At a time when Kashmir protests against the oppression, India terms the widespread protests in Kashmir an agitation backed by the anti-national elements. This statement comes just after the state government calls the protests an instigation of serious nature. Knowing India’s Kashmir policy one can’t expect sympathies from New Delhi, which many in Kashmir  were anticipating. Obviously, for Kashmiris Delhi door ast (Delhi is too far away), but this was least expected from those who claim to be the representatives of the people long denied their rights. If Omar Abdullah government is to be believed then all those people protesting across the length and breadth of Kashmir are anti-national elements supported by Lashker. In other words, the state is putting across the notion that the troopers are up against violent forces. And as per the government point of view these forces are inimical to peace. In his latest interview with NDTV 24*7 Omar Abdullah advocated political solution, and was bold enough in his assertion that he could solve people’s developmental woes, but the need of the hour is the sustained dialogue. If government’s previous assertion is right then those protesting on roads are Lashker backed elements. Going by India’s stand on terror, Lashker is inimical to peace. So who is the government talking to, Lashker or the protesters? One many not buy too much of what Bhim Singh said with regard to the current situation in Kashmir but a jammuite calling the statement “Lashker backs pelters”, is simply ridiculous. Flashback last week, after Sopore killings, a Cabinet Minister in desperation said, “Home Ministry should rein in CRPF. ”As the situation grew from bad to worse, and the violence spread to South Kashmir, the government came out with newer tactics, by calling all those protesting against the atrocities committed against them to be instigated by anti-national forces. With this communion of the state with the centre, it seems that people’s government has chosen the path of confrontation with the same people who brought it to power, for sadak, bijli and pani. For the time being road to settlement seems a mirage. Bijli is falling on youth like never before, and pani is thicker than water. Last thing the people would have expected from this government has been given in abundance-blood. Ironically our Chief Minister asks us to give our sweat for progress. And if this was not enough, Chidambaram's statement did the rest.

Unfortunately, inquiries, investigations and reconciliations have now lost their relevance for people, one could see the writing on the wall, it is state versus, the Kashmiris protesting with a humble appeal “but keep your children at home.”

 In his defense Omar Abdullah has every right to say that Kashmir has been witness to these situations before. No Chief Minister worth his name, be it Mufti, Azad or Farooq Abdullah has had the peaceful rein. There are those mainstream politicians who call themselves the “Humdards”(sympathizers) of Kashmir. It all changes when they step out of power. No one has afforded to annoy lords in New Delhi. They use slogans as means to gain vote bank. How long would the mainstream political parties play to the galleries? How long shall the oppositions shed the crocodile tears? How long shall they be blaming the separatists for a separate agenda on Kashmir? How long shall they be blaming each other for “Qome farokhtam”(Selling their nation)? How long?

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Lastupdate on : Mon, 5 Jul 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 5 Jul 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 6 Jul 2010 00:00:00 IST