This is not an operation of security forces…these are the simple people from a village in Kashmir. What they are doing is a profound and loud indicator of things having changed in Kashmir. These people have decided to take SOME action against mindless killings of innocents. In turns, they are keeping the house of their Sarpanch under surveillance. Do they have weapons to defend the Sarpanch? NO, but they intend to raise immediate alarm on seeing terrorists who may come into the village to target the Sarpanch. Are they not afraid of being fired upon by terrorists? YES, but they also understand that collective strength of villagers will make an affect. Have they done it before? NO, they are doing it for the first time. Why are they defending the Sarpanch? Because he is a hard working, dedicated and sincere person who has done a lot of development work for the village. What made them take this unprecedented action? They have understood that terrorists will kill anyone who represents normalcy and development…irrespective of religion, gender or age.
Why is this action of villagers an indicator of a metamorphic change? Junaid will tell you why. In the nineties, Junaid was a teenager. At many occasions in those days he had performed similar ‘duty’. This was when the terrorists visited his village and entered a house for food, Junaid and many other youngsters were put on ‘duty’ around the village to warn arrival of security forces so that the terrorists could slip out safely. Junaid had also seen that the terrorists not only consumed food in a house but also indulged in other pleasures which were ‘provided’ as demanded. His young mind like others of his age was that these were mujahids fighting for some holy cause….that they will get them ‘azaadi’. As time passed, Junaid understood the futility of all the bloodshed. His school friends who had joined JKLF were killed by Pakistan based terrorist tanzeems because JKLF did not agree to merger of Kashmir with Pakistan. Initially, Junaid thought that killing of innocent Muslims and peace lovers was inescapable and a part of ‘Jehad’ but gradually it dawned upon him that terrorism has no rules. The recent spate in killing of innocent men, women and even children has alarmed the people of his village. Thus, TODAY Junaid stands a ‘post’ to warn villagers about arrival of terrorists. THIS role reversal is gargantuan change of scenario in Kashmir.
People of this village are better than the self serving dynastic, corrupt politicians who have taken advantage of the situation to stay afloat and fill their coffers. These villagers are better than the venomous separatists who keep their children abroad in safety and comfort and misguide the youth to pick up arms…to die an untimely death. These villagers are better than the intelligentsia of Kashmir who are selective in condemning violence. These villagers are better than those social media parasites who only propagate hatred and violence because it gives them low-priced popularity. These villagers are better than the terrorists who lob grenades on crowds to kill and maim old people, women and even toddlers. These villagers are better than the terrorists who kill innocents in darkness and run away to live another day. These villagers are better than those effete who call terrorists the “unidentified gunmen”.
The villagers do not know whether the terrorists will come to their village or not. They also cannot imagine the scenario that will emerge if terrorists reacted violently against the villagers. Still, they have gathered the courage to stand against terrorism….against mindless Pakistan sponsored terrorism. They all deserve a salute.
The only other segment of the society that matches the courage of these villagers are those courageous citizens who light candles to condemn terrorist killings….those who march peacefully to denounce terrorism…..those who hold a placard to call for peace. Their actions are also equally profound indicators of change….of the groundswell for peace in Kashmir.
So, let us stand up against terrorism. If terrorists have killed someone next door, it could be your house tomorrow. If people in some faraway market have been killed by the grenades of terrorists, it could be your town tomorrow.
Let us stand against Pakistan sponsored terrorism in Kashmir