We are all guilty, we are all to be blamed

Those who claim to be the duly elected representatives of people of J&K, in fact do not represent people of the State; what they actually represent is the Government of India in Kashmir. That is why when the situation goes bad they also either go in hibernation or take interestingly anti people stand and join hands with New Delhi. They don’t hesitate to blame their own people and Pakistan for their own wrongs because they know their limited role while representing India in Kashmir. Almost all of them also believe that the source of power lies in New Delhi and not with the people, who they claim to have voted for them. Under this arrogance and intoxication they sometimes even forget to pay the lip service and shed crocodile tears which they otherwise are masters’ in. the lip service which makes them look human is also used as a tool to fool.  If the situation worsens, which most of the times does, because of the repression and suppression, the power to manage Kashmir is surrendered back to New Delhi. Trusted lobby in Delhi takes over the affairs and directly manages Kashmir using all the force, deceit and lies to create confusion and off course the might of 700,000 armed men till the situation becomes “normal” and order is restored.

Normalcy and order means control over people and its resources but in Kashmir context it also means being able to run confusion and converting a simple problem into an imbroglio. These politicians instead of bringing relief to the people, they claim to represent, will play a blame game and make comparisons with other perpetrators.  Are we the worst or there are other politicians who have inflicted more pain upon people. Who have surrendered State’s autonomy and who receive funds from foreign masters. It serves two purposes one it makes easier to rationalize their guilt another and at the same time it makes common man desperate about the situation he is in. These “mainstream” politicians are in a race to get closer to the Central Government, army and intelligence agencies. All these things will matter as their future is totally dependent upon the proximity they have with these institution of management in Delhi. Once the situation is back to normalcy and status quo is restored the state will be once again handed over to these chosen ones, making it sure that they give enough assurance that all orders will be followed in letter and spirit come what may.

Main stream politicians believe that freedom from India is not possible therefore it is better to take benefit from whatever is available and accept the situation. I personally don’t have problem with the belief system however these people have surrendered more than what was necessary to remain in power. They have become mere jokers who have inflicted more pain upon the people than the occupier. They have humiliated and challenged the dignity of their own lot. Then these politicians need sufficient security from people so that they can operate without fear. The forces that protect these politicians and their families in return are allowed to function without accountability and questioning their might and credibility. They are allowed to kill for promotions, rewards and sometimes even for fun. They are protected for all their wrongs and if at all some action is to be taken some most powerless and vulnerable men among forces are ready to be made scape goats and dumped as “bad guys” or black sheep for committing these wrongs. Does it really matter In a situation where two Nuclear Powers are at logger heads, that the people without power and voice get humiliated and killed every day. This is just a collateral damage. This has been happening since 1947, although the atrocities and sufferings may vary depending upon the situation from time to time. However, the only constant that will remain is the infringement of rights, taking away constitutional guarantees and breaking of promises. Under these circumstances the common man is still expected to feel and act as an Indian and any deviation from it means sedition.

The situation in Kashmir is once again out of control and only military might is used to stop people demanding what otherwise is their established political right, even guaranteed by Indian constitution. They cannot raise their voices or protest against wrongs committed by political elite and their men in boots. Peaceful protests are quelled with deadly force and protesters are killed, maimed and injured. A strict curfew is enforced and no one is allowed to come out of houses. For last more than 100 days there has not been even a single act of repentance or reassurance by the political elite as they wait this uprising to die its own death. They are waiting for the natural fatigue to seep in. Sooner or later people will be made to realize and believe the futility of strikes as they will have no energy to go on with civil disobedience, probably the longest and strongest ever in the history of civilized world. The tested mechanism is to strike at the time when the population is tired and losing hope. It will be time to use all the state power, might and machinery to kill the morale of a tired population. Every news channel, newspaper or other source of communication will be used to frustrate the very idea of resistance. It has worked in past and it may work again this time. 

The leaders, Babus and men in boots are busy making plans to use this violence to their advantage and get their perks increased. It is an opportunity to reassure their bosses in New Delhi. This is an occasion to maximize the process of control and erosion of rights of “Problem People”. These people first have doubts about what they do then slowly and gradually the process becomes routine and routine become habit. Some of the ruling elite boast about killings and tortures and abuses they orchestrated or have been part of. I met a very infamous renegade in a conference in Pune and the way he justified his actions and boasted about killings in Kashmir left most of us shell shocked. But the sickening part of it was his admitted in human actions were applauded by Indian elite and he was acknowledged as a hero for killing hundreds of innocent people.  The key for India remains to maintain status quo and keep singing the raga of development and terrorism. And mainstream has allowed it continue under all circumstances.

The “normalcy” in Kashmir is a task and for maintaining it generous and gracious lords will reward their collaborators. But these are not the only beneficiaries of the conflict we all have become collaborators in our own unique ways. The soft separatists have already started giving statements asking people what to do and what to refrain from. There are some civil society liberals in the field also some of them posing with victims of state suppression, visiting them in hospitals and shaking hands with boys who may soon be arrested once they are discharged from hospitals.  Journalists, lawyers, businessmen and in service and retired officers every one of us is part of the problem. We may not like it but we are all making compromises every day return of small favours or generous benevolence. And the list of controlling elite keeps growing with every passing day.

Some of us are already typing their project proposals for inviting funds to work for victims of violence. Some of these project proposals will be sent to the very oppressor who jailed, maimed, blinded and used pellets and bullets against the proposed beneficiaries. Some other proposals will go to other generous nations and organisations, who feel the pain of the people in Kashmir however, most of that money will be used for the things people don’t really need. We in collaboration with the state will then show our humane face to the world by de-radicalising youth, opening de-addiction centers and patronizing illegal orphanages. Some of us who have favoured state ….will be elevated to different administrative posts or used in India’s foreign policy or diplomatic relations. Some of us have already issued even statements on uselessness of violence. And the irony is that the people who actually have the power to change are making appeals, appeals to the powerless victims for restoring peace. We know it is easier for the perpetrator and the powerful to make peace and restore normalcy. The one who is being killed and maimed wants peace but he is not allowed to live with it. When you know you are officially in charge of genocide of a people who are you asking to give peace a chance? And who are you blaming for violence? The dead, maimed or jailed victims? By showing your helplessness you are not only humiliating yourself but further challenging the dignity of a proud people.

Yet we can see people working day and night, helping each other without selfies and without asking for anything in return. These are people who are so selfless that they are giving their lives sometimes even without fully understanding, what actually are they doing it for. These people do not have political affiliations. They do not have inhibitions and they do not care who takes the credit for their sincere work. They are the real heroes of any society. They are the foundation of dignity and freedom. It is only because of these people many families have been able to eat during curfew days. These people may not be able to change the current political situation but these people will lay the very basis of a just society. However the dead cant be brought back, the blinded cannot see and the jailed and maimed will have to suffer for their entire life. That is the gift we give to our change makers and we are all responsible for it.

These dark days will also pass and the situation will become Normal” However, for each one of us, the oppressor or the oppressed, there are lessons to learn. With every failed attempt to seek justice, something changes in our hearts. The mistrust, frustration, hate and alienation in a common man and the arrogance and high handedness in the ruling elite is increased. We have missed another opportunity to take a moral stand on “what is Right” and not “who is right”. We have missed another opportunity to make amends and negotiate a better future for our coming generations. We have again sold Kashmir for our convenience and we have again betrayed our own people. There is nothing as everlasting political solution. Things change and do the people and situations. What matters is the path we chose to guide our coming generations.  The day we stop thinking in terms of personal gains and personal benefits we will see a Kashmir free from collaboration deceit and exploitation. The day we care for the powerless and voiceless among us, the day we stop compromising our values for power and money, we will be free. And that day shall come soon.