Being a Kashmiri

I am a Kashmiri Muslim in search of my real identity. I have witnessed death and destruction for the last 20 years. I know how it feels when I see people around me being killed for none of their fault. I wonder why people kill other people? We can have differences of opinion and still be friends. We can operate from our respective stands and still make this world a better place to live. However, this does not necessarily happen. Our rights are infringed and freedom denied, when the powerful transgress their limits and when powerless are victimized, people wake up and try to change the system. They refuse to accept the arbitrary dictates of the people in authority.

In the same way popular uprising for freedom started in Kashmir in 1989, I was a young boy of 16 years. I was told that we have different histories and we are not Indians. I started peeping through the window of history and tried to look into it in great detail. I found that Kashmir was sold to Gulab Singh a minister in Ranjit Singh’s Army against 7.5 million Nanak Shahi Coins or rupees. Interestingly, the seller was British India, who had won over Ranjit Singh, the then ruler of the northern India. British India sold an entire nation called Kashmir; with its entire population to Gulab Singh. It was shameful that a nation was sold and its people subjugated. Ranjit Singh’s rule in any case was not great either. There were only a few voices against the sell out. They were condemned and “peacefully” eliminated. Maharaja’s rule created new tales of sufferings and humiliation for a nation. The nation of monks and Sufis became subject to cruelty and torture, disrespect and humiliation. Although the voices of rebellion had been crushed but the voices remained in hearts keeping untold stories untouched but passing on to generations to come.

In 1905 when India was fighting its freedom struggle against British Raj, Kashmir rose to conscience and demanded restoration of democracy. The concept of democracy was not new but people hardly had tasted the taste of democracy. Nevertheless, there always have been concepts, ideals and aspirations beyond imagination. Restoration in the sense, that how government should behave and how people should be governed. This was historic and significant as many things were taking place world over. New concepts were developing. Maharaja Hari Singh, descendent of Gulab Singh had excluded Muslims from the civil and armed services. Islamic religious ceremonies were taxed and Muslims were banned from organizing politically. In 1931, in response to a sermon that had tones of opposition to the government, the villages of Jandial, Makila, and Dana were ransacked and the inhabitants were burnt alive by the Dogra army. Kashmiris rose to the occasion and protested against the Maharaja and on 13 July 1931 Maharaja’s Army killed the protesters near central jail in Srinagar.

Gandhiji started Quit India Movement and few years later on the same lines Kashmiris started Quit Kashmir movement against the Maharaja. Kashmiri leadership at that point of time was trying to draw parallels with Indian freedom struggle. Many people were arrested, imprisoned and killed. The situation in Kashmir was tense but people were very enthusiastic about change. Cutting this long story short, India became free and a new nation Pakistan was created. Maharaja Hari Singh, the Dogra ruler from Jammu and descendent of Singh dynasty was not unaware of these political changes world over. He was the only Hindu ruler indeed who wanted to accede to newly created nation of Pakistan. Why was he so keen to do so? Well, there could be many reasons but one for sure was that he wanted to be the ruler forever. And one can understand now why he believed that his kingdom will be safer and his interests guarded only in Pakistan and not in India. Respect for privy purse by Pakistan and current rule and hold of Jagirdar’s and wadera’s in Pakistan. In this chaos and confusion, the Pathan bellicose from north western frontier post attacked J&K with the help of war veterans of Indian National Army who were later joined by Pakistan regulars. Maharaja fled to Jammu and sought help from New Delhi. According to India, he signed document of accession before India agreed to send its armed forces to Kashmir. Document of accession is one of the most controversial documents in the history of Kashmir. It was followed by the release of Sheikh Abdullah, the then popular leader struggling for restoration of democracy. 0n 27 October 1947 Indian army landed in Kashmir. The common man in Kashmir supported Indian army as they thought this will mark the beginning of new democratic era in the history of Kashmir. Unfortunately, it proved to be an illusion, and to this day 27 October is marked and remembered as black day in Kashmir. By then Pakistan had managed to occupy Muzaffarabad, Mirpur, Gilgit, Baltistan, Hunzah and other areas of J&K. India took the issue to the UN and two resolutions were passed in 1948 and 1949 for conducting plebiscite in the state and giving people the right to decide their future. Plebiscite provided the right to self-determination for the people of Jammu and Kashmir and both India and Pakistan agreed to it.

After Maharaja Karan Singh became the president of Jammu and Kashmir state and Sheikh Abdullah Prime minister. The accession gave limited powers to the union of India for managing defense, communication and currency of the state in broader sense. First elections were conducted in 1953 and easily rigged by Sheikh Abdullah with the help of his friends in New Delhi. He ruled for few years and was arrested for referring to the temporary accession. He was charged with sedition for referring to Independent Kashmir. Sheikh Abdullah was put behind bars for eleven long years. This was the end of the hope for democratic ideals in J&K. After this, a trial of betrayals and deceit followed. In elections, people were not permitted to contest or cast votes in the state. In 1957 elections, 43 candidates were elected unopposed out of 75 seats and in next elections 32 candidates were elected unopposed. People felt choked and their hopes of becoming free diminished. They started organizing themselves for a long struggle for freedom. They did it, however they were crushed, humiliated and disgusted by the people in power. History is a witness in itself. It was repeated again and again from 1953 onwards. New draconian laws were made to curb the aspirations of the people and new techniques were developed to confuse the common perceptions.

In 1987, some young people thought may be the world is changing so may our fortune, they formed a group called Muslim United front to counter pro India politicians or the people who ruined Kashmir from time to time by their greed for power and control. They contested elections, as entire nation was with them they were sure to succeed but the election were rigged again and history was repeated, they lost. Democracy lost its last battle in the corridors of power at New Delhi and Srinagar. Hopes dashed and young people who supported these elections or were actively involved landed in Jails, detention centers and torture cells. They were detained under draconian laws of public safety act, Enemy agents Act, Criminal law Amendment Act and so on. Politicians in power came to police stations where these young people were physically tortured and assaulted by them for daring to raise their voice against them. These men in power would feel pleasure in humiliating these young boys. This changed the course of history. Yes; Kashmir youth crossed over to Pakistan and got guns in their hands. The candidate for assembly elections in 1987 from Lal Chowk constituency became the supreme commander of biggest and most powerful militant group in Kashmir, Mohammed Yousuf of Muslim United front became Syed Salahudin of Hizbul Mujahideen.

Oh! I was trying to look into my identity and trace my roots. Where does this identity come from and why is this “my identity”? I had nothing to do with what happened in history. I was not even born at that time. The people who suffered during this time are mostly unknown I have nothing to do with them. Then why am I talking about them? They are not my identity. Then what is my identity? The year 1989 marked the beginning of militancy in Kashmir I was a young boy of 15 or 16 years. Hardly knew history or facts about history. But I knew that I was not Indian. Every young man in Kashmir knows it that he is anything but Indian. I grew up in the middle of gunfire, torture, custodial killings, rape, and illegal detention. The words I am acquainted with are, Crack down, curfew, door-to-door search operations, hide out, surrender, and renegades etc. it will take me another article to explain these terms. I believe that more than 300,000 people have been arrested so far, and are arrested still under different laws in Kashmir, including children and women. Around 80,000 people are believed to be dead during last 20 years of turmoil, 8000 people have vanished in the thin air after they were arrested by security agencies. there are no traces what happened to them. 250,000 people Kashmir Hindus have migrated from Kashmir valley and are living in Jammu and other parts of India as refugees. Yes, this is my story I am witness to it. I have lived this life with many others.

I hated India for what it did to us. It took me quite some time to understand what do I hate in India? What was India for me? India as a country? Then I realized what I hate in India is what I hate about Kashmir. It is not India that made Kashmir bleed for last six decades. These are only few people in power who have made us bleed all together, people of India and people of Kashmir. We are not different; we all have been deceived by these people in power, a fringe minority. They made people of India to believe that Kashmir is a burden on our economy but we must retain it by hook or crook, because this is the issues of our national identity and national pride. Because we will not survive if Kashmir is free in the hands of other world powers. Pakistan is a demon and it will have it. Muslims are violent and they are killing our peaceful soldiers and innocent civilians. This is the way these people in power have made us their subjects. This is the way they control us and rule us. If they do not do this, they believe they have to be accountable. They spent billions of Rupees on defense without accountability. They have secret funds for fighting so called terrorism in Kashmir without accounts. They rule people and mute every sane voice raised against them and they are being rewarded for it. This is the only place in the world where a police sepoy can become Dy. S.P after killing people in the name of curbing terrorism and separatism. But is this the only truth? There can be many realities and many faces of truth. Nevertheless it is the demon in us which is our enemy. These people in power are changing faces. No one is permanently in power. The true enemy is greed within us. The system of non accountability. A system of deception and misinformation. A system where we believe what we are made to believe. We do not inquire, we do not confirm, we just believe what we actually want to believe or what we are made to believe through our corporate media, controlled news and censored press.

But I am still struggling with the question of who I am and what is my identity? What is freedom for me? Does end of Indian rule mean freedom for Kashmir? We are the most corrupt state in India because of non-accountability and rule of terror. Who are our administrators and officers? Will our corrupt politicians and dishonest administrators become honest overnight with freedom? These are the questions that I have or own consideration. Does change of people bring change in society? No, it has never happened. Only change in hearts can bring real peace and change in society. My identity is that of a human being first who is struggling for a just system like any other man in Mumbai , pune, Karachi or New york. I want a just system that is my identity. Friends ask what could be the possible solution for Kashmir. Is it secession from Indian union? Nevertheless, I believe true and long lasting solutions evolve through a process. Solutions cannot be negotiated or imposed, if they have to be just. A negotiated solution is not always win-win situation. It is not what we believe is the long lasting solution for a problem. However, it is what we do and how we evolve as people. The first step towards a solution is to accept the past bravely and try to put right what has been done wrong. Second step would be to respect the aspirations for the people even if you are not in position to do anything practically towards it. I am from a place called Kashmir. I believe in Islam. I believe in power of people. I believe that change of hearts will bring peace and harmony in this part of the world. I believe hatred is not the answer. Goals can be achieved and aspirations fulfilled only by acceptance and recognition. I also may be biased in my opinion and in my perception of facts and history. I can also be wrong. But I am ready to accept my short comings and open my heart for what is eternal truth. I want to heal my past by accepting my own wrongs. For forgiving those who have transgressed against me and my people and accept those who are ready to take the path of love and togetherness. I am what I am. I am ready to change wherever there is a need I am ready to learn and forgive.

Altaf is an advocate by training and a human rights activist working for social justice in Srinagar. He works for reconciliation between different groups in J&K. He works as full time trainer and consultant for IofC Kashmir and believes that change in hearts will bring change in society.