By Dr. Sofi Rafiq
Almighty Allah has bestowed Kashmir with everything that soothes the human eye and brain from snow-capped mountains to gushing streams, to lakes and lush green gardens, from Chinar to apple trees in the midst of all this, the lovely, beautiful, and hospital people make it paradise on earth. Kashmir is not only known for its enthralling scenic beauty but its lovely and hospitable people as well. Kashmiri people by their very nature are as sweet as “wazwan” the intriguing cuisine of Kashmir.
In the past Kashmir used to be the highest seat of learning where people used to come to quench their thirst for knowledge and wisdom. It is a land of famous Suffis and Rishis whose teachings have enlightened mankind from all walks of life. The current situation of the alarming rise in crimes in the land of Rishis is unbelievable and unexpected.
In addition to the law of land, every society is known for its values and set of local norms which govern and regulate the activities of its people. Kashmiri society is known for its generosity, sympathy, hospitality, openness, respect, acceptance, affection, unity, empathy, and love towards other human beings but unfortunately, we as a society have failed somewhere that is why we witness around us the happening of such shocking incidents that are hard to be believed for a society we belong to. The last some months have witnessed happening of some terrible incidents that have shaken everybody with a human heart and have sent trembling waves across sections of society. The gruesome murder of a budding flower a baby from north Kashmir kidnapped and killed in cold blood by none other than his neighbor, the acid attack on a girl in Srinagar destroying her life, Father killed by his sons are not only painful but signaling where we are heading towards. These are the bird’s eye view of the incidents happening around us the young boys and girls ruining their lives by consuming drugs, the alarming rate of increase in suicides, young boys and girls getting involved in the narcotics trade is forcing us to think and think positively and act immediately without wasting any time because such criminal activities do not suit to the habitants of paradise on earth the land of Suffis and Rishis. Otherwise, as Muslims, we are aware of what happened to the people of the town situated along the sea who profaned the Sabbath. The message of the Al-Quran is loud and clear for all of us:
“And ask the people of Moses concerning the town situated along the sea how its people profaned the Sabbath when fish came to them breaking the water’s surface on Sabbath days, and would not come to them on other than Sabbath-days. Thus did We try them because of their disobedience. (7:164) And recall when a party of them said: ‘Why do you admonish a people whom Allah is about to destroy or punish severely?’ They said: ‘We admonish them to be able to offer an excuse before Your Lord, and in the hope that they will guard against disobedience.’ (7:165) Then, when they forgot what they had been exhorted We delivered those who forbade evil and afflicted the wrong-doers with a grievous chastisement because of their evil doing. (7:166) And when they persisted in pursuing that which had been forbidden We said: ‘Become despised apes.”
An increase in the crime rate is a matter of concern for all of us and every section of society has to play its part. Journalists, lawyers, political leaders, religious scholars, preachers, imams, law enforcement agencies along with common people have to contribute to making Kashmir crime-free.
The root cause of what is happening around us is that Modern man has distanced himself from religion and spirituality which have always stood against the degrading morality of mankind. The need of the hour is to glorify our own culture and learn from religion to imbibe moral values among our young generation in particular and general masses in common for which religious leaders and parties have an indispensable role. They must shun the religious divide on petty issues instead work in this direction.
This is the time when everyone among us must understand the responsibility and look around his surroundings and observe any evil harmful to the society. We have to redress it in a noble and positive manner. Aggression and un¬necessary hue and cry should be avoided. We must shun the habit of making the Government responsible for everything at this crucial juncture when the image of our beautiful Kashmiri society is at stake; we have to succeed in our efforts to root out different evils from our society.
Our social fabric has made our mindset to receive our guests local or foreign into the picturesque landscape with warmth, glow, unity, and love. We add to our hospitable nature with our smile, courtesy, and friendliness we are the most helpful and generous people in the world. We ensure to make guests feel comfortable and feel at home. Crime is like a guest/stranger to our society and we need to set the opposite trend about crimes (guest) we must not allow crime to feel comfortable and feel at home. We should play our part in eradicating the evil from our society.
The author can be reached at rafeeqgbl@gmail.com
