Dr Bashir A Dabla
Very young people are involved in the popular uprising against the Indian state and its colonial-type policies. Though they are clear about their political objectives they don’t belong to any political party and are dissatisfied with the Kashmiri leadership.
This generation is the product of 21-years of perpetual conflict situation in Kashmir which has affected every section of the society. These youngsters lived in worst conditions and were treated in most inhuman ways by the central government. They stand witnesses to massacre of their brothers and sisters, torture and harassment of youth, rape and molestation of women, abuse and humiliation of elders at the hands of security forces. This generation is educated, socially mobile, culturally exposed, economically from middle-lower standard families, and multi-lingual. This generation represents present-day Kashmir and is qualitatively different from the generations of 1931, 1947, 1953, 1975 and 1989. It represents “the teens of 21st century teens”.
An elementary sociological assessment of 15 youth killed in the present uprising revealed that they belong to 15-20 year age group, urban as well as rural areas, literate, culturally exposed, socially mobile, economically middle-lower classes-groups, decent families, religiously sober and humane and intelligent. They were not members or activists of any religious, militant or political organization.
This generation has initiated this uprising against the Indian government, and not against the Indian people. They are not ‘professional/ borrowed stone pelters’, ‘lynching crowds’, ‘misguided youth’, agents of political parties’ or ‘terrorists’ (as national media dubs them). They represent the emerging revolutionary and “conscience-keeper” generation in Kashmir. They are not political activists of any party but are clear about their political objectives. They deserve humane response and not suppression, careful listening and not bullets. They have been compelled to come on streets and protest because of war waged against them by the security forces.
When the present uprising of Kashmiri youths started, the state and central governments did not respond seriously. Even the intelligence reports were brushed aside. While the chief minister remained busy in Jammu, Leh and Gulmarg, the prime minister did not bother to respond to this grave crisis. Even the union home minister refused to visit Kashmir despite calls of state ministers. However, when the number of deaths increased to a dangerous level, both governments were alerted. Even in this situation, while the state government did everything to maintain the status-quo, the central government wanted to increase and intensify the military hold over Kashmir and dashed every hope of ‘de-militarization’. By not treating the crisis properly, the situation worsened in Kashmir which compelled the state government to call army, knowing little about its implications. Now the state government is working primarily to keep power within its hold, the central government wants to keep hold on Kashmir despite protests against it at national and international levels.
The first thing that needs to be done is to become serious about Kashmir problem. It is surprising that the prime minister has not responded to the crisis publicly for about a month now.
The political dialogue about resolution of the Kashmir problem must be initiated formally. The youth of Kashmir must be convinced about short-term measures like ‘de-militarization’ and long-term measures like consideration of ‘Azaadi’, whatever may be its form. The internal and external dialogue must be started as early as possible.
