By Javed Gilani
There were many people who had gathered in Nowhatta chowk, most of them children. These people were chanting slogans, “Hagar tie hagar yeth wanas gagar” (may this shop perish) and “ Dukandaar ko pesh karo” (present the shopkeeper). All the shops nearby closed down and the traffic was stopped on the roads. The children were holding stones in their hands and were ready to fight. The people assembled outside the Nowhatta Police post which was those days situated near Bata shoe shop. People were chanting slogans and seemed to be angry. Suddenly, a dozen of policemen appeared on the scene, controlling the mob. The children were scared and they started running away and the young men started picking up the stones. They threw stones at the police. A clash erupted between policemen and the mob. Police started firing tear gas shells. I was watching this incident from far away near the gate of Jamia Masjid, immediately rushed towards home where my worried father and mother scolded me for wandering off on the streets. At that time I was studying in 8th grade.
This was the day when television programs started in Kashmir and it was the only reason that clashes erupted. The reason for the clashes was that a shopkeeper near the police post was selling Radio and other electronic gadgets. As the television station started the programs in Kashmir, the shopkeeper started selling television sets and kept one of them in the showcase. It was turned on early that day so that people would know about the television and would buy a television set. As it was the first day of the experimental program to start people were moving towards Nowhatta to watch the glimpse of the TV program. I was one among them, going there without the permission of my family. Many people had arrived before me and I found myself a place far behind the shop. Neighbouring shopkeepers had already camped in the shop and were not letting anyone inside the shop. I was not able to watch anything, so I tried to stand on my toes but it was a tiring job. Eventually, I found my way to the television set. People around me were out of control. It was as if they were watching a dream become reality.
After a while, some lines appeared on the TV screen which caused excitement among people. They started shouting “log ha log ha…”( It started….starting) But it was nothing, just some lines appearing on the screen before the TV started. After a while, the TV program started and somebody appeared on the screen. Suddenly everyone in the crowd started to get closer to the shop. I was not able to see anything because I was trying very hard to stay in my place but the crowd was getting crazy and I was thrown far behind the crowd. The crowd tried to get close to the shop and because of this, the glass of the showcase shattered into the pieces. This made the shopkeeper very angry and he turned off the television set and closed the shop.
After locking the shop, he was about to flee but the angry mob started moving towards him. He was clever enough to flee and took refuge in the police post. When he managed to escape, the rage of the people doubled. The people were fuming in anger as they were not able to see the TV program. Everyone especially children were upset and shouting slogans loudly. “Hager tie hager yeth wanas gagar” and “Dukandar ko peish karo”. This is how I and the rest of the shar- e – khaas watched the TV for the first time.
The author can be reached at javeedgilani84@gmail.com
