[Reader-list] 'Tolerant Kashmiris': An editorial in Etalaat

[Shivam Vij शिवम् विज्]

Tolerant Kashmiris
26 June, 2008 08:10:48
http://www.etalaat.net/english/viewpoint/editorial/1111.html

Vested interests are all out to communalize the on-going agitation
against transfer of forest land to the Amarnath Shrine Board. Time and
again it has been made clear that the on-going agitation is not
against the Yatra or the Yatries. The agitation is against
politicization of the Yatra. Kashmiris want the government to entrust
the job of conducting and facilitating Yatra to the local people who
have been conducting it effectively since 1860.

To understand the on-going agitation against land transfer in its
right perspectives one has to look into the history of Kashmir.When
important decisions concerning the future of Kashmir were taken
Kashmiris were always ignored. In 1947 a decision was imposed on the
reluctant people and since then the trend continues. In early 60s the
government of India omitted Article 238 from Indian constitution and
thus rendered article 370 infructious. The Article 370 which
guarantees a special status to the state of Jammu Kashmir reads: "Not
withstanding any thing nothing in Article 238 shall apply to the state
of Jammu Kashmir." Article 370 is still there but article 238 which
contained the heart and soul of 370 is not there in the constitution.
Kashmiris to this day do not know about this fraud.

Similarly the government of India abolished the permit system which
required the non-state subjects to obtain a permit for entering the
state. Again the people were not taken into confidence.  In 1975 a
popular movement was strangled. Again the people did not protest. In
1978 the draconian public safety act (PSA) was framed. People did not
protest. In 1984 TADA was extended to the state. People remained
silent. The Gulmarg issue shook them and the transfer of land did the
miracle. Even this time the government had taken the people for
granted.

People are angry but they have not thrown caution to the winds. They
have upheld the high traditions of tolerance and have not harmed any
Yatri or a tourist. This is exactly what Islam teaches them. The
Yatries are welcome and so are the tourists. Kashmiris are known for
their hospitality and they will not disappoint the pilgrims and other
guests.

History is witness to the fact that Kashmiris have always protected
their non-Muslim brethren.  Hundreds of instances can be quoted to
prove the point. However, the following incident shall suffice. A
person who retired as the Chief Conservator of Forests lived in
Shahr-e-Khaas during his college days. One day while on his way to the
college he was intercepted by a crowd. Taken for a Bakra (A supporter
of Mirwaiz Yusuf Shah) he was given  sound thrashing. Somehow he ran
away but only to be caught by another violent group. This time he was
taken for a Sher (Supporter of Sheikh Abdullah) and beaten to pulp.
Again he managed his escape. When caught for the third time, he
shouted: "I am a Pandit." Nobody touched him this time. He was given
safe passage.