenure the adventure tourism received big boost.

The three most favored methods of fishing in both salt and fresh water are bait fishing, spin fishing, and fly-fishing. In all three methods, a fisher chooses a rod, a reel, and line of an appropriate weight and strength. Lures are chosen that imitate the game fish’s prey. Freshwater fishing takes place in lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams. Game fish in these waters include trout, bass, and many other species.

In the United States, many organizations sponsor regional and national angling tournaments. Of these, freshwater tournaments governed by B.A.S.S. are the most popular. Each year 7,50,000 anglers participate in local, state, and regional events. The competitions include cash awards and prizes for various categories, including the biggest fish caught, the first fish caught, the most fish caught, and heaviest cumulative weight of fish caught. During tournaments, anglers keep captured fish in aerated containers—called live wells—in their boats. At the end of the day the fish are measured and recorded at the tournament center. They are then released unharmed. Anglers who amass enough points by catching fish in local and regional tournaments are invited to fish in the annual BASS masters Classic. Many communities sponsor fishing derbies for local children which teach them proper fishing techniques, etiquette, and conservation.

With a view to introduce angling as a competitive sport in the state the Tourism Department or the Fisheries Department must patronize the state level Sport Angling Association and must sponsor Angling Championships annually. The MLA, Gurez should also pursue this segment of tourism in his area. The meeting held between Mr. N.A.Gurezi, Dr. K.A Tarzan and this writer last year in connection with the formation of state level association did not bear fruit till date.

Maternal Mortality Not As Grim as Projected

Bashir offer a counter point on the maternal mortality in Kashmir, saying that data does not support the alarming picture painted by Salman, whose article was posted on the Blog on 29 October and is again reproduced at the bottom


(Mr. Bashir Ahmad Bhat, 46, was born in Malang Pora near Awantipora. He received his early education from a few local schools, graduated from Sri Pratap College, Srinagar, and obtained his Masters and M.Phil degrees in Geography from The Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). After joining Population Research Centre as a Research Officer in 1989, he completed his Masters degree in Population Sciences from the International Institute of Population Sciences, Mumbai, and registered for Ph. D there. In 2000 he joined the University of Kashmir as a Senior Research Officer of the rank of Associate Professor. In the last twenty years, he has completed over 50 Research Projects on Reproductive Health, Rural Development, Human Development, and HIV-AIDS in Jammu and Kashmir. Currently, he is conducting research into why cesarean deliveries are on the rise in Kashmir compared to other parts of the country. Mr. Bhat is one of the members who worked for the preparation of the ”J&K State Human Development Report,” and one of the task force members preparing, “Mid Term Appraisal Report of Eleventh Five Year Plan in J&K.” He has worked with the UNICEF for the conduct of Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS) in India, and all three phases of “National Family Health Survey in J&K." Mr. Bhat is a member of the International Union for the Scientific Study of Population (IUSSP), Population Association of America (PAA), Asian Population Association 9APA), Indian Association for the study of Population (IASP). Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, has nominated Mr. Bhat as a member of the for the implementation of Mother and Child Tracking System in India.)


Maternal Mortality in Kashmir

I am writing this in response to an article by Mr. Nizami in Greater Kashmir on 4th November about pregnancy related casualties. There is no denying the fact that Maternal mortality remains a major challenge to health systems worldwide but the figures related to pregnancy related deaths and maternal Mortality rates in Kashmir are not correct and I was expecting any top official from Department of Health and Medical education to react to this article. As there were no reactions from the State so as a student of Demography, I thought it prudent to react to some of the figures quoted in the article.

Estimation of maternal mortality rate is a bit problematic because of non availability of reliable data and because it is a rare event and is calculated on the basis of per one lac live births. Due to these problems estimation of MMR is generally attempted at Country or State level. Though various national and international agencies attempted to calculate MMR for various states in India but they also could estimate MMR only for bigger States like UP and Bihar. SRS has estimated an MMR of 254 for India with a high of 480 for Assam and 312 for Bihar but it could not calculate it for States with a population of less than 2 crores again because of methodological issues. So one has to be very cautious while estimating MMR for smaller areas.

As the current population of J&K is about 1.2 crore and the crude birth rate in the State as per the most reliable sources is 20 per thousand, this would give us about 2.5 lacs births each year. If we accept Mr.Nizami figure that about 6,000 mothers die in childbirth and allied complications of pregnancy in Kashmir, then Jammu and Kashmir has a maternal mortality rate of 2400, which is the highest MMR in the world. The recently published article in Lancet shows that the MMR in the world as a whole in 208 was in the range of 221-289 with Afghanistan having the highest MMR of 1575. Most of the very poor countries in Africa also have MMR of less than 700.

Several factors that are associated with increased risk of maternal deaths are age at marriage/delivery, frequency of births, spacing between births, economic conditions, utilization of antenatal care, post partum care an, institutional delivery services etc. and J&K has achieved a remarkable success in areas that contribute to low MMR. The latest credible surveys conducted by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (NFHS-3) in the State have shown that about 85 percent of the women utilize antenatal care services as compared to 73 percent in India. Not only this women n Kashmir visit an antenatal clinic more frequently than their Indian counterparts. This is quite contrary to what figure quoted by Mr. Nizami in the article. J&K also has one of the highest institutional delivery rates in India. As per the latest data available about 70 percent of the deliveries take place in health institutions compared with 50 percent at the national level. Higher percentage of women in J&K are also utilizing post partum care services than in most of the States which have a higher MMR. Studies across the globe have shown that MMR is high in societies which have a high birth rate, high infant mortality rate and high death rate. All these indicators are low in J&K as compared to India as a whole. For example J&K has a CBR of 18.8/1000, CDR of 7.4/1000 and IMR of 49 as compared to 22.8/1000 live births.

Kashmir also has witnessed an alarming increase in the median age at marriage. Child marriages are no longer in vogue. Finally when we look at our health care system, I feel though a lot needs to be done to improve the quality of maternal services of public health institutions in the state but the present scenario is not so ugly as we do observe in Bihar, UP, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Orissa, Assam, Andhra Pradesh. Thus if all the determinants of MMR are far better in J&K than in most of the so called BIMURU States, then let the readers decide should we expect a MMR of 418 in Kupwara, 774 in Islamabad, 2182 in Baramulla, and 6507 in Bandipora.

Reliable estimates based on the information collected from various sources reveal that MMR in J&K has drastically declined during the last 10 years thanks to better availability and utilization of antenatal, natal and post natal care services by Kashmiri women. The MMR in J&K as per the data available from the death records of Directorate and Economics and Statistics after necessary adjustments works out to be 100. The internal Health Management Information System of the National Rural Health Mission also collects and maintains information related to Maternal Deaths has not been in a position to record many such deaths because of low prevalence. Even though the Directorate of Family Welfare offered a cash incentive to Female Health workers at Sub Centres/PHCs for reporting any maternal deaths but there was not much increase in maternal deaths. This all indicates that the situation pertaining to maternal health is not so alarming and disturbing as portrayed by Mr. Nizami.


http://kashmirforumorg.blogspot.com/search?q=nizami

Alarming Maternal Mortality Statistics in Kashmir

Salman goes where few Kashmiris have in describing alarming statistics related to deaths among women while giving birth to young ones in Kashmir

(Mr. Salman Nizami, 25, was born in Banihal tehsil of District Ramban. He completed his graduate degree in mass communication and journalism, and joined journalism in 2004. He began his professional life at The OUTLOOK magazine as a columnist, and then started writing for Greater Kashmir, Kashmir Times, Times of India, The Hindu, Asian Age, Statesman, Rising Kashmir , JK Reporter. Mr. Nizami later joined SAHARA television in New Delhi as Desk Editor, and rose to the position of Group Editor of The Rastriya Sahara. He is currently working as a Editor-in-Chief of The Revolution newspaper published from Jammu and Kashmir, Sahara television as Desk Editor and Resident Editor of MID-DAY covering Upper North India including J&K. He is also active with UNICEF India and the Hungary World (NGO) as Media advisor. In that role, he has travelled widely investigating on new developments in the media industry, taking a special interest in child problems including labour, marriage, poverty, education, etc. He is one of the first journalists to research and write extensively about the child growth in Jammu and Kashmir.)


Maternal Mortality in Kashmir

Kashmir has seen thousands of civilian deaths since 1989 due to the conflict. Men, women and children lost lives, still life continued to roll with the pace of time. But deaths of women caused during childbirth have become more alarming in Valley. As every year about 6,000 mothers die during childbirth and allied complications of pregnancy.

According to UNICEF, figures illustrated indicate that poor women have been left behind by state’s economic boom, entrusted to lift thousands of people out of poverty. India's maternal mortality rate stands at 450 per 100,000 live births, against 540 in 1998-1999. As per a study conducted in September by the team of Dr. Meenakshi Jha from Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, of 5,476,970 population, in four districts, 357 women of reproductive age (15-49) died, and 154 died of complications during pregnancy, childbirth or the puerperal period. Maternal Morality Rate (MMR) in those four districts was 418 in Kupwara, 774 in Islamabad, 2182 in Baramulla, and 6507 in Bandipora.

Baramulla district showed the highest mortality risk ever recorded in human history, with 54% more than half of the women of reproductive age - died during 1998 and 2003.The causes of deaths were analyzed mainly in two parts: direct and indirect. Direct causes include haemorrhage, obstructed labour, cardiomyopathy, sepsis, obstetric embolism, and pregnancy-induced hypertension, whereas indirect causes were tuberculosis, malaria, and obstetric tetanus. According to the survey women who died port-partum were 64% within 42 days. 56% of these women died in the first 24 hours, other socio-economical, geographical and cultural factors contributed to the high mortality ratio. 60% Kashmiris do not have access to basic health services. Even 40% Basic Package of Health Services (BPHS) offers basic emergency obstetric care in Valley, only 7% have the capacities to provide comprehensive emergency obstetric cases according to the Ministry of Health. Most of the professional ante-and postnatal cares are used by only 20% of all pregnant women. Lack of awareness and transportation problems especially in mountainous districts have limited access to Basic Health Care Centres. Sogam basic health centre had two mini-vans that functioned as ambulances, and it took about three to four hours depending on the roads or weather conditions to haul the patient(s) to the provincial hospital in Kupwara. In accessibility to the advanced health care is one of the main barriers for pregnant women. When I was travelling to districts such as Tangdar, Teetwal, Ramhal, in mid-May, the effort was thwarted by natural disasters such as floods and avalanches, thus failed to reach the areas. There was no doubt that any emergency patients who needed the advanced care beyond the basic health care level from those effected areas could not travel to Kupwara.

The mortality rate in Kashmir would not improve unless the availability, accessibility and awareness of Kashmir people improve. Much mortality on both mothers and children occur during home births. Home births are widespread especially in rural areas where roads are tough and people are more conservative. Some of the women I have interviewed in the hospitals have told me that male members of the family such as husbands and fathers refuse to send their wives or daughters (in-laws as well) to health facilities because of cultural and religious reasons create difficulties in serving people. In Trehgam and Kalaroo, most of the women are not allowed to travel on their own, and if they have to, they need to be accompanied by Maharam, a legal guardian, a male member of the family. Even if women do want to go to the local health facilities, if husbands or fathers – patriarch of the family – does not allow, they would not be able to see doctors or skilled midwives. As Dr Meenakshi’s report points out, inability to leave the home without the permission or escort of a male relative is a big barrier for women to access proper health care in bigger towns. Chronic poverty and limits on education are also important factors in high maternal mortality rate in Kashmir.

My visit and experience on Kashmir maternal mortality tells a story of a woman who died of port-partum complications due to tuberculosis, the disease widely known as the product of poverty. Her death could have been prevented if proper family planning and prenatal healthcare were provided. The story follows her from the hospital when she was recovering from her delivery to the funeral in her village. Through the journey of following this woman, I documented the process of how a woman could lose her life from such unbelievable causes. When I first met Khalida , a very thin, fragile looking 26-year-old Kashmiri woman from a remote village at the recovery room at Uri Hospital in Baramulla district, she was lying on her bed next to her 75 year-old mother-in-law, Jabeena, and her unnamed son. It was five days after the caesarean section and she did not seem to have the energy to move, she rose slowly as I walked in. The nurse explained to me that she had tuberculosis. Her thinness was from the disease. She looked sick, but not too much ill. The baby was the second child as her first child died in childbirth a few years ago. Two days later, she began to suffer from fever. Doctors and nurses injected medicine and provided oxygen even though the oxygen machine went occasionally out of power due to lack of electricity. One of the doctors said, “I am very worried about this patient. I need some more blood for her, but there’s no more blood in the blood bank. The family cannot afford to buy the blood.”

After one week, she was transferred to the general patients ward from the maternity ward in the same hospital. It turns out she has been suffering from deadly complications after the delivery, meningitis, hypothermia, and toxoplasmosis. She was barely conscious in a room filled with other female patients and visitors. The family could not get the blood, but one pack of blood did not seem to have been the remedy. Her conditions have deteriorated, and she constantly moaned in pain. Nurses were injecting painkillers so much; she had a string of injection marks on her left arm. She kept groaning, and the baby was crying. Jabeena, the mother-in-law, was rocking the baby. She said, “We don’t even have money to buy milk. My son is jobless. What can we do?” Later in the afternoon, the doctor decided to move her to another room and put the oxygen mask on her. However, by that point, doctors were sceptical about her conditions. “The condition is very poor. I think she will die,” one of them said. The mother-in-law did not say too much. It seemed that she had to accept the destiny or too tired to tend the bed. The husband, Qamar Din, dropped in the room and called her name. “Khalida, hey Khalida.” He swayed Khalida’s face left and right a bit, then covered his face with hands. He walked outside.

The oxygen and the pulse level were dwindling over time. By 8:30 pm, Khalida stopped breathing. Qamar Din and hospital staff were absent. Jabeena, who was sitting on the bed next to Mustafa with her grandson, slowly rose and approached to her. She was already dead. “Khalida, Khalida.” Jabeena called her name a couple of times, tapped her both cheeks a bit, and then confirmed her death. She closed her eyes and called the caretaker. The hospital staff came. One doctor said, “This is the problem of Afghanistan. There was no way we could cure her.” The caretaker tied Khalida’s face and toes with white linen straps, and moved her on the stretcher. There was no morgue or freezer for dead bodies in the hospital. Her corpse was kept in an empty patients’ room. On next day, Jabeena, Qamar Din, and a couple of relatives decided to carry the body back to their village. They knew that the roads were closed from the area called Kreeri, about few hours from Uri, due to rains. They went to the point in which cars could no drive any longer, then decided to walk to the village for two hours: which was common for Kashmiris in rural areas. A couple of workers from a nearby bridge construction came to assist them. After crossing landslides and tough roads, they reached the house. They slowly laid the stretcher down in the living room. Qamar Din began crying as relatives and workers laid down. The next morning, family members including Jabeena began their normal day. Khalida’s baby was in the hands of Jabeena as she put a pacifier on his mouth. Women baked bread and prepared tea. They seemed to accept death and life and moved on pretty quickly. Khalida is not the only mother who died in childbirth but is an example of thousands of women who lost their lives in child birth.

Playing All Sides, Displaying Poor Integrity

Ajaz says that political leaders consumed by unbounded ego to be never proven wrong sometimes end up showing their immaturity and shallow personal qualities

(Mr. Ajaz ul Haque, 40, was born in Srinagar. He completed his school and college education in South Kashmir. He is presently on the faculty as Producer in the University of Kashmir Educational Multimedia Research Centre (EMRC), and a columnist for the Greater Kashmir. In leisure time he enjoys reading.)

Son we Win, Daughter We Won't Lose

`Will it be a son or a daughter'? A desperate couple wanted to know the answer from a saint before the child is delivered. The saint played safe to have two independent answers. He assured the mother not to worry as it's a bright little male baby arrving soon. To the father, he had a word of caution that it could well be a daughter. Either of the two had to be delivered and the saint had both the post-event explanations. If mother catches him on a wrong answer he can readily defend himself by referring to his last-minute tailpiece he confided in the father of the child. And if reverse is the case, mother will vouch for him that the saint had already tipped her to be the parent of a boy. Results whatever, the saint is safe.

Here we are facing a similar situation.

`Don't worry', says Geelani, `if big powers ignore Kashmir, it will still be an issue'. The statement can be seen from whichever angle we like to see it.

First comes first. Is it that Geelani has realised the futility of attaching too much importance to Obama visit. Well, if that is so, we can expect some positive change in the future. But unfortunately it does not appear to be the case. His earlier statement of declaring the ten coming days `crucial' for Kashmiris in a way contradict the present one. The first one was about `what if'? The second is `what then'? The first one promised us a son, the second persuades us to keep heart and to accept daughter as a gift meant for the blest.

In the first one an impression was given that something really is going to happen if Kashmiris bear the trouble what they have bearing for months together. But here was a moment to show perseverance so that we don't end up losers.

Ascribing cruciality to an event symbolises the level of hope you link with it. But now as Obama arrives and as speculations about his uttering or not uttering K-word started gaining ground, Geelani resorts to bet-hedging. Throwing his words in every possible direction and seeing that which one comes true. Presume, if Obama finally slips a word about Kashmir, no matter how and in what context he does, Geelani's first statement will seem to come true at last. If he doesn't, still we have no reasons to worry as people who fight for a cause, as Geelani explains his statement do not depend on the mercy of big powers. What if Kashmir figures, India will be trapped. And what then if it doesn't, Kashmir still will be an issue.

No worries. Son or daughter, we will be the winners.

The second dichotomy in the statements is too obvious. If America really does not matter, why intensify your strike programme by asking people to observe a strict civil curfew. If India has got the whole nation on a high security alert, they have a reason. This guest matters for them more than all hosts put together. If they see coconut as a potential security threat and pluck it unripe lest the crust falls on Obama's head, they only want to save this poor fruit, which normally Indians use as an auspicious symbol, from being declared a sinister weapon of mass destruction. But what do we walk away with by staying inside which we have been doing for months now. As I starve, will Obama be sharing a fast in solidarity with me?

This is not even expediency which at least politics allows. This is a poor, immature, and unrealistic response to a grave situation we have pushed ourselves to. We have taken the whole movement to a limit where even sublime appears ridiculous. God save us!

Kashmir's Own Version of the Tea Party

Riyaz explains Politics 101 to the Hyderpora and Raj Bagh tea club members

America and Kashmir’s Tea-Party Delusions

(Mr. Riyaz Masroor, 39, was born and raised in Srinagar. He is a Srinagar based journalist who writes in English, Urdu and Kashmiri. Besides working in the local press, his articles have appeared on BBC Radio online, Himal Southasia and the Journal of International Federation of Journalists. He is currently the Executive Editor of the Rising Kashmir, a leading English language daily newspaper in Srinagar.)


When a frail Kashmiri, according to a local maxim, was beaten by a street goon, he shouted back: my big brother will kill you. During past six decades Kashmiris have been receiving wound after wound but every time they are deluded into believing that the ‘Big Brother’ (America) will avenge their sufferings and force the ‘street goon’ to leave them off.

Curiously, the ‘Big Brother’ has often looked the other way, and many in Kashmir, chiefly the ‘Hurriyatists’ (let’s admit Hurriyatism exists), still believe that ‘India hoodwinked’ Him.

Most of the local observers shared with Hurriyat this hoodwink theory when New Delhi appointed a panel to explore new contours of its relationship with J&K. Indeed the appointment of low-key individuals to perform a bigger task appeared a non-military offensive from New Delhi. Yet, the Kashmiris lapsed into the lyricism of resistance rather than attempting to carefully understand the move. Hurriyat must remember that it cannot always hide its political incapacities behind the readymade pretext that India had played a ‘dirty trick’ to ‘hoodwink the world community’ – the world community in Hurriyat jargon is a convenient euphemism for United States. So far, the Hurriyat politics in Kashmir is defined by several such platitudes such as South Asia will burn if talks are delayed, India will break up without resolving Kashmir or the movement is at a crucial juncture. But the most clichéd of all is ‘India is hoodwinking the world’. Can India really hoodwink America on Kashmir? We need a little elaborate answer.

Rewind to 1989 when the Kashmir movement turned violent. Gun-totting boys would conduct daredevil actions against India’s ill-prepared CRPF and stage armed parades on Aug 14 to observe Pakistan’s Independence Day. India did not want to let America know how Kashmiris were defying her rule in Kashmir when William Clark took charge as U.S. ambassador to India. During the welcome briefing to Clark, Delhi chose to ‘hoodwink’ the world community by brushing aside Kashmir and projecting Punjab, where the militancy had almost died down, as India’s major worry. But, the ‘hoodwink operation’ came to a naught because Walter Anderson, head of political desk in the Embassy, had already prepared a detailed note on growing disaffection within Kashmir and predicted the dangers. Clark had gone through Anderson’s note and corroborated it with other intelligence sources before he flew from Washington. India could not hoodwink America on Kashmir militancy. Phew!

In May 1990, the U.S. dispatched an experienced intelligence officer, Robert Gates to Pakistan where he would try to convince authorities on ending the ‘Kashmir operation’ in lieu of a guarantee that India would be asked to initiate some ‘CBMs’ and an “effective intelligence support from the U.S. to monitor the LoC.” Pshaw! The ‘Big Brother’ was rather hoodwinking Pakistan.

In fact, America’s Central Intelligence Agency had started to pry intelligence from the region way back in 1970s, soon after India and Pakistan started acquiring nuclear arsenal. In July 2004 a Brazilian journalist Sao Paulo wrote in the monthly Caros Amigos (meaning Dear Friends) an exhaustive analysis on the dispute titled Kashmir: Occupied, Partitioned and Disputed. The report says, “There are as many CIA agents in Kashmir as there are Al-Qaeda members (in Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan)”.

Such suspicions were visibly corroborated by the fulltime intelligence operation of FBI in Kashmir between July 1995 and May 1996. A group of foreign tourists had been kidnapped while it was trekking at South Kashmir’s Pahalgam heights. Veteran U.S. diplomat Howard B Schaffer disclosed past year how the U.S. Army’s “Crack Delta Force” and elite British and German counterterrorism groups were mounting secret missions in Kashmir to hunt the kidnappers. The CIA papers that were declassified in 2004 have revealed that the CIA sleuths had interrogated some arrested militants of Harkat-ul-Ansar, the group they suspected had masterminded the abduction under the front name of “Al-Faran”. And, the think tanks are still debating whether CIA knew in advance what was happening on the heights of Kargil.

These references prove that the Americans don’t need Hurriyat caveats against India as they get down focusing on Kashmir? They know enough of it, more than Hurriyat and perhaps India. Before tossing up the hoodwink theory Hurriyat camp should have recalled that Loy Henderson was the first U.S. ambassador to India who visited Kashmir way back in 1950. And, a year later, Frank Graham whom the United Nations Organization had appointed as special negotiator on Kashmir, too was an American. Hurriyat expelled Shabir Shah in 1996 for lending audience to Frank Wisner, then U.S. ambassador to India. Was it afraid India may hoodwink U.S. if Americans engaged separatist leaders?

Howard B Schaffer was part of the state department’s South Asia mission and used to frequent Kashmir since 1960s. Writes he: “In pursuing an active U.S. role in Kashmir settlement American officials have stayed well informed about Kashmir developments. They have been in touch with all the organizations concerned with Kashmir and been privy to back-channel talks.”

In this backdrop, the platitude of ‘hoodwinking America’ appears laughable; it shows incapacity of separatist camp to tackle certain political challenges. When you dismiss a government action as something to hoodwink a superpower you absolve yourself from a desired response, a need to critically understand the move. If India needs just a retired journalist and a trendy academic or for that matter a shamelessly rigged election to hoodwink America, then better be with India to safeguard Jammu and Kashmir from any future invasion. The Brazilian monthly has also quoted some NATO policy documents which say, “After 11 September 2001, the United States does have a legal justification to invade J&K.”

When the state acknowledges only 17 out of 111 killings , that too subject to a lengthy, unending probe, Hurriyat and those peddling its hoodwink theory, better come out of their tea-party delusions. Ever since 1995 – when the government of India chose to initiate dialogue with five militants who had shunned arms – Kashmiris have been fed on mere noise of the dialogue while the economic and political benefits have been reaped by the ruling class in the state’s neighboring regions.

In response to the four-month unrest in Kashmir that saw 111 deaths and inexplicable tragedies, Delhi has appointed sitting executives of Planning Commission to rehabilitate the economic and social security concerns of people in Jammu and Ladakh. This implies ‘direct aid’ via Planning Commission. And for Kashmir, the government of India picked up some ‘thought engineers’. No wonder if Azadi is being subjected to rigorous debating across India because Professor Radha Kumar has enough skill to reinterpret this so far objectionable word to suit India’s foreign policy needs. And the ‘Big Brother’ will keep watching.

This is the time to shun this India-hoodwinking-America stuff from the menu of Hurriyat politics. The ‘Big Brother’ much in the Orwellian sense has all along been around us, but “He” is already friends with the “street goon”.

Land of Sufi Saints

Iqbal describes some of heritage rich sites in Kashmir

(Mr. Iqbal Ahmad, 48, was born in Parigam Chek, Kulgam. He is a graduate with Diploma in Numismatics, Archaeology and Heritage. He is an archaeologist, writer, and a cultural historian. He is employed by the Jammu and Kashmir State Government. Mr. Iqbal Ahmad has published 12 reference books on Kashmir archaeology and heritage.)


Preserving the Relics

It is hard to locate a village in the whole of Kashmir valley where there is not a Sufi shrine or any relic associated with any of the Sufi saints who lived in this glorious valley. The relics here can be a spring (nag), tree, cave or any other. I have seen a few stone slabs which bear foot impressions of Sufi saints. One such stone slab can be seen at village Parigam. It is a massive oval shaped stone which carries foot impressions pressed over its surface. These impressions are associated with the local Sufi, Haji Shamas-ud-Din. Locals believe that the saint performed Hajj seven times while traveling to Mecca by foot. He lived in the later Mughal period. A wonderful wooden shrine at the site houses the mortal remains of this saint.

At a distance of 3 kilometers, there is another village called Sheganpora. It is located over a plateau as the village houses a similar stone slab over which foot impressions are drawn clearly. Known to locals as “Qadmi Rasool” (Prophets feet), there is however no clear documentation regarding the saint whose foot impressions seen clearly over the slab. Several other magnificent slabs can be seen in a village at Tral in south Kashmir alongside with numerous such slabs in north, west and east Kashmir.

In Noorabad area, at Reshipora, I could see an olden shrine of some Sufi. When I enquired about this shrine I was told that the shrine belonged to a Mureed of Nundreshi (The founder saint of Kashmir) called “Chhuph Baba Sahib”. He is said to have lived during the period of Nundreshi (15th Century AD). He has not spoken for about twelve years and observed complete silence for such a long period on the advice of his patron saint (Nundreshi). I could also see the underground cave of Nundreshi at Gufabal, Qaimoh in Kulgam district. It is that cave where Nundreshi meditated for about twelve years. The cave is still well intact. It is very suffocating inside the cave, perhaps due to lack of oxygen. I could manage to sit there only for a few moments as I struggled to breath and came out in the open.

Another cave is seen at a plateau at Ashmuqam, which has been cut into a massive rock of local granite. It is known as the cave of Zain-ud-Din Reshi. The Reshi is learnt to have meditated here. The saint's mortal remains are also buried inside the cave. How old this cave is? There is no proper record of it. However, there are few traditions preserved in the folklore regarding the site. Legend has it that this was basically the cave of some holy prophet, some identify it with Prophet Moses. They believe that the holy man had arrived here and sat inside the cave. One holy relic, called “Aasa Sharief” (Hand stick) of Zain-ud-Din Reshi, is also housed in the shrine at the site. A tradition however attributes this relic to some holy man.

I have never seen it, it is hardly shown to anybody, but one of the local residents told me that he has seen it about thirty years back. He says it is like a magic rod and when you hold it, it would pull you upwards. According to him it is exhibited at rare occasions, and not even on Urs (yearly) days of the saint. He says that once when it was exhibited while the area was experiencing a major draught, a huge congregation was held at the shrine and during special prayers, this holy rod was exhibited to get rid of that natural calamity.

Those are mostly the curious legends, which also speaks of the shrines. They have been identifying Rozabal Shrine of Khanyar Srinagar as the shrine of some prophet (although the shrine is of Yuzu Asif) Similarly a mysterious grave found at Mount Booth in Bandipora area of Kashmir is also identified with some holy man.

The Ashmuqam shrine not only houses the wonderful rod, it also houses several other holy relics of Zain-ud-Din Rishi preserved in a relic gallery of the shrine and comprise of bow and arrow, wooden bread, coffin and skull of the lamb.

It is not only at Ashmuqam that there is a Sufi shrine and relics associated with shrine saint or some other holy man. Almost in all Sufi shrines of this land there are relics. Kashmiris call them Tabruka’at (sacred things) they respect these relics as such as they love these saints. Besides, caves, there are many springs and trees associated with local Sufis. Elm which is known to locals as Brin, is a tree associated with Sufis. Actually as per traditions these Sufis had been planting burnt branches of elms, which later on grew very tall and thick trees. I have seen many such trees of this group measuring 5 to 8 feet in girth. Many Kashmir Sufis used to meditate under this tree.

It is very soft and strong tree. At many Sufi sites such trees are still standing. Many a Sufi sites carried fresh water springs, called in Kashmir as Nag and Nagin. Curious legends are also associated with several such springs. I have myself seen one such small spring at Khifogipore (Kulgam). It is called Alamdar Nag it is this spring which predicted the arrival of great Sufi, Nundreshi. Legend has it that once this spring grew a bunch of jasmine flowers called Higund, the mother of the Sufi after smelling this branch, gave birth to this noble child, who later came to be known as Nund Rishi, popularly known as Alamdar, the flag holder.