MAJID’S RETURN – A LITMUS TEST

The “brave” decision of a youth, an ace footballer-turned-militant Majid Khan, who abandoned gun after widespread appeals by people
and parents before media, should be hailed by one and all. Wisdom lies in the army’s encouragement of the returned militant through
its statement that “the brave young man (Majid) decided on his own to shun violence and return to lead a normal life pursuing his academics and passion for football”. Indeed, it was a brave decision taken by Majid, keeping in mind the state of his parents and also to pursue his own career in academics. By facilitating the young militant’s return, army has ignited a ray of hope among others who have chosen the path of violence that they too can lead a normal life. The families of other militants must take case of Majid’s parents a great example and urge their wards to come back. The police chief’s appeal to all local youths, who have taken arms to come back to their homes, is a step in the right direction. The return of Majid is a litmus test for the police chief’s recently announced surrender
policy for militants. All eyes are also on army’s which assured that Majid would not be charged or harassed in any way and will be
allowed to live normal life. What prompts the active militants to continue with the path of violence is, as the chief minister Mehbooba
Mufti asserted, the ‘social stigma’ – that is attached to surrendered militants which prevents most of the active militants from returning
home. This stigma also needs to be removed from the face of our society.