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| Can a Kashmiri Muslim be a true Indian? | | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Oct 21: Can a Kashmiri Muslim be a true Indian? Some persons say yes but only after paying a huge price. The question, however, provides an opportunity to tread on a forbidden path.
People by and large believe that Sheikh Family is the only Muslim family in Kashmir that owes allegiance to India. But an in-depth analysis of three generation Abdullah's forces one to hold a contrary view. Sher-e-Kashmir was an Indian only when in power. When not in power he dreamed of an independent state and even looked towards Pakistan at times.
Dr Farooq Abdullah swears by unity and integrity of India. Every second day he says Kashmir was an Atoot Aung (Integral part). But during PDP rule while addressing the media at Jammu after a book release, he lashed out at the army for "violating rights of the people". He said: "We have no option but to reconsider our decision on accession." But, when National Conference assumed power once again in 2008, Kashmir again became an integral part of India for him.
Omar Abdullah has held office of the Minister of State for External Affairs. He has stakes in India but two weeks ago, he challenged the totality of accession and described Jammu Kashmir an international dispute.
And for Mufti Sayed Kashmir is a disputed territory. He has his own solution for its resolution. So like other Indians, he does not believe in totality of accession.
Militant turned legislator turned journalist, Javed Shah earned widespread ridicule when he shifted loyalties. Fellow MLC and former militant commander, Firdous Sayed alias Baber Badr during an interview with Early Times talked about "the cost his colleague had to pay for being an Indian."
He said: "One day I came out of the house (assembly hall) to smoke. Javed was already in the lobby having a fag. He shouted at me. I did not like his attitude. He was not behaving like a legislator. Any ways, I responded to his call and went to him. He looked very gloomy. I sat besides him. He poured out his heart. What he said turned me almost numb."
Javed told him: "After coming from school yesterday, my son talked to me. He was very serious and had the most uncomfortable conversation with me that evening." Firdous paused for a moment. He was narrating an incident which changed his thinking and the course of his life. According to him, Javed's son posed a very difficult and shocking question to him. "Dad will you mind if I change my parentage in the school records?"
The question was sudden and direct. Javed could not utter a word for a moment. With great difficulty, he pulled himself together and managed a `why'. The answer was as shocking as the question. "My friends tell me your father is a renegade, a killer, a criminal and an Indian. I will be spared of the humiliation if I change my parentage."
Javed had no answer. He could not sleep that night and was now lightening his burden in the lobby of the legislative assembly. Fortunately he found a patient listener in Firdous Sayed.
"We are offering a huge sacrifice by being on this side of the fence. Will the Indians acknowledge this ever?", he asked. Baber was lost in thoughts. He never forgot the encounter. |
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