News Kashmir Magazine

Owais Ahmad Shah
The subject of democracy is fascinating for scholars and journalists. Reams have been written to unravel the paradox of the country despite so many factors that belie it. The million dollar question of how Indian democracy can scythe its way through troubled times always remains unaddressed.
The kind of challenges India faced in the first two decades after independence would have left any scholar diametrically skeptical about Indian democracy’s success, one such proof positive is “India: The most dangerous decades” written by Selig.S.Harrison in 1960.In it, Harrison warned:”Odds are almost wholly against the survival of freedom….The issue is in fact whether any Indian state can survive at all”. Yet Indian democracy survived, surprising and confounding its critic’s.
The million dollar question of can democracy deliver in the backdrop of what it has promised to the people of India always takes the centre stage.
Democracy might offer the best solution to politics within the system, but how good is it at coping with politics of the system? Does the democratic process, particularly in a post colonial context, have the strategic room to maneuver to reform the political system of which it is a part? What additional resources might India need to repair the ship, while keeping afloat as storm clouds gather on the horizon?
In India, democracy is embraced only as an interest aggregation or accommodation but not as a liberal force that can pace the way for astounding success stories. Such criticism would sumptuously gnaw away at it and ultimately will reduce it to an empty shell.
Democracy is the most cherished and relished ideal of any country. Every citizen of any country has a yearning desire of a free and fair society that allows every individual to have a fair shake of hand in all subjects that form an integral part of this sacred institution. In a country like India, democracy has always been a red-hot subject that takes the centre stage to attain the glory. During the state of fledgling, the state of India saw many theories across. The so-called political masters ,intellectuals held the belief that it was a wild goose chase for a diverse country like India to survive. But this common fallacy was scotched that laid the foundations for a Grand India that not only survived but thrived to regain her past glory.
What led to many astounding success stories of India is her vibrant democracy. The critics of Indian democratic system cannot help conceding the fact that at the seventh decade of India’s independence, India has come a long way.
The stereotyping of Indians as snake-charmers, old fashioned and dyed in the wool traditionalists has been supplanted by Software technocrats, Business tycoons, Top-level professionals at the International level.
India has grown at gallop. Be it self-sufficiency in food production, development, cutting-edge technology, nuclear field, India has attained the feat.
There are two types of optimists who take a hard and a long outlook of the subject of democracy. One type of optimist believes that India is on the course to become one of the greatest and most powerful democracies in the near future.
The other type of optimist carries worry with the system.
The vexed, million-dollar question about the canker that is eating away at the heart of democratic ideals is looming large .Trust of the people in the political system has taken a downfall. The multiple menaces that have crept into the system have set major roadblocks for India to thrive and shine.
Corruption always takes the top seat that contributes to the major setbacks for any country. In the words of Edward Gibbon,” Corruption is the most infallible symptom of the constitutional liberty”. One has to bear it in mind that corruption is universal in nature and not specific to any particular country but the level of public corruption in India has reached gigantic proportions, shaking the foundation’s of liberal democracy. It has spread like a cancer in the entire political system and has cast a long shadow over the entire political system. Laying aside corruption, the recent examples of mob-lynching,Political vendetta, muzzling of independent voices and others also set major challenges for India.
Public accountability, welfare, sustainability and integrity of political class and bureaucracy has sucked into the abysmal conditions. It is not fair enough to condemn the whole political and bureaucratic class. In all fairness, a great number of fine men and women of unquestionable integrity, unfaltering commitment also tower over the horizon. The time is to accept the hard truth rather than trying to brazen it out.
It is a gospel truth that as a result of lopsidedness in the system, the public perception about the political class is at low ebb since independence. Massive scandals have tarnished the reputation of politicians and has corroded people’s faith in democracy. Given these circumstances, one can sum up that.
(The writer is Student at GDC Handwara.)

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Indo-Pak ties in the shadow of Kashmir Fumes

Majid Wali

Pakistan and India, both are having nuclear power and war-head missile technology.
Pakistan is the larger importer of arms and ammunition from China while India heavily imports the arms and ammunition from Russia and America.
In the history of 70 years, both experienced three wars. Therefore, sensitivity of war status on ground borders of two countries keep moving on between weak and strong.
Not only on ground borders, but also on diplomatic international fronts, both countries are having challenging position encountering each other.
Whether the clashes are on military grounds or on diplomatic fronts or on media pitch, the blame game between two nuclear powers is quite common for any act of unpleasantness and adversity of any sort.
Kashmir is a disputed territory, claimed both by India and Pakistan with both countries administering part of the territory.
Since 2015, the Indian security forces are suffering from terrorist attacks and Indian forces are badly targeted by extremists.
In July 2015, three gunmen attacked a bus, and police station in Gurdaspur. Early in 2016, four to six gunmen attacked the Pathankot Air Force Station. In February and June 2016, the militants killed nine and eight security personnel respectively in Pampore. In September 2016, four assailants attacked an Indian Army brigade headquarters in Uri killing 19 soldiers. On 31 December 2017, the Commando Training Centre at Lethpora was also attacked by militants killing five security personnel.
In the series of terrorist hit, Indian forces suffered another deadliest attack in Pulwama, Indian administered Kashmir.
The Central Reserve Police Force is the largest central paramilitary force under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

On 14 February 2019, a convoy of vehicles carrying security personnel on the Jammu Srinagar National Highway was attacked by a vehicle-borne suicide bomber at Lethpora (near Awantipora) in the Pulwama district, Jammu and Kashmir, India. The attack resulted in the deaths of 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel and the attacker. India has blamed Pakistan for the attack. Pakistan condemned the attack and denied any connection to it.
Unrest and law order situation triggered in 2016 after India killed a popular militant leader, Burhan Wani. The overbearing protest then, from Kashmiri people was a big smash for Indian authorities.
Again Pulwama attack sparked violence in Indian administered Kashmir that is headed towards confrontation and hard times between India and Pakistan on military as well diplomatic fronts.
Not only ,Muslims of Indian administered Kashmir are suffering from social violence but Muslim students studying in various parts of India have been badly tortured by Hindu extremist communities, Few of educational Institutes announced to prohibit admission’s for Kashmiri students in there Institutes.
Indian media is over exaggerating the pulwama attack causing emotional hype and hysteria in Indian communities against Pakistan.
Media of both countries smashed each other creating psychological differences in between people of both countries.
Following the negative foot prints of pulwama attack, Indian forces responded by creating military confrontation on Pak-India borders particularly on Pakistan administered Kashmir borders and on Sialkot borders.
In continuity to the line of control cross fire, Indian air force attempted to cross Pakistani air space to attack the pre-defined targets but as retaliation, Indian jets were shoot down by Pakistani fighter jets resulting in Indian jet crashed in Pakistan’s territory and jet pilot was captured by Pakistani military.

Later on, as goodwill gesture, Pakistan released and handed over Indian captured pilot to Indian authorities through Wagah border.
The goodwill gesture itself is a pleasant act from Pakistan demonstrating clear intentions to overcome tension between two countries.
Prime Minister Pakistan in his speech delivered a positive message to Indian government that In the context of Pulwama attack Pakistan is ready for any sort of investigation that can address Indian concerns over Pulwama attack.
War and military acts are not a solution to any problem, war results in the destruction of economy, as a result people of both countries suffer the most.
Kashmir dispute should be resolved under the shelter of the United Nations Resolutions and according to the will of people of kashmir so that Pak-India ties can be destined towards peace and positivity.

Showkat Dar & Zubair Ahmad

The Mantra of Proscribing of Jamaat-e-Islamia in Jammu and Kashmir has led to cessation of various Philanthropic activities in the state, Jamaat-e-Islami is a socio-religious political organisation active in Jammu and Kashmir. The Kashmir branch broke away from Jamaat-e-Islami Hind and was founded in 1953. As a matter of fact, this is the third time in its history that Jamaat-e-Islami has beenbanned. In 1990, after militancy broke spread, the organisation was banned for the second time for allegedly encouraging unlawful activities.
The government claimed the Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir is in close touch with
militant outfits and supports extremism and militancy.

The move has led to angst and grudge among the Masses. A local Lady from Handwara , Noth Kashmir, wishing anonymity, said, “I am a widow who has three daughters and little son. Jamaat has been taking care of my basic needs from the local Bait-ul-Maal for past Ten years without letting anyone
know about it. Infact one of my daughter was married by the help of Almighty Allah and then after the assistance of this Jammat. This Jamaat ban will make my life difficult. I am asking the government. Who will now take care of me and thousands like me? You were not taking care, that’s why Jamaat was.”
The woman was not the member of the outfit, but was one among the many, who approach Jamaat for financial help, which is provided to them on contingency basis.
“Bait-ul-Maal works like Auqaaf. They are maintained by Jamaat in every locality where they have their units. Funds are donated to Bait-ul-Maal by the members of Jamaat and others who wish to contribute,” said another local.
Meanwhile some Schools were sealed too, as it was being run by JeI. Parents of the children’s are in traumatic situation feeling that what will be the future of their children after this hellish and draconian policy of state.
But later, when the locals protested, the school was reportedly reopened. Locals said that the authorities will keep a check on the curriculum of Jamaat schools, and will take action
accordingly. Another symbol over substance is that Once you close the doors of peaceful activism, you open the door of suicidal response. The people perception sometimes being hypothesis is accurate and true that This mantra is nothing but only Election doldrum of present regime after playing consistently with the lives of kashmir innocent people.
If Narendra Modi has banned Jamaat under an Islamophobic trend and to earn votes of anti-Muslim Hindu constituency in the upcoming parliamentary elections in India, then it is yet another day of sorrow for Republic of India and a dismal repeat of the hanging of Afzal Guru by the Congress Government in 2014.
I would strongly argue for the lifting of the ban on Jamaat on an urgent basis and give Kashmir a breathing space for politics. Bans cannot resolve the Kashmir crisis.Jamaat is neither an
underground organisation, nor is it a terror outfit.
It has been part of the electoral process in the state in1971, 1975, 1977, 1983 and 1987. It is only after mass rigging of elections in 1989 that Jamaat abandoned the electoral process.
Many sane voices acknowledges the gross root network of
social service support system provided by Jamaat-e-Islami, J&K for the victims of conflict, and livelihood to orphans and widows in the state. It offers education through its vast network of schools having over 1, 00, 000 enrolled students.
Jamaat has done a remarkable job after 2005 earth quake and 2014 Kashmir floods, which broke humanitarian crisis in the region.
Incidents of sealing of properties, including residences, have been reported from several areas in Kashmir Several properties, including residential houses belonging to various JeI leaders and activists were sealed in many areas of the city and elsewhere in the Valley.Even the bank accounts of JeI leaders have reportedly been frozen. This has caused panic among the locals in Kashmir who see this move by the Centre as an “assault on the right to religious practice”.

“The sealing of houses and properties is new. The families are literally being thrown out of their homes at night, without any intimation, for no justified reason. And it is shameful and disgraceful. And
naturally, it will cause pain to not only the families, but even to
the locals. People are angry and scared here. They are even apprehensive about revealing the details.

The banning of JeI was informed by a notification issued by Ministry of Home Affairs that accused JeI of being “in close touch with militant outfits.” The ban has been condemned by regional political parties, and the Joint Resistance Leadership.
Recently, members and activists of the Joint Resistance Leadership assembled in several places, and raised slogans against the ban. The protestors said that ban on religious organisation
JeI is unacceptable. They also raised issues like release of all political prisoners. Ahead of the ban, a major crackdown was carried on the JeI outfit in the valley. Nearly 150 leaders and activists of the outfit were detained in the nocturnal raids across Kashmir. Sealing of residential houses and schools
violates the basic principles of humanity and demonstrates the
desperation of vested interests after global rejection of their politics of hate, communalism and pernicious designed propaganda.

A former Jamaat chief, wishing anonymity, said, “We have no associations with the militancy. We do religious and welfare work and it is for everyone to see. We don’t work in shadows.
It is a politically motivated decision, and baseless allegations have been levelled. There is no evidence against us. We are peace-loving organisation, and we will take the route of law to challenge our ban. Kashmir is an unresolved political issue and it is the root cause of militancy, not us. Government must avoid measures like banishing that only feed anti-India sentiment in Kashmir. Governor of the state, Mr. Satya Pal Malik must inform the Centre about the Kashmir’s response to the ban and make efforts to help in making peace in the state..” Hello! India, We want paradise kashmir in peace not in pieces..

“It isn’t enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it.
And it isn’t enough to believe in it. One must work at it….

(The writer Showkat Dar resides in Handwara with Four post graduation and civil service aspirant)