Innocent blood of almost thirty martyrs has re-energized the sentiment for Azadi. Such is the intensity of the emotions; it took only six months time for the dormant feelings to turn into a torrent. Some may even not hesitate to describe the present surge of emotions as revival of the freedom movement? Looking dispassionately at the turn of events, this does not sound to be a preposterous claim. If the sails are not on the sail yet, treading cautiously on its path, flood of emotions has the potential to turn into a mass-based movement. Certainly, opportunity is again knocking at our door; a new generation virtually has committed itself to the cause of Azadi. However, every opportunity brings along with it, a challenge also. Will present generation be able to break the jinx (repeated failures) of the past, and steer this nation to the safety? After remaining in fetters and living through subjugation for centuries altogether, can Kashmir attain its past glory again? Or else this could be another painful miscarriage, one more failed attempt in the history of freedom struggle? Raw emotions once again failing to deliver, a productive movement--- promise of revolution, harbinger of a real change?
Few days back on July 13, people of Kashmir as usual commemorated the martyrs of 1931. In modern history of Kashmir, 1931 is considered to be the year when freedom struggle commenced; this beginning was made by sacrificing lives fighting against the tyranny. Since then literally tens of thousands have sacrificed their lives at the altar of Azadi, still Azadi eludes entire Kashmiri nation. See the intensity as well as travesty, the fifth and sixth generation is together striving and sacrificing to attain Azadi.

In 1931, first time Kashmir’s committed them to the active phase of resistance, second being the Plebiscite front generation of 1953, this was replaced by Al-Fatha group in 1968-70; in 1987-90 new generation committed itself to militancy and during 2008 Amarnath land row present stone pelting boys took the charge. It takes approximately 18 to 20 years for a generational shift; the above mentioned years read carefully precisely correspond with what a generation takes to mature.  Following this logic this should have been fifth generation serving the cause of Azadi, and ruling the streets. As it is said, death keeps no calendar, likewise tyranny transcends all reason. 

  Nowadays, teenagers get killed while chasing the dream of freedom, what more proof is required to further prove that fifth and sixth generation is not braving the bullets, together. Nine year old getting killed simply means, a rein of repression has been let loose on Kashmir, it is soul stifling. Choked with emotions, it is obvious for every Kashmiri to feel besieged. The unabated killing of teenagers and particularly the death of a young girl leaves nothing for imagination.  Where funerals are fired upon; grief stricken father of a dead beaten mercilessly; press gagged; curfew enforced for weeks, is there still any doubt left that people of Kashmir are not ruled by a brutal regime? New Delhi may still try to build an image for itself of a democratic and constitutional state; it is very difficult to convince the young generation in Kashmir about that form of democracy? Death of a child in mayhem is a defining moment for the society on the whole --- a time for deep introspection.  Howsoever saner the cause, children getting sucked in the conflict is always challenging for any society, nine year old to perish in an active conflict is too heavy a price to pay. Besides, New Delhi has also to learn a lesson here; it cannot suppress the desire for Azadi, whence young ones are ready to sacrifice their lives at such a tender age? 
It has been going on for last eight decades: Kashmir is caught with the generational cycle of conflict; each exhausted generation is replaced with a fresh generation to sustain the conflict; generation after generation defying the reigns of tyranny. Every generation in the beginning plunged with great passions, but eventually got frustrated in the absence of any tangible success.

It is an unending process, while elders get dejected, fresh blood takes over with more fervor and zeal, alas to get frustrated in the end. Over a period of eighty years defiance has been unparalleled, moreover continued. Yet our expression of defiance has been unable to find instrument of deliverance.

Weather we like or not, again a generation is about to be consumed by the conflict. Surging tides can never be suppressed; can we make the endeavor productive this time? Can we break the unending generational cycle of conflict; can we reach our destiny this time? Will we be able to provide instrument of deliverance to our collective expression of defiance?   
Kashmiri freedom struggle is plagued with ideological inconsistency; regrettably it has been a constant feature of resistance movement. This ideological inconsistency has been on display time and again: in 1975, entire Kashmir headed the call of Bhutoo, while condemning the 75 accord observed an unprecedented Hartal. And within few days father of accord Sheikh Abdullah was accorded a hero’s welcome by the same Kashmir.

Who could have imagined after 2008 uprising in summer, Kashmiris will beat all the previous records of participation in the elections. Barely after eighteen months, present upsurge has invalidated the ‘participatory nature’ of 2008 elections?  Bakshi’s infamous statement “forty lakh people with me and same forty lakh with Sheikh Abdullah,” well defines the ideological vacuum prevalent in Kashmir. Kashmiri intellectuals attribute this inconsistency to a mercurial nature of Kashmiri mind, in a way confirming the genealogical theory of superior or inferior race. This is absurd, moreover a fatalist prognosis. If indecisiveness is the attribute of our DNA, we are doomed for ever; it is possible to change a bad habit but not a genetic disorder.

Our ideological inconsistency is result of centuries old subjugation. Hate against India propels the defiance; we are not informed by virtues of the freedom. Kashmir is not only subjugated. It is also spiritually dissolute.

Nothing unique with Kashmir, every suppressed nation has also been morally corrupt. Some social scientists argue that in order to prolong slavery, immoral behavior is [perpetually] infused. But it is also equally true that morally upright society can never become salve. Moral decay sets-in first; therefore making slavery possible, moral turpitude is both cause and consequence of the subjugation.  Unless Kashmir is able to overcome its chronic ideological inconsistency, it will never be able to attain freedom, in real sense. Kashmiri mind often gets confused about the order of priority, for what to strive first---- spiritual empowerment or a political revolution.  Freedom to be attained, spiritual revolution has to come first. It is not desirable only; it is a must, a prerequisite. Spiritual empowerment will only lead to political revolution and not vice versa.

Let there be no misgivings, the boys on the street are leading the present phase of resistance. Street leading the resistance is akin to chaos.

Nevertheless hopes should not be lost. Provided, boys understand the dynamics of the resistance, there is every possibility that out of current chaos a new leadership may emerge? Howsoever dreams Azadi will have to understand, it is not struggle against the tyranny alone; it is a fight against tyranny of self also--- “Without jihad of the nafs, fighting leads to Hellfire.”  And holy Quran very clearly emphasize: “By the nafs and the proportion and order given to it, and its inspiration as to its wrong and its right; truly he succeeds who purifies it, and he fails that corrupts it. (91:7-10).

It is a fight between good and evil; it is a continued struggle, until death. It is a struggle within and struggle outside, taming tyranny of self will ultimately lead to triumph against tyranny. It is a life long struggle there is no shortcut.

Although passions are running high, boys will have to think coolly, Quit Kashmir is not possible in a single leap. It may take many more years to come; they will have to be prepared for a long haul. Enforcing shutdowns by hurling stones kills voluntary spirit of the resistance; ultimately it will prove counter productive. One’s own people are supposed to be educated and not subjugated by sheer force.  Boys desiring Azadi, some among them, will have to dedicate their entire life to the cause; only then a revaluation is possible. Dying for Azadi is easy, living and embodying Azadi is difficult, remaining truthful and steadfast, in a dogged resistance much more difficult.  Defiance has to be turned into an instrument of change. Instrument should embody the idea of change; it should also symbolize the phenomenon of change.

(Feedback at firdoussyed@yahoo.com)

Lastupdate on : Fri, 16 Jul 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 16 Jul 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 17 Jul 2010 00:00:00 IST