[Reader-list] Shopain ( kashmir ) Murder and Rape

[Rakesh Iyer]

Dear Inder

This is no way to debunk a report by the CBI. When the commission initially
set up by the State govt. gave its' report, it was debunked. Then when CBI
reluctantly took up the investigations, its' report too has been debunked.
How many reports will be debunked this way? And more importantly, are there
issues with the report in terms of having misinterpreted evidence, or having
not taken certain facts into consideration. It would be much more useful to
bring these things to notice, rather than blaming the CBI for acting as a
stooge of the Indian state.

Frankly, I am at the end of my patience now. I don't understand certain
things, which I wish to ask here to all Kashmiris and others as well:

1) All the time it seems 'azadi' is the only thing Kashmiris (and
particularly it seems to be Kashmiri Muslims, or a section amongst them)
want. Can they specify what 'azadi' means? If not for a group, can somebody
at least specify what it means for an individual at least, on this forum?
And how this 'azadi' is taken away by the Indian armed forces? Please
explain it

2) Secondly, some Kashmiris seem to want independence from India, that seems
to be their 'azadi'. If there is any supporter of any such notion of
seceding from India, can I know why do you support that notion? In other
words, why do you feel a separate Kashmiri nation-state is the solution? Is
it because there is a sense of religious discrimination by Indians (read
Hindus)? Is it because there is a lack of freedoms? Is it because you feel
affinity for Pakistan? Or is it because of the lack of trust on India due to
its' actions (other than religious or including religious)? If yes, please
mention the actions. Please mention any thing in proper detail.

One more thing. If you want a separate state, can you tell me what will be
achieved in such a separate state, that can't be achieved as being part of
India? Will it be more democracy? Will it be better governance? Will it be
simple demilitarization? Will it be better protection of minority rights, as
compared to India? Or something else?

3) Every single move taken by someone from the rest of India has been
doubted in Kashmir, at least among a section of people. Now the CBI report
has been burnt. Tomorrow, it seems even if the FBI conducted investigations
into the incident, and came to the same conclusion, it will be regarded as
the 'stooge of the Indian govt.' May I know why this attitude of
interpreting every report, which goes against the common belief, as
state-sponsored and doctored? May I know why even the killing of a Hurriyat
leader allegedly by terrorists sponsored by Pakistan, leads to a bandh where
stones are thrown on Indian soldiers? Or do the people there believe Indian
army orchestrates the killings?

4) My last question is important. While it's not as if minority rights are
any different from majority rights, we always quote minority rights as a
matter of principle only to make them feel assured. The same argument
extends not only for India, but also for Kashmir. This is for those asking
for a separate nation-state of Kashmir. Will Kashmiri Pandits and their
identity and culture be respected in event of an independent Kashmiri state
being formed? Will they be accepted with open hearts and minds, if they are
willing to be a part of the Kashmiri society? Or will they be simply treated
as Indian nationalists, and asked to not return back to the Valley?

I am beginning to feel that none of the actors is at all interested in any
solution; all just want to ensure they have power. Such power hungry people
should have no place in our society.

Rakesh