Story Courtsey : Rahul Pandita

There it is. Huddled among other dolls and a few shreds of cloth. It is wearing a blue dress. I don’t remember what mine wore, for it has been sixteen years since I saw it. It might not be there anymore, but I would like to believe that it is there, invisible to the new occupants of my house. It is a dancing girl made of earth, decorating a corner of my friend’s drawing room. Touch it a little and it will start dancing, moving her neck gracefully. My dancing girl, mother bought it, when I was a child, from a potter selling his stuff on a pavement in Lal Chowk.

And sixteen years later, as I speak to you, there is no significant noise outside my room. No guttural voice and no sound of my mother’s U-shaped walker making its presence felt through the small corridor of my house. Mother fell down from her bed again this morning.

23 years ago, in Srinagar, a team of health officials was to arrive at our school. Their aim was to administer cholera vaccines to children. But for that we were supposed to take the written permission of our parents. Back home I told my father and as expected he wrote ‘No’ on my home task diary. I found it very insulting. Tomorrow all my classmates would take the vaccine and sing laurels of their bravery. And me, I would be hidden in some corner, red-faced with shame. It was not acceptable to me. So I erased father’s nay and wrote ‘Yes’ on the diary. Next morning as the needle of the syringe pierced my left arm, I did not even flinch once. I became an instant hero. But as it is with most acts of heroism, I had to pay a price for mine as well. By late afternoon, a lump had formed in my arm. By the time I reached home I was feverish and drenched in sweat. As I pulled off my shoes, mother saw me and in one instant she knew what had happened.

It was August and even by Kashmir valley’s standards, it was hot. I flung myself on the bed. Mother came and sat next to me. She gave me a glass of milk and kept her fair arm on my forehead. It felt very soothing and cold; like a spring. I went off to sleep. Next morning as I opened my eyes, the fever was gone.

Mother handled the affairs of the house like a seasoned ascetic would control his senses. She knew what was kept where. Rice, coal powder, woollen socks and gloves, soap – she kept a tab on everything. Her daily routine was more or less defined. She would wake up in the wee hours of the morning, wash clothes in the bathroom, sweep and mop the floor of every room and corridor, put burning coal dust in Kangris in winters and ultimately take stock of the kitchen. She did not believe much in spending time in worship. She was not an atheist but her belief was restricted to occasionally folding hands in front of the Shivalinga. Her God was her home and hearth.

But mother was in awe of nature. She feared its fury. Sometimes, when a storm blew, she would close all doors and windows and sit in one corner. When she no longer could face it, she would ask my father, “Will this storm stop?” Father would usually try to pacify her, but ultimately he also lost his patience. “What do you think? Would this storm last till the doom’s day?” he would snap at her. But the same meek heart turned into brave heart when any family member struggled with adversity.

It was in the mid of 1988 that my father had a mild heart attack. Actually father had a pain in the stomach and an injection prescribed by a gastroenterologist reacted, which led to the attack. Everyone in the family was too shocked to react. But not my mother. She single-handedly took my father to the hospital in an auto rickshaw. At the hospital, mother recalls, a doctor appeared like an angel. He had a black mark on his forehead, a result of praying five times a day. The moment the doctor started examining him, my father vomited. Mother says it was so intense that it went right into the doctor’s shoes. But not once did he raise his brow. He kept on treating my father.

By the end of 1989, men like that doctor somehow became rare in Kashmir. One day mother came back from office and she was crying. In the bus someone had tried to help an old Hindu lady in getting down from the bus. Another woman, who was a Muslim, criticised that man saying that the woman he helped was a Hindu and she should have been kicked out of the bus. Mother didn’t know whether what she heard was true or whether it was a nightmare. But what she had heard and seen with her naked eyes was what seemed like holding a mirror in front of Kashmir in a few months time. The time had come, once again, to leave our homeland. The migration began. Salvaging whatever little we could, essentially a few utensils and educational degrees of my college-going sister, we reached Jammu.

After spending a couple of nights in a hotel, father hired a room in a marriage house. It was situated in the old city, amidst a bristling market of saris and dupattas. Every now and then marriage ceremonies were solemnised in the marriage house. When the crude ovens, laced with mud and gas cylinders arrived at the house, we would understand that a marriage was taking place that evening.
In the ten by ten feet room, ants held a sway. No matter what you put outside, it would be swarmed by ants in a matter of minutes. They appeared in hordes, hundreds of them, attacking every edible item. It was similar to how people would come out on streets in Srinagar, few months before we were forced into exile. Mother obviously could not put up a fight with them, but she always managed to save a bowl of curd from the marauding ants, by keeping it in a basin of water. I always felt that whenever mother took out that bowl of curd, a secret smile would pass her lips. It was like a symbolic victory for her or so I thought.

And one night, that smile was also snatched from my mother’s lips.

I remember that evening. Somebody was getting married in the marriage house. The entire compound was filled with men, women and children, dressed in shimmering clothes. The stereo with huge speakers played popular Bollywood numbers as some of the guests danced on the tunes. And a few metres away, we had closed ourselves in the room.

When the bride was taken away and the noise had eased, there was a knock on our door. Mother opened the door and found a young man standing there. He was holding a plate in his hand. He said that he had been told that there were refugees living here and so he came to offer us some food. Before mother could say something, he handed over the plate and turned back. Mother lifted the cover and I caught a glimpse of the food inside. There was rice, dal and some vegetables. Mother kept on staring at it for some time and then she cried.

After this incident, Mother developed a strange habit. She would tell all, whether they cared to listen or not, “ Our house in Kashmir had 22 rooms”.

For the next few years, we would keep on shuttling from one place to place, becoming victim of the whims and fancies of landlords. We stayed at various places. After the marriage house, we stayed in a window-less room in a dilapidated lodge, where the number of mosquitoes was probably more than the cells constituting our bodies. Then we rented a single room where we ate, studied, slept, cooked and ate our food as well. Then there was another house. The bathroom there had no door and we had to keep on coughing for obvious reasons. Amidst these episodes of Greek tragedy, mother kept her struggle on. Everyday was a battle. From filling water from a leaking tap to bathing under the tap of an adjacent vacant plot, life threw numerous challenges at us.

It was years later that I completed my education somehow and came to Delhi. Few years ago, we bought a 2-bedroom flat in Delhi. But the struggle of Jammu has left a mark on mother. She cannot walk now. Her left leg is paralysed. Sometimes she falls down as she tries to drag her leg. As it happened this morning. She cannot even speak now. Degenerative neurosis, whatever that means. With each passing day, her condition is worsening.

I walk on the road. There is a sea of vehicles moving; endless. Sometimes I feel that there are more vehicles than humans in Delhi. And when I cannot bear the noise any longer, I feel like shouting, “Our house in Kashmir had 22 rooms.”

[ This story is a personal experiance of young and famous Kashmiri pandit journalist Rahul Pandita ]

August 16th, a day after india celebrated yet another Independance day,while as Kashmiri Pandits continued to live as refugees in this great country, Vir Sanghvi in his editorial, Think The Unthinkable’, for Hindustan times wrote the following in his controversial article

………The exception to this trend has been Kashmir. Contrary to what many Kashmiris claim, we have tried everything. Even today, the state enjoys a special status. Under Article 370 of our Constitution, with the exception of defence, foreign policy, and communication, no law enacted by parliament has any legitimacy in Kashmir unless the state government gives its consent. The state is the only one in India to have its own Constitution and the President of India cannot issue directions to the state government in exercise of the executive power of the Union as he can in every other state. Kashmiri are Indian citizens but Indians are not necessarily Kashmiri citizens.  We cannot vote for elections to their assembly or own any property in Kashmir. ……..

In the above para Vir Sanghvi writes what every other Indian thinks,but is hesitant to demand a change to overcome this. Vir Sanghvi as a ’sickular’ writer is also from the same bloc, which is no surprise. He continues with statements and writes further..

Then, there is the money. Bihar gets per capita central assistance of Rs 876 per year. Kashmir gets over ten times more: Rs 9,754 per year. While in Bihar and other states, this assistance is mainly in the forms of loans to the state, in Kashmir 90 per cent is an outright grant. Kashmir’s entire Five Year Plan expenditure is met by the Indian taxpayer. In addition, New Delhi keeps throwing more and more money at the state: in 2004, the Prime Minister gave Kashmir another $ 5 billion for development. ……

Given that Kashmir has the best deal of any Indian state, is there anything more we can do? Kashmiris talk about more autonomy.  But I don’t see a) what more we can give them and b) how much difference it will make. …..

The write up of Vir Sanghvi was almost a surrender to the people who have a nonsense value. People who use violence to make a state surrender to their idiotic demands which are backed by Islamic fanatics . Vir Sanghvi seemed to be saying, lets give up Kashmir and buy peace.

It discouraged me and many like me who eagerly wait every Sunday to read Virs editorial. I hated Vir & Hindustan times, i hated it for indirectly supporting those people who made me homeless.

And then i read todays Hindustan times ,six months later,and reluctantly opened the editorial . It reads “Stand up to the Mullahs“……It was a strange heading coming from a ’sickular’ editor who are not supposed to write against Islamic might and mullahism , else they risk being called ‘hindu communalist’.

As i read the artcile i wondered where the hell is Vir going to run ? Is he going to be another Salman Rushdie or Tasleema Nasreen ? How has he dared to take on mullahs ? How has he rebuked even the moderate muslims ?

Just read the following excerpts from the article by Vir Sanghvi

The rioters said they were offended by a passage in the article where Hari referred to the Prophet’s marriage to a much younger woman and his directive to burn Jewish villages. (In all fairness, he was as critical of other religions and of the Israeli assault on the West Bank.)

The rioters say that nobody can criticise any aspect of the Prophet’s life.

Why?

There’s no shortage of books and articles criticising Jesus, suggesting that he might have been secretly married (as in The DaVinci Code), arguing that the resurrection was a hoax or that Mary was never a virgin.

Vir Sanghvi questions the might of fanatics and gets even bolder and writes

 And yet, it is an article of faith with Muslims — even moderate ones — that the Prophet’s life is beyond reproach.

Does this make any sense?

Vir continues with much more reasonable arguments and makes a quick comparison of how tolerant Islami fanatics and moderates are , he writes

It is now clear that the liberal society has been suckered into relaxing its standards for free speech by militant Islamists.

Let’s take the most obvious example. Every liberal I know is outraged by the attacks on MF Husain. Why shouldn’t he paint nude Saraswatis? That’s his right. If people are offended by the paintings, they shouldn’t see them.

So far, so good. But now imagine that Husain had painted an extremely reverential portrait of the Prophet. (Never mind cartoons, nude pictures etc.)

There would have been riots. And even secular liberals would not have supported him.

We would have said: Islam prohibits any visual representation of the Prophet so Husain has committed a great crime.

But so what if Muslims cannot visually represent their Prophet? Why should non-Muslims be bound by their religious edicts? Why should non-believing Muslims be forced by liberal society to obey the restrictions of their religion?

Believers should follow what the Holy Book and the mullahs say. But why should the rest of us? Why should we abandon our right to free expression?

Nobody I know has ever explained why the double standards are justified.

In his concluding argument Vir Sanghvi accepts that we surrender to islamic fanatics …just read what he writes…

The real reason we give in to Islamic fanatics is the desire for a peaceful life or, to put it another way, cowardice.

Every one of their objections is always framed in terms of violence. Ban The Satanic Verses or we will kill Salman Rushdie. Apologise for the Danish cartoons or we will offer a reward for the head of the cartoonist. Arrest the editor of the Statesman or we will shut Calcutta down by rioting in the streets.

Faced with these threats, we abandon our principles and say things like, “Come on, is a single article worth the death of so many people?” or “Let’s just ban the book, otherwise these guys will keep rioting.”

The fanatics know this. They have identified the cowardice at the heart of our liberalism. So every demand is a) pitched in terms of protecting the religious sentiments of the Muslim community or b) facing murder, mayhem and more.

Almost every single time, we cave in.

Either we say that Islam is a peaceful religion

Or we get death threats.

…. Isn’t it time to finally stand up to these thugs and blackmailers?

It is good that Vir Sanghvi has finally spoken what is truth, spoken about being blacmailed by Islamic hardliners.

It wont be late when taliban , which are already knocking our doors, would be trying to rule us. Making our life miserable.

Today is it only the Kashmiri Hindus which have suffered and non speaks about them . Tommorow rest of Indians are likely to suffer from the same fate and that would perhaps make some ’sickulars’ speak….

Perhaps it would be late then……..Its time Pronoy Roy, Barkha , Karan Thapar, Rajdeep , Sagarika and the rest wake up.

Wake up , speak the truth to save our India.

Dear Omar (Abdullah please and not Omar Farooq),
 
As one of your contemporaries, I will take the liberty of addressing you by your first name and not as the honourable CM or any of the official titles. I write to you as a fellow Kashmiri whose ancestors shared the same land, air and water as yours.  But somewhere I seem to have lost the right over the place while you have achieved the highest office in land. As an Indian and a Kashmiri I was thrilled to see someone like you take the oath of office of the CM, rather than a rabble rousing ranter. The gods of Kashmir seem to be finally listening.
 
Though you might know and be aware of the existence of the community of Kashmiri Pandits, I don’t know how many of the current generation of the Valley are aware that such people did live alongwith their ancestors not so many years back. For their information I will add a few details about the community. Kashmiri Pandits are Hindus (all of them Saraswat Brahmins) whose generations were the early habitants of the Valley. Sparing the detailed historical tomes over here, the Kashmiri Pandits or KPs as they are called for short, suffered a series of religious persecutions over centuries. Yet to the surprise of everyone they managed to survive and achieve a high-level of erudition, both at the scholastic and spiritual levels. However as history teaches us, smartness doesn’t always lead to success. Continuous years of persecution created a shift in demographics against us pushing us to lose our religion and culture. However being a very stubborn and at times a very arrogant race, the Kashmiri Pandits decided to fight back on ways to preserve their way of life.

One of the many stories that Kashmiri Pandits tell their children is about an era when due to the religious persecution only 11 KP families were left in the Valley. It is left to that and no details are given. It is left to the imagination of their children to think of the dogged determination of their ancestors to struggle in the face of severe winters and a primitive lifestyle to safeguard and retain their culture and way of life for their descendents. Setting apart its religious angle, it is a story which strengthens the resolve amongst many of us– the descendents of those 11 families– to conserve and retain that culture. Over the years brothers of the different branches of families decided to leave the Valley and become part of the rest of the country. Here also they flourished. Of course one can never forget the legacy of the Nehrus, the Saprus, the Haksars to name a few.
 
When India became a sovereign nation, while the rest of the country burnt in communal frenzy, the Kashmiris fought back the tribal invaders and retained their independence. I don’t think I even need to delve on the way your grandfather Sher-i- Kashmir, Shaikh Abdullah managed to retain Kashmir for us and ensured that none of the KPs were harmed.
 
Post independence we worked and managed to build our lives in the state. Many of the landed gentry lost their land in the decree of “land to the tiller” without being given any compensation. But we never resisted or opposed those socialist decrees. We hung our heads down, prayed to Mother Sharika and walked to Ganpatyar for our morning prayers.

For us we did not care about the religion of our neighbor. We shared a common bloodline with our co-religionists in the Valley and we lived by it. So while rumours started in the 90s and people talked in hushed tones about our leaving the Valley, we did not think that was essential. We thought it was a bunch of lies. But then the killings started and the loudspeakers became blaringly louder to the cries of “kashir nimav bhatav bhagar bhatneyov saan” (we will take Kashmir, without the KP men but with the KP women). This time we knew it was over. The 11 families had managed to survive the sword, but we could not have managed in front of the Kalashnikovs. So we packed and moved. The heat and dust of the plains consumed many of us. But it did not matter. Nobody bothered about us. We were not even a minuscule part of the electoral ballot. As was with our ancestors we sought refuge in our pedagogy. We spread across this vast country. So many of us moved across the seven seas, to the US, UK and the rest and started again the process of reconstruction alongwith a tenacious determination to preserve the centuries old traditions.
 
As things start settling in the Valley, we understand if we are not wanted back. After all we can be a demographic danger to the rest of our brethren in the Valley. It is but obvious human nature to feel insecure. But I want to ask this to you and to everyone out there. What kind of history of Kashmir will be taught at the schools? When books are written about the history of Kashmir, will there be no mention of the Kashmiri Pandits? I am a citizen of India. The constitution of this country makes me feel very secure about my fundamental rights. But that security does not extend to the land of my forefathers. As a KP not born in the Valley I have no legal claim over the place. For that I have to first become a state subject and go through corrupt and red tape state babudom to get such a status. More so, as a KP married outside the community, I have completely negated my right over the land of my ancestors. My marriage is registered under the Hindu Act which was furiously debated and given a modernized outlook by the fathers of the constitution but sadly enough this did not extend to my legal claims over Kashmir.

Israel is lambasted for taking away the land of the Palestinians. What will the current denizens of the Valley answer for? As the head of the state, you need to start asking your people some of these questions.  Because if you do not history will question them tomorrow. However, if you think these questions are irrelevant, and we need to again bow our heads and keep silent, please let us know.  At least the souls of the ancestors of those 11 families will know their final status in a land which they fought so hard to be a part of.

Contributed By :- Preeti Bakaya

While as past has no reasons for Kashmiri Pandist to keep hoping for good , neverthless the ‘endangered race’ of Kashmiri pandits still keep on hoping that justice would be delivered.

Omars party did not field any Kashmiri pandit for the elections , however one of the first promise Omar made was that a Kashmiri pandit would be made a minister in his cabinet.
Till date with around a month of having sworn in, the promise seems to have taken a back seat.
No policy has been announced for how Kashmiri Pandits would be delivered Justice….Killers like Yasin malik and Bitta Karate are still free…
Is it business as usual ?

It is a matter of pride for all Kashmiri pandits, that perhaps the oldest Kashmiri Pandit organization, All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference has a website of its own.

In 1931 under the able and bold leadership of Late Pt. Hargopal Koul, Known as Sher-e-Kashmir, “ROTI MOVEMENT” Was Launched and All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference Was formed Officially.

The Website has the following address http://askpcsheetalnath.org/index.html

• Declare Kashmiri Hindu community as Internally Displaced People (IDP). The Human Rights Working Group on Minorities in Geneva has since recognized Kashmiri Hindus, formally, as a Reverse Minority. The use of the insulting term ‘Migrants’ for this forcibly exiled community may be removed from all records and communications relating to us hence forth.
• Direct the Government of India to set up a ‘Commission of Enquiry’ to establish the causes that led to the selective and targeted killings of Kashmiri Hindus and their subsequent forced exile, and appropriate the responsibility and punish the guilty.
•  Direct the Government of India to ensure adequate protection to the residual Kashmiri Hindu population currently living in the Kashmir valley.
• Direct the Government of India to restore Kashmiri Hindus’ political and economic rights that would give them equal status rather than a second class citizenship in their native land of Kashmir. Share of Kashmiri Hindu jobs in government bureaucracy, placement in state supported professional educational institutes and the representation in the state assembly has steadily diminished to virtually nothing in the last two decades.
•  Grant funds to Kashmiri Hindus for the preservation and documentation of relics of Kashmiri Hindu heritage and culture.
• Direct the Government of India to hand over the management of Kashmiri Hindu religious shrines, icons and cultural centers to Kashmiri Hindu leadership.

It is further requested that the United Nations Human Rights Commission may put on record these Human Rights Violations by Pakistan and its agents, and Pakistan be declared a terrorist state.

The complete memorandum can be downloaded by clicking here iakf-un-memo-sept262008

For more info , log into www.iakf.org

REPORT ON THE STUDY TOUR OF BEERSMANS PAUL, PRESIDENT OF THE BELGIAN ASSOCIATION FOR SOLIDARITY WITH J&K TO INDIA AND THE INDIAN J&K STATE FROM 02 TO 30 AUGUST 2008

Syed Ali Shah Geelani started agitation against the land transfer to the Amarnath Shrine Board because he feared Hindus would settle permanently and thus change the demographic composition of the population.  This fear is completely without ground as it is impossible to settle permanently in that area: more than six months of the year this area is covered with snow, there are blizzards and it is so cold that nobody can survive there.  On the other hand, it is surprising that the same concern regarding the demographic composition of the population was not there in 1990.  In that year, the Kashmiri Pandits were hounded out of the Valley by militancy in 1990.  The Kashmiri Pandits are the original Kashmiri speaking inhabitants of the Valley.  Some 500.000 of them fled from the Valley to safer places.  This exodus changed drastically the demographic composition of the population in the Valley.  At that time, nobody cared about this: no agitation, no demonstrations, no harthals, no bandhs, no strikes, nothing.  After more than eighteen years, the return of the Kashmiri Pandits is more and more blurred.  Nevertheless, they have their emotional attachment with their birth ground, their roots.  They only can return when peace is there and when the rule of law, not the rule of majority is re-installed.

Pakistan has no stand in J&K.  Pakistan invaded J&K and is at the origin of the de facto partitioning of the State.  As early as 13 August 1948 the UN Commission for India and Pakistan requested Pakistan to withdraw its troops from the State as a pre-condition for organising the plebiscite.  The same Commission in its resolution of 5 January 1949 repeated this request.  Until this date, Pakistan has not withdrawn its armed forces and consequently the plebiscite has not been held. 

This conclusion is confirmed by the ‘Report on Kashmir: present situation and future prospects’ of Rapporteur Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne, Vice Chairperson of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Union, and almost unanimously adopted by the Committee on Foreign Affairs (March 2007) and by the European Parliament. 

A Homeland for the seven hundred thousand displaced Kashmiris in the valley will be the only logical, natural and permanent solution for the displaced Kashmiris. Homeland is where home is and home is where land is and our land is in the valley of Kashmir. Our demand for a Homeland within the valley, from where we have been driven out by armed Islamic terrorists, is an assertion of our rights as much as of our patriotism for India. In order to save Kashmir from the clutches of Pakistan which has been instigating, encouraging and perpetuating terrorism in Kashmir, the Indian nation has to shed all inhibitions and unequivocally declare its resolve of resettling tbe displaced Kashmiri Hindus in the Homeland which will serve as a bastion of secularism and democracy in an otherwise Islamic State.

Panun Kashmir is an expression of the innermost hopes and urges of the Kashmiris displaced from Kashmir valley, that were suppressed for centuries and lost in the nethermost corner of their subconscious. It is a natural and instinctive desire of the community to seek its roots, to preserve its identity and to assert its political, legal and historical nghts. It provides a nascent political rostrum to translate the idea and vision of an honourable and peaceful existence emanating from a sense of pride and a feeling of self- esteem which has been snatched from this community. 

Essentially the Homeland will contribute to the aims a ideals of democracy, secularism, free exchange of thought, trade and culture, right to work and right to live, justice and equality for all, including women. It will not be a theocracy. It will identify with the letter and spirit of the Constitution of India and exist in amity and brotherhood with all the regions and provinces of the State of Jammu and Kashmir and with the rest of India.

We have asked for the area North and East of the River Jehlum. The valley has to be divided in acceptance of our claim. River Jehlum provides a natural geographial divide and, therefore, shall represent a line of demarcation between the Homeland and the rest of the valley. The southern region of the State to the North and East of the Jehlum with the National Highway passing through it also happens to be the region with most of our holy shrines including the holiest of the holy, Sri Amarnath. Logistically and demographically, this area is most suitable for conversion into the Homeland with a Union Territory status. 

Picture courtesy : Mr R.Raina ;Mr Aditya Raj Kaul

Contents : www.panunkashmir.org

An ingenious example of speech and politics occurred recently in the United Nations Assembly that made the world community smile.

A representative from India began: ‘Before beginning my talk I want to tell you something about Rishi Kashyap of Kashmir, after whom Kashmir is named.

When he struck a rock and it brought forth water, he thought, ‘What a good opportunity to have a bath.’

He removed his clothes, put them aside on the rock and entered the water.

When he got out and wanted to dress, his clothes had vanished. A Pakistani had stolen them.’

The Pakistani representative jumped up furiously and shouted, ‘What are you talking about? The Pakistanis weren’t there then.’

The Indian representative smiled and said, ‘And now that we have made that clear, I will begin my speech’  :)

PANUN KASHMIR is an effort to Save Kashmiri Pandits…. to Save Kashmir…. to Save India.

 

For more details log on to www.panunkashmir.org

Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK General Secretary J Jayalalithaa today asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh not to turn a Nelson’s Eye to the plight of Kashmiri Pandits, 3.5 lakh of whom have been displaced from homes due to terrorism.

In a statement here, she said, ”the displaced pandits lived in abominable conditions in make-shift camps in Jammu and Delhi despite being the original inhabitants of an idyllic paradise with a 5,000-year-old well-documented history.” She added that known for their highest literacy rate among all groups in the country the pandits’ liberal, broad-minded and secular views made them good teachers, but their small numbers and polite and passive temperament made them easy to be ignored and overlooked. 

In the 90s’ militant groups destroyed or took away their property and thousands brutally killed and they became refugees in their own motherland.

As many as 1,800 Kashmiri Sikhs also became the targets of Islamic militancy as well, she claimed and said they deserved to be viewed with the same sympathy as the Christian victims of Orissa violence.

While appreciating the Prime Minister for announcing a package of assistance for victims of Kandhamal violence in Orissa, she requested him to declare the Kashmiri Pandits as victims of religious extremism and provide them with rehabilitation package similar to that offered to the Orissa victims.

Source :News Kerela : Sept4.,2008

Much has been discussed and propagated by Pseudo Secularists and “Jhola Chaaps” about an article by right wing writer A.G.Noorani .

AG Noorani

Here I would like to share the points with the readers of how biased A.G.Noorani is when it comes to sharing the right facts.

The accord ignores completely Kashmir where the land is to be given. Jammu alone was represented. – A.G.Noorani

What Noorani has forgotten that Jammu & Kashmir is a one complete state and anyone in Jammu & Ladakh has an equal right over every single inch of land in the whole state. Also Noorani has completely ignored that Kashmiri Hindus who have been in the forefront of the agitation led by Sangarsh Samiti also represent Kashmir in particular. The authors seems to have probably bowed to the wishes of Kashmiri terrorists by erasing the thought of Kashmiri Hindus from even the memory.

Even the controversial order nowhere used the word “exclusive”

What Noorani does not either know or does not want to be known is that there is a order of High Court dated 15.04.2005 [ OWP No 732/2004 Rampal Bathonia Vs State ] in which the Hon Court Ordered ” Since the Board intends to upgrade the infrastructure across the tracks and at different places, the state shall,immediately permit the use of Forest Land by the board,if not already allowed,to enable it to carry out the development activities for the benefit of the Yatris. I am informed that the Forest Department has already granted permisssion to the board for the purpose.”

The state Govt went in to appeal to the Division Bench of High Court. The division bench vide its interim directions on 17.5.2005 ordered as follows ” The land to be allotted by the board would be only for the purpose of the user and would remain limited for the duration of Yatra.

I wonder if Noorani has ever read the court orders, which I am sure he may not have , as it did not suit his own support to the fundamentalists in Kashmir and elsewhere.I wonder if Noorani understand the meaning of these judgements and the least he could is to understand the meaning of “only” in the above order.

The Baltal route is a recent demand. It was regarded by the Army and Nitish Sengupta Report as dangerous.- A.G.Noorani

Again,Noorani misses the finer points. Noorani does not care to share with his readers that out of 20 odd recommendations by Nitish Sen Gupta committee on Amaranth.,the prominent was activation of shorter Baltal route to reduce the hardships via Chandanwari & SheshNaag route.

This violates the citizen’s fundamental right under Art. 19 (1) D to move freely throughout India.–A.G.Noorani

Alas Noorani uses the fundamental rights to his own requirements. Wonder why Noorani does not support abrogation of Article 370 of Indian constitution. Of all the fundamental rights listed in our constitution the first one is “Right To Equality”…..”The State shall not discriminate against any citizen on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth or any of them.” Does Noorani not feel that 100 crore citizens of India are denied these rights as they do not equal the pampered state subject of Jammu & Kashmir. Why deny the right to buy land in Jammu & Kashmir to 100 crore Indians? Why is Noorani silent on this fundamental right ?

 namely “undertaking measures relating to … preservation of ecology” etc. Breach entails no fine… A.G.Noorani

Even though the Amarnath Shrine Board has insisted that they would be taking measures to reduce any harm to ecology the concerns were largely raised when someone said that the “Thajiwaas” glacier is endangered. Again what Noorani does either not know or does not want to share with his reader is that in a report  submitted by Chief Wild Life Warden , WLP/Tech/1971/07 dated 11.06.2007, after on spot inspection, the following information was shared “It was noticed that the proposed site for construction of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board Complex,falling in the compartment 63(s)/ Sindh/Kullan is located on the right side of Sindh rivulet.The proposed complex does not seems to have any significant impact on the ecology of “Thajwaas” Wild Life sanctuary. ……It is also given to underastand that the board is using pre-fabricated structures as such likely pollution due to discharge of muck and garbage should not be significant.

The order of 26 May was rescinded on 1 July. The accord will require a fresh order to implement it. By itself the accord has no legal force. Section 2(a) of the J&K Forest (Conservation) Act 1997 says “the Government shall not, except on a resolution of the Council of Ministers based on the advice of the Advisory Committee” constituted under the Act “make any order directing that any forest land or any portion thereof may be used for any non-forest purpose…..A.G.Noorani

The recommendations of the Forest department has already been heard by council of Ministers and a decision taken. The whole idea was to understand the feasibility of land for the board. Since the land was approved by Forest Committe and under order No 108-FST dated 17.03.2008 , it clarifies that the camping site and Thajiwaas wild life sanctuary are divided by Sindh river.The Forest committee recommended that SASB should take Safeguards for pollution control.It also agreed that land be used for pre-fabricated structures for camping of pilgrims . It was basis of the report of the committee constituted vide Govt. Order no 108/FST dated 17.03.2008 the Forest Minister cleared the file for diversion of file to the Shrine Board.The cabinet followed vide its decision No 94/7.

One can understand the total partisan article coming from A.G.Noorani who always find anything related to Hindu rights as communal.

He talks of Amarnath accord as “Gunah” , and that makes me believe that when it comes to even justice….a Muslim lawyer is a Muslim first and the “real” justice” comes as a second priority. And for me that is a real “Gunah”

Alam asks the Hizb ul-Mujahideen chief to “take action” against Butt, who he identifies as “tambakoowala.” or “the tobacconist,” in a sardonic reference to his heavy smoking. In the evident belief that Alam is advocating Butt’s assassination, Shah replies that such an action would discredit the Hizb ul-Mujahideen. Alam then clarified that he wanted the Hizb ul-Mujahideen chief to ask Butt’s backers in Pakistan to exert pressure on him…..

…………………Later in the conversation, Alam claims that three members of the pro-dialogue faction —Mirwaiz Farooq, Sajjad Lone and Malik — met with National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan during his August 19 visit to Srinagar. He also asserts that Lone flew to New Delhi with the NSA……………………..

Source :http://www.hindu.com/2008/09/05/stories/2008090556951200.htm

SRINAGAR: Strains among secessionist leaders in Jammu and Kashmir have reached the breaking point in the wake of a wiretap operation which shows that hardline Islamists have been lobbying terrorists for help to intimidate their more moderate counterparts.

Tehreek-i-Hurriyat leader Masrat Alam Bhat, the August 21 police wiretap shows, complained to the Hizb ul-Mujahideen’s Pakistan-based chief that efforts to accelerate the pace of anti-India mass mobilisation were being sabotaged by a group of spoilers seeking dialogue with the Union government.

Jammu and Kashmir police sources said that a tape of the conversation had been circulated to all top All Parties Hurriyat Conference leaders, including its chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.

In the tape of the intercepted August 21 conversation, Alam — who was arrested by the Jammu and Kashmir police after a fortnight-long hunt on Thursday — criticises the pro-dialogue group led Mirwaiz Farooq, who he derogatorily refers to as the “bachccha maulvi,” or “baby cleric.”

He also names Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front chief Yasin Malik, identified sarcastically as “Gandhi,” as another key pro-dialogue spoiler.

Some of Alam’s harshest invective is reserved for the APHC’s leading pro-dialogue dove, Abdul Gani Butt. Alam asks the Hizb ul-Mujahideen chief to “take action” against Butt, who he identifies as “tambakoowala.” or “the tobacconist,” in a sardonic reference to his heavy smoking. In the evident belief that Alam is advocating Butt’s assassination, Shah replies that such an action would discredit the Hizb ul-Mujahideen. Alam then clarified that he wanted the Hizb ul-Mujahideen chief to ask Butt’s backers in Pakistan to exert pressure on him.

Alam praises two APHC members — People’s League leader Shabbir Shah and Jammu Kashmir National Front chief Nayeem Ahmad Khan — for supporting Geelani and the Tehreek.

Later in the conversation, Alam claims that three members of the pro-dialogue faction —Mirwaiz Farooq, Sajjad Lone and Malik — met with National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan during his August 19 visit to Srinagar. He also asserts that Lone flew to New Delhi with the NSA.

Neither allegation, highly placed government sources said, was true — but illustrates in stark relief the levels of mistrust between the two secessionist groups. Although the APHC has refused to comment on the contents of the tape, informed sources in the secessionist group said that the Alam-Shah conversation had inflamed its leadership. APHC sources said that at a meeting at Mirwaiz Farooq’s Nigeen home on Wednesday an incensed Butt threatened to issue a public letter accusing Pakistan of harbouring terrorists. Bilal Lone, for his part, demanded that Mirwaiz Farooq review the APHC’s alliance with the Tehreek.

Towards impasse?

While the Mirwaiz appears reluctant to make a public break with Geelani, efforts to shape a unified programme of anti-India agitation appear headed towards an impasse.

On Wednesday, a meeting of a coordination committee responsible for forging unity between the APHC and Tehreek had released a programme of agitation on behalf of both factions.

Secessionist leaders G.M. Hubbi, G.M. Bhat, Fazl-ul-Haq Qureshi, Shakeel Bakshi and Nahida Pervez called on Jammu and Kashmir residents to participate in a one-hour shutdown after congregational prayers on Friday, and follow this up with a strike on Saturday.

Geelani, speaking to journalists on Thursday, rejected the coordination committee’s programme, saying it does not have the hardline group’s consent. He announced that he would offer prayers at the Hazratbal shrine — a long-standing symbolic centre of National Conference authority — on Friday. Tehreek leaders, including Alam, had earlier chosen not to participate in the meeting, saying they feared arrest.

In July, Geelani had given a similar call for a march to Hazratbal.

Both he and Mirwaiz Farooq were detained before the July 4 march, but several second-rung leaders — including Alam, Shah and Khan — had participated in Friday prayers at Hazratbal.

Such public displays of unity have, however, done little to paper over the deep chasm between the two secessionist factions.

Geelani and Mirwaiz Farooq had signed a unity declaration on June 19, soon after protests began against the allocation of land-use rights to the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board. But bitter disputes broke out between the two groups after Geelani proclaimed himself the sole leader of the anti-India movement in Jammu and Kashmir at an August 18 rally in Srinagar.

 

An Indian Army Doctor Treating an Old Muslim Lady in Kashmir

 

Despite the propaganda unleashed in Kashmir by pro separatists, terrorists and Pakistan based support groups and the pseudo secular supporters in India, the humanitarian Indian Army continues its good work in the Kashmir valley. Not only have they established schools and orphanages, but give free medical consultation and treatment to muslim citizens of the Kashmir valley.

These are facts that the Islamic fanatics would never like the world to know.

Dear Readers,

As I have been writing to you to kindly do not use abusive language on this blog and I had appealed many times. Unfortunately no one seemed to listen. While as i try to take time out of my already busy scheduled to remove any abusive comments , whether it is anti Hindu or anti Islam , things seem to be going too far.

Enough is Enough…. People using the name of Zubair , Chandru Ki *** and  Bam Bam are perhaps working on directions of anti Indians and separatist Kashmiri forces. They seem to have received directions from Web sites whose screen shot I am providing below, where people are being prompted to write abusive language on this blog.

  However I must warn these writers that they are being tracked. The person who is using name of “Bham Bham” and writing anti Hindu comments is using an official connection to put all hate comments. This persons IP address has been noted and i can see his location as well, IP belongs to a Bank which I do not wish to make public. I do not wish this person to be in trouble request him to desist from abusive language.

Similarly Zubair and Chandru Ki Maa are the names being used by a single person using different ID’s and the person is based in Delhi. I know the connection this person uses and the location.

I am requesting the people not to be emotional and write abusive. Abuse is a language used by losers. And I wished to let you know that you are being tracked. Dont think that using different nick names would not help us track you down. We would….if you exceed the limit ….track you down……even if you are sleeping in some caves of Tora Bora.

I would not let you kill my Blog !

As

‘The shrine board will now exclusively use the land during the pilgrimage period’

The resilient and tolerant Jammu region won the first phase of its battle for assertion late tonight after Government agreed to set aside 800 kanals of land exclusively for the Shri Amarnath Yatra Shrine Board to be used for raising facilities for the pilgrims three months every year. The two month long agitation, spearheaded by Shri Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti and supported by more than 70 other organizations is all set to be called off on Sunday afternoon after rally being organized by the Samiti.

Details of pact between Amarnath Samiti and govt panel

 

Following is the text read out by Governor’s adviser S S Bloeria and Shri Amarnath Sangarsh Samiti convener Leela Karan Sharma during a joint press conference soon after the forth round of talks concluded during the wee hours here. 

1. The Shri Amarnathji Yatra, which has been going on for many centuries, is a shining symbol of communal harmony and brotherhood in Jammu & Kashmir and reflective of the state’s composite heritage. The yatris have been welcomed with open arms by the people of both Jammu and Kashmir divisions and all required facilities have been made available for them. 

Sadly, certain decisions of the state government relating to the yatra created misunderstandings which led to controversy and agitation and loss of many precious lives. Apart from the damage to property, there has been a colossal loss to the state’s economy in different sectors like transport, trade, industry, horticulture and tourism. 

2. The yatra to Shri Amarnathji Shrine has traditionally benefited a large number of local residents, many of whom have crucial dependence on this annual pilgrimage for their livelihood. 

3. There has been no occasion in the past on which the state government has failed to provide the required support for the conduct of the Amarnathji Yatra. On the contrary, the extent and nature of governmental support to the yatra has been progressively enhancing, from year to year. 

4. In view of the need to seek a peaceful resolution of the fundamental issues, to settle all existing doubts and clarify the continuing responsibility of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir had constituted, on 6 August, 2008, a four-member Committee comprising: Dr. S. S. Bloeria, Advisor to Governor Justice (Retd) Shri G. D. Sharma Prof. Amitabh Mattoo, Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu Shri B. B. Vyas, Principal Secretary to Governor and Chief Executive Officer, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board. 

5. The Committee held three rounds of discussions with the four-member Committee nominated by the Shri Amarnathji Yatra Sangharsh Samiti (SAYSS) which comprised:- 

Shri Tilak Raj Sharma Brif (Retd) Suchet Singh Prof. Narinder Singh Shri Pawan Kohli 

6. The Governor has also held discussions with the leaders of political, social, religious, academic and other organizations in the Kashmir Valley. The predominant view, emerging out of the consultations, is that the Amarnathji Yatra, which is a centuries old tradition of J&K’s rich composite heritage, will continue to be welcomed and supported by the people of Kashmir, in every possible way. 

It was also felt that while the Shrine Board could continue to use the land, as in the past, for yatra purposes, nothing should be done to alienate or transfer the land. While an assuring convergence of views has emerged, the Governor is committed to continuing the consultative process to ensure against any remaining misunderstanding whatsoever on an issue which has earlier led to serious misperceptions and human and economic loss. 

Based on detailed discussions and deliberations held in the recent weeks, the following framework of action for resolving the issue relating to the use of land for the period of yatra by the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, at Baltal and Domail, has been agreed to:- 

A. The State Government shall set aside for the use by Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, exclusively, the land in Baltal and Domail (Compartment No. 63/S, Sindh Forest Division) comprising an area of 800 kanals, traditionally under use for the annual yatra purposes. 

B. The proprietary status/ownership/title of the land shall not undergo any change. 

C. The Board shall use the aforesaid land for the duration of the yatra (including the period of making the required arrangements and winding up of the same) for the purpose of user by various service providers according to its needs and priorities. 

The aforesaid land shall be used according to the Board’s requirements, from time to time, including for the following:- 

i) Raising of temporary pre-fabricated accommodation and toilet facilities by the Board; 

ii) Establishment of tented accommodation by private camping agencies (locals, permanent residents of the state); 

iii) Setting up of the shops by shopkeepers (locals, permanent residents of the state); 

iv) Facilities for Pony Wallas and Pithu Wallas; 

v) Provision of healthcare and medical facilities; 

vi) Setting up of free Langars by private persons and groups which are licensed by the Board; 

vii) Facilities for helicopter operations/ parking of vehicles; 

viii) Arrangements of security by local police/para-military forces and other security agencies as per the arrangements in place here-to-fore; and 

ix) Undertaking measures relating to soil conservation, land protection and preservation of ecology.

The authorities have imposed curfew in Jammu as terrorists have again been sighted in Chinore Area of Jammu . A proposed “Victory Rally” of Shri Amarnath Sangarsh Samiti too seemed to be under threat of terrorists.

And finally i wanted to give a final one to likes of Sajjad Lone , Mehbooba Mufti , Syed Ali Shah Geelani , Bilal Lone , Yasin Malik, Javed Nalka ( Mir ) , etc …..all these who were opposing the facilities to Amarnath pilgrims and who got the Govt to reverse its earlier decision to reverse the land transfer. These fanatics  thought that they can always dominate the hindus and other secular peace loving people of Jammu & Kashmir state for ever. They never imagined that the strike would finally be successful after 62 days. This picture below is for each one of them individually.And all these times they used to taunt us with words like ” if you have the guts…take an inch of land” ………. they stand defeated.

Related Posts

• Victory Over Intolerance
• History Of Amarnath Pilgrimage 
• Omar Abdullahs Speech in Parliament
• Amarnath Land Transfer – Nothing Wrong With It
• Amarnath Land – A Fight For Justice
• Emergency In Jammu !
• Truth behind Holy Amarnath
• Shot in the head
• A Battle for Nationalism
• Myths about Jammu Agitation
• Amarnath Land- Protests in USA

As this blog had been rallying point in the cyber world during the last 62 days of struggle the people of Jammu have started against the communal and discriminative attitude of Islamic fundamentalists based out of Kashmir Valley, attempts are being made to bring this blog down.

People are being prompted to use abusive language in the comment section so as to bring down the reputation of this blog.

Many people have started to write inappropriate language in the comment section,which is not moderated.I try to delete many and many may have skipped my sight.

I appeal to all well wishers to please let this blog survive and not fall prey to the conspiracy. Webistes like “Wular” have been prompting people to use abusive language in our blog.

I appeal everyone to kindly discuss and argue with rationality and logic. Let us not be abusive . 

While as the Kashmiri terrorists & separatists groups like Hurriyat ,JKLF & PDP tried their best to ensure that the facilities of Hindu pilgrims should be stopped,at the same time they had been fairly successful in propagating false “Kashmiriat” . The fact remains that the word Kashmiriat was always used to hide the oppression and religious persecution which had been carried on for more than 1000 years against peaceful hindus in Kashmir.

While as Jammu has been shutdown now for 60 days, the inactive Govt has almost turned deaf ears and blind to people of Jammu,who have been treated as second class citizens in the state of Jammu & Kashmir.

The whole agitation would probably take a dramatic turn, as it has now come to notice that the land for Hindu pilgrims in Baltal is now being used to construct a Mosque,Jama Masjid. Not only is it a proof of the real intent of Kashmiri Muslim which tried to boast of being “good host” to Amarnath Pilgrims , but proves the intolerance towards Hindus in Kashmir.

Mosque being built at controversial site in Baltal. It reads Jama Masjid -Baltal : Courtsey : The Shadow

 This brilliant piece of Expose has been done by The Shadow ( www.dailyshadow.in )

As i had been tipped off my friend around 7-10 days back, that Omar Abdullah would be more of a separatist leader than a pro India leader once he comes back from Pakistan. I was told by my contact, who wishes to remain anonymous , that Omar had even given some strong statements which would be of big discomfort to India , in an interview on PTV. Though i tried very hard to get the video of that interview, i could not. If someone has, pls share it with rest of us. 

On his return from Pakistan [ read : terrorist country ] , Mr Omar Abdullah said the following in a TV Interview :-

 

If opinion makers across the country are talking about Azadi, let’s bring it on the table. Let’s go the whole hog then and talk about the Azadi of the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir. Let’s talk about the UN resolutions….If that is the way forward, let us not shy away from it. I know which way I am gonna turn.

 

Meanwhile In Kashmir ,the Hawkish Syed Ali Geelani wanted Islamic governance in the whole state of Jammu & Kashmir. In an interview to Asha Khosa he said

Ever since my release from prison on August 7, 2004, I have been spreading my message across Kashmir. I have a target. Fi st is to impose an Islamic nizam (jurisprudence) in Kashmir. Islam should govern our lives, be it in our political thought, socio-economic plans, culture or the ongoing movement. The creed of socialism and secularism should not touch our lives and we must be totally governed by the Koran and the Sunnat (precedents from Prophet Mohammad’s life). Secondly, I have been propagating that we must fight against anti-Islamic forces. These forces come in our way under the garb of nationalists, secularists, racists, linguistic chauvinists, and so on. 

No matter how much Indian Government pampers the people of Kashmir, it is hight time that India stops being a soft state.

Between 1990 and 2002 , the central Government gave Rs 35,571 crores in grant to the J&K government, which got doubled in next five years ie between 2003-2008 , the J&K Government got Rs 38,516 crores.

While as in 2007-2008 J&K Government contributed Rs 533 crores to the central govrnment in taxes, it received Rs 1471 crores in return and an additional Rs 8962 crores in grants.The revenue of J&K Government of Rs 2229 crores is not even sufficient to cover the salary bill of Rs 4389 crores.

While as the Indian central Government spends close to Rs 12000 / per person in Jammu & Kashmir , it spends Rs 700 per capita in UP.

The comparative difference between two regions of Jammu & Kashmir are as  shown in the chart below.

This level of appeasement needs to be stopped. The militants ,terrorists and separatists needs to be crushed with an iron fist.Equal opportunities to be given to people of Jammu & Ladakh and dominance of smaller region,Kashmir,should be stopped over whole state of Jammu & Kashmir. Efforts should be initiated towards abolition of Article 370 , else this article actually proves the rest of country citizens to be inferior.

Meanwhile the vale of Kashmir reverberates with the slogan of “Bharat Teri Shahmat Aayi …Lashkar Aaayi…Lashkar Aaayi. [ Translation : India , you are now faced with worst time as "Lashkar" has arrived ].

For those of you who are not aware , Lashkar is being is a short name of Lashkar E Toiyaba , the dreaded and banned terrorist organization having close links with Al Qaida. Lashkar is also known as “Lashkar e Taiba “

• Also read this interesting post on DRISHTIKONE.

Chicago : Demand for Amarnath Land & Justice was witnessed on Chicago roads.

To check the complete album , please click HERE

And in NEW JERSEY :

To view the complete album : pls click HERE & HERE

And in BOSTON too :

I had been trying to understand from people based in Jammu about the future of this agitation. It seems that the patience of Jammuites seems to be running out and youths now revolting against the elders for holding them back.

According to my sources the agitation in Jammu is likely to intensify in coming days. Should that be the case,it would be a bigger concern to the Govt. both in Jammu & Kashmir as well as the Congress = UPA government in New Delhi. The effect of this agitation may even spill over to states across India.

As the Prime Minister has been non committal about the return of Amarnath land to SASB, and even after 40 days of complete shutdown in Jammu , the anger seems to be getting more and more justified.

Another development which may take place is a a demand for re-organization of the complete state, which i would share with you as soon as I would get more inputs.

While I wish the Jammuites that may they be successful in their just agitation , i have this beautiful poster to share with them.

It was a friend from UK who wrote a mail to me and suggesting that “violence against Muslims in Jammu” should be stopped as it would further alienate the Muslims. It made me wonder of of how successful the separatists , politicians of Kashmir and the pseudo seculars of India have been to spread a disinformation campaign which would only hurt the genuine sentiments of people of Jammu. This disinformation campaign is a result of centuries of slavery syndrome the Hindu Indians have , having been slaves of Moguls and Afghans for many centuries,and till today the appeasement is carried on.

Myth-1 : Jammu Agitation for transfer of Amarnath land  is communal 

The fact remains that Muslim’s of Jammu are supporting the Shri Amarnath Sangarsh Samiti in the agitation and in last 40 days of the agitation not a single Muslim has either been attacked or hurt in Jammu. 

All Muslim Jammu Federation issued a statement in which Mr.Abdul Majid their leader stated ““We want to make it clear that Hindus in Jammu have not targeted Muslims.”, while as his colleague and district vice president Chaudhary Bahddrudin Bhatti said,” there are no reports of any Muslims being killed in the ongoing agitation.” [ Indian Express ]

Tahir Nadir,Imam of Jama Masjid at Khatikan Talab,Said: “I got calls from various places, including Kashmir, asking about attacks on Muslims. I told them that all these are rumours and we are safe here.

Meanwhile Jammu Shia federation leader Aashiq Hussain has congratulated people of Jammu for maintaining peace and harmony.

“There is no question of leaving Jammu. Nobody has attacked us. These are rumours being spread by some vested interests. Jammu has been a perfect example of communal harmony. We were offered refuge when our own people in Kashmir disowned us”, Abdul Hameed, a Kashmir migrant, said. [ The Tribune ]

Abdul said: “All Kashmiri Muslims who migrated to Jammu were against armed insurgency in the valley. We protested against the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits. However, the extremists started targeting us”. [ The Tribune ]

As Jammuwalla puts it “People of Jammu are not against the Kashmiris or Muslims or Kashmiriyat, but they are dead against the politics of imperialism practiced by Muftis, Abdullahs and the ilk“

It is a well known fact that terrorists and their supporter separatists leaders which happen to be from even many main stream political parties have spread this disinformation campaign of communal violence to justify the continued violence against Hindu minorities in Kashmir region.

Myth – 2 : There is/was a economic blockade for Kashmir by Jammuites

It was interesting to see insignificant leaders like Sajjad Lone suddenly get prominence on National TV and he used every opportunity to give ,what comes natural for a Kashmiri separatist, a false sob sob story to the world that there is a economic blockade in Kashmir. The same was followed by other separatist leaders like Mehbooba Mufti and Mirwaiz Omar Farroq and they went on to narrate of how baby milk and medicines are in great shortage in Kashmir.

The fact remains that there was a traffic disruption for few days right there at Lakhinpur /Madhovpur border of Jammu/Punjab because of which the supplies were delayed by few days . Now this Lakhinpur is an entry for Jammu region through which the supplies travel to Kashmir and Ladakh by road. If the supplies were stranded at Lakhnipur border , the people of jammu and Ladakh were as much affected by it as were the cry babies from Kashmir region. However as ever the separatists and their pseudo secular friends friends from India chose to debate the word called “economic blockade to valley.”

As on today the separatist leaders continue to tell the world that there is a economic blockade for the valley while the fact remains that there is no economic blockade.

“…..The home ministry on Wednesday released figures countering the claim of agitationists in the Valley about the economic blockade and arguing that truckers and unions of fruit growers openly aligned with Hurriyat were also engaged in myth-making about the blockade……

 

Referring to the stranded trucks in the Valley, an official said a fleet of them actually belonged to one individual known for his close affiliation with Hurriyat. The transporter refused to move his vehicles towards Jammu despite the promise of full security cover along the route…………….. [ Times Of India ]

This myth about so called economic blocakde has already been covered by “thekashmir” earlier . Also check  All Politics, No Blockade

According to official reports till 14th August in last 12 days, 9000 trucks carrying fruits, vegetables ,medicines etc have reached the valley.As Kulwant Singh a truck driver states “There is no blockade,everything is just fine” Read the complete report HERE 

Liar Media 

Media, i wonder if they know the facts about topography of Jammu & Kashmir and if they know,they still do not care to educcate the people about the facts. The fact remains that ,contrary to most reports in the media,  Jammu & Kashmir (J&K)  is not a state where only Kashmiri Muslims live. It is a multi-ethnic, multi-religious state with 64% Muslims, 33% Hindus, and 3% Buddhists, Sikhs, Christians and others. There are three distinct geographical regions – Ladakh  (with 58% of the area, and 3% of the population), Jammu  (26% area, 45% population) and Kashmir  (16% area, 52% population: of which over 90 % of the region’s minorities, i.e. 3% of the state’s total population have been driven out). The primary languages of Ladakh  are Ladakhi and Balti, of Jammu: Dogri, and of Kashmir: Kashmiri. In addition, Gujari, Pahari, Punjabi, Shina and various dialects and mixed languages are also spoken by different ethnic groups within the state.[a]

While as the puedo secular and appeasement of the separatist continues ,certain section of media do not wish to be left behind to defame the Jammu agitation and labeling it as communal and anti muslim . An interesting example is a picture which has appeared in Indian Express with the tag line written as “A gujjar Muslim lady sitting before her burnt house in Jourian, Akhnoor.” Now have a look at the picture to which the tag line was attributed and pls make me figure out the burnt house !!!!

Here is the real face of Kashmiriat for all of you:

“I will advise Kashmiri Pandits not to take a foolish step to return to the Valley. And those leaders who have sympathy with the Pandits’ return, leave Kashmir and stay with them in Jammu,” - Ahsan Dar – Founder Hizbul Mujahideen [ Aug'03-2008 ]

And the pusedo seculars of India still call Kashmir as a role model secular state of India….I pity them.

“We are all one and insha Allah (God willing) there would be complete unity among all pro-freedom groups on all issues. Stand of all the pro-freedom groups is that Kashmir is disputed and India should fulfill its promise of giving the right to self-determination to the people of J&K,” – Syed Ali Shah Jeelani Of Hurriyat Conference

In a joint statement of all separatist groups in Kashmir , it was said that Hurriyat along with the traders would march towards Muzaffarabad , which is occupied by Pakistan.

While as it exposes yet again the desire of Islamic fundamentalism and anti India movement in Kashmir ,the Govt of India continues to pamper these people instead of acting tough.Last 60 years of pampering has turned large number of Kashmiri muslim a spoilt brat with no tolerance towards any other religion.

I would suggest that Govt. Of India makes all out arrangement to facilitate the Hurriyat march towards Pakistan occupied Muzaffarabad and also ensure that these leaders leave for that place along with their people ,bag and baggages …once for all.

• Also read : Gautam Navlakha : I have an objection to your existence

Psuedo secular and anti hindu activist Gautam Navlakha , as expected was furios on national TV (NDTV) yesterday and asked why the killings of Kashmii Hindus are being discussed every-time the Kashmir issue is being discussed.

Guatam Navlakha further said that as appeared in some news media that only 209 Kashmiri hindus were killed in Kashmir ,though the news was never backed up by any official , Gautam Navlakha prefers to hang out to this news to rescue the communal and separatist who have been resonsible for crimes against the minorty.

Gautam Navlakha should rather read the official statement of IGP Police , Mr Sahay in Sakaal Times where he quotes 

We have not prepared any such report and don’t know what these media reports are alluding to.

This proves completely how Gautam Navlakha and his ilk try to hold on to the fabricated media news.

This is not surprising from Gautam Navlakha, who also happens to be the signatory of an appeal which supports that Afzal Guru should be set free and that Afzal Guru represents the aspirations of people of Kashmir.Afzal Guru as you know has been convicted in parliament attack case and has been sentenced to death.

Again Gautam goes and quotes that the temporary structures for Amarnath pilgrims would cause a damage to ecology , and it is interesting to note that Gautam Navlakha does not have a word to say about 5000 canals of Forest land which was transferred to Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University and that too free of cost , while as crores of rupees was demanded from Amarnath Shrine Board.

Mughal Road 

An environmental impact assessment report to the Jammu and Kashmir Pollution Control Board regarding the Mughal Road clearly said that it would cut through 67 hectares of the Hirpora sanctuary disturbing the habitat of the Markhor. The cutting of many trees would have a cascading effect on the associated biota. Besides, traffic on the road may cause death of many animals that utilise verge habitats or try to cross the road. The presence of motor vehicles may introduce the potential for contamination of soil, air and water adjacent to the road and in the case of surface water, well beyond the immediate surroundings. Chronic contamination may become a problem for animal species, especially those at the top of the food chain.why there was no public outcry then:- Dr Agnishekhar -Convener Panun Kashmir

Gautam Navlakha is further silent on the Mughal Road , We all would understand Gautam Navlakaha’s silence on those issues which does not suite the Hurriyat and the separatist.

After all those are with whom he prefers to share his coffee !

SUPPORT SHRI AMARNATH SANGARSH SAMITI

“APPEAL FOR DONATION”

Sangarsh Samiti calls all countrymen for their fullest support and contributions for this cause & appeals for generous donations for the financial support towards the security & welfare of the bereaved families of the Martyrs.

The donations can be made in the form of Cheque/Demand Drafts favoring:
1. Shri Amarnath Yatra Sangarsh Samiti (SAYSS) – Shaheed Fund in A/C no. 3965000100147291 
2. Shri Amarnath Yatra Sangarsh Samiti (SAYSS) – Ongoing Agitation in A/C no. 3965000100147282

with the Punjab National Bank Ltd. in all branches of the country.

For any clarifications, please contact at Mob.Nos. 94191-88057, 94191-41408.

- (Sh. Leela Karan Sharma), Convener

The mainstream and separatist Kashmiri leaders may be crying themselves hoarse over the issue of ‘economic blockade’, but the ground reality is totally different.

While helicopters are hovering over the Pathankote-Jammu-Srinagar highway, the army has effectively sealed all the roads leading to this lifeline of supplies to Jammu & Kashmir. Meanwhile, hundreds of trucks laden with sheep, poultry, medicines and foodgrains are running smoothly toward their destinations, uninterrupted by protesters.

“It is our single-minded focus to keep the highway through and ensure supplies to Kashmir,” Chief Secretary S.S. Kapur said.

After some incidents of violence in the Jammu region — as also in Anantnag in the Valley — there were protests and blockade for a few hours in Punjab. These incidents — not entirely targeted against Kashmiris — were played up in the Valley as “economic blockade” even after the Shri Amarnath Yatra Sangarash Samiti leading the Jammu agitation categorically denied any such move.

Hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani was the first to do so; thereafter, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, Yasin Malik, Mufti Mohammed Sayeed and Farooq Abdullah followed the suit, threatening they would look at the option of trading through the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road. They were exploiting the loose statement of state BJP president Ashok Khajuria, who had used the terms like “blocking supplies” and “quit Jammu”.

Meanwhile, Governor N N Vohra declared that whatever had happened on the roads leading to Kashmir were “traffic disruptions” and “not the economic blockade”. He made it clear that there was “no planned economic blockade”.

“They are apparently trying to out do each other in the similar fashion as they first did on the land to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, for they view electoral gains in it,” said Mohammad Aslam Khan, a retired employee.   

The column had appeared in Hindustan Times.

Meanwhile a defence spokesman said :

The 300-km Pathankot-Jammu-Srinagar highway, the only road connecting Kashmir with the rest of the country, has been completely reopened to traffic and over 900 vehicles, including trucks and tankers, have ferried essential supplies in and out of the valley.”The highway is totally restored for vehicular traffic between Kashmir and the rest of the country. There is no economic blockade and traffic is plying as normal today,” defence spokesman said.

While the main shortage of medicine and essential supplies is in Jammu, where the officials have clamped curfew, the valley as ever have been able to portray themselves as “cry baby”. When one of my colleague called up his muslim friend in the valley and enquired about the situation , pat came the reply ” Koker Ha vaty”……..Meaning the “chickens have arrived”.

Meanwhile Jammu continues to suffer, with no let up in curfew.

“Muslim from Gujarat demands that Congress government to give land to Amaranth Shrine Board”. 

Let me for a moment check your knowledge about Jammu & Kashmir . Just name the people you see in the pictures and their role in the current turmoil. You can write it down in the comment section.

My friend Lalit has written an eye opener for those who have recently tuned in to the Amarnath land controversy.

http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/aug/06guest.htm

 

 http://www.kashmirherald.com/main.php?t=OP&st=D&no=388