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| Govt can only pray for repeat of 2008 ‘mistake’ | | Tackling Kashmir protests | |
EARLY TIMES REPORT
SRINAGAR, July 16: Had the government spared Syed Ali Geelani, the situation today would have been different. This is what the people, who want an end to the on-going strikes, believe. According to them, Geelani was easily accessible and could be ‘influenced by a bit of coaxing and cajoling.’
The firebrand leader has been severely criticized for calling off the 2008 agitation. He had a variety of reasons ranging from harvesting paddy to solemnizing marriages in rural areas. Although the reasons evoked severe reaction from the urban population yet his decision was respected and the agitation died down.
Today, young people like Masrat Alam and Aasiya Andrabi run the show. Masrat has gone underground and carries a reward of Rs 5 lakh on his head. He is totally inaccessible and is considered a `hard nut'. The question of influencing him, therefore, does not arise. Aasiya equally seems determined to take the current agitation forward. In a statement issued Wednesday, she said it was a do or die situation for Kashmiris.
In the same statement she made clear that there was absolutely no scope for repeating what she called `2008 mistake'. By making a mention of `2008 mistake' Aasiya has left no scope for any speculations. The message is loud and clear. Agitation shall continue notwithstanding the damage it has been doing to education and economy.
She also won criticism for her earlier statement in which she had stated that a `bigger cause' cannot be compromised for education and trade. This was in response to concerns expressed by a section of the civil society. Kashmir, it is believed, suffers a loss of Rs 65 crore every (hartal) day. The schools have not opened for the past one month. The private schools seem to have grasped the message. The syllabus for the new term has been made available on the internet and parents have been asked to help their wards with it.
Aasiya released this week's calendar this evening. As expected, the agitation has to continue. This time she has urged the government employees to take out processions on Monday. On Sunday she wants the Imams to pass the `Quit Jammu Kashmir Resolution' after every prayer. The calendar also urges the people to come out on the roads and stage sit in dharnas across Kashmir on Wednesday and Thursday. With Masrat and Aasiya at the helm of affairs, the going is getting tough for the government. Releasing Geelani at this crucial juncture will only add to the momentum. It, therefore, can only pray for a repeat of 2008 `mistake' . But is it possible without Geelani?
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