Causes Responsible For The Present Situation Of Youth In Kashmir

It is a universal fact that youth is the stage of life that is full of energy and creativity. Any nation that wants to take lead in development, invests in building their youth in every way. They, apart from this, have experienced elders who guide them in the best manner. However, in case of Jammu and Kashmir, the youth are for death. Everyday, two or three youth are killed in an encounter or in a cold-blooded murder like in case of three youth from Rajouri who went to Shopian as labourers but were killed in a fake encounter, for the sake of money and to throw dust in the world of eyes that Jammu and Kashmir is a hub of terrorists. I myself a youth, have not been in a position to know the real worth of a youth in this part of the world. I, however, consumed my mind over this and have come to conclusion that there is something serious wrong in this world that makes us vulnerable to death. External and internal forces are responsible for our messy situation. The conclusions that I have come across are discussed briefly in the coming lines. First is politics. Since 1947, our elected or appointed leaders have not left any stone unturned to deceive us. They have been promising us that we will never let the issue of Jammu and Kashmir fall into oblivion. At the time of elections, which they fight under the Indian Constitution, we tend to believe that our issues are going to be solved. But this is fallacy. Our leaders fight elections for chairs. Indian Government is aware that any MLA, MLC or MP from Jammu and Kashmir is insincere to the problems faced by us. Sheikh Abdullah, Mufti Sayeed, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti, etc., are ready to sell their conscience for money and kill the innocent Kashmiris who want the basic rights. PSA, POTA, AFSPA, etc., were brought here by our leaders to kill dissent voices. Recently, Roshini Act came to the surface. Whatever the motive, a fraud of 25,000 crore happened under the watch of the local government. This amount must have been used in building hospitals, educational institutions, roads, electricity, etc. Instead, it directly went into the pockets of leaders. This has a long-lasting effect on overall society. Merit-based students feel this agony. Joblessness becomes the order of the day. Unworthy persons remain at the helm of affairs. This causes frustration among the youth and they become radicals in the eyes of the government. Hence, killings are seen in nook and corner of the valley. Moreover, Jammu and Kashmir is a contentious issue to be solved. The UN calls it a disputed issue. India took this issue to the UN to get it solved. There are more than 20 resolutions that call for the solution of Jammu and Kashmir dispute. Apart from these, Shimla Agreement made it a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan. When this issue is lingering in air, youth, when disappointed by resolutions and double talk, find some different ways to solve it. In this way, a chain of deaths keeps extending with no end to it.
Well we are not against snatchers; but I am amazed how our own leaders hollowed out our identity in the garb of protection. We are peace-loving people. A lot of destruction has been witnessed in this part of the world. There should be bar on destruction. Let peace prevail. Let dissent be the safety valve of democracy. Let hate speech be curbed.
Second is religious. Islam says that the Creator of the universes is God. We are His creation. We must follow His rules and regulations. There is a saying that the Earth belongs to God; so God’s rule is must. Any system that goes against God, should be rejected at the first place. In Jammu and Kashmir, which is often called the land of saints, a majority of people are of the opinion that the ways of saints, which are compatible with the Quran and the traditions of Prophet Muhammad must be followed in letter and spirit. They take it as an insult to live under the system that legitimates things that are illegitimate in Islam. It doesn’t mean that we hate other systems. I have respect for every religion like Hinduism, Christianity, Judaism, Sikhism, etc. As it is said in Qur’an that Islam is the complete way of life. It must be propagated to each and every part of the world. In this backdrop, the youth of Kashmir feel it below their dignity to accept those persons as their leaders who, knowingly or unknowingly, go against that very system which means peace. There are no examples in the world that show that Islam has brought destruction. Yes, there are some extremist persons that defame the grand edifice. The Kashmiris have seen every ideology in the world. Capitalism, Socialism, Communism, etc., have brought more gloom than happiness. When this is the situation, the youth of Jammu and Kashmir are demanding something peaceful. It should be clear that in the present world, Islam has been distorted. Its comprehensive meaning has been narrowed. Some miscreants in the garb of Islam have defamed it. But it is their interpretation of Islam. Michael H.Hart, Bertrand Russell, Robert Briffault, Philip Hitti, HG Wells, etc., have praised Islam. In the same context, implementing Islam in Jammu and Kashmir doesn’t mean any violence. It means peaceful society. Respect for every human being. When peace is not allowed to flourish, then according to one of the theories of peace, war or violence brings peace. In short, the need of the hour is to address the basic issue. Jammu and Kashmir needs Plebiscite. Our leaders sold our Article 370 and Autonomy, but we are to resist it. There are many states in India that have special statuses. They enjoy autonomy in different ways. But our identity has been snatched away. Well we are not against snatchers; but I am amazed how our own leaders hollowed out our identity in the garb of protection. We are peace-loving people. A lot of destruction has been witnessed in this part of the world. There should be bar on destruction. Let peace prevail. Let dissent be the safety valve of democracy. Let hate speech be curbed.
(The author is a freelancer and writes frequently for “Kashmir Horizon”. Views are exclusively his own) [email protected]