Riyaz Ul Khaliq
“My son achieved purpose of his life,” summed up mother of Dawood who died fighting Indian forces in South Kashmir. “Why should I shed tears, my son made my path easy to Jannah!” No signature mourning, no chest-beating and no complaining tone. Perhaps, these are obvious signs of departure.
Today, Kashmir is not the same. The steep rise in young deaths is signal of a tsunami looming large over Valley. The current situation seems limping back to 1990s when hordes of youth brandishing AK-47 fought Indian troops en masse.
The events unfolding today are even deep-rooted than those in 90s. The current generation of Kashmir youth technically sound and least interested in their public posturing unlike those whose press statements were more severe than actions on ground!
The method in which the young lot – mindful of their actions – are taking movement forward leaves space for armless fighters squeezed. This trend is unwelcome.
How beautifully Joseph Heller summed up this situation in his Catch-22: “It doesn’t make a damned bit of difference who wins the war to someone who’s dead.”
The return of gun and that too in the hands of those whose hands should hold pen and paper is too dangerous. It is depressing. The motive and aim of the actions are clear, lucid and strong, however, it raises many questions.
Kashmiris brandished guns during 90s and subsequently, All Parties Hurriyat Conference took the centre stage. And twenty five years after, the return of guns apparently gives a signal that those at the helm could not materialize from 90s.
The emerging situation demands deconstruction by an expert. Perhaps who better than Isaac Asimov, an American Science Professor, can shed light on the event for us: “Life is pleasant. Death is peaceful. It’s the transition that’s troublesome.”
