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| Why ban Hurriyat's chalo programmes? | | Let separatists prove their mettle | | Early Times Report
JAMMU, Sept 19: The Chalo culture is again in vogue. During the current week, two Chalo programmes have been given, one by Syed Ali Shah Geelani and the other by Mirwaiz Umer Farooq.
Geelani had urged the people to assemble at his Hyderpora residence from where a march to the UNMOG at Sonwar was supposed to be taken out. But Government imposed restrictions at various places and foiled the programme.
Mirwaiz has called for Shopian Chalo tomorrow (September 20). People, by and large expect restrictions in and around Srinagar.
It seems the Government is scared of Hurriyat's Chalo programme notwithstanding its claims to the contrary. Whenever the separatists have urged the people to reach a particular place, the Government has always responded by clamping curfew.
What would happen if Hurriyat's Chalo programme is allowed? Thousands of people would assemble at a particular place to chant anti-India and Pro-Azadi slogans. It may be followed by a march to the United Nations Military Observers Group (UNMOGIP) at Sonawar. A memorandum would be submitted accusing New Delhi of abusing human rights violations. The memorandum may also seek resolution of Kashmir dispute in accordance with the wishes of the people.
The local media would cover the event. National and International media would ignore it as usual. Or to put it plainly, the Chalo and its aftermath would not yield the desired results. This is what would possibly happen if the programme is allowed. Disallowing the Chalo on the other hand attracts international attention, adds fuel to the already explosive situation and if a civilian gets killed the situation simply becomes unmanageable for the Government. Preventing or foiling the Chalo programme, therefore, yields results for the separatists.
Chanting anti-India and pro-Azadi slogans is nothing new. It has been happening in Kashmir for the past sixty years in general and the last two decades in particular. Even toddlers and school going children chant these slogans. Has it made any difference till date? So what would happen, if one thousand or one lakh people assemble at Lal Chowk to chant these slogans? Why does the Government create problems for itself and for everybody else in the state by foiling such programmes?
The Government, it seems, has not learnt any lessons from the 2008 agitation. In response to Hurriyat call, five lakh people (as per rough estimates) assembled at Pampore at the Rasam-e-qul (last rites) of slain Hurriyat leader, Sheikh Abdul Aziz. He was killed in Baramulla district while marching towards Muzaffarabad. The separatists could not manage the gathering. The microphones did not work and people did not hear what the leaders were saying from an elevated podium.
Same week one million people assembled at the TRC grounds. Syed Ali Shah Geelani committed a blunder and had to apologize after two hours. His speech disappointed not only the Hurriyat leaders but the commoner as well.
The Government, sensible people believe, is making heroes out of Hurriyat leaders. Let the Government make separatists prove their mettle by allowing their Chalo programmes. |
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