This January 2020, it is thirty years since the Kashmiri Pundits’ exodus from the Kashmir valley took place. They had suffered grave injustices, violence and humiliation prior to the migration away from the place of their social and cultural roots in Kashmir Valley. The phenomenon of this exodus had been due to the communalization of militancy in Kashmir in the decade of 1980s. While no ruling Government has applied itself enough to ‘solve’ this uprooting of pundits from their roots, there are communal elements who have been aggressively using ‘what about Kashmiri Pundits?’, every time liberal, human rights defenders talk about the plight of Muslim minority in India. This minority is now facing an overall erosion of their citizenship rights.
Time and over again in the aftermath of communal violence in particular, the human rights groups have been trying to put forward the demands for justice and rehabilitation of the victim minority. Instead of being listened to those particularly from Hindu nationalist combine, as a matter of routine shout back, where were you when Kashmiri Pundits were driven away from the Valley? In a way the tragedy being heaped on one minority is being justified in the name of suffering of Pundits and in the process violence is being normalized. This sounds as if two wrongs make a right, as if the suffering Muslim minority or those who are trying to talk in defense of minority rights have been responsible for the pain of Kashmiri Pundits.
During these three, many political formations have come to power, including BJP, Congress, third front and what have you. To begin with when the exodus took place Kashmir was under President’s rule and V. P. Singh Government was in power at the center. This Government had the external support of BJP at that time. Later BJP led NDA came to power for close to six years from 1998, under the leadership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Then from 2014 it is BJP, with Narerda Modi as PM, with BJP brute majority is in power. Other components of NDA are there to enjoy some spoils of power without any say in the policies being pursued by the Government. Modi is having absolute power with Amit Shah occasionally presenting Modi’s viewpoints.
Those blurting, ‘what about Kashmiri Pundits?’ are using it as a mere rhetoric to hide their communal color. The matters of Kashmir are very disturbing and cannot be attributed to be the making of Indian Muslims as it is being projected in an overt and subtle manner. Today, of course the steps taken by the Modi Government, that of abrogation of Article 370, abolition of clause 35 A, downgrading the status of Kashmir from a state to union territory have created a situation where the return of Kashmiri Pundits may have become more difficult, as the local atmosphere is more stifling and the leaders with democratic potential have been slapped with Public Safety Act, where they can be interned for long time without any answerability to the Courts. The internet had been suspended, communication being stifled in an atmosphere where democratic freedoms are curtailed which makes solution of any problem more difficult.
Kashmir has been a vexed issue where the suppression of the clause of autonomy, leading to alienation led to rise of militancy. This was duly supported by Pakistan. The entry of Al Qaeda elements, who having played their role against Russian army in 1980s entered into Kashmir and communalized the situation in Kashmir. The initial Kashmir militancy was on the grounds of Kashmiriyat. Kashmiriyat is not Islam, it is synthesis of teachings of Buddha, values of Vedant and preaching’s of Sufi Islam. The tormenting of Kashmiri Pundits begins with these elements entering Kashmir.
Also the pundits, who have been the integral part of Kashmir Valley, were urged upon by Goodwill mission to stay on, with local Muslims promising to counter the anti Pundit atmosphere. Jagmohan, the Governor, who later became a minister in NDA Government, instead of providing security to the Pundits thought, is fit to provide facilities for their mass migration. He could have intensified counter militancy and protected the vulnerable Pundit community. Why this was not done?
Today, ‘What about Kashmiri Pundits?’ needs to be given a serious thought away from the blame game or using it as a hammer to beat the ‘Muslims of India’ or human rights defenders? The previous NDA regime (2014) had thought of setting up enclosures of Pundits in the Valley. Is that a solution? Solution lies in giving justice to them. There is a need for judicial commission to identify the culprits and legal measures to reassure the Pundit community. Will they like to return if the high handed stifling atmosphere, with large number of military being present in the area? The cultural and religious spaces of Pundits need to be revived and Kashmiryat has to be made the base of any reconciliation process.
Surely, the Al Qaeda type elements do not represent the alienation of local Kashmiris, who need to be drawn into the process of dialogue for a peaceful Kashmir, which is the best guarantee for progress in this ex-state, now a Union territory. Communal amity, the hallmark of Kashmir cannot be brought in by changing the demographic composition by settling outsiders in the Valley. A true introspection is needed for this troubled area. Democracy is the only path for solving the emigration of Pundits and also of large numbers of Muslims, who also had to leave the valley due to the intimidating militancy and presence of armed forces in large numbers. One recalls Times of India report of 5th February 1992 which states that militants killed 1585 people from January 1990 to October 1992 out of which 982 were Muslims and 218 Hindus.
We have been taking a path where democratic norms are being stifled, and the promises of autonomy which were part of treaty of accession being ignored. Can it solve the problem of Pundits?
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Salute to such Gurus (teachers), who giving the youth real path and message of peace and harmony. JAI HIND.
\ SHAME ON THOSE PARENTS\" who support their chilnder on such kind of protest, for girls covering modesty. Evern those parents may support their childern/goons if they protest for girls NOT wearing mini skirt ?"
Manjunath
Before banning college. Remove hijab from sita matas, durgas idols.
Karan singh and mahesh. Sita mata used to cover her body, which is called hijab in arabic. We all respect her. I think ur going against sita mata.
Who the hell are these goons to tell us what to wear, what to eat.
One day they will tell to wear only saffaron chaddi.
Mother therasa used to wear hijab. Even sita mata used to wear hijab . . These people cannot be called as hindus. Worst than ravana.These people don't have problems with sunny leone dress. Sorry no dress.
Its good to see, that not everybody thinks the same way.. just wondering.. do these people come to college for education for better future or just to see who is wearing what.. who is talking to whom.. come-on guys dont spoil your future and become puppets of politicians.
Karan Singh, you ______.....
Mahesh and Karan singh .... If you disturb the peace in the society, both of you will face the same fate , as of Rama sena leader Jayant Naik who has been expelled ( Gadipar ) from the UK district .... try your luck ....
LET THE GOONS WEAR SAFFRON BIKINI.
will wear saffrom loongi and shawl,
its their wish to wear it, let them wear it, why u making small issue an big
ban this college!!!
All Praise is to Allah , The Lord Of The Worlds
Dear Mr. Well Wisher Riyadh, brother Totally shirk in islam clearly mentioned in Quran, Wearing a non Muslim traditional Dress in Islam.
student please Concentrate on your studies, because in bajrangdal all are jobless and uneducated.
this principle gone mad, he wants to fight with our any situation will not allow hijab inside the college.
principle will c u soon. big protest will take place
Dear Brother K K. Acharya,
You have said well. We need more people like you from your community to talk fairly and boldly.
May God bless you Sir.
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My dear Hindu brothers and sisters,
Try to learn at least few basics of few main religions around us.
First of religion means the way of our daily life from cradle to grave.
- Therefore the life to be lead as per the commandments of God but not as per our individual wish.
- Within the bounds and flexibility of the religion we can have our choices in dress, food and many other parts of life.
- As long as we don't transgress the bounds and norms of commandments of the God, everything is admissible.
The basic teaching of Islam
- Islam has come to this universe as Ultimate and the only Guide for humankind until the existence of this world. The God Almighty says this is the only acceptable religion.
- Therefore all the Muslims have been commanded to convey this religion to everyone, Unfortunately very few Muslims do this job and most of them don't do it. Therefore Muslims are held responsible for failing to do this job of conveying the truth. Muslims will face the consequences for their failure of non-compliance to the Creator's commandments.
- But it is not yet all allowed to IMPOSE BY FORCE.
If the people choose wrong faith, they are solely responsible with their CREATOR.
Very simple and straight command
Stand with the principle...
In hindu religion too its a respect to cover their head. the things is most of the hindus are not following their scriptures... U can see it is still maintained in rajasthan and other areas of northern india...
Dears,
Muslim girls are wearing hijab as a part of religious requirement. No need to make your face red. Simple solution. You wear Red shawl & Hindu girls can wear orange scarf. Muslims will never oppose. Islam is a religion of Tolerance.
Good decision.... allow the goons to wear chaddis, shawl, langotis as they wish ........
Effects of saffron poisoning.
Principal is rocking...well done....
Why the hell you want to ban scarf? Let them wear. What you are going to lose? If you want ask your sisters and mother not to wear. But stop poking nose everywhere. You people are a major threat to peaceful Hindu religion. Hindus are ashamed of these saffron goons.
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