| Rejected in Kashmir, Shah looks towards patriotic Jammu | | Struggle For Separation | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Jan 6: Demo-cratic Freedom Party (DFP) chairman Shabir Ahmad Shah, Kashmir's so-called Nelson Mandela, who has no support-base in the Kashmir Valley to which he belongs and whom even APHC-M chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq does not consider relevant, has planned to lead a five-member group to Jammu province. He would, according to a press release issued by his marginal outfit, reach Jammu on January 9. The delegation will have an on-the-spot assessment of the political situation in this part of the state and meet with representatives of Dogras, internally-displaced Kashmiri Hindus and Ladakhis, besides touring some Muslim-dominated areas in Poonch, Rajouri, Doda and Kishtwar districts. His objective is to evolve some consensus as far
as "resolution of Kashmir problem" is concerned. The press release issued yesterday from Srinagar by his party suggested that Shah during his meetings with representatives of Dogras, Kashmiri Hindus and Ladakhis would assure them that their "aspirations will be respected". It is strange that Shah who, like other self-styled freedom fighters, has been rejected by his own people in Kashmir for reasons too well-known, has thought of looking beyond his very narrow constituency in the Valley and establish his foothold in a province known for its
commitment to India, notwithstanding the New Delhi's indifferent, nay almost hostile, attitude towards it. There is no doubt that Shah would draw a flak during his meetings with "representatives" of Dogras (protagonists of complete merger with India and reorganization of the state), displaced Kashmiri Hindus (ardent believers in the concept of separate homeland invested with Union Territory status) and Ladakhis (staunch votaries of separation from Kashmir and Union Territory status), if held. There is hardly any genuine representative of these three communities who would disgrace himself by meeting Shah, who has been masquerading, like other separatists, including Mirwaiz, as "freedom fighter", but amassing wealth on an unprecedented scale and opening hotels in Kashmir, including in Pahalgam. An overwhelming majority of people in Kashmir considers the likes of Shah as
self-elected representatives of Kashmir.
Shah would come out of the meetings with "representatives" of Dogra, Kashmiri Hindus and Ladakhis minus everything is a foregone conclusion. Similarly, he is unlikely to cut much ice during his meeting with some Muslims of Poonch, Rajouri, Doda, Kishtwar and Bhaderwah. For, the Muslims of Jammu province, barring a few disgruntled elements here and there, are, like other communities in Jammu province, are fed up with the Kashmiri domination. They have been, like other communities, demanding fair share in the state's political and economic processes. The fact is that there exists historical antagonism between the Kashmiri Muslims and Muslims of
Jammu province. This is the reason the Kashmiri leadership has not been able to establish its foothold in these areas despite forays at regular intervals. Shah would also fail. There should be no doubt about it. Indeed, his would be an exercise in futility. |
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