Is Burhan Haunting Indian Governance From His Grave?

burhan-wani-funeral

The situation across Kashmir is not normal, neither under control, nor is the situation under law and order. It has been third day since this disputed portion of earth started witnessing deserted looks and blood bath started on each street. The situation started remained tense when people were communicated with heart wrenching news that “the local rebel, who at his small age turned to militant ranks and became a popular hero like Robinhood, achieved martyrdom in one remote area of south Kashmir”. Since this news propagated like a wave, people from adjoining areas of south Kashmir came out on streets shouted pro-freedom and anti-Indian slogans. The sloganeering reverberated across Kashmir when the news reached to other parts of valley and across Kashmir people came out of their houses, slogans were chanted outside mosques, and rallies were taken from one end to another favouring Burhan and company for their contribution to freedom of Kashmir. People were continuously endorsing rebels achieving martyrdom with slogans—-

“Asalam o Asalam, Aye Shaheedo asalam”

For some people who are unaware of “why a village boy from a good middle class family, whose father had worked as principal in one Government school choose to become a militant?” Many reasons I have to say, but this time I will highlight one which has remained a wound for all Kashmiri’s. The answer in nutshell is “Kashmir and Kashmiri’s are demanding human rights, which unfortunately has never been given to them”. From the day, Maharaja signed accession to this date; Kashmiri people have faced a lot of oppression both from Indian political parties as well as from the Indian forces. From rapes to killing, there is no place in Kashmir which hasn’t witnessed any sort of oppression. Even the reports released by amnesty international, is a clue clearly visible to human eye that this unfortunate part of earth has faced a lot of oppression. Since the world has closed its eye and ear towards Kashmir, Indian army has enjoyed killing after killing, rapes and torchers across Kashmir. This unfortunate part of earth has been caged with more than seven lakh troopers who are here, in Kashmir, to claim the said part of earth as India’s integral part. These reasons are enough for a Kashmiri citizen who could turn to be a militant at any age. To join militant ranks is no body’s dream. It is the oppression which pushes one to become part of resistance organisation. The reasons were enough for “Burhan Muzaffer Wani” to choose path of militancy to resist Indian oppression here.

For last six years, burhan gave sleepless nights to Indian army, escaping from almost 100 encounter sites, who had kept the security personal on tenterhooks, who had been a headache for army as well as state paramilitary forces. As per reports and press release by police as well as army, it was a major success to them by killing him. The encounter brought end to burhan’s motivational capacity, which in fact was another head ache for police. It was burhan’s motivation, which pushed more than 50 young, educated, energetic boys to join the lines of militancy. Not from the remote areas, but across Kashmir people took initiative by helping the new age militancy to survive for almost 6 years. But aftermath burhan’s killing the situation took ugly look, as never expected by local police. The situation across Kashmir went out of control. Burhan’s killing may be a success for army as well as police but after his killing it fuelled the new age militancy which in-fact may attract a hundred new boys to join the path of burhan.

Burhan’s native town, which is a remote area of south Kashmir, 40 km away from summer capital Srinagar, a place often claimed as hot bed for militants, amid curfew witnessed a massive rush of people from every part of Kashmir. More than 2 lakh mourners in long chains came to “Tral” to attend the funeral of their role model. Many came to this southern part of Kashmir to catch glimpse of their hero. Not only were the Muslims present in the funeral, but also were Sikhs. People on social networking portals shared pictures, in which a Sikh was mourning the death of burhan.

“They may torture my body, break my bones, and even kill me. Then they will have my dead body, but not my obedience.” ― Mahatma Gandhi

Aftermath burhan’s killing; more than 30 people lost their lives since this unrest started. More than 300 protestors were injured in peaceful protests. Hundreds of people have sustained serious injuries. The numeric counting is increasing after every passing hour. The phone lines as well as internet have been snapped. Several parts of Kashmir are witnessing restrictions, curfews. At many places CRPF troopers have opened open fire on peaceful protestors. Amid all these restrictions, nothing seems to keep people from spilling out onto the streets. The current situation is turning out to be more critical than the situation happened in 2008 and 2010. The party which is in power seems to be in no hurry to control the situation. In fact the same party gave license to the troopers to colour the streets with blood. That is why for a stone the security troopers are retaliating with fire.

Those people who have had witnessed post 90’s period call the current situation as re-emergence of past, as the new educated youth are more loyal to freedom, than that of anything else.

In old saying “The tyrant dies and his rule is over, the martyr dies and his rule begins.” And this is happening these days. Burhan is no more but his rule begins. He is still haunting Indian governance from his grave.

Yasir Altaf Zargar is a Srinagar based web security analyst. He has been acknowledged and rewarded for contributing to the web security of Google, Yahoo, Hackerone, Microsoft, Nokia, and Oracle. He tweets as @zargaryasir and can be reached at [email protected]

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