Selfish politics responsible for Kashmir turmoil
At a time when the entire leadership of Kashmir Valley is singing pro-Pakistan slogans, there is one sane voice which identifies the turmoil as an attempt of Kashmir based politicians to end their increasing irrelevance in the political process..
Abhishek Behl, Merinews
MERINEWS TALKED to Dr Darakhshan Andrabi, a social and political leader and president of Socialistic Democratic Party, which has found roots in both the regions of Jammu and Kashmir.
In a freewheeling chat Andrabi delves on different facets of the recent trouble in J&K, and despite threats to her life, she minces no words in calling a spade a spade .
In a freewheeling chat Andrabi delves on different facets of the recent trouble in J&K, and despite threats to her life, she minces no words in calling a spade a spade .
Q.What is your perspective on the recent turmoil in Jammu and Kashmir and who should be held accountable for this situation?
A. The recent troubles in Kashmir are the result of immature game of politics being played by leaders of different parties in Valley, particularly the Peoples Democratic Party lead by Mehbooba Mufti.
Mehbooba ji jis tarah se politics kar rahin hai who sirf apni kursi bachana chahti hain. Jammu Kashmir ke musalmano, hinduon aur kashmirion se unhe kuch lena dena nahi hai. (Mehbooba is only concerned with saving her chair. She is unconcerned regarding the fate of Hindus, Muslims and Kashmiris of the state)
I hold her responsible for everything which is going on in Jammu and Kashmir and killing of people in both parts of the state. I want to know why she withdrew support from Congress government in J&K and went straight to save the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) government in centre.
She is a chameleon, who changes her political colours quickly. One day she supports the Indian government, the next day she wants people to go to Pakistan and all of a sudden she is now supporting the separatist cause and blackmailing the Indian government.
Bad politicians and those wanting to pursue politics for power have to be shunned and this message has reached the people.
A. The recent troubles in Kashmir are the result of immature game of politics being played by leaders of different parties in Valley, particularly the Peoples Democratic Party lead by Mehbooba Mufti.
Mehbooba ji jis tarah se politics kar rahin hai who sirf apni kursi bachana chahti hain. Jammu Kashmir ke musalmano, hinduon aur kashmirion se unhe kuch lena dena nahi hai. (Mehbooba is only concerned with saving her chair. She is unconcerned regarding the fate of Hindus, Muslims and Kashmiris of the state)
I hold her responsible for everything which is going on in Jammu and Kashmir and killing of people in both parts of the state. I want to know why she withdrew support from Congress government in J&K and went straight to save the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) government in centre.
She is a chameleon, who changes her political colours quickly. One day she supports the Indian government, the next day she wants people to go to Pakistan and all of a sudden she is now supporting the separatist cause and blackmailing the Indian government.
Bad politicians and those wanting to pursue politics for power have to be shunned and this message has reached the people.
Q. What is your take on agitation in Jammu and is it based on some reasons ?
A. Jammu ke log 60 saal ke baad Jagen hai (people of Jammu have woken up after sixty years). Theirs is a just and right movement, which has erupted because of the discrimination faced by the people for last so many years.
Amarnath land transfer is just a flash point, which brought out the latent anger in the hearts of people of Jammu region.
Despite the agitation being secular, attempts are being made to brand this agitation as communal, which is absolutely baseless. The Union government should wake up from slumber and take corrective action in Jammu to assuage the hurt feelings of the region.
If this does not happen then I apprehend that India will lose Jammu too as has happened in Kashmir. Entire Jammu and Kashmir will go.
India has to respect that people of Jammu are nationalists and their demands are genuine and not against Kashmiris or Muslims or India, so why not give them their due.
The interests of the people should not be sacrificed at the altar of Indian strategic interests.
A. Jammu ke log 60 saal ke baad Jagen hai (people of Jammu have woken up after sixty years). Theirs is a just and right movement, which has erupted because of the discrimination faced by the people for last so many years.
Amarnath land transfer is just a flash point, which brought out the latent anger in the hearts of people of Jammu region.
Despite the agitation being secular, attempts are being made to brand this agitation as communal, which is absolutely baseless. The Union government should wake up from slumber and take corrective action in Jammu to assuage the hurt feelings of the region.
If this does not happen then I apprehend that India will lose Jammu too as has happened in Kashmir. Entire Jammu and Kashmir will go.
India has to respect that people of Jammu are nationalists and their demands are genuine and not against Kashmiris or Muslims or India, so why not give them their due.
The interests of the people should not be sacrificed at the altar of Indian strategic interests.
Q. What is the opinion in Kashmir Valley and what does the common man on the street think about the entire issue?
A. People of Kashmir are innocent and they are not aware of the realities and the complex interplay of political forces. They are being led by selfish and incompetent leaders bent upon pursuing their self interests at the cost of the Kashmiri people and Kashmiriat.
Common man is a puppet in the hands of these leaders and has to do what is dictated by the powerful political leaders, who come from PDP, NC, Congress and Hurriyat camp.
Leaders of Kashmir know only self preservation and indulge in blackmailing India, which unfortunately has not been able to understand their politics and strategy and plays into their hands.
To be honest, in Jammu and Kashmir, even the ordinary Kashmiris do not get justice and due rights because of some sections of society, who control the economic, political and social sphere of the Valley.
A. People of Kashmir are innocent and they are not aware of the realities and the complex interplay of political forces. They are being led by selfish and incompetent leaders bent upon pursuing their self interests at the cost of the Kashmiri people and Kashmiriat.
Common man is a puppet in the hands of these leaders and has to do what is dictated by the powerful political leaders, who come from PDP, NC, Congress and Hurriyat camp.
Leaders of Kashmir know only self preservation and indulge in blackmailing India, which unfortunately has not been able to understand their politics and strategy and plays into their hands.
To be honest, in Jammu and Kashmir, even the ordinary Kashmiris do not get justice and due rights because of some sections of society, who control the economic, political and social sphere of the Valley.
Q. Are the people of Jammu and the Amarnath Sangharsh Samiti fighting for a just cause?
A. The people of Jammu lead by the Samiti have every right to ask for land and this land should be given to the Amarnath shrine as its due. Jammu and Kashmir is a secular state with humanity as the bedrock of the society.
Mosques and temples and other shrines can be built in any parts of this state and this should be under no doubt.
Having said that, I also want the people of Jammu to exercise restrain and not indulge in any activity, which leads to the situation turning communal. There have been stray incident in which Gujjars have been targeted and this sometimes happen in an emotionally surcharged environment but things should not go astray.
Attempts are being made to sabotage the Jammu agitation and brand it anti-Muslim by Mehbooba, Omar Abdullah and Hurriyat, so people have to be really careful and not fall prey to their machinations.
A. The people of Jammu lead by the Samiti have every right to ask for land and this land should be given to the Amarnath shrine as its due. Jammu and Kashmir is a secular state with humanity as the bedrock of the society.
Mosques and temples and other shrines can be built in any parts of this state and this should be under no doubt.
Having said that, I also want the people of Jammu to exercise restrain and not indulge in any activity, which leads to the situation turning communal. There have been stray incident in which Gujjars have been targeted and this sometimes happen in an emotionally surcharged environment but things should not go astray.
Attempts are being made to sabotage the Jammu agitation and brand it anti-Muslim by Mehbooba, Omar Abdullah and Hurriyat, so people have to be really careful and not fall prey to their machinations.
Q. What role has the Centre to play to resolve the Amarnath imbroglio?
A. Jammu region and its people should be taken seriously and due consideration should be given to their demands.
The agitation has been peaceful largely and people have not taken up arms and they are hoisting the tri-colour.
India must understand that Jammu is also vital part of the state and the country and has to be given its due share.
A. Jammu region and its people should be taken seriously and due consideration should be given to their demands.
The agitation has been peaceful largely and people have not taken up arms and they are hoisting the tri-colour.
India must understand that Jammu is also vital part of the state and the country and has to be given its due share.
Q. You are the lone voice of dissent in Valley. Are you not afraid to speak against the majority opinion and powerful leaders?
A. I am speaking the truth and I am not scared to do that. Threats have been there in the past and for long I have lived in the shadow of death. But this is the fate of entire populace of Jammu and Kashmir. Prophet Mohammad (SAW) guides me, he protects me and has told me to follow the path of truth.
I am not scared.
A. I am speaking the truth and I am not scared to do that. Threats have been there in the past and for long I have lived in the shadow of death. But this is the fate of entire populace of Jammu and Kashmir. Prophet Mohammad (SAW) guides me, he protects me and has told me to follow the path of truth.
I am not scared.
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