[Reader-list] Scuffle near Hazratbal; Shabir Shah among 14 injured

[Tapas Ray]

I thank Sonia from bringing this perspective into the conversation. 
Looks like she isn't a terrorist after all. What a surprise!

Tapas


S. Jabbar wrote:
> I think you may want to ask why it was necessary to begin a victory rally
> from a religious place and how any of us would have reacted if Advani were
> to embark on another 'victory' rally from Somnath or Ayodhya. These
> so-called victory rallies will only add fuel to the Jammu-Kashmir/
> Hindu-Muslim conflagration.
> 
> Hazrat Bal and the Jama Masjid are not neutral sites and have been
> politically charged ever since the 1930s when the Quit Kashmir movement was
> launched against the Maharaja.  What must have started off as an equally
> 'peaceful' gathering turned violent and a man was killed.  That was reason
> enough for mass rioting.  You may be aware of the siege of Hazrat Bal in the
> early '90s or for that matter the siege of Charar e-Sharif in '95 or for
> that matter the Golden Temple in the '80s.
> 
> The Hurriyat is not unaware that the state cannot risk a religious site
> becoming another site of contestation.  It would try and control what in all
> likelihood would turn into yet another communally charged and violent event.
> And yet it decided to go ahead.  The stakes are high and I really don't
> think anyone is above using religion to further their political ends.
> --sj
>