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| Let’s not get cowed down by propaganda | | | Jaibans Singh | 8/12/2011 10:00:51 PM |
| There are a number of actors in the Kashmir imbroglio. Those directly involved are the people of the region and the State of India. Those who wish to be involved are, of course, Pakistan and its sponsored terrorist organisations who wish to take the whole of Kashmir on the destructive path already chalked out for Pakistan Occupied Kashmir and the Northern Areas. Next are those like the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) who pretend to be concerned; they have no visible stake in the region and yet they do not refrain from issuing statements and interfering where they have no right to tread. Lastly, there are the neutral but decisive players in world geopolitics like the United States and other international organisations.
This plethora of stake holders is represented by innumerable so called experts, critics, policy makers, strategists and thinkers. Almost everybody who is anybody or has pretensions to being somebody in world affairs, Muslim affairs or South Asian affairs would like to hold and express an opinion on this small, beautiful and otherwise insignificant region. In fact, one could compile volumes of the printed page simply on “Kashmir-speak”. Some of these statements have acquired a proverbial flavour, so often have these been quoted, while others have begun to sound like hackneyed phrases innocent of all rationale and logic. All of this makes the region a global fore runner in media engagement.
The most interesting of this lot is those who pretend to be concerned, as in the case of the OIC. The OIC is a Saudi sponsored organisation which is seized with the objective of building the image of its patrons amongst the global Muslim Ummah. With Kashmir being projected by Pakistan as a Muslim issue, the OIC feels obligated to make pretence of being concerned. Interestingly, when the representative Nations of the organisation are confronted by the much stronger India the volte face is almost immediate in an attempt to assuage ruffled feathers.
This uncensored intrusion has a negative effect on the socio-political milieu of the region. Statements that are very typical of people looking to play to the gallery are often sought after by those constantly on the lookout to keep the Kashmir issue alive and the violence raging. The All party Hurriyat Conference (APHC) is a prime example of such delinquent players. It is common knowledge that confusion in the region is essential to the survival of the APHC for their raison de’ tre lies in a disturbed Kashmir. The APHC leadership garners political mileage and public sympathy by projecting itself as some kind of fighters for the cause of Kashmir. Unless there is discontent in the region, people will not bother about them. They also need to hold some kind of beacon at the other end of the tunnel in order to keep the people, at least some of them, on their side.
It is in this light that statements on Kashmir, howsoever superfluous and misleading, are elicited from forums like the OIC and other bodies. If something comes from one of the decisive global players it is absorbed with alacrity and distorted to perpetrate a totally different perception. Such statements are also used as a lever with the Government of India to keep the funds flowing. It has always been the endeavour of Pakistan and its stooges to generate misinformation on the Kashmir issue at every regional and international forum that it can.
What is the way out to contain this verbal onslaught on the collective Kashmiri psyche? The buck finally stops at the door of good and effective governance and a proactive diplomatic/media posture. Undoubtedly, it is the patient and, at times, plaintive attitude of the Indian government that has provided an impetus to such anti-India tirades that border on sedition and outright interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign and strong Nation. The Nations constant efforts towards assisting the beleaguered and terrorist afflicted people of Jammu and Kashmir in fulfilling their aspirations are being construed as a weakness on the part of the Indian government and this often leads to the government being put on the defensive at international forums. Whereas the Pakistanis frequently make arrogant and brash statements that are grounded in total falsehood, the Indians are for some reason even shy of stating the truth.
While advocating a counter strategy the first thought that comes to mind is the need to usher “normalcy” in the region. Once the disturbances are contained most of the so called “experts” will be at a loss for adequate issues on which to present their fatuous arguments. The Indian security forces have managed to sustain law and order in the State despite many attempts to disrupt the same, this good work has to continue so that the security environment can witness a paradigm and permanent shift for the better. This endeavour has to be supplemented with rigorous efforts to bring about development and psychological integration of the people of Kashmir, especially the youth, with the rest of India where, in any case, lies an answer for all of their woes.
The good and righteous work that is being done by the Indian State has to get realistic and proactive treatment in the media both national and international. There is a need to carry out a reality check of the media policy being followed in the matter of Kashmir at both the State and the Central level. When the National cause is righteous and the means being used to quell foreign sponsored terrorism are justified then where is the need to be apologetic? It is better to expose the perpetrators of seditions and disruption for what they are rather than following a policy of appeasement. It is the ground realities that should be known to all and not propagandist falsehoods.
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