Disempowered people
Is the space shrinking for poor Kashmiris?
WORDS WITHIN BY FIRDOUS SYED
The establishment of Trans World Muslim University would not have caused havens to fall. The sudden demise of the proposed university in Kashmir raises many prickly questions. Hardly a few weeks back, protesting opposition members were assured by the Speaker of the Assembly that the “Bill has not lapsed it is still pending in the upper house”. The moment Governor NN Vohra prorogued the Assembly session, the Jammu based Daily carried the news that three Bills including that of Trans World Muslim University have lapsed. The Trans World Muslim University Bill after overcoming many hurdles even though had a troublesome passage in the lower house. But the Congress as a second thought stalled the passage of the Bill in the upper house; the proposed Bill was consigned to the joint select committee of the both houses. Ironically the joint select committee was never created as a result the Bill lapsed and was given a silent burial. Even the unfortunate killing of Mulana Showket could not convince the authorities that the creation of the Trans World Muslim University will not be a security risk.
Meanwhile the authorities are contemplating to issue an ordinance “to protect Hindu temples in the Kashmir Valley”. In case the temples in the valley are really facing any threat--- a highly contentious claim--- still why so much of hurry, where is the need to follow an ordinance route? Nobody is against the protection of temples in the valley. Moreover majority community of the valley will fail to uphold the teaching of Islam, in case it fails to protect the religious places of other communities. For that matter enactment of law alone is incapable of providing any protection, the goodwill prevailing amongst the communities is the best protection. Even if a law has to be enacted the issue can certainly wait another three or four months till the time of summer session taking place in the valley; this issue is pending since 1990. Still the rulers are hell bent upon bringing an ordinance instead of a proper bill in the assembly, it is mind-boggling. The so much of a tearing hurry only shows the salve mentality of the rulers, lest they not be described as less secular in the Delhi Durbar. What about the rights of the majority community?
The rights of the majority have since long been compromised and nobody seems to be concerned about the sensitivities of the Muslim majority of Jammu and Kashmir. Let us reject the occupation theory and for a moment also overlook the ongoing intractable conflict on Kashmir. Let us also accept the theory that the armed resistance was solely Pak sponsored and there was no cause, or for the least any alienation with Delhi a reason for all this mayhem and bloodshed in which thousands have perished, so far. Let the notion also be abandoned that the constitutional status of J&K is in limbo. Let us profess only what we are expected to believe as docile people. Even as harmless conformist creatures we are destined to behave, why then the rights of Kashmiri people are trampled always under the heavy boots. Do we need to quote the instances, regrettably there are numerous of them.
The ongoing debate about the choice of the next DGP primarily is confined to two officers. One originally comes even though sate cadre from Hyderabad and other belongs to Bihar. A Kashmiri Muslim probably will never get the chance to command the police in future, why? Despite all the claims of normalcy returning back, AFSPA will never be repealed ordinarily, why? Cases of disappeared persons and grave human rights violations are hardly paid any attention and issue of Pundit migration is raked only to put blame on the majority, why? Greater Autonomy Bill passed by the two-third majority of the assembly was rejected within a minute; instead the need for three regional councils is being drummed up day in and day out, why? Urdu the official language has been rendered orphan in the valley and fully discarded in Jammu and Leh, why? Congress is designed to be part of every coalition in future, why? Five cabinet ministers belong to Jammu district plus the chairman of the Council, erstwhile Doda district has no representation at all and only a MOS comes from Poonch and Rajouri, why? Economic dependability of Kashmir has been made to increase tremendously; even so NHPC has been given a free run to plunder the water resources, why? Statements like `sky is the limit' and `Insaniyat Ke Dyray Mein' all sound hollow. The rapid disempowerment of Kashmir an ongoing process, besides the social engineering is the price Kashmir inevitably has to pay for the failed rebellion. In view of above mentioned facts is it possible for the rulers to convince the people that the ever shrinking space of Kashmir is not an ugly reality. Can they?
(Feedback at firdoussyed@yahoo.com)
Lastupdate on : Fri, 27 Apr 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 27 Apr 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 28 Apr 2012 00:00:00 IST
- MORE FROM OPINION
- Kashmir
Inquiry indicts Kupwara jail authorities
PSA Detainee’s Death
SHABIR IBN YUSUF
Srinagar, Apr 27: The inquiry ordered by the government to look into the reasons which led to the death of a 25-year old youth lodged in sub jail Kupwara has blamed the jail authorities for his death.& More
- Srinagar City
Now dogs maul doctor
Medical fraternity aghast
M HYDERI
Srinagar, Apr 27: The stray dogs seem to be hell bent to keep their terror alive on humans in this summer Capital where everyday scores fell prey to the deadly bites while the National Conference led government More
- Jammu
Durbar moves, offices to open in Sgr on May 7
One way traffic on highway for 2 days; No vehicles will ply from Sgr to Jmu
GK NEWS NETWORK
Jammu, Apr 27: The Jammu and Kashmir Civil Secretariat closed here on Friday as part of 138-year-old biannual 'Durbar Move' practice. The offices would open in Srinagar on May 7. Official sources More
- South Asia
Pak deports Osama's family
REZAUL H LASKAR\PTI
Islamabad, Apr 27: Fourteen members of Osama bin Laden's family, including his three widows, were today deported to Saudi Arabia by Pakistan, days before the first death anniversary of the al-Qaeda chief More


