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Debating Azadi In Kashmir

By Meha Dixit

09 January, 2011
Countercurrents.org

This article is the result of a field work in Kashmir by Meha Dixit who also interviewed some political figures like Geelani

As I arrived in Srinagar towards the end of November, biting winds swept across, the Dal Lake shimmered with gold, emerald and crimson hues but the air was still tense as the city appeared to be coping with the killings of youth, widespread unrest and more than four months of bandhs (shutdowns). Below the wine dark sky the only silhouettes I could see were of the local people. Very few tourists were seen during the next few days of my visit. Queasy from the despair of Kashmiris and the turmoil that plagued the valley, I decided to interact with as many Kashmiri people to understand the situation on ground.

In the Kashmir discourse, it is alright to talk about Azadi in the context of sovereignty and the right to self determination, however, during my stay in Srinagar, when I interacted with a number of Kashmiri people- shikarawalas, autowalas, shopkeepers, hotel employees, students, children, youth and elderly, rich and poor- it occurred to me, its not enough to talk about Azadi just in terms of self-determination. One needs to expand this concept to include human security- freedom from fear, insecurity, unemployment, violence and so on.

For Kashmiris, militarisation of the state is a major issue. Unfortunately, the people of Kashmir are living in one of the most heavily militarised places in the world. Sajad Ibraham from Shopian remarks, ‘Kashmir should be demilitarised and the place would be 90 percent safe’. When I ask him if he wants Azadi from India, Ibraham in turn asks me, ‘who and what do we want Azadi from? from the Indian state?, from unemployment? from insecurity?’ For him Azadi is freedom from insecurity, fear, and of course its root cause- daily atrocities of the ‘security’ forces. Ibraham says, ‘if Kashmir is demilitarised then I don’t want Azadi from the Indian state, that itself is Azadi.’

Some Kashmiris I interacted with do not really understand the political situation in Kashmir but most want Azadi from fauj (the security forces). Mohammad, a shikarawala feels the army should move out of the cities and districts and towards the border. For him Azadi means freedom from atrocities. For Altaf, a shikarawala, Azadi is synonymous with peace and peace of mind. A number of Shikarawalas feel the same. Most of whom I interacted with do not support bandh, they argue bandhs only cause destruction. When asked about bandh, Parvez, a Shikarawala retorts, separatists or other politicians will not feed us meals in case of shutdowns.

A number of people including girls I tried interacting with were hesitant to talk about the situation in the state. Asifuddin, a shopkeeper, like many others is reluctant to talk. Only thing he says is, because of shutdowns business has really suffered. Rafique Shah is of the view that hartals cause absolute isolation. He continues, ‘the situation has gone from bad to worse’. He too argues, if Kashmir is demilitarised then there is no need for Azadi. An anonymous shopkeeper tells me hundreds of houseboats are lying vacant. Abdul Hamid, a hotel employee says, because of protests nearly 60, 000 hotel employees were laid off in the valley. An elderly lady who does not want to be named is against shutdowns and does not want Azadi from India.

However, it is important to note, many Kashmiris in the valley want Azadi from the Indian state per se. Javed, an autowala, wants Azadi from India. John M, a student, supports bandhs and argues ‘Azadi from the Indian state is our right’. Abdul Qayoom, a shikarawala, wants Azadi from India even if the security forces are withdrawn. Aadil while supporting Azadi argues, bandh is the only weapon we have. A number of Kashmiris support Azadi from the Indian state due to insecurity and unemployment. Mahida, a young student says, ‘we are sick of having grown up under the shadow of gun’, she like many other girl students in the valley, demands Azadi from the Indian state. According to her, the initiative of appointing interlocutors for Kashmir is a futile exercise. Many Kashmiris in Srinagar feel the same.

After interacting with a number of Kashmiri people in Srinagar, which included locals from Anantnag, Baramulla, Kupwara and Shopian, I feel Kashmiris define Azadi differently from one another, some want independence from India, for some demilitarisation is Azadi, while for some Azadi is synonymous with Aman and Chain (peace and peace of mind), some are confused about the concept of Azadi and some are reluctant to discuss anything concerning Azadi due to the fear and insecurity which plagues the state. But most are unanimous in their views when it comes to demilitarisation of Kashmir, which is imperative to bring about normalcy in the state.

Meha Dixit is a research scholar International Politics, Centre for International Politics, Organization and Disarmament (CIPOD), School of International Studies ,Jawaharlal Nehru University , New Delhi . Her research topic is 'Human Security and Post Conflict Reintegration of Child Soldiers: DDR Programmes in Mozambique and Sierra Leone'.

An Open Letter To The Readers

By Meha Dixit

12 January, 2011

Dear All,

There are certain points regarding the article ‘Debating Azadi in Kashmir ' by Meha Dixit (published 9 th Jan 2011 ) I like to clarify. Firstly, its no in-depth analysis of the Kashmir situation. I am no expert on Kashmir . I had this wonderful opportunity to visit Srinagar during the month of November (2010) (I have some great friends from Kashmir ). I must say it was one of my best holidays and I made some great friends there who come from Shopian, Baramulla, Anantnag and Kupwara. During my stay in Kashmir I could not go around the valley due to harsh winter conditions. But tried interacting with as many people in Srinagar and also spoke to locals of Shopian, Baramulla, Anantnag, and Kupwara.

People please don't take offense since its no final diktat on the situation. It is merely an account of my experience of interaction with people in Kashmir , and an account to kick start a debate on the Kashmir problem. I really hope that each and every persons' voice in Kashmir is heard.

Another thing I like to clarify is- I am not at all denying the relentless atrocities by the Indian Security Forces against the people of Kashmir . In fact I am extremely critical of these so-called security forces . So please read between the lines before hurling abuses like some people did.

Further, someone mentioned that the author does not understand ‘what freedom means' and that person uses an extremely narrow definition of this concept. I hate to intellectualise on an issue like this, however, because of this comment I am compelled to do so. I never thought I'll have to explain this. Anyways, for those who believe that the author is ignorant let me explain-

FREEDOM, the world over, and in every sense of the word is a COMPREHENSIVE concept, it cannot be explained just in terms of sovereignty. We need to broaden it to include Human Security. Those who have read about Human Security will definitely understand this.

Then there are those who have commented ‘each and every person in the State of J&K wants independence from India '. I agree there are large number of Kashmiri people who want to break away from the Indian state and yes for all valid reasons. India has definitely carried out oppressive policies in the state of J&K. But may I ask, those who say ‘each and every' Kashmiri is for independence, before pointing a finger at the author, spoken to ‘each and every person in Kashmiri' on their views on this issue. I am sure they have not. Large number of Kashmiri people I spoke to no doubt want independence but I can assure you there were also those for whom Azadi was synonymous to demilitarisation of the state. Again let me clarify to those who think the author is construing or misconstruing the meaning of Azadi or demilitarisation. I did not just gather quick testimonies from people but I actually tried to understand what they meant.

Now I ask you all, if there are people in Kashmir who do not want to break away from the Indian state but just want demilitarisation, would you still deny them their right to speak and be heard? Doesn't that amount to imposing your view on them?? A number of shikarawalas and autowalas in Srinagar told me for them Azadi means demilitarisation. Unfortunately, shikarawalas, autowalas and uneducated Kashmiris will not be able to participate in this debate.

And yes there are also those who called the author unethical, biased Indian. Some use the term so-called INDIAN scholars and this in an extremely derogatory manner. And of course, few readers haven't refrained from hurling abuses at the author. I am actually ashamed to repeat it but I am compelled to do so. Someone c alled the author DICK****. How shameful to abuse a woman like this. I wonder how can such people be advocates of others' security and talk about the cause of Kashmiri people when no woman can feel secure around them.

Anyway, I hope to have a civil debate on the Kashmir situation. All comments are invited. I feel hurling abuses at each other or putting each other down to prove a point just makes matters worse. We need to put our egos aside and have a mature debate. Time is running out. I had no intention of burning bridges with the people of Kashmir. I'd like to reiterate my article is an account of my experience in Kashmir. Its no expert analysis. Comments of all Kashmiris and non-Kashmiris are invited.



 


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