NORMALCY SEEMS TO BE A MIRAGE

 

  NORMALCY SEEMS TO BE A MIRAGE

   

    Kashmir, the valley nestled between Great Himalayan range and Pir Panjal range, has been endowed with strikingly different beauty, which is reflected in its picturesque landscapes, lush green forests of Chinar, Deodar and Pine trees, beautiful rivers and waterfalls with crystal clear water trickling down its snow-capped mountains and a range of flora and fauna. Upon witnessing this breath taking beauty and the heavenly features that the valley possesses, a renowned Indian Sufi poet, Amir Khusrau, conferred the name of “Paradise on Earth” to the valley through one of his very famous quotes - “Agar firdaus ba roo-e zameen ast, Hameen ast-o hameen ast-o hameen ast” translated as “If there is a paradise on earth, it is here, it is here, it is here. This quote, usually used to describe the region’s scenic splendour, also depicts the deeply ingrained  cultural identity of Kashmir and is often used to promote tourism in the valley.  

                                    Unfortunately, for the last more than three decades now, the paradise is in the discourse not for its scenic and serene beauty but for the repeated devilish, inhumane and cold blooded activities, evidenced by the mass exodus of Kashmiri Pandits in 1990s and an incongruous list of massacre, thereafter, in subsequent years. The exodus of KPs, an outcome of cross border terrorism and religo-political conspiracy, is the darkest chapter in the history of Kashmir and has proved to be a dark spot on the cultural harmony - Kashmiriyat, as well. Despite efforts at reconciliation and rehabilitation, the community of Kashmiri Pandits still remain displaced and continue to grapple with the trauma of exodus and the ongoing challenges of their return. The failure of civil society, stakeholders as well as political leaders to make them return back to their homeland with full dignity, security and civil rights has not only amplified their tragedy but has also showcased an inability of authority to validate peace and stability in the valley.

                                        The exodus, a painful and tragic chapter, serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict and the need for addressing the root causes of extremism and violence. The various strategies adopted and the actions taken so far have not been enough to dismantle the terror eco-system. An abrogation of article 370 in 2019 and demonetisation before that in 2016, two of the most talked about policy reforms, which were contemplated as being new terror crackdown policies, failed to  curtail the terrorism and its impact. The normalcy narrative created and propagated by the media houses, thereafter, prompted an illusion among masses and the tourism figures that was showcased as a normalcy symbol proved to be deadly and fatal.

                                       The Pahalgam attack, occurring against the backdrop of the Kashmiri Pandit exodus, underscores the enduring legacy of violence and conflict in the region. The attack, while seemingly a recent event, speaks volumes about the continued vulnerability of valley and the challenges of establishing lasting peace and security. The incident has not only  jolted the conscience of nation, but identifying victims by religion before executing them at close range has marked a new low in the history of cross border terrorism. The attack has not only disrupted the lives, but has also endangered the livelihood of people in a region who are economically dependent on tourism.

                                        The real challenge of terrorism in valley is not the cross border support but the vulnerability of the local youth in the age group of 14 to 30 years born after 1990s who know nothing about the cultural harmony – ‘Kashmiryat’, as they have grown in an environment of terrorist violence on one side and the presence of security forces on the other. The youth’s perception of belongingness and empowerment needs a drastic change and it is imperative now to take stringent measures to counter radicalisation in valley, which is nothing but a distortion of facts and the misinterpretation of religious texts. There is a dire need to promote Sufism to counter Salafism in valley.

                                            With a definite and evidence based cross border support, India’s strategy also needs to be guided by realism grounded in national interest. As the major narrative of cross border terrorism is based on the two nation theory and Hindu-Muslim hostility, the most potent antidote to terror instigated from across the border is the unity of Indian people and social cohesion. If we fail to preserve the social fabric of  together irrespective of faith and get divided internally,  we are directly or indirectly supporting them and playing as puppets in their hands. The need of an hour is to understand the situation and rather than pleasing one religion, one faith and one theology we all need to come and work together for the welfare of one and all.

 

Dr. Pawan Suri