BLUNT BUTCHER
JAMMU: Even as democracy was triumphing in neighbouring Anantnag, terror monsters struck in Pampore and martyred eight CRPF personnel. In the process, two terrorists got killed. And the irony of Kashmir is that while no tear rolled for the Men in Khaki, who too were sons and brothers of someone, doing their job in the Valley to protect its people from Paki marauders, herds of people dotted the streets, indulged in shut-down and eulogized the killers.
What could be horrendous contradiction of Kashmir society than the fact that same lot casting votes to strengthen Indian democracy is seen joining the funeral processions of slain terrorists unleashed by Pakistan to vitiate peace in Kashmir. This is happening anywhere and everywhere in the Valley quite often. Are the people to be blamed for such contradictions or those who mould public opinion? Certainly it is the latter, which include separatists, secessionists and pseudo ‘mainstreamists’. They are the ones who generally and selectively keep challenging India, belittling forces and eulogising neutrilised terrorists, as per their convenience and political exigencies.
Unfortunately, these trend setters, both in separatist and mainstream camps are venomous than those brandishing guns. Gun wielders might be creating scare but ideologues and sympathisers germinate hate and mistrust. The self-seekers under the guise of politicians, civil society activists and zealots are sustaining terror, promoting hatred and nurturing ill-will in the Kashmir society against the nation and national symbols.
Tackling terrorism is not all about killing a terrorist in encounter or foiling a bid of infiltration on borders; it has to be a whole hog war against the ideology that breeds terror. The challenge is big but not unachievable, provided there is a will to annihilate the menace. For this, first and foremost requirement is to neutralize secessionists who are source of inspiration to terrorists. Terrorists are being glamourised and immortalised by their sponsors in Pakistan and supporters in separatist amalgam as Mujahids. Once the terror fans are tackled, combating terrorism will be rather easier.
It will be wrong to assume that the Kashmir terrorism owes its origin to Pakistan alone. Pakistan chipped in only when a firm ground had been laid by indoctrinating youth to take up arms for ‘liberating Kashmir’ from ‘Indian occupation’. It has not been an overnight development but a well planned strategy drawn by domestic actors, with overt and covert support from Pakistan. The ground leveling started in Madrassas, which eventually spread to particular brand of modern schools that kept producing young people with prejudiced mindset each year. The ‘produce’ got assimilated into rank and file of various student organizations, political outfits, teaching community, social and religious organizations and systematically in the government. Though silent yet these elements have turned out as a major source of motivation for India bashers. Over years, they have subtly pushed the Valley to the wall. They are the people who sowed seeds of sedition and laid ground for the rogue neighbour to use it for furthering its one-point agenda of fighting India. The attacks like Pampore and subsequent mass-resentment over the killing of two terrorists, is manifestation of the ideology injected into the minds of people.
The reaction in Kashmir over elimination of terrorists is akin to supporting terror as means to achieving political objectives. That is exactly what international terrorist Hafiz Saeed is doing while moving free in Pakistan despite the US announcing a huge bounty on his head. Kashmir has several Hafiz Saeeds. They are active in separatist ranks and omni-present in the so-called mainstream junta. The only difference is that of approach which varies from situation to situation.
Coming back to gruesome Pampore incident and its after effects, people’s love for slain terrorists is actually manifestation of hatred being germinated by separatists and mainstream leadership to settle political scores and achieving their malicious agenda. While violence and large scale funeral processions of terrorists keep separatists relevant to the Kashmir scenario, these also serve political objectives of dejected and frustrated mainstream outfits, which find themselves jobless after being voted out of power.
They both may be deriving timely dividends from turbulent situations but the costs are far too high. Making people fodder of their sick mentality, the vested interests ultimately cause deep dent into their credibility. The world watches with lot of amusement same people forming queues outside polling stations despite boycott calls and also joining anti-democratic and anti-national activities with same ferocity.
