Emergency?

The whole Kashmir valley has been under curfew for the past three days without a break. 8 people have been killed in police firing over the past 3 days. These deaths are on top of 31 shot from point blank range in the first two weeks of August. The newspapers cannot bring out their print editions. Local television channels have been barred from broadcasting news. This is an emergency like situation. All this because people had come out on the streets to peacefully express their desire to secede from India. India's democracy reached its limit after only 4 public demonstrations in the past two weeks when hundreds of thousands of people came out to demand freedom. Shame.

There are lots of videos on you tube showing the barbaric treatment, meted to the people for seeking freedom, by Indian security forces. Shame.

Return of the 90's

Kashmir has erupted once again just like it did in early 90's. The march to the Line of Control(LOC), pampore, UN military observers group in Srinagar and eidgah have destroyed the myth that Kashmiris have given up their desire to breathe free . All these rallies were big and people came out to express their desire to secede from India. It is funny how India thought that Kashmir problem would somehow go away if we stop recognizing the dispute. It is like you close your eyes and nobody will be able to see you. People are dying and they are saying something. Instead of brushing it away India should recognize Kashmiris as humans with dignity and listen to what they have to say. Shooting unarmed protesters will only make things worse. One of the arguments that I have heard from Indian experts is that everybody does not want to secede. Fair enough. I want to ask them, then why are you scared to hold a plebiscite or a referendum. I think it is time for India to honor its commitments to the people of Kashmir and let them decide what they want. Does India want people who will consider themselves as separate from the mainland or does it want their hearts to be with them. Kashmir's heart does not lie with India. It does not lie with Pakistan either. It is yearning for the space to decide its own fate. Don't tell it what to do. Give it a chance to breathe and to express. More curbs will make it more rebellious and India has already lost it although the territory is still under its control.
Separatists leaders must realize this as well. Don't try to be bigger than the nation. Listen to the heart beat of the people of Kashmir and do not ignore it. History in Kashmir has shown us enough times, what happens when a leader does that.

P.S.: People of Jammu and Ladakh will also get what they really want if this state is allowed to express its free will.

Blessing in Disguise

Jammu agitation for the land for amarnath shrine board and against kashmir and muslims in the Jammu region could be a blessing in disguise. Kashmir Intifada was for honor. Even during those tough days hindus were and still are being treated well in Kashmir. Jammu agitation is war against muslims. While the hindu fanatics of Jammu have yet again showed how ruthless they are by hurting muslims of Jammu and the valley as a whole through economic blockade, they have brought home the point to us, kashmiris, how dependent we are. I have always supported the idea of Jammu being a separate state. I believe they don't belong to us and we don't belong to them, so all these leaders who always consider J&K as one unit are mistaken in my opinion.
We should concentrate on ways and means to make Kashmir self reliant and live a life of honor. Calling for strikes is not the solution but working harder is, fast unto death is not a remedy but working harder to produce more to feed ourselves and others is. We need to learn to respect ourselves and always strive to be the ones giving than the ones receiving.