Friends
& Critics
One hundred and Five Days have lapsed since article 370 was
abrogated ! Since then what has happened ? An extract of an article published
in Time Magazine of November issue is narrated below.
Kashmir Simmers Between Dueling
Nuclear Powers, Crown of India Is Dismembered
It was on August 5, that PM Modi’s Hindu Nationalist Govt.
said it would scrap the semiautonomous status that the state of J&K has
held under India’s Constitution for Seven Decades part of J&K endured a
communication black out and other distractions. 9-10 million people were pushed
behind the iron wall. We had never seen anything like this, “Says Anuradha Bhaseen
executive editor of Kashmir Times.
If the heavy – handed measures of the curfew were intended to
dampen the threat of violence, they succeeded – at least for a time but now
that India has begun lifting restrictions on the velley, Kashmiris are bracing
for what happens once the clampdown is over. Over the past three decades,
Pakistan has backed and funded insurgents in Kashmir where India has responded
with troops and brutal measures. A U.N. report in July noted serious abuses by
India forces, including extra-judicial killings, torture and pellet-gun blindings.
New Delhi dismissed the report as a “false and motivated narrative” (During the
recent visit German Chancellor was Critical of happenings in Kashmir- and stated
– Unsustainable. Similar Views have been expressed by the head of the Finland
Govt. – Both Highly Democratic Countries.)
But while the rhetoric on both side remains hostile, Pakistan
can ill afford a full-scale conflict. On October 18 the financial action task
force, the global terrorism – finance watch dog, ruled Pakistan would stay on
its GREYLIST.
A greater security risk seems to be the anger and resentment
simmering within the Valley. Nearly 4,000 people, including politicians,
activities and journalists, have been arrested, according to a Sept. 6
Government report seen by Reuters said thousand remain in custody. On Sept. 24,
the National Federation of Indian Women highlighted claims that 13,000 boys had
been picked up and detained, some for up to 45 days.
On Oct. 11, State government took out a full-page ad on the
front page of the newspaper Greater Kashmir. “ ClOSED SHOPS, NO PUBLIC
TRANSPORT? WHO BENEFITS?
Snippets
A-
“Government can’t reverse its decision on Article 370…
But they must immediately restore the status to a full-fledged state” – says Moosa
Raza – Former Chief Secretary of J&K
B-
124 A: Has British Raj Returned? How 21st
century Indian governments have become macaualy’s best disciples. – In the year
that we are celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma
Gandhi with so much fanfare, this growing intolerance to criticism is deeply
saddening. – says Pawan K. Verma (A JDU Leader an ally of the NDA)
Wake up India.
