Kashmir is a difficult & disturbed area of a very beautiful state of Jammu & Kashmir, because of some so called 'Kashmiri Nationalists' saying what is right according to them and some in the neighborhood believing them. Just that does not make the whole thing as the only truth. There is an other side of it as well. Like it or not, both sides and both views exist. None of it is new and has existed for more than 25 years publicly.
It has multiple reasons, including one of pathetic politics played by Congress in the 1988/89 elections, when all these so called separatists actually wanted to be politicians, but were played on by the center. It was again one of those many 'alas, only if that had not happened' moments, but it did played the part of 'last straw that broke camel's back' of the normalcy and these guys turned millitant.
What happened next was even more than shameful, when the mob mentality played to its fullest and the same God fearing, peaceful Kashmiris turned nationalists found it unbearable to tolerate the minority that co existed with them since ages and threw out KPs brutally... And there is events after events that just made the place more and more violent...
But, few things are very clear...
- Millitancy had gone down and howmuchsoever haters hate it, Kashmir is not what is was in mid 90's. It is far more peaceful, albeit relatively
- There is a genuine 'generation lost' syndrome and rampant unemployment, corruption, religious misleading, mollycoddling in the shape of free goodies (which even adds to the mentality of keep demanding for more and free stuff will keep coming)
- Yes, there are areas of separatist mentality that exist in Kashmir Province primarily
- But, few voices of dissent are not reason enough for any nation to let go of its area (irrespective of some of us liking that or not)
- Kashmir has AFSPA, it has significant strength of armed forces and there are cases of excesses... At the same time, forces do get restrained and challenged in multiple ways and slips are not always their own making by design
- But, just because someone recorded one side of the story, does not make that part to be the only truth
- Consequently, we have two choices... Either be the extreme left (dhoodh maangoge, kheer dengem kashmir maangoge .... denge types) or extreme right (Hum kya chahte hein, aazadi types) or try to stay balanced and understand the narrative
- First ones will lead to spoiling forums, spread jingoisms and trouble mods with the need to manage infractions and bans
- Second ones might lead to some passionate, but logical debate
My two boring cents...
A resident of J&K and a proud Indian (The other side of the reality that some of us chose to ignore conveniently)
Thanks @
Oscar ... That thanks made the friday evening effort worth it!