Forays of Symbolic Pilgrimages

Yatras to some natural spots can’t revive Kashmir’s Hindu past but would rather damage centuries old  composite culture

Vijay Bakaya, a prominent Kashmiri Pandit leader has said that Kousar Nag was never a pilgrim destination. It has always been a trekking destination for adventure lovers.In the past, off and on some Kashmiri Pandits would visit the place but there has never been an organised pilgrimage like the Amarnath Yatra.

For past some time, there have been repeated attempts to revive the mythological instances of the ancient Hindu past of Kashmir. It is a historical fact that Kashmir in ancient times was a well-known Hindu Kingdom. It continued to be oneuntil the arrival of Shah-i-Hamadan (RA) in 12^th century A.D. In between it turned to Buddhism and the fourth Buddhist Council which completely changed the Buddhist thought from the strict Hinayana School to moderate Mahayana School was held in Kashmir in first century A.D. Thus, Kashmir has gone through three religious faiths of Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam but all the transitions were peaceful through preaching and not through any compulsion.

The main cause of Kashmir’s composite and tolerant culture is this peaceful transition. Kashmiri Muslims have never objected to Pandits paying obeisance at their holy places. In fact, they have always been helping them. The living example is the Mela Kheer Bhawani.This spring is the most revered pilgrim spot for all Kashmiri Pandits. Every year, thousands of Kashmiri Pandits have been converging here from all over the world. They are not only welcomed but hosted and supported by Kashmiri Muslims.

Unfortunately, a section of Kashmiri Pandits after their unfortunate departure in very unusual circumstances from Kashmir has been aligning itself with the extreme rightist Hindutva elements of North India not only to malign Kashmiri Muslims all over the world but by initiating measures which appear to be vindictive. An interesting aspect of the whole situation is that the basic Hindu philosophy of Kashmiri Pandits is totally different from those of the Hindus of other parts of North India. Kashmiri Pandits follow the Trikka School of Saivite Philosophy while as the predominant Hindu philosophy of North India is Vedanta. One of the reasons for peaceful conversion in Kashmir has been the basic philosophy of this Saivite School of Hinduism prevalent in Kashmir and South India. It is based on Monism.

Shiva being the ultimate power is formless but manifests itself in the world as Brahma, Mahesh and Vishnu. Saivism also believes in what Muslims call Qayamat and the equivalent word is Pralaya, the end of the universe. This commonality in basic philosophy helped quick spread of Islam in Kashmir through peaceful preaching.

However, the Indian mainland has faced many forays from Muslim invaders and conquerors. The most known in history is Mahmud of Ghazni who is supposed to have invaded India 17 times and during the last raid destroyed the famous Somnath Temple. Apart from Mahmud there have been many other conquerors whose wrath was faced by the North Indians.

Reportedly, in most of North India, there is a feeling among some Hindus that the Muslims came to India as invaders and conquerors, ruled over them for 800 years and in the end permanently occupied half of their country under the name of Pakistan. They yearn for uniting that part with the mainland to restore and revive Akhand Bharat. No doubt the north Indians suffered these forays but ultimately the Muslim kings especially the Mughals became truly Indian by naturalisation and birth. Akbar was the most revered King! All the conversions in India were not by force. People to a large extent adopted the Islamic faith of their own volition. Spread of Islam in South India too was a result of peaceful preaching. The first preachers came to Kerala in the lifetime of Prophet (PBUH), the proof of which is the first mosque in India near Kochi. Kashmir and South India because of the Himalayan barrier surrounding the valley and the long distance to southern areas remained more or less unmolested from the forays of Mahmud and others. This made them more tolerant towards Muslims.

Converting the symbolic ancient pilgrimages into forays by hundreds of thousands of people is not only damaging the ecology but also alarming people about something like Palestine happening here. If only one percent Hindus from other parts are motivated to come here it would mean a crore of pilgrims! The once very much revered holy Amarnath Yatra has now turned into a battle for Hinduism. The sanctity of the yatra with a limited number of pilgrims going through traditional route is no longer there. Now hundreds of thousands of people throng the place through the short route of Baltal and fly even by helicopters.

 Trudging the difficult terrain of the Himalaya to the heights, supposed to be pure and holy, was a journey of faith. Now, it is a quick visit spoiling the serenity and ecology of the area. No religion sanctions destruction of nature! Both the routes are now garbage trails the conditions of which have even been extensively covered by the National Geographic magazine.The latest attempt in this regard of starting another pilgrimage to Kousarnag has sent alarm signals. As described by Kalhana in Rajtarangni, Kashmir in ancient times was the land of Nagas and Pisacas. In that regard every spot in Kashmir is a holy spot. One has to accept the fact that Kashmir now is a Muslim majority land. The valley is now dotted with the shrines of mystic and sufi saints.Reviving ancient Hindu past by conducting pilgrimages is not going to change that character. In fact, these activities are not only going to cause damage to the fragile ecology but also drive Kashmiris up to a wall by hurting their sentiments. Moreover, it is not fair and just to take revenge from the followers of the most revered saint Shah-i-Hamadan for doings of Mahmud of Ghazni! One must also remember that the progeny of Mahmud is still very active in our neighbourhood and has driven both the Russians and the Americans disgracefully out. Kashmir should not be deliberately turned into an excuse for them to conduct new forays to this side!

The Lone Example!

All revolutions begin with someone setting a lone example of standing against injustice and all wrong doings.

There is a saying that “A reasonable man adapts to the ways of the world but an unreasonable man tries to adopt the world to his own way. Therefore, all the progress in the world depends upon the unreasonable man!” This saying aptly fits the recent episode involving a state officer, Mr. A.M. Lanker, the Chief Engineer, Public Health Engineering Department. Had he been a “reasonable” man in the present situation of stinking corruption, he would have meekly obeyed the Minister. However, he proved to be the revolutionary “Unreasonable” man. By submitting his resignation instead of meekly swallowing the insult he has shown the way to change our most corrupt system. There has been a feeling that most of the engineering departments are epitomes of corruption. This instance has shown that it may not be true in regard to everyone manning these departments. It may not be that all the officers in state administration are dishonest and corrupt. There are honest, hardworking and upright officers also. However, it is said that honesty flows like water from the top downwards. Honest people have no chance of survival when the top echelons of politics are corrupt surrounded by equally corrupt sycophant officers.
There is no chance of reforming such a dirty system. It is a historical fact that once in a while someone takes a lead to stand against wrong doing. It happens very rarely. However, if such an event occurs, that signals the beginning of a revolution. In the present circumstances, when a thoroughly corrupt system has been deliberately created to support a particular ideology against the basic aspirations of the people, it is extremely difficult to dislodge the dishonest and corrupt people. Like a sphinx they are made to rise again and again from their ashes. But nature has its own ways of setting things right. As happened in case of ancient Egypt, Moses was brought up in the house of Pharaoh and ultimately proved his nemesis! In the present case, Mr. A.M. Lanker got vindicated because people for a change decided to stand by him. This not only reportedly forced the Chief Minister to apologise to him but also gave a strong rebuff to all corrupt elements in the government. This step will not only embolden all other honest and upright officers in all departments but will also make the corrupt bosses think twice before giving them any affront.
An unfortunate and sad sidelight of the happening has been total silence from the leaders of the popular movement. They not only claim to stand for the basic rights and aspirations of the people but project themselves to be epitomes of honesty and uprightness. They always refuse to compromise with any wrong doing from any quarter. It would have given a tremendous moral boost to the honest and upright people if they too had appreciated the stand of this bold and upright officer. In fact, Kashmiris’ main grouse is the dishonesty of the people in authority in accepting the basic truth of the decades old political problem. It can only be corrected when we encourage people in all spheres of the society to stand up for truth and honesty. This instance may be a drop in the ocean but it is said that it is the drops which ultimately make an ocean!

Kashmir’s Orphan Tourism Industry!

In spite of the tall claims about the Tourism Industry being the backbone of Kashmir’s economy, in reality the sector is an orphan, owned by none!

Most of the politicians never tire of claiming Tourism to be the backbone of Kashmir’s economy. In fact, the slogan has become a vote catcher and a barometer of political normalcy. No doubt, Tourism has the potential of becoming the mainstay of Kashmir’s economy but with a big if! That big if is the prevalence of real peace which is the basic requirement for development of tourism all over the world. There is no doubt that Kashmir has the best tourism potential in various types of this activity. The salubrious climate, the wonderfully serene and pure nature, and unlimited avenues for adventure give Kashmir a unique treasure for developing all kinds of tourism activities both in summer and winter. The meadows in the mountains could easily be developed into dozens of mountain resorts. The winter allows various mountain areas to be converted into ski resorts with excellent snow conditions. The mountain streams are ideal for white water sports. There is no dearth of mountain peaks and trails for mountaineering and trekking. Next to prevalence of a peaceful atmosphere, the most important requirement is planned development for sustainable tourism. All over the world tourism and environment seem to be at loggerheads with each other. However, for tourism activity to be beneficial to the people, there has to be a balance between development and sustainability of environment for this activity. The greatest enemy of tourism is ad hoc development which plays havoc with environment the very basis of attraction in the first instance!
In spite of the fact that Tourism is touted as the backbone of Kashmir’s economy, the government has so far failed to produce a vision document and a perspective plan to let people know the goals set and the road map to reach these goals in a stipulated period of time. So far everything is being done on ad hoc basis by pick and choose. On and off tourist arrival figures are given in millions of tourists and pilgrims visiting Kashmir. The arrivals are not so important. The impact of tourism can only be judged by the status and profile of tourists and the number of nights spent by them at a particular destination. A lesser number of up market tourists staying for longer duration contribute more than millions of budgeted tourists. Moreover, every tourist destination has a carrying capacity and anything beyond that capacity is detrimental to the very environment which attracts the tourists to that place.
In addition to a workable perspective plan to develop sustainable tourism, the other most important requirement is the professionalism of the members of the organisation entrusted with the implementation and monitoring of the same. In every field in modern tourism there are experts and professionals. Tourism marketing needs a person trained and experienced in marketing of this type of product. Tourism planning is a specialised subject. The most popular active or adventure tourism involving activities like mountaineering, skiing, rafting and so on is the job of adventure specialists. All these professional jobs cannot be handled by officers trained in mere administration. Again there is need for co-ordination and focused development as well as promotion. At the moment there is no single head that could co-ordinate and monitor activities of the three distinct destination regions. Each is going its way! The post of Director General Tourism as the head of the State Tourism Organisation has probably been abolished? There is need to revive the post to co-ordinate various activities and project J & K State as a composite tourist destination.
Almost two decades back Tourism was declared as an industry but due to paucity of funds at that time, the package of incentives was restricted and was not commensurate with the incentives given to other industries. This especially applies to power tariff, land and availability of capital on special interest rates and so on. In case, the government wants development of infrastructure to meet the demand of increasing tourist arrivals, all the incentives available to other industries need to be extended to tourism activity also without any reservations. Then above everything else, the government itself needs to get out from the commercial side of developing tourism. At the moment government is itself getting into commercial exploitation of tourism. In fact, Comptroller and Auditor General of India in its last report has pointed out that the State has set up infrastructure in new tourist areas through more than a dozen Tourism Development Authorities which has remained unutilised and is virtually infructuous expenditure! If tourism is to be developed on modern scientific lines as a viable economic activity, then government must follow the declaration of Margaret Thatcher that “government has no business to be in business!” Unless some practical steps are taken, the Tourism in the state will continue to be an “Orphan” industry merely used as a political slogan by every Tom, Dick and Harry!

The empty coffers

`Gari ne vayi, asstaan khalaan taher'! This Kashmiri proverb describes the recent actions of the present rulers!

After the debacle in the Parliamentary elections, the present rulers of Kashmir have been announcing a series of so called people friendly measures in spite of the fact that the government treasuries are virtually empty. These actions are best summed up in the typical Kashmiri proverb describing a person who has no rations for himself at home but goes to a shrine distributing the popular Kashmiri cooked yellow rice called taheur! It appears that the ruling party is behaving like a drowning man who tries to catch at straws to save himself. Enhancement of the retirement age of the government employees would have made sense if had been issued few years back. At that time it was alleged that there was no money for such a step. One wonders where from the money has come now when the government is unable even to pay general provident fund of already retired employees. The new employment scheme has been scrapped and the employees instead of being on stipend would now get regular salaries. The new administrative units are going to cost the state something like 500 crores! Chief Minister is planning to announce further sops including reduction in electricity duty even though he has been complaining of lesser revenue in PDD.
There was banner line news recently that the state coffers are empty and the state is going round with a begging bowl! The state plan is yet to be sanctioned by the Planning Commission which is awaiting constitution by the new government in Delhi. By the time the plan is sanctioned, model code of conduct may stop all developmental activity. One fails to understand how various projects including upgradation of schools and so on are announced with an empty treasury? Just before Eid bills worth 2000 crores were pending in different state treasuries. This was one of the main reasons for lesser shopping on the occasion of Eid. There is a slump in sales as reported by many traders. The Gaza killings too have affected the Eid sales.
As a journalist friend tweeted, the two coalition partners after the divorce are having a live-in relationship till elections. This in the present circumstances means complete paralysis of all government activity especially on the development side. The break-up of the two ruling parties will definitely paralyse all activities even though the coalition government was already paralytic. The only possible explanation of spending money with empty coffers can be the belief of the present rulers that they have a very little chance of coming back. Whatever measures they announce will fall on the shoulders of the new incumbents. They would neither be able to implement these orders nor reverse the same! They would be truly caught between the devil and the deep sea!
If Omar Abdullah is really sincere and regrets his failures, the least he could do is to revoke the Disturbed Area Act and the Public Safety Act thereby making both the AFSPA redundant and automatically releasing scores of young so called stone-pelters and other political detainees. People cherish their freedom more than monetary sops. The most Delhi could do is remove him from the chair by imposing Governor’s rule for these last three to four months but the goodwill he will gain will be much more and could pay him in the next elections. But the million dollar question is does he have the courage and sincerity to do so? His flip-flop on AFSPA during last few years shows he does not have both the courage and the willingness to take such a plunge. So the Kashmiri proverb fits him well in every respect!

The stinking “Paradise”!

If there is a Paradise on Earth, it is this, it is this, and it is this!

Almost all the Kashmir Tourism literature carries the above couplet of a poet in Mughal period to affirm the fact that Kashmir truly is a Paradise on Earth. Most of the foreign writers have given different titles and names to Kashmir in praise of its natural beauty. The Eden of the East, the Venice of the East, the Switzerland of Asia and so on. In fact, keeping in view the environment and its wild nature, those places should have been compared to Kashmir than vice versa as it surpasses all places in the gifts of Nature. In natural beauty Kashmir has no comparison. However, that may now be a story of the past, true only in travelogues of yore and the history books. At the present moment we are living in what can be called realistically, a stinking Paradise!
The first stink is the foul marshy stench coming out of the heart of the city, the Dal Lake. The Lake is virtually in throes of death. The house-boat on the Lake was supposed to be the number one attraction of Kashmir. In fact, it was a USP (unique selling proposition) especially to European and American travellers. A palace floating on water which used to be so clear that one could see the fish dancing below among the marine plants. It was really crystal clear water. Not now. Not only is the water turbid in places but it has become marshy with abundant growth of weeds. The Lake has been virtually choked by the weeds at many places especially in the back areas. It may soon turn into a stinking marsh. Along the boulevard it is being kept clear of the weeds for “Tourists” but deep inside where 50,000 people live on islands, the situation is not good! Same is the fate of Wular Lake once considered to be the second largest fresh water lake in Asia. The River Jhelum which has been a witness to Kashmir’s 5,000 year history has become a sewer and a drain with all the muck flowing into it directly.
The lush green forests have been massacred in cold blood. A virtual genocide of the young trees has been committed in many places by timber mafia in collusion with the authorities. It is heart rending to see the stalks of young pines in almost all forest areas. The material greed of these people may leave Kashmir a desert for the future generation. Almost everywhere the mountains have been disfigured by stone quarrying. In brief, the Environment supposed to be Kashmir’s main wealth has gone for a toss.
As regards the engineering and the civic side, the less said the better. Pot-holed roads, with manholes below the road level, defunct and choked drains, electric lines with poles at many places having meshes of service lines, road dividers of tin sheets, pieces of wire and broken plastic poles all reflect on the condition of the people responsible for these services. Garbage dumps in the open on main roads posing a challenge to the under-staffed and ill-equipped Municipal Corporation. One fails to understand how can the government expect an organisation designed to look after a city of a hundred thousand people in forties cater to a Metropolis with over million and a half population spread over an area more than 36 kilometres across? They are utterly understaffed, ill equipped and short of funds and face a miserable situation in winter after a heavy snowfall.
The City of the Sun founded almost 2,000 years back is bursting at the seams. The worst menace it faces is the hordes upon hordes of stray dogs. Some people under the garb of being animal lovers have virtually turned Kashmir into a Paradise for dogs! Hundreds including children have been bitten. Hordes of stray dogs, some quite ferocious roam the streets of the city during night relieving the security forces of night patrol duty. No one can dare come out during night and escape these ferocious hordes. Huge plans have been made for sterilization of dogs which is considered to be humane way of reducing their population. These plans are nothing but devious schemes to make money and involve some high ups also. Wildlife Act has a provision to deal with wild animals like bear and leopards threatening human life. These are declared vermin or man-eaters and officially killed. In fact, if a wild animal harms a human being, he is supposed to be treated and compensated by the department. No such provision in regard to dogs!
Coming to the tourism aspect of the Paradise, the resorts of Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg have been converted into urban centres with concrete buildings and mushroom growth of hotels, shops and so on. There is garbage and muck everywhere. No one really goes to these resorts to enjoy nature. The most unfortunate part is that we have ourselves converted this Paradise on Earth into a stinking hell by our greed. It is time for the Tourism Department to change its slogan and say welcome to a Stinking “Paradise”!

The Return of Pandits?

Will they or won't they return and if they decide to return, when?

Recently, the Kashmir Civil Society held a round table discussion regarding the currently raging debate about the return of the Kashmiri Pandits who had migrated en masse from Kashmir in 1990. There have been reactions of alarm regarding the BJP’s proposal of settling the Kashmiri Pandits in three protected satellite cities within Kashmir. Almost every sphere of the society wants Kashmiri Pandits back. However, they have to be back with dignity and honour in their original environment. It has been repeatedly pointed out that the en masse exit of Pandits from Kashmir had given a tremendous set back to the centuries old composite culture of religious tolerance in Kashmir. That composite culture can be restored only once the Pandits come back voluntarily welcomed by their neighbours.
The en masse exodus of Pandits in 1990 was not the first migration from Kashmir. There have been many migrations of Kashmiris to neighbouring areas at different times during its entire history. These migrations have taken place due to natural calamities like earthquake, plague, famine, and due to persecution during political upheavals to which Kashmiris have been subjected throughout their 5,000 year old history. However, one of the most distinct earlier mass migrations of Kashmiri Pandits was during the reign of Sikander, the father of the most loved Kashmiri King Zain-ul-Abidin popularly known as Budshah.
The 1990 migration was the most unfortunate event. A real tragedy for Kashmir’s composite culture. There have been many theories about the real causes of the migration and about its instigators and facilitators. However, the main task now is to see the return of these people rather than investigate and apportion blame. That task can be performed by a commission as suggested by the civil society. It is true there were targeted killings of prominent Pandits. A massive scare was created and the Muslim majority could not openly come out to stop the scare and the harassment due to circumstances prevailing at that time. Had they been allowed to do so, mass migration may not have occurred. The worst sufferers were the villagers. They had to leave behind everything. Their ancestral houses, lush green fields and the memories of good old days. Their life in refugee camps in Jammu was miserable. Many died due to heat to which they were not accustomed to at all. Quite a few suffered snake and scorpion bites. The people who migrated to different parts of India may have secured better prospects and may not be willing to return. The ones living in refugee camps in Jammu still live an ignominious life and may be the most willing to come back.
It may be mentioned here that the Muslims in Kashmir suffered the worst fate after the departure of Pandits. Over a hundred thousand were killed. Thousands were injured and even maimed. Thousands were rendered orphan. Women were raped en masse. Properties were destroyed. Scores were buried in mass graves. Thousands disappeared without a trace. In spite of these harsh realities, the Muslims have not turned against the Pandits. This is so in spite of the worst worldwide anti-Muslim propaganda by a section of the Pandits. Everyone wants them to return to revive the centuries old composite culture of Kashmir.
The migration during the time of Sikander was successfully reversed by the most illustrious king of Kashmir, Zain-ul-Abidin, Budshah, the Great King. He enacted legislation giving numerous facilities including jobs to ensure their proper and honourable rehabilitation. They enjoyed the best of facilities and amenities during his reign. Similar action is required now both from the Government and the civil society in general. In the above referred to round table discussion, the representatives of the Pandits who had not gone out of Kashmir made a very valid point. They said before one takes up the case of the return of the migrant Pandits one must ascertain what has happened to those who stayed back? According to him, they have faced innumerable hardships in accommodation, jobs and so on. Many have been killed by so called “unidentified” gunmen. They have been totally frustrated by the attitude of the government including the Chief Minister and wanted the civil society to come to their rescue. There is urgent need to attend to this task first if others are to be motivated to return.


The first and foremost requirement for the return would be establishment of real peace. Unless the migrants or the displaced persons feel both physically as well as psychologically safe to return to their native places, they will not move. Constructing housing units in totally guarded pockets resembling concentration camps will not motivate any of these natives to return. This will in fact compound the problem by creating points of friction between different communities. As alleged by some, the proposal may have a hidden agenda! The return has to be absolutely normal to their original places of residence in the state with the active support of their former neighbours. This alone can restore the composite culture of Kashmir which has been in existence for centuries. To create a truly conducive atmosphere for such an eventuality the foremost requirement is to end the present situation of uncertainty and restore real peace in Kashmir. The vicious cycle of two way violence has to be broken. Prevalence of peace is the prime requirement. Thus the “Return of the Pandits” is not as simple as it may seem. It is in itself an important part of the ultimate solution of the Kashmir problem. The day the Pandits are able to return in peace with dignity and honour to their ancestral places of residence to an open embrace from their former neighbours ushering in the earlier era of centuries old brotherhood, the first step towards the solution to the decades old Kashmir problem would be deemed to have begun in earnest!

Martyrs under curfew!

An article about Martyrs Day written in 2013 which is valid even today!

 

 

The 13th of July in Kashmir has always been a popular day for paying homage to the martyrs who gave their lives in the first ever revolution against the foreign autocratic rule. One remembers right from the childhood what a festive and exciting day the 13th July used to be. Processions from all parts of the city as well as from outside used to go to the Mazar-i-Shuda to pay tribute. Those days the movement for Kashmir’s emancipation was still young and there was fervour all round. The long period of 82 years since the martyrdom of these brave souls of Kashmir has seen many ups and downs. The movement itself has witnessed many twists and turns.

Kashmir had seen many rebellions against the external rule but the events of July 13, 1931 were a turning point. It was the first mass awakening against the autocratic rule of the Dogra Maharajas. The events have been well documented by the local as well as foreign authors. The protests starting against the desecration of holy Quran in Jammu had turned into a mass movement against the Maharaja’s autocratic rule. The real trouble had started after the fiery speech of Abdul Qadeer, the butler of a British resident, at Khanqa-e-Mu’ulla. Qadeer was subsequently arrested and put on trial for sedition. In view of the popular upsurge his trial was shifted to the Srinagar Central Jail. The people were gathering near the Central Jail on the fateful day of July 13 demanding an open trial, when the Dogra soldiers fired on them killing 21 and wounding scores of others. The bodies were taken in a procession for burial and Maharaja imposed Martial law.

The events snowballed and thus started the movement for Kashmir’s emancipation. The movement threw up the 25 year old teacher Sheikh Abdullah to become the charismatic Lion of Kashmir. Thus, this day is symbolic for the rise of the first real revolutionary movement in Kashmir. The spirit of those revolutionary days still lives in the hearts of Kashmiris and they have not given up their struggle in spite of the numerous somersaults by their leaders. In fact, it is rather their leaders who have let them down from time to time. The mission, that the martyrs had started, is still incomplete. Unfortunately, due to the betrayal of their cause by some of the leaders, Kashmiris have landed in worse situation than the one which existed in 1931. Those days they had only one adversary, the autocratic Maharaja but now they have two nuclear powers in a situation of perennial conflict to contend with!

The turmoil of the last two decades has given rise to Mazar-i-Shuhada in every nook and corner of the State. However, there are also thousands of Kashmiris who are buried in unknown graves in many areas of the State including in the vicinity of the line of control. There is an obligation on the people to pay homage and remember these unknown martyrs. The ideal way would be for the people to renew the pledge to carry their mission forward. There is no need to take out processions or indulge in violence. The martyrs have sacrificed their lives for upholding the truth which has become the main casualty in the present day Kashmir. The first thing we need at the moment is to demonstrate that we do have a character. That can be shown if all of us pledge to speak the truth and stand by it regardless of the consequences. This would be paying the best homage to the memory of all those who have given their life for our future. That is the most sensible way to take their mission forward!

There is a strange dichotomy in regard to these martyrs. It may be pointed out that these martyrs had risen in revolt against the Maharaja who is supposed to have signed the document of accession of the State of Jammu & Kashmir to the Union of India. In fact, it was this agitation in 1931 which had culminated into Quit Kashmir Movement of 1946 against the Maharaja. There is a contradiction in the celebration of this day by the mainstream parties especially the ruling ones as they left the mission of these martyrs half-way. How can they honour the persons who had risen against the Maharaja because of whose subsequent actions they are now enjoying the power? However, the mission of the martyrs has not been given up by the common Kashmiris. The proofs of the continuation of their mission are the hundreds of thousands of Kashmiris who sacrificed their lives during last 82 years for achieving the goal of total emancipation. The number has gone up from 21 to thousands upon thousands. It is still increasing with every passing day. The action of the authorities in preventing paying of homage cannot suppress the aspirations of the people. It has rather increased their alienation from India. The resort to such draconian measures clearly shows that the authorities have failed to change the minds of the people. All revolutions start in the minds. The present day authorities are scared of the popular upsurge. They have, therefore, put even the graves of these brave souls under curfew! That is the best tribute to these martyrs whose mission as shown by this act is still very much alive and being carried forward!