Editor: Murtaza Shibli

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Students of Banihal High School

Amina Rawat


We sat in a small circle in a large dusty and derelict hall somewhere at the back of the school, giving the impression that this gathering was of a clandestine nature where what these bright students had to tell me was in secrecy.  As more and more students gradually crept in, the circle enlarged to about a dozen 15 to 17 year olds. Earlier I had addressed the subject of the Kashmir conflict to these same students in a classroom of about 40 where their responses seemed subdued and superficial.

Being history students, they went all the way back to the days of partition in explaining what the current violence in Kashmir was about. Kashmir is the core issue and has been since partition, and since its fate is still not decided, the struggle continues. Pakistan and India both want the land; Pakistan in revenge for Bangladesh and India wants it so not to lose the economic gains of tourism but also it does not want to change the map. However, the Kashmiris will not let go of it either in their struggle for their right to self-determination and freedom. It is for these reasons that the youth initially started their struggle as Muhajideen with the lack of development and employment, both as a consequence of the conflict, encouraging people to join the movement. Whereas the foreign militants had their own agenda.

The students described how in between the clashes between India and Pakistan, and the army and the militants, it is the innocents who fall prey to the guns, and have to face the music. Just a few years ago, due to hartals (general strikes) and the violent conditions in the regions, people were unable to go anywhere. The uncertainty and risks to life from the indiscriminate firings and blasts were too great. And if that wasn’t enough, some of the militants were threatening people to give food and shelter with the army in turn harassing the people with ‘crackdowns’ and beating them, a practice that still goes on in the villages.

There was panic and fear, and people were too terrified to leave their homes, even for prayers. Some of those who did have the courage to leave their homes did so for good due to fear. Businesses and schools also closed down, even the sports ground, with trade and educational standards suffering a major setback, especially for the poor. As a result people have been unable to progress, with one student pointing out that hence, there are only a limited number of sportsmen from Kashmir.

The students were open enough not to purport blame on any one party, but to India, Pakistan and the militants for their wrongdoings. However, Salman, a tall student with striking features boldly stated it were the militants who were responsible for the current turmoil in Kashmir, describing them as “terrorists who don’t want peace” and adding his support for the Indian Army. And whereas all the students identified themselves as Kashmiris first, and in some cases only, Salman stood out again stating he was Indian.

As the atmosphere became more animated, the students debated amongst themselves reverting back to their mother tongue Kashmiri. Although unable to understand the content of their deliberations, I could see that Salman was being singled out. Unable to get a word in edge ways, he asked for my note book and began writing ignoring the angry remarks casted towards him;
“Pakistan is responsible for the militancy in Kashmir. The Pakistan forces the militants in order to hold the Kashmir in her favour. Kashmir is a paradise on earth, the most beautiful place of the world. If America, Europe etc countries will pressure on Pakistan to adopt non-violent methods then this war would somehow end. The most militancy effected area of J&K is Dist Doda. That is why the people of this area are not progressing very much. There might be any other solution for peace if they split Kashmir into two part, one for Pakistan one for India.”
Signed Salman, Student of higher secondary, Banihal.

With the sun setting, we were finally ushered out from the now dark hall. On the way out, some of the students whispered to me that Salman was a politician’s son and that he has to say what he did. In fact, during the debate his fellow students had asked him why he stated that the militants were enemies, to which he replied that he is from a political family.


Banihal, Jammu, 2006