Asem Mohiuddin Kashmiris
Barely a week later when Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked people to embrace Kashmiris as fight is for Kashmir not against Kashmir, two Kashmiri fruit sellers were beaten by small group of people apparently belonging to Hindu right wing organization Vishwa Hindu Dal. The accused were seen asking the two vendors to prove their identity and hurling accusations that they are “terrorists and stone pelters” in Lucknow city of Uttar Pradesh.
The videos in which one of the accused was seen holding a long stick and beating the fruit seller Abdul Salam and few others thrashing his colleague Afzal Naik went viral on social media triggering massive outrage against the incident. With thousands of people sharing the video on social media condemned the incident and sought stern action against the accused who beat the two innocents in the name of nationalism. The media has also played a positive role and sought action against the accused men. Police swung into action and arrested four accused in the case.
Later the video of one of the victims in police station again went viral where he reposed the full faith in the police for arresting and offering the security to them to do their daily chorus in the Lucknow city. However, the two small time businessmen have been actually saved by the local public who spotted the right wing people beating them for their no sin.
The Police had been on spot later when called by the local people to rescue the victims. This again prompted the Prime Minster Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to appeal the people in mainland not to harass Kashmiris and secure them from those who try to harm them. In fact Prime Minister said that those who attacked Kashmiris are actually misguided and needed to be dealt under law. Rajnath Singh in Patna political rally said that BJP workers shall offer the security to Kashmiris if anyone tries to harm them.
On February 14 when the Lethpora, Pulwama suicide attack took place which killed 40 CRPF men, a wave of anger against Kashmiris was spotted forcing hundreds of students and businessmen to return valley under fear.
The business according to reports of dozens of Kashmiri businessmen were damaged especially in Haryana as people tried to vent their anger against the commoners who in fact had nothing to do with the Pulwama attack.
This time the strict advisory by the Union Home ministry was issued to all the states and union territories to safeguard the Kashmiris at their respective places. However, despite that it did a little help as the massive damage was already done. Prime minister’s speech in which he dedicated around 8 minutes to Kashmir post Pulwama attack was also a bit late though it cooled down the tempers among the people and Kashmirs heaved sigh of relief outside in other states.
The Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad had also criticized government for not doing enough to protect Kashmiris. He said that those who are outside Kashmir are the first to denounce militancy as they are fighting for their survival that is why they are not in Kashmir. “Had they wanted to pick up gun they would not have been in other parts doing their business. So we need to protect them at any cost,” he told media.
While this is appreciable to see all parties across the lines condemning such acts, there is a need for strong mechanism to put such actions at halt. Given to Kashmiris political sensitivity these fringe elements are hurting the larger interests of country and pushing Kashmirs to further alienation. In the past the centre government had launched many flagship schemes in Kashmir like Himayat, Udan etcetera to integrate the youth of valley with the rest of country. Scholarships, jobs and other avenues were sponsored by the centre to the local youth which are providing significant dividends. Following these schemes thousands of youths have fled the trouble torn valley and are either for pursuing professional courses in other colleges or have been earning their livelihood in private sector across India.
In case the tirade of hatred continuous to stay in the atmosphere against Kashmiris by these right wing ideologies it will force these youths to give up studies and jobs and return home under fear. This can cause serious damage to the security situation in the border region since New Delhi is already battling the insurgency in valley.
The consistent efforts by such elements to alienate the youth from mainstream had pushed the region in the most difficult situation. Militarily the situation cannot be handled and bring it to the point of peace. Centres political and socioeconomic initiatives may serve the purpose. In case of serious handling of the Kashmir problem no political party in the power at New Delhi can ignore the need of political out reach for the lasting settlement of issue.
