Union Government’s denial to revoke AFSPA from violence hit Jammu & Kashmir has yet again vindicated the fact that New Delhi has miserably failed to win the hearts and minds of people. The denial should be more a cause of worry for pro-Indian constituency rather than the resistant camp. If New Delhi is still not in a position to revoke AFSPA from cities and towns even in Jammu province, it speaks about New Delhi’s failures to address the real problem or to get the perception changes in its favour. Army may have its own compulsions and requirements to call AFSPA a holy book but for the common Kashmiris every word of this holy book has destroyed their self respect and fundamental rights, so they have every reason to call AFSPA a unholy book. Though all democratically elected governments, from 1996 till date, have claimed to be having people’s mandate but the ground reality is that state is being ruled through barrel of gun. Parliament has also been informed that Govt. of India may use less lethal weapons to deal with the protests in J&K and the same is being projected as a favour to Kashmiris. It would have carried some weight had J&K dispute been a law and order problem. While continuation of AFSPA exposes failures of New Delhi but its being in place is sending innocent lives to graveyard. No doubt resistance movement needs sacrifices but we need not to forget the fact that while New Delhi has everything available to mislead the world community and justify atrocities on Kashmiris, it should be a matter of grave concern for Kashmiris to stop the killings and not give New Delhi a chance to butcher Kashmiris whenever it suits New Delhi’s interests. Of course movement needs sacrifices but leaders being custodians of sacrifices must decide that progress towards the ultimate goal should not be dependent only on loss of human lives but excellent and sincere political and other moves have to be the key raw material to sustain the resistance movement. Kashmiris can’t afford being part of any global agenda, by supporting the global Jihad or helping India to fight with China or Pakistan. It can be achieved only if Kashmiri leaders of various streams wakeup and introspect where does their nation stand. Those bating for New Delhi need to make their masters understand that Kashmiris have seen much since 1947 and it is time to take things seriously. Similarly the well wishers of resistance movement have no option but to ensure that the resistance movement has a defined goal. The changing times and vulnerable circumstances must make both separatist and mainstream camps to realize that despite ideological and other differences there has to be some deep silent understanding between the two schools of thought so as to stop the unending journey of Kashmiri youth to graveyards. Rather dividing their own people further let the political leaders and groups focus on their targets without opposing each other in open. This can be achieved by track II silent negotiations between various groups, individuals and parties. If leaders of various parties and thoughts can attend marriage ceremonies, seminars and condolence meetings together, within and outside Kashmir, who stops them from discussing the various dimensions and measures to force New Delhi and Islamabad from listening Kashmiris. It sounds very good when we say “We will die for Kashmir” but only those who die know what it means and those who lose their near and dear ones are the best to judge how painful it is to see someone getting buried forever. A good leadership would always strategize a way forward with less investment but better results. Leaders must ensure that the resistance movement sustains and moves forward without loss of human lives. In an atmosphere when killing Kashmiris means strengthening nationalism, we are all duty bound to change the strategy without compromising on our sincere commitment towards right to self determination. Leadership has to understand that young kids have to be in schools and colleges not in the graveyards. Let us take a pledge that “We will live for Kashmir” rather than crying that “We will die for Kashmir”.
Live for Kashmir
