India commemorates 26 January as Republic Day. It is a day when Indian constitution came into force. It means India became republic. This year, on 69 Republic Day, leaders of 10 ASEAN nations were chief guests. Massive preparations were made. For Kashmir, 26 January is a gazetted holiday and whole valley observes 26 January as black day. Why? Not a single day passes without a killing or harassment in valley. The conflict had consumed hundreds innocent lives on both sides of de facto border. The paradise on earth had been ruined by wild thinking of the giant leaders of both sides. The people dwelling in small kucha residences near border witness daily shelling, witness innocent killings, loss of property and crops, loss of animals and people lack basic amenities. People along LoC suffer fall prey of daily shelling. Kashmiri politicians do enjoy this celebration, routinely.
In depth of conflict, I finally learned that Kashmir issue is outcome of ego. And there are no frontiers for ego. Flaw of ego is it cannot kill an idea. Ego can impede peace process. The peace that you with efforts make does prevail. It is ego that refuses politics have no relation with morals. Morally sound politicians like Gandhi, Mandella, etc have changed the course of thinking of their oppressors and turned oppressors into lovers of people. Man is embodiment of search. If he would establish his thinking on love, his pursuit for happiness will reach an everlasting peace and prosperity. Love shouldn’t be conditional nor should be a show-off only. Love turns an enemy into a friend. In close proximity of love, peace rules and darkness fades. Slay your ego and reclaim peace, the peace that would be beyond measure.
Seek something that will bestow upon the right to live in peace and prosperity. Nothing would be gained by turning back. 26 January, a day which Union of India observes with joy and fervor. Day commemorates the date on which constitution of India came into force. Indian tricolor is hoisted. Military march, show off of weapons, tanks and other heavy armaments are part of this parade. Colourful floats from various Indian states, traditional dances, and gymnastics by children are also part of the event. Foreign guests are invited to enjoy zestful array of programs. Even rival Pakistan gratulate India on this day. This is a real paradox. Not only that, Indian BSF and Pakistani rangers who exchange heavy shelling along LoC exchange sweets on this day. On the eve of 2017 republic day ceremony on LoC, Pakistani rangers reciprocated gestures and exchanged sweets to their rivals, Indian BSF. The chains of hatred fall. One may observe political correctness on this day. Whole year, bullets rain across the LoC killing hundreds of people, destroying property, damaging crops and expel thousands to live away from their home. What happen on this day that rivals become temporary friends, suddenly ego falls and love prevail, resulting in temporary peace that return to both sides of LoC for few days.
There is a holiday observed all over India on this day. The most hostile area (LoC) observes temporary peace but there is only and only Kashmir valley which is under multi layer of security blanket on this day. On the eve of Republic Day, there is a heavy deployment of forces on the roads, where they carry out delicate searches of vehicles. Same situation prevails here on Independence Day or during PM’s visit. Internet is snapped, I mean entire communication service is snapped in valley: Road, Railway and telecommunication. Therefore, people prefer to stay indoors, can’t go to their work, and observe this day as black day. Then GoI will ask us, why Kashmiris do not celebrate adoption of constitution of India and do not hoist national flag? Because, constitution guarantees every citizen’s right to life and personal liberty, which falls short for Kashmir. The type of liberty constitution of India gives its citizen does not reach valley of Kashmir, then what to celebrate and why to commemorate.
Howard Zinn says, “There is no flag large enough to cover the shame of killing people.” Does unfurling tricolor on LoC and Srinagar can hide 2016 killings, Sopore massacre, Gawkadal massacre, Machil fake encounter, etc. The thinning crowd on Republic Day Ceremony or Independence Ceremony is result of combined effect of all these humiliation along with unfulfilled promise of Plebiscite and conditional love for Kashmir valley. Since days of accession, these ceremonies are being held here. The guests who unfurl flag and those who hold breath in respect of it are second or third generation of those who had earlier participated in these ceremonies and trend will fallow, if survived.
The unjust attitude of Indians towards Kashmir and broken promises do not allow Kashmiris to negotiate with Union of India. The threat that engulfed valley of Kashmir since 1989 is the outcome of the broken promises and stereotype attitude of Kashmiri politicians towards claims made by people of valley. It seems local leaders have lost appetite to solve the issue, and this silence is further deteriorating valley at a larger pace. The low tune of PDP in BJP’s darbar and trail run by media to defame Kashmir had invited the wrath of common people. In nut shell, we may conclude at, Kashmiris do not enjoy the type of freedom that constitution of India guarantees its citizens, and then what is the need of commemorating adoption? Empty stands at Bakshi Stadium on the eve of 2017 Independence Day was a shock to Uttar Pradesh police contingent which were part of celebration for first time in Kashmir. These empty stands openly falsified the myth “a handful of people in Kashmir demand free state neither with dominion of India nor with dominion of Pakistan.”
Until and unless India and Pakistan would not leave ego and come on negotiation table, peace in sub-continent is impossible. Forces action would only turn sky kissing cities into ruins only, Syria and Yemen is visible example of it. The water is above head now. The split between Kashmir and Jammu and rest of state of India is clearly visible on these occasions. The door to door search operation before 26th January or 15th August and forced participation of school children in these parades do convey one message “India has failed in Kashmir.” The approach authorities are interested in preparation of celebrations, if have been employed in same way to restore peace across LoC, the bloodshed across line of control have been impeded.
Sheikh Nissar can be reached at sheikhnissar@Outlook.com
