Opinion: Kashmir Graffiti - A Peaceful Resistance | PKKH.tv
PKKH Exclusive | by Mehwish Qureshi
Kashmiris have been living under Indian military occupation since decades. Confiscation of private land; imprisoning individuals without any legal *process and physically abusing them under incarceration; demolishing homes and property; placing *entire state under curfew for weeks; destroying shops and businesses; shooting and killing civilians - *is the common practice of Indian Army in Jammu Kashmir.
As a result of continuing illegal and illegitimate actions by Indian government and army, Kashmiris started resisting in every possible way they could. Categorized as Separatists - those who talk about the Freedom and Sovereignty of Kashmir are always dealt with brutality. Since 1947 till date - whenever Kashmiris tried to raise their voice for their basic right of Freedom -- they were dealt with very ruthlessly and brutally. The war and oppression in Kashmir has not stopped for even one day since 1947, and that it went into a relentlessly high gear since 1989 and continues unabated.
It comes as no surprise that the Indian media accuse Kashmiri Muslims for attacking their Army personnel , instead of reporting that the resistance and protests of Kashmiris are *in response of Indian brutalities and injustice. This method of reporting is a part of continued efforts of de-legitimization of the struggle of the Kashmir’s for freedom from the yoke of genocidal oppression and violence.
http://www.pakistankakhudahafiz.com/2013/03/11/opinion-kashmir-graffiti-a-peaceful-resistance/g2/To live under oppression plus occupation and submit to injustice is incompatible with human nature. Resistance and Protest not only is a right and a duty, but is a remedy for the ones who are being oppressed. Even if not as a strategic activity, one needs to resist as an expression of —and insistence on —human dignity. Therefore, according to all human and legal norms, all natural and international law and jurisprudence, the Kashmiris have a legitimate right to response.
In the Indian occupied Kashmir, youth are not living in the usual Teenage Dream; they face the daily prospect of being detained indefinitely, without charges, as adults, under existing law in the state. The law, called the Public Safety Act is horrible enough.
The story of the youth of Kashmir comprises of broken promises, shrinking of democratic space and denial of any meaningful participation in a genuine democratic exercise. The last 21 years have seen unprecedented pressure on Kashmiri youth, as they are the ones who have borne the brunt of the conflict. Thousands have been killed, jailed and many continue to languish in jail. This has made a huge impact on a generation that grew up after the year 1990.The impact of violence on the minds of the youth over the last two decades is playing an important role in making their ideologies.
Controversial laws such as the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), denial of the delivery of justice and merit are other important benchmarks which intensifies their belief that Jammu and Kashmir was never treated as an ‘integral part’ of India, unlike claimed by the Indian government.
Resistance to occupation and oppression can and should take many shapes. The Kashmiris are using multiple strategies and tactics to resist and protest against the unlawful occupation of the Indian army in Kashmir. The youth of Kashmir is raising voice at social media platforms to let the world know what is happening in their homeland.
‘Graffiti’ is another modern and non-violent medium for them to express their feelings and spread the word. Graffiti writing seems to be one of the efficient ways for to register their thoughts and express what they feel for the oppressors. It makes their presence felt, for it is an extremely effective means of conveying the message.
It is believed that Graffiti in Kashmir has been an influence taken from Palestine, especially the post Intifada era. The graffiti culture became a new medium of expression after arms and stones in 2010. Graffiti expresses the common sentiment shared by all Kashmiris over illegal occupation. Need for freedom is an aspiration which continues from decades. More the oppression, stronger is the resentment.
‘El-Horiah’ is a famous group involved in Graffiti work in major areas of Kashmir. On the condition of anonymity, one of the members of this group spoke to us. He says:
‘Graffiti is everything for me. From a hobby and interest to medium of expression - it is everything. I started making it when I met The Socrates who had started it in 2008. He started graffiti bombing with random letters later developed his fonts to bigger size of 3 feet. I, after looking at various movements and struggles going around the world saw graffiti as a medium to let my voice heard. At same time I realized that no such activity was going on in Kashmir. Fortunately I met "The Socrates" who taught and made me aware about various things. Later we formed "El-Horiah Graffiti Crew". (El-Horiah is an arabic word which means freedom). Now we are trying to form a culture of graffiti in Kashmir. We came with a project "concert canvas" after forming this crew; our aim in the project was about social uplift, political satires and murals, and on-going issues in Kashmir. We remain least concerned about the artistic and skillful look of Graffiti. Our motive is to convey the*message and make people aware of the facts.’
When asked about the significance of active support of youth in the struggle of Kashmir’s Freedom and social uplift, He said:
‘For the survival of any movement or struggle everyone has to work hard. Contribution of everyone is vital cutting across the age bars. But youth, if you closely observe, in every struggle - be it Occupy Wall Street struggle, Arab spring or any other struggle, mainly it was the youth who led the movements, similarly here in Kashmir, youth are leading the movement. In short whole infrastructure of struggle can be led by our youth.’
‘Moreover, Indian media has launched psychological and information warfare against us. They are very selective and biased. So these pieces on walls educate people especially tourists, minds of whom are fed with lies and wrong information conveyed by India.’
‘There are some sincere people among Indians who are supporting our cause. Their voice is suppressed whenever they try defending us. We salute those peaceful minds who support us and wish them best of everything, for preaching truth and honesty to their masses.’
Talking about Pakistan, he said: “Unfortunately Pakistan is going through a very critical situation. There is a conspiracy of Zionists to disintegrate it on sectarian, ethnic and regional basis. So it is the duty of Pakistani nation*to expose this nefarious design. Pakistanis need to work together for its reformation, need to stand united and honest. Stable Pakistan is necessary for the peace of entire region. Fight against terrorist groups who propagate terrorism and suicide attacks by killing innocent people. “
The Kashmiri Youth proves by his words and his art that perpetual oppression and denial of all civil opportunities have not succeeded in stunting his intellectual maturity and broad outlook into the global scenario. He proves that barbed wires and guns cannot entrap the hearts and the minds of living human beings and that as long as the fire of Freedom ignites the souls of these young aspirants, Kashmir is Kashmir and not India.
Mahwish Qureshi is a Peace & Political Activist with a strong belief of Socio- constructivism through the mirror of Islamic System. She is currently working in the field of Training & development and can be reached at missterriouss@gmail.com. She tweets@Ms_Terrious
Source
PKKH Exclusive | by Mehwish Qureshi
Kashmiris have been living under Indian military occupation since decades. Confiscation of private land; imprisoning individuals without any legal *process and physically abusing them under incarceration; demolishing homes and property; placing *entire state under curfew for weeks; destroying shops and businesses; shooting and killing civilians - *is the common practice of Indian Army in Jammu Kashmir.
As a result of continuing illegal and illegitimate actions by Indian government and army, Kashmiris started resisting in every possible way they could. Categorized as Separatists - those who talk about the Freedom and Sovereignty of Kashmir are always dealt with brutality. Since 1947 till date - whenever Kashmiris tried to raise their voice for their basic right of Freedom -- they were dealt with very ruthlessly and brutally. The war and oppression in Kashmir has not stopped for even one day since 1947, and that it went into a relentlessly high gear since 1989 and continues unabated.
It comes as no surprise that the Indian media accuse Kashmiri Muslims for attacking their Army personnel , instead of reporting that the resistance and protests of Kashmiris are *in response of Indian brutalities and injustice. This method of reporting is a part of continued efforts of de-legitimization of the struggle of the Kashmir’s for freedom from the yoke of genocidal oppression and violence.
http://www.pakistankakhudahafiz.com/2013/03/11/opinion-kashmir-graffiti-a-peaceful-resistance/g2/To live under oppression plus occupation and submit to injustice is incompatible with human nature. Resistance and Protest not only is a right and a duty, but is a remedy for the ones who are being oppressed. Even if not as a strategic activity, one needs to resist as an expression of —and insistence on —human dignity. Therefore, according to all human and legal norms, all natural and international law and jurisprudence, the Kashmiris have a legitimate right to response.
In the Indian occupied Kashmir, youth are not living in the usual Teenage Dream; they face the daily prospect of being detained indefinitely, without charges, as adults, under existing law in the state. The law, called the Public Safety Act is horrible enough.
The story of the youth of Kashmir comprises of broken promises, shrinking of democratic space and denial of any meaningful participation in a genuine democratic exercise. The last 21 years have seen unprecedented pressure on Kashmiri youth, as they are the ones who have borne the brunt of the conflict. Thousands have been killed, jailed and many continue to languish in jail. This has made a huge impact on a generation that grew up after the year 1990.The impact of violence on the minds of the youth over the last two decades is playing an important role in making their ideologies.
Controversial laws such as the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), denial of the delivery of justice and merit are other important benchmarks which intensifies their belief that Jammu and Kashmir was never treated as an ‘integral part’ of India, unlike claimed by the Indian government.
Resistance to occupation and oppression can and should take many shapes. The Kashmiris are using multiple strategies and tactics to resist and protest against the unlawful occupation of the Indian army in Kashmir. The youth of Kashmir is raising voice at social media platforms to let the world know what is happening in their homeland.
‘Graffiti’ is another modern and non-violent medium for them to express their feelings and spread the word. Graffiti writing seems to be one of the efficient ways for to register their thoughts and express what they feel for the oppressors. It makes their presence felt, for it is an extremely effective means of conveying the message.
It is believed that Graffiti in Kashmir has been an influence taken from Palestine, especially the post Intifada era. The graffiti culture became a new medium of expression after arms and stones in 2010. Graffiti expresses the common sentiment shared by all Kashmiris over illegal occupation. Need for freedom is an aspiration which continues from decades. More the oppression, stronger is the resentment.
‘El-Horiah’ is a famous group involved in Graffiti work in major areas of Kashmir. On the condition of anonymity, one of the members of this group spoke to us. He says:
‘Graffiti is everything for me. From a hobby and interest to medium of expression - it is everything. I started making it when I met The Socrates who had started it in 2008. He started graffiti bombing with random letters later developed his fonts to bigger size of 3 feet. I, after looking at various movements and struggles going around the world saw graffiti as a medium to let my voice heard. At same time I realized that no such activity was going on in Kashmir. Fortunately I met "The Socrates" who taught and made me aware about various things. Later we formed "El-Horiah Graffiti Crew". (El-Horiah is an arabic word which means freedom). Now we are trying to form a culture of graffiti in Kashmir. We came with a project "concert canvas" after forming this crew; our aim in the project was about social uplift, political satires and murals, and on-going issues in Kashmir. We remain least concerned about the artistic and skillful look of Graffiti. Our motive is to convey the*message and make people aware of the facts.’
When asked about the significance of active support of youth in the struggle of Kashmir’s Freedom and social uplift, He said:
‘For the survival of any movement or struggle everyone has to work hard. Contribution of everyone is vital cutting across the age bars. But youth, if you closely observe, in every struggle - be it Occupy Wall Street struggle, Arab spring or any other struggle, mainly it was the youth who led the movements, similarly here in Kashmir, youth are leading the movement. In short whole infrastructure of struggle can be led by our youth.’
‘Moreover, Indian media has launched psychological and information warfare against us. They are very selective and biased. So these pieces on walls educate people especially tourists, minds of whom are fed with lies and wrong information conveyed by India.’
‘There are some sincere people among Indians who are supporting our cause. Their voice is suppressed whenever they try defending us. We salute those peaceful minds who support us and wish them best of everything, for preaching truth and honesty to their masses.’
Talking about Pakistan, he said: “Unfortunately Pakistan is going through a very critical situation. There is a conspiracy of Zionists to disintegrate it on sectarian, ethnic and regional basis. So it is the duty of Pakistani nation*to expose this nefarious design. Pakistanis need to work together for its reformation, need to stand united and honest. Stable Pakistan is necessary for the peace of entire region. Fight against terrorist groups who propagate terrorism and suicide attacks by killing innocent people. “
The Kashmiri Youth proves by his words and his art that perpetual oppression and denial of all civil opportunities have not succeeded in stunting his intellectual maturity and broad outlook into the global scenario. He proves that barbed wires and guns cannot entrap the hearts and the minds of living human beings and that as long as the fire of Freedom ignites the souls of these young aspirants, Kashmir is Kashmir and not India.
Mahwish Qureshi is a Peace & Political Activist with a strong belief of Socio- constructivism through the mirror of Islamic System. She is currently working in the field of Training & development and can be reached at missterriouss@gmail.com. She tweets@Ms_Terrious
Source
