THE REMAKING OF KASHEER

AUTHOR: MANNAN KHALIL

INTRODUCTION

A year ago, on 5th August 2019, in one swift swoop- everything changed. In a decisive presidential order, orchestrated by the present regime known for its unpredictability, the special status of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir guaranteed under article 370 of the Constitution was revoked, fulfilling its major poll promise of the recent general elections.  Not only did it abrogate the provision some 70 odd years after it was bestowed upon the disputed and only muslim majority state; but also were the politicians and activists hounded and kept under detention, its phone services suspended, an internet blackout was imposed for months and thousands of the military troops moved into the region to enforce a strict crackdown and ensure compliance to the government’s decision.

The repeal of article 370 was justified to the International community and Indian civic space by the Modi led government on the grounds of bringing economic prosperity to the turbulent region, opening it up to huge investments in order to create jobs for the locals, and to eliminate Pakistan-supported militants and to curb the secessionist movement. “Repealing article 370 shut the gateway to terrorism,” was one of those indelible and staunch claims made by the Union Home Minister from the magnificent floor of the Indian parliament.

It is a must to recall some historical vignettes to mark the first anniversary of the abrogation at a time when the government continues to celebrate its so- far elusive strategic win in the conflict.

THE CASE OF MAQBOOL SHERWANI

When the clouds of uncertainty hobbled upon the largest princely state with the advent of the Pakistan backed tribal invaders into the vicinity of the erstwhile princely state, it was a 19-year old Kashmiri from the present day Baramullah, Maqbool Sherwani, revered for his courage as the unsung hero of the Himalayan state, who helped delay the invasion of Srinagar by misguiding  the infiltrators on to wrong routes and made them lose four precious days so that the Indian army could reach Srinagar for its defence. When Maqbool was captured by raiders, the Amir of raiders softly told Maqbool “You are a promising young man. We will forgive you if you yourself join us. As proof positive of your change of heart, you must tell us the secret position of the militia (state force) and Indian troops in Shalteng and also show us the shortest route to the Srinagar aerodrome". “No, that shall not be", was the firm reply of the saviour Sherwani. The Amir wrote "Sherwani is the traitor; his punishment is death" on a piece of paper in Urdu and pasted it on his forehead. The Amir ordered his men, "Tie his ears and his drooping head and arms straight to the posts so that every passer-by can see him. Fire”.

Since his childhood Maqbool was a dedicated activist of Sheikh Mohd Abdullah, the staunch leader of the National Conference. He was martyred before he could marry Zeba with whom he was engaged. When Mohammad Ali Jinnah visited Kashmir to propagate his two nation theory and convince the people to accede to Pakistan, it was this young man, a believer in the democratic future of Kashmir, who forced him to come down from the platform and this stopped his speech.

He is not just a martyr for Kashmir, but for anyone who believes in the principle of “Muslim, Sikh, Hindu Etihad, Zindabad [Victory to the union of Muslim, Hindu and Sikhs]”.  This incident among many others is a stark reminder of the many sacrifices made by the people of the region to thwart any attempt that would have cost us Kashmir. Even many devious conspiracies ,the most infamous one being ‘OPERATION GIBRALTAR’  was meant to cause an uprising in 1965, but was thwarted by two Kashmiri Gujjars who informed about the infiltration to the army, which reduced the many  nuances of this operation. This reflects the fundamental belief of the Kashmiris in the goodness and unity of India, primarily during and many years into the accession.

THE RECENT DEVELOPMENTS AND THE WAY AHEAD

It is often recounted by independent media that how democracy was humiliated when the long standing mainstream politicians were kept in detention in the gilded hotel cum prison. Although the Abdullahs are out, but the last CM of the erstwhile state still hasn’t been released on account of not signing a bond with the administration. This quickly bored into the political wood of the UT and stopped major political and democratic activities. On the very onset of its first anniversary, the Centre replaced the Civil Lt. Governor with the trusted aid of the PM and HM – Manoj Sinha, dubbed as the Vikas Purush, in a bid to revive the political activities and fill the vacuum that has been created in the region. He is set to take over as the first Political Lt. Governor of the UT. Moreover, one major problem that has perturbed the youth is the non availability of 4G, which has affected some 10 lakh students who are supposed to be taking online classes during this lockdown. This has upset the educational system in Kashmir which is even denied broadband services and has been left to lurch with itself at the mercy of 2G. At the same time, the claim of having economic prosperity has been belied with the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry releasing a report in December 2019, which stated that the lockdown had affected over 15000 crore of Kashmir’s economy and in the job sector, around 5 lakh job losses have occurred between August and December 2019. Though, Article 35A indeed was an obstacle in giving equal rights and social benefits to the West Pakistani refugees who were denied permanent  resident certificate for 73 years, but the recent domicile law has created a political storm with the opening of routes for the outsiders to settle in Jammu and Kashmir. This is alleged to be a move meant to change the demographic pattern of the turbulent region. It is a fact that Article 370 had already lost much of its potency with successive presidential order and constitutional amendments and was reduced to a fig leaf with just emotive connections. But, the real challenge lies in the emotive integration of the UT into the national mainstream. Only a revival of politics which discovers new faces and is bereft of any vested interests will surely constitute a Naya Kashmir. Clearly it all starts with restoration of statehood and conducting free and fair elections.