M. M Khajooria
Jammu, the land of Dogra warriors, abode of peace where Tiger and Lamb were known to quench their thirst together from the same pool of water is being choked by fires of hatred ignited by an extraordinary combination of elements on the extreme edges of communal divide, enemy agents, rogue politicians and certain individuals and groups manipulating levers of the state power. This vicious and disruptive move has both social and strategic as well as internal and external dimensions. It profusely stinks of global whabbi garbage. The mischief was in the pipeline for quite some time. As is my wont, I sounded the warning bugle on number of occasions-on television, in seminars and through print media. A section of population and opinion makers did take notice but those responsible for aborting the mischief and defang the perpetrators maintained a culpable silence and were guilty of criminal neglect.
It should be obvious to any discerning observer of the J&K scene that after demographic cleansing of Kashmir, Pakistan and Kashmiri expansionist leadership dedicated to the pernicious idea of ‘Greater Kashmir’ were desperate to promote and secure fracturing of Jammu civil society on sectarian and caste lines. A secular, and ethnically cohesive Jammu presented an insurmountable obstacle to the realization of their Jihadi, expansionist nefarious designs and made any worthwhile push towards the ultimate objective of the fragmentation of the Indian democratic, secular Republic impossible.The export of Wahabbi cult into Jammu from across Pir Panchal and Siakot, promotion of communal and sectarian discard, import and settlement of Rohingyas with more than a centaury old Jihadi history and the latest twist in the most dastardly crime of rape of an eight year old Bakarwal child and the politics being woven around the issue going to the extent of plastering it on the global screen painting the Indian state and people black has to be viewed in this context.
Significantly, the narratives being pedaled express same fears and apprehensions and cast similar accusations. They paint in gory details the dangerous consequences that would flow from the success of the” adversary” and swear to go to any extent to promote and secure their perceived demographic interests and yes, whatever the cost.
The real strength and enormous potential of mischief of this destructive move lies in semi-secrecy and its modus operandi of whispering campaign confined to members of the particular community. It is time to prick the balloon, tear the shroud of secrecy apart and expose the stinking filthy campaign to public view in all its hideousness.
One narrative emphasized the need and urgency of motivating and equipping the community for”self defence” and revenge for the 1947massacre. The time, it is argued is propitious as the “Banias of Delhi establishment” have been rendered weak and indecisive due to the windfall of the bonanza of state power in the coalition. Further more, its army is fatigued and operationally in retreat mode in Kashmir. The PDP which was effectively running the government has shed its hesitation and now openly espoused Muslim interests as evidenced by the settlement of Rohangias and license to Nomades to occupy any land they fancy without fear of anyone calling them to account.
Acquisition of weapons both illicit and licensed as well as training facilities posed no serious problem. The induction of Rohingias has further strengthened the position. Only Jammu youth have to be radicalized, motivated and integrated into the overall terrorist net work. The psychological and strategic environment was also favorable. Exclusive colonies afford easy shelter to Jehadis both local and from across the close by border.
The disillusionment of Jammu Hindu with BJP/RSS and State/ Central governments and worsening Indo-Pak relations generating real possibility of Indo-Pak war must be exploited to the full and an environment generated in which ‘Jammu Banias’ feel compelled to migrate. The example of Kashmiri Pandits who depended on Government of India and Indian Army but had to flee should be extensively cited in social media and ground level public discourse through proxies.
Much of this may be wishful thinking, figment of sick imagination and outcome of Golbal Jihadi propaganda trashing the very concept of a nation state and promoting belief in a Single indivisible Islamic Ummah. But it seems to sell in the current environment of confusion, political instability and open conflict between coalition partners as well as the dominant party in J&K coalition and the ruling dispensation in Delhi.
The opposite narrative is also rooted in suspicion of a conspiracy to alter the demography of Jammu by ejecting Hindus and settling Muslim citing and validating most of the arguments offered by the other side. This mindset promotes the climate of belligerence and hatred. In effect, both groups, may be by default served the cause of the enemy to their own detriment. I would therefore address this core source of enemy thrust and refrain from wasting time and energy on peripheral issues, which though explosive were inherently transitory, The maddening influence of the prevailing climate of hatred appear to have eclipsed rationale and realism but mercifully only marginally impacted at the social spectrum at grass root level.
History, culture and traditions, bind us too stoutly and irrevocably than the manufactured agenda to divide the people of Jammu on communal lines. Any body seeking evidence should visit the Ziarat of PIR Baba situated on the edge of Jammu Air Port on any Thursday evening to find more Hindus than Muslims congregated to pay obeisance. While the self- styled Hindu and Muslim “intellectuals” were mouthing filth on the Social media they should have seen ladies in Mohallah Ustad exchanging small measures of delicacies. In Hospitals they would find Muslim friends tending to Hindu patients anxiety writ large on their faces. Any number calls from foreign lands especially Soudi Arabia and Emirates were waking up Hindu friends to seek assurance that their near and dear ones were safe and will be taken care of. Such instances can be multiplied. As it is, those most vociferous in spewing communal venom till the other day were already evading public contact with their long-term colleagues and neigbours of the other community. In any case, the history is witness that whenever certain bigoted elements have dragged religion out of its sacred, secure and private domain to pitch it against ethnicity, such nefarious designs have invariably met with rebuff. The fate of Mohajirs in Pakistan and Bangla Desh bears living testimony to ethnicity prevailing over religion. Muslim migrants from India to Pakistan are even after seventy year termed as ‘Mahajars’. Those who committed the blunder to move to the then East Pakistan are still stateless Biharis Pakistan has declined to accept them while Bangla Desh refused to grant them citizenship. In reality, Ethinicty, determined by birth at the will of the Creator is inalterable where as Religion though also by birth was open to conversion by choice. Their origin though common as a rule, religion was open to change by choice of the individual/ individuals.
Demography is a highly sensitive and complex phenomenon. It fallows its own dynamics. Any attempt at artificial manipulation was bound to rebound into severe disproportionate reaction and un necessary social conflict which has always proved counter productive.
Hate is intrinsically self destructive. It divides, breeds conflicts, generates tension, unhappiness and misery. Love, on the other hand takes unlimited number of men, women and children in its ever-expending embrace, ushers in peace, happiness and prosperity.
It is time all men and women of reason, humanity and compassion speak out against communal frenzy and get down to the urgent task of extinguishing the fires of hate and work for reviving respect for all religions that was embedded in our DNA, restore brotherhood, amity and love. Those who were momentarily misled should shake hands and embrace instead of avoiding each other. Let bygones be bygones. A bright, prosperous, peaceful and prosperous future awaits the secular, united and patriotic Dogra warriors and their
extended family.
