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| Kashmir : Ground realities versus engineered perceptions | | | Jasbir Sarai | 7/4/2011 9:25:06 PM |
| The State of Jammu and Kashmir comprises of three distinct geographic entities, namely, Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh. As we proceed across the state from South to North we first come across the Jammu plains and hills that broadly comprise of the area from Samba to Akhnoor and Undhampur. This area has a Hindu Dogra population with a healthy mix of all other communities that form part of the State. Then we come upon the southern slopes of the Pir Panjal range that fall into the Jammu region. This is the ancestral abode of communities like the Gujjar/Bakarwals, Pathowari speaking Muslims, Hindu Dogras and Sikhs who have coexisted peacefully for times immemorial. This area has an ethnic and cultural affinity with region presently defined as Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK). Significantly this entire area has nothing in common with the people of the Kashmir Valley.
As we cross the Jawahar tunnel we enter the Kashmir valley which is the only Muslim predominant area in the State. It has a mixed composition of Sunni’s as a majority and Shia’s as a minority constituent of the Muslim population. The Hindu population comprising of Kashmiri Pundits has been forced to flee the valley due to terrorism, then there is a small segment of Sikhs, some of whom have migrated while a few continue to reside in the Valley. These two communities also have a considerable stake in the land of their ancestors.
Across the Zozilla Pass we enter the Ladakh region where the Dras and Kargil areas have a predominant Shia Muslim population and a religious-cultural affinity with the Pakistan controlled Northern Areas of Gilgit, Baltistan and Barbaristan, these are ethnically distinct tribes with a language and culture of their own. The Leh segment, which has the largest landmass and the least population is predominantly Buddhist
It is evident that ethnic composition of the State never could and never can be, a point of reference for resolution of its problems, actual or perceived. Under these circumstances one wonders as to how the separatists are advocating the formation of an Islamic State in Jammu and Kashmir and how they are justifying a merger with Pakistan? Despite the inherent inconsistencies of this approach, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, the most vocal opponent of India, frequently puts forward the idea of an Islamic state in Jammu and Kashmir. This is done within the ambit of movements like Slafism, which follow an Islamic world view. A significant point that is totally ignored is that this will render the Shia and other ethnic groups as second class citizens at best.
We must not ignore the fact that Pakistan Occupied Kashmir and the Northern Areas, have been protesting against multifaceted issues like colonisation of their homeland by the Pakistani Punjabi elite, lack of political empowerment and second class status. The recent election for Azad Kashmir government in Pakistan could not be completed as the PPP and PML-(N) got into a bitter fight and MQM boycotted the election. In POK, there are many who support a merger with India. Sadly, a blanket ban on media coverage in the region does not allow its political realities to emerge clearly.
One also wonders about the myth of separatist political paramountcy in Jammu and Kashmir which prevails in the eyes of the international community and, most unfortunately, some segments of the Indian polity also? An answer to this question can be found, in no small measure, in the role being played by the media in projection of the situation in the State. Media has a proclivity to follow the loudest voice in areas ridden by dissent, and for long, the separatist voices have been the loudest in Kashmir. Thus they receive a larger share of media coverage. Led by educated elite, with a dominant presence in the capital city of Srinagar, they end up in making the right noise, at the right time, in the right manner, which directs all attention towards them and succeeds in giving credence to their narrative of being the sole representatives of the people of Kashmir. The separatists have been successful in exploiting the ignorance of the world to their benefit.
It was evident from the disruptions in the last few years that a small aggressive, organised and motivated section of separatists hit a media jackpot which helped them subjugate other moderate and reasonable voices. In the cacophony stringent voices, the environment of peace in the Jammu and Ladakh regions, which clearly indicated that separatist had a hold only in the valley, was conveniently ignored. An understanding that the majority of the State constituents did not subscribe to the separatist agenda simply did not occur to the national and international community.
Yet another aspect that is being ignored is that Kashmiri’s have rejected the cult of violence as also the motivated propaganda to merge with Pakistan and rooted for freedom and democracy as enshrined in the Indian Constitution. As compared to the previous three years this summer, by far, has been quiet and restrained both in terms of terrorist initiated activity and civil protest. This is a welcome and significant change when seen in the context of the manner in which disruption could be engineered only a few months ago.
The solution of the Kashmir problem may lie in political negotiation but ground realities must be considered during such a process. No group can be given more representation than it actually deserves. Separatists make the loudest noise to appear big but they have the smallest base. The multi-ethnic province cannot be represented by a single ethnic political leadership. It is time for the world to see the ground reality of the State and break away from the myth that separatists represent Kashmir, more so, since even the Muslims of the State do not have much faith in them.
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