Author:
Publication: IBNLive.com
Date: Aug 7, 2008
URL: http://www.ibnlive.com/news/jammu-vs-kashmir-has-secularism-failed/70587-3.html
[Note from the Hindu Vivek Kendra: The secularist
want to hide the fact that the issue got communalised when a legitimate need
of the Hindu pilgrims was not fulfilled. And it was not fulfilled on account
of the fact that the need was for Hindus. And as for as the allegedn showpiece
of secularism, it seems that the ethnic cleansing of the Hindus from the Valley
is a figment of imagination.]
A dangerous crisis is brewing in Jammu and
Kashmir. The Amarnath yatra land controversy is slowly turning out to be a
conflict between Hindus and Muslims in a state supposed to be the showpiece
of Indian secularism.
While politicians failed to arrive at a solution
to the crisis - an all-party meeting called Prime Minister did not work -
politicking continued. Eight Amarnath shrine board members resigned and Governor
NN Vohra offered to step down to calm down the protestors.
CNN-IBN debated on Face the Nation if secularism
has failed in the battle between Jammu and Kashmir. To debate the issue were
filmmaker and Kashmiri pandit, Ashok Pandit; Chairman J-K People's Conference,
Sajjad Lone; and content editor, Mail Today, Manoj Joshi and former J-K CM
Farooq Abdullah.
Abdullah began the debate by defending the
PM and said it was a free discussion where everyone agreed that peace had
to be restored. "The delegation of leaders would go to both Jammu and
Srinagar to resolve this issue amicably," he said.
Another feature of these protests has been
the sharp divide between the Jammu and the Kashmir region. Not just cultural,
the economic ties between the two regions could also cleave if the protests
continue. Abdullah acknowledged the situation and said the divide was not
just between Jammu and Kashmir, the communal polarisation was evident in Jammu
itself.
"Muslims have done nothing to vitiate
the atmosphere. Neither have the good Hindus done anything bad. It's unfortunate
that some parties are raking it up due to elections," he said, adding
the Amarnath Shrine should be given powers to allow facilities for people
who want to undertake the Amarnath Yatra peacefully.
Ashok Pandit joined the debate on a strong
note. He said secularism in J-K was a farce. "Secularism was murdered
when four-and-a-half lakh pandits were thrown out of Kashmir and Sikhs were
murdered," he thundered, adding it's been started by politicians in Kashmir,
not in Jammu.
But while all the rhetoric, opinions and debate
continues in the corridors of power, the reality on the ground remains grim.
Trucks carrying essential supplies to the state are stranded on highways,
traders are running out of stocks and the economic blockade is threatening
to dent the state economy hard. Many say all this is because a Hindu group
protesting over a piece of land. But Pandit denied it was a blockade. "It
was a bandh that was called by Hurriyat and other political parties in Kashmir
for 20 days. Why wasn't it called a blockade then? This (bandh) is a reply
to Omar Abduallah's statement in Parliament that hum jaan de denge par zameen
nahi denge (We will lay down our lives but won't part with the land)."
Sajjad Lone did not agree with Pandit and
said it was unfortunate that such impression was being sent out to the rest
of India. "People like Mr Pandit are in minority. There are thousands
of yatris who are Hindus and from all parts of India. You should ask them
about the level of hospitality extended to them by Kashmiris. We've been doing
it for generations and will continue to do so. They are our revered guests,"
he said. However, he said it was essential to get the basics right about the
ongoing protest. "Why are Hindus in Jammu offended while the Hindus in
rest of India aren't?" he asked.
Pandit retorted and said this mindset was
troubling. "The Sajjad Lones, Omar Abdullahs and Farooq Abdullahs are
talking about politics. When a majority demands it, the issue becomes communal
but when they demand it, nothing happens. They talk whatever suits them,"
he said.
The debate became heated with Lone refusing
to take Pandit's allegations lying down. A visibly upset Lone said Pandit
was provoking "rowdy elements". "He is secure. He does not
have to come here (Jammu and Kashmir) and so he is lecturing from some corner
in India. It's we who are looking after the yatris," he said.
Lone also said the likes of Pandits had first
call for an economic blockade and then "have the audacity" to not
admit to it. "You are blocking baby powder and medicines to the state,
for Godsake. Have you lost all sense of shame? Are you going to starve us?
If we don't go to Muzaffarabad, where else do we go?" he thundered.
To this, Pandit made a controversial statement
and said if Lone wanted to move to Muzaffrabad, he might as well move to Pakistan
"with his people".
"The land is mine and I will achieve
it," he said.
Manoj Joshi joined in the debate as the neutral
voice on the panel. Asked if Jammu and Kashmir could live together despite
the polarity, he said the problem was age-old. "Many people who were
part of Jammu Mukti Morcha in 2002 and now, the Sangharsh Samiti want to separate
Jammu from Kashmir. They, in the process, will also create a religious polarization,"
he said.
While Joshi agreed with Pandit and said secularism
broke down in Kashmir long time ago, he also warned that the Sangh Parivar
and the likes were creating a situation conducive for the separation of Jammu
and Kashmir.
When the land was transferred to Amarnath
Shrine Board, it was alleged Kashmiri parties whipped up the mob, Muslims
went on rampage on streets and created a situation for a counter reaction
in Jammu. But Lone said there was no communal reaction. "Kashmir is a
disputed place. And how many Hindus were killed, tell me? There were thousands
of yatris in the state that time. Not a single non-Muslim person was hurt
or killed. Nine Kashmiri Muslims die," he said.
Lone went on to say perhaps it was time for
Hindus and Muslims in the state to part as friends and suggested trifurcation
was an option. "Let people decide," he said.
When asked for his opinion, Pandit said Jammu
and Kashmir was a part of India and there was no question of division. "Anybody
who wants to divide the state is welcome to leave the country," he said.
Manoj Joshi said if Jammu and Kashmir was
divided, it would not only reflect on secularism failing in a state, it would
also reflect it failing India as a whole. "Secularism is one of the basic
principles of India. Secularism and democracy are two values that keep India
together," he said, adding the time was ripe for a crackdown by the Central
Government, even if it meant Army taking charge. "Army should impose
curfew and prevent damage to public property," he concluded.
