Kashmir Affairs - Security & Conflict Analysis of Kashmir

Punishment for Aazadi
Bilal Ahmad, Srinagar
29 August 2008

Kashmiris are being punished with a vengeance for demanding Azadi. The strictest ever curfew in the history of Kashmir has been clamped all over the valley. Srinagar, which is the throbbing political heart of Kashmir, has been given a 'special' treatment. For a week now Srinagar residents have been confined to their homes except for an hour and a half relaxation by parts at different times. The severity of the curfew and the attitude of the paramilitary enforcing it is nothing but vindictive and demeaning. A baker who had opened his shop to give some bread to local residents was severely thrashed and rudely told, "You wanted Azadi, and have it now!" A scribe who had taken his family during relaxation period to buy some food items for their little children was severely rebuked and harassed and asked to get lost before he is shot! Even doctors and medical staff have not been spared.

Ambulances were damaged. Under Geneva Convention ambulances bearing Red Cross are spared even in the worst war conditions. Here even patients have been manhandled. A pregnant lady being taken to maternity hospital was hit in the belly stating she was pretending to be pregnant. This was shown on the official TV channel itself. Schools, Offices, Banks, Provision Shops, and Drug Stores have been closed for two week now. In a Muslim majority area people have been barred from offering prayers in Masjids. The severity of the siege is worse than the clamp down of early nineties. At that time the Government had the excuse of militant gun but presently it is a punishment for peaceful protests. India's democratic and secular traditions have been torn to shreds. "Secularism" has been kept alive by practically imprisoning all inhabitants irrespective of caste, colour, and religion. The brazenness of the Indian Government can be judged from its reaction to the comment of the UN watchdog on Human Rights. The Office of the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights had asked India through a press statement to exercise restraint. Indian Foreign Office has termed this reprimand as undue interference. Is it the India of Gandhi and Tagore speaking like that? One wonders when will the conscience of India wake up? For simply asking for basic rights through peaceful demonstrations the largest democracy punishes its claimed citizens with the worst punishment never seen even the most infamous totalitarian regimes. Will this clamp down make people forget Azadi or only reinforce its demand with unprecedented vigour? Time only will tell!