The policy makers, bureaucrats and politicians of the present age desperately suffer from colonial hangover which seems too difficult for them to shrug off. How a colony is to be treated is deeply imprinted in the psyche of these people. As any student of History would tell you that Britishers had mastered the art of “Divide and Rule”. What Jammu and Kashmir has been witnessing since 1947 is simply Indian adaptation of the policy of Divide and Rule. As India tried to deal with current J&K uprising yet it has miserably failed in arriving at any practical political solution even though it tried to mislead people by offering economic independence rather than complete independence which Kashmiri’s have been striving for.

Coming back to Indian adoption of British rule of “divide and rule”, although there have been many concerted efforts to dent the very concept of Kashmiriyat, which was considered to be root cause of Kashmir existence, the first conscious attempt was made by India in early 1990 itself which resulted in mass exodus of pandits from Kashmir. Although the move was orchestrated by some dubious elements, they were intentionally or unintentionally helped by their counterparts from the other side, on whose behest few killings may have been carried out. That was one of the most unfortunate incidents in the history of Jammu and Kashmir, where the enemies of Kashmiriyat were successful in dividing Kashmiri’s and giving communal colour to the just struggle. Kashmir has largely been unaffected by communal disharmony that usually ails rest of India, given the fact that Kashmir had vast Muslim majority yet they had traditionally been protective of their minority Pandit brethren.

Coming back to the policy of Divide and Rule adopted by India in Jammu and Kashmir, India again tried the same when Chatisingpora massacre took place, wherein more than 30 Sikhs were killed. Important to note is that the massacre took place exactly when then American President Bill Clinton was visiting India, however as events are witness this time they were only partially successful. It is commendable on part of Sikhs to hold their heads out and insist on staying back in Kashmir inspite of clear and existing threat and danger to their lives, the courage unfortunately not shown by Pandits. The incident of Bill Clinton’s visit was very aptly chosen knowing the American attitude towards "Religious Extremism”. However it soon became clear who was behind the dastardly incident, especially after Jaswant Singh’s statement that if BJP high command won’t stop defaming him he would come out with certain facts including Chatisingpora. The said statement was pertinently made by Jaswant Singh at the time of release of his book, when BJP threw him out of the party for praising Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

Recently one more such attempt was made to divide Muslims and Sikhs. Fortunately condemnation and assurance poured in immediately allaying fears of Sikhs, who again showed courage and didn’t take it seriously. The point to be noted here is that whenever the movement for independence picks momentum such conspiracies do take place.It is interesting to note that of late Government of India has changed the "modus operandi', now they talk about Jammu and Ladakh about Kashmiri Pandits indicating that these areas or people don’t want "azaadi" so therefore questioning the very basis of the Freedom movement. This is nothing but another endeavor to divide Jammu and Kashmir and deprive Kashmiri’s their right of self determination.

It is important to note one very important fact that Jammu does not mean Jammu district only, it is a province, out of six Districts in Jammu Region more than three have majority Muslim population. I do know that there are elements in Jammu, Kathua and parts of Udhampur who have been exploited time and again.

               There are hundreds of different subtle methods adopted to achieve the same purpose. Recently there was a news about some news channel that is trying to create division between shias and sunnies. Now you don't need to be a rocket scientist to understand that no television channel can operate without government's  permission. If they know how to ban any local channel, they could have banned this channel as well.

The need of the hour is to stand united against all forces of dissension. That is the only way we can ensure a peaceful co-existence.

(M Hashim is Advocate J&K High Court)
 

Lastupdate on : Wed, 10 Nov 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 10 Nov 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 11 Nov 2010 00:00:00 IST