Kashmir: Democracy or Autocracy? Even At Highest Institute Of Learning
By Imran Khan
08 July, 2015
Countercurrents.org
“WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC” are the opening words of the Preamble to Constitution of India.
Though it looks wonderful on papers and the sound of these words soothes one’s ears but when it comes to Kashmir everything changes quite dramatically. Democracy, fundamental rights particularly the right to freedom, take a different version here. Autocracy as a term seems more relevant here and with BJP in power the claims of secularism too have started to vanish with regard to rest of India. Banning of beef in Maharashtra, compulsive Surya Namaskar and Yoga, plans for the deceleration of Gita as the national book, Ghar Wapsi are just few examples to mention.
In autocracy, the powers are concentrated in the hands of certain few. In Kashmir we have many times seen in past that the real powers don’t lie in the hands of the political representatives, but police and army. It is police and army who call the shots here. Moreover the dictations always come from New Delhi. Military and Police have such powers in Kashmir that they literally are the real authority here. They are the government, law and justice here.
The Constitution of India guarantees it’s citizens certain fundamental rights. These include individual rights common to most liberal democracies, such as equality before law, freedom of speech and expression, and peaceful assembly, freedom to practice religion, cultural and educational right and the right to constitutional remedies. These Fundamental Rights are defined as basic human freedoms that every Indian citizen has the right to enjoy for a proper and harmonious development of personality. These rights universally apply to all citizens, irrespective of race, place of birth, religion, caste or gender. Further under the fundamental right to freedom, every citizen by the constitution of India can express his/her thoughts freely, can assemble and hold public meetings without arms, and can form associations and unions.
Though Indian government calls Kashmir as their integral part and Kashmiries as citizens of India but we Kashmiries have neither enjoyed the full fundamental rights guaranteed to the other citizens of India nor we have seen the version of democracy found in other states of India (no wonder we don’t consider ourselves as Indians). It seems like that the makers of Indian constitution have forgotten to write “not applicable to Kashmir” there because on many occasions in the past these rights have not only been restricted but denied to such an extent that we literally feel chocked in our land. Hurriyat leaders (separatist) are dined political space, youth are oppressed, ban on student unions continue, colleges and universities are denied the platform for politics, peaceful protests are not allowed, media is caged, AFSPA and heavy presence of army continues to exist etc.
Although there are thousands of instances of state oppression in Kashmir but one such incident at the highest institute of learning in Kashmir was in news quite recently and which received widespread condemnation from many quarters of society. Some two week before brave cops of J&K Police conducted a nocturnal raid on the residence of Muzamil Farooq Dar (a student of English Department University of Kashmir) due to his alleged leadership role in opposing Yoga Day celebrations on campus on the 20th of June. (http://www.youthkiawaaz.com/2015/06/unrestinkashmiruniversityoveryogaday/)
This should not come as a surprise to the civil society of India, as these days those having a different opinion then that of BJP are either beaten in public, detained or told to leave India and go to Pakistan.
And adding to it our “more loyal than king” J&K Police thrashed students, and resorted to baton charge, and even fired. No wonder as this is that part of the world where a common cop enjoys more command, power and respect than a scholar.
Frequently, a single incident in Kashmir always results in large scale boycott, protests, strikes and then more violence, but does that not reflect the vent which people give to their feeling which have been suppressed by forces from a long time. Is it not that the protest against Yoga Day may actually mask deep-seated discontent against the long ban on student politics at the university of Kashmir. Has not in the past the blocking of democratic channel resulted in armed struggle in Kashmir. Such questions need honest answer from Indian think tanks, intellectual class, policy makers and civil society.
Though the academic process of the University of Kashmir was disturbed with the arrest of Muzamil Farooq and the subsequent protest against it and many quarters of the society raised questions regarding the protest by students and scholars, but then do we have to just get degrees from universities? Is our education just limited to jobs? Is teaching learning and research at university just a business? Should not we strive for highest learning, overall development and at the same time make efforts for justice, liberty and peace. Are not discussions, debates and peaceful protests against injustice as part of college and university learning? Is it not that high ranked university in India witness student politics, discussions and protests? Universities and colleges are not only just institutes for class room teaching but the institutes for research, generation of creative ideas, platform for overall development and also as the source for policy making and generation of leadership.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Khurshid Andrabi was heard saying to a local daily that “Unionism feels good at a university like JNU (Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi) which has made its mark, but not Kashmir University which is nowhere in the scene,”, “We have to first work hard to reach the pedestal of academic excellence and only then these things will blossom.” However can the VC of University of Kashmir say anything about when that day will come? When student unions, discussion, debates and freedom of expression will be allowed in Kashmir University? The suppression at University of Kashmir should not be justified at any cost. This highest institution of learning should set an example for strengthening of democracy and freedom of expression and not oppression and brutality.
Indian Government, J&K government, Army and J&K police need to remind themselves the preamble of Indian constitution and the fundamental rights guaranteed to citizens. Student and scholars hold books and pens in their hands. They are the future and cream of our society. They deserve full respect, free and peaceful space for learning and research. If denied all of that, then such a day may be the darkest day for Kashmir. For GOD sake at least allow them to breathe freely.
Imran Khan - Former Scholar at University of Kashmir, Presently working as Government Teacher.
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