For the people in Jammu

The recent events in my state of Jammu and Kashmir may not have mattered much to people as a whole, but these have shattered the souls of each and every Hindu in the state. I apologize if this sounds communal, but unfortunately this is a fact-the state today stands clearly divided on communal lines. The people in Jammu are demanding the land to the shrine board be given back, so that temporary shelters can be created for pilgrims visiting the Amarnath shrine. Please note the words in bold-this is what the original order said, but the so called proponents of the spirit of Kashmiriyat protested this move saying that this was a move to change the demographic structure of the state! Is it wrong to build a shelter for people who face inhumane conditions every year during the yatra? By these people, this was seen as the first step to infuse some Hindus back into Kashmir, which could jeopardize their plans to push for a separate homeland for Kashmiri muslims. By giving in to their demands, the government has meekly surrendered to the anti-national elements. This also goes on to show that the dream of Kashmiri pandits to go back to their homelands does not look like a possibility, at least in the near future. We have seen the reaction to this step which just aimed to build temporary shelters for hindu pilgrims, it is not difficult to imagine what will happen if an attempt to bring back the Kashmiri migrants into the mainstream of the valley or even a Panun Kashmir (a separate homeland in the valley for Kashmiri pandits, which the Kashmiri migrants have been demanding) is initiated.

Some of you may be wondering whether these protests, in which people are dying, communal tensions are flaring up and the entire state has transformed into a virtual war-zone over the past one month, are really worth it? Let me tell you, on face value, these may not really seem worth; that people are fighting for a few acres of land. But this incident has been just the tipping point. For the past 60 years, the people from Jammu have been subjected to massive discrimination. We never wanted article 370, it was forced on us. We never wanted the special status which has alienated us from the rest of the country. And all these years, the governments at the center kept appeasing the Kashmiri majority community. The people from Jammu do not get government jobs, they do not get seats in government colleges, they pay all the taxes while even the basic amenities are denied to them. This has been happening for all of the past 60 years-this is the prize they have got for showing solidarity with India, while those openly against the country have been appeased to the most shameful of limits-the latest example being just one of the countless other instances.

What is all the more painful is the apathy shown by both the government and media towards the anguish of protestors. No one in the media has come out in the open to support what is a genuine cause for the nation's integrity. While the media is quick to take note of any protests in the valley, precious little space has been given to what has been happening in Jammu for more than a month now. Even the government, in spite of the massive public outrage, still chooses to appease the anti-national sentiments. As per the latest statement from the center, the state authorities have been directed to control the violence in Jammu "at all costs" while there is no mention of addressing to the core issue.

The events in the past two months have opened up the wounds of Jummuties who have been living with these for years now. These are not going to heal very soon and unless the government does not give in to their demands, the protests are not going to stop. I am supporting my brethren in these protests and believe every sane Indian citizen will resonate with the feelings that I am nurturing. 

Thanks for reading through this long post. Please feel free to add your comments. I will be updating my blog on a regular basis from now on.