And they wait for his mortal remains now.

YUSUF JAMEEL

SRINAGAR

Feb. 9, 2013: “Allah must have thought good for us. I’m optimistic,” Tabbasum, wife of Muhammad Afzal Guru, had said recently.

Speaking to this newspaper at Gurus’ ancestral house built of exposed burnt brick and timber and situated on the banks of River Jhelum at Jagir, a Sopore suburb, 55-km northwest of Srinagar, she had said that however conflicting reports about Guru’s providence pouring out of New Delhi turn her and other family members nervous from time to time. “Those who ask for immediate hanging of Afzal make us anxious. We know why they do that but they, perhaps, don’t realize how painful it is for us particularly our 12-year-old son Ghalib,” she had said.

“When something about his father appears in a newspaper and he hears about that from his schoolmates the first thing he asks for on returning home is to show him the publication. He also wishes to keep himself abreast of news about his father through Internet," she had said

Whenever he would find something discouraging he would look sad. "That makes me cry,” Tabbasum who works as a manager at a private nursing home in neighbouring Baramulla had said.  Some time ago, Ghalib after watching TV rushed to his mother to tell her Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan has “supported” his father’s situation. “He was excited saying SRK was the only person who spoke in support of his father in a discussion on TV,” his mother recalled.

“I earn sufficiently to keep ourselves going and meet the expenses on Ghalib’s education but Afzal’s absence makes life dark and incomplete.  I’m still learning to live without him. In fact, it is his (Afzal’s) prayers and my love and concern for our child that encourage me to live for them. I’m sure he will come back someday,” the 32-year-old Tabbasum had said.

Afzal is also her cousin and they tied in nuptial knot on November 1, 1998. It was an arranged marriage decided by the two families. Afzal was an MBBS student but had left his studies midway to “fight for the freedom of Kashmir.” The family would make no bones about his being a Pakistan-trained militant. Rather it feels “proud” about him being a “dedicated soldier” of Kashmir’s “freedom struggle”. 

Aijaz Ahmed Guru, Afzal’s brother, said “I know him so well, better than his wife. He is a brother and has been a friend too. His love for his people is infinite. He is worried about their future and would often express himself before me and other friends. He wanted to see Kashmir liberated from foreign occupation and was prepared to sacrifice his life for the cause. I know that for certain.”

Asked if he felt Afzal was implicated in the Parliament attack case and that any link between him and the terrorists was only tenuous as some people insist, Aijaz had said, “Let us think what prosecution said is true. Also, to accept he was involved in the incident or he was not is immaterial now.  As far as I know he is a Pakistan-trained mujahid who had devoted his life for the cause of freedom. If that was not the case, then he would not have relinquished his studies midway and joined the militants’ ranks.”

Tabbasum had wished and prayed the President commuted Afzal’s death sentence to life imprisonment. “After every nimaz and other times also I pray to Allah that a decision that comes out is good for us. I seek His blessings for Afzal.” Yet the fact that his mercy petition remained undecided for so long was “agonising” for the entire family, Aijaz had said. Their mother, Aisha, died in last week of September, 2012. “Doctors said she died of gastric stomach cancer but we know what the real cause off her illness was,” Tabbasum had said.

 

The family had also said it had no love last for politicians who throng their place or/ and issue statements in support of Afzal whenever he is in news. “Apart from statements they have done nothing. No real legal aid for Afzal has come from any side. But we take everything in our stride. We don’t complain nor would you find us lamenting in public because we have no political ambition. We are simple people, work hard to earn our livelihood and thank God for the good and bad things that happen in our lives,” Aijaz had asserted.

He denied Afzal, the militant, had ever surrendered before the BSF in Kashmir in late 1990s. “He had brought two guns from Pakistan. One of them actually meant for another boy had been concealed in sand on the riverbank. Since the security forces would frequently raid our place and ask for the weapon I retrieved the gun and took it to the BSF and handed it over to them against proper receipt on behalf of Afzal.” The rumour had it ‘Afzal has along with his weapon surrendered before the BSF’.       

LoC skirmishes: India unlikely to accept UNMOGIP role

YUSUF JAMEEL SRINAGAR Jan. 9: If Pakistan’s offer that the recent combats along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir may be investigated by the United Nations Military Observers’ Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) is conceded by New Delhi, the 39-member group will, at least, undergo some toil after years of seclusion actually forced by it (India). It will also restore its legitimacy fully as India has sought to keep it at arm's length ever since the 'Ceasefire Line' in Kashmir was re-designated as the "Line of Control" following the Simla Agreement of 1972. Hence, it is unlikely that India will even agree to give any kind of consideration to the Pakistani suggestion of involving the UNMOGIP into any kind of probe into the alleged, and since refuted, ceasefire violations and intrusions along the de facto border by either side. After the UN Security Council enforced ceasefire between India and Pakistan in Kashmir in January 1949, the two countries signed Karachi Agreement in March 1951 and established a ceasefire line to be supervised by observers. The same year, after the termination of the UNCIP, the Security Council passed a resolution (91-1951) under which UNMOGIP was established to observe and report violations of ceasefire. However, after the signing of the Simla pact, India and Pakistan disagree on UNMOGIP’s mandate in Kashmir. India argues that the mandate of UNMOGIP has lapsed after Simla agreement because it was specifically established to observe ceasefire according to Karachi Agreement, the assertion questioned by Pakistan. The military authorities of the neighbouring country have continued to lodge complaints about alleged ceasefire violations along the LoC with UNMOGIP. On the other hand, India has lodged no such complaints with it since January 1972 and has restricted the military observers on its side of the de facto border yet have continued to provide accommodation, security, transport and other facilities to UNMOGIP. However, the UN Secretary General’s office maintains that the UNMOGIP should continue to function because no resolution has been passed to terminate it. If India moves such a resolution in the UN Security Council, directly or through an ally member, it would only bring the issue of Kashmir back to the limelight at International level which India will never want to, say the Kashmir watchers. Nevertheless, the LoC only refers to the military control line between India and Pakistan in Kashmir and does not constitute a legally recognized international boundary but is the de facto border. However, voices are being raised both in India and Pakistan and at International level to make it a permanent border between the two countries. India has constructed a 12-feet high double-row of fencing and concertina wire along a 550 km portion of the 740 km long LoC which is electrified and connected to a network of motion sensors, thermal imaging devices, lighting systems and alarms in order to discourage infiltration from across the de facto border. Indian army says that it has, in fact, reduced by eighty percent the number of militants and other “undesirable elements” who cross into its side of the LoC to carry out subversive activities. Islamabad has resented the construction of the barrier, saying it violates both bilateral accords and relevant UN Security Council resolutions. At present, the UNMOGIP has 39 military observers drawn from Chile, Croatia, Finland, Italy, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Sweden, Thailand and Uruguay, 25 international civilian personnel and 48 local civilian staff. It operates from Srinagar in summer and Rawalpindi in winter but has regional offices at various places across Jammu and Kashmir including Jammu, Poonch, Muzaffarabad and Mirpur and the costs which are US $21,084,900 (2012-13) are met directly under the UN regular budget. Meanwhile, the UNMOGIP has received an official complaint from the Pakistan army and will conduct a probe into the ceasefire violations on the LoC. "Regarding the January 6 alleged incident, the UNMOGIP has received an official complaint from the Pakistan army and will conduct an investigation as soon as possible in accordance with its mandate," Martin Nesirky, spokesman for Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, was quoted as saying at a press briefing in New York.

Chaos Afflicts Hindu Pilgrims In Kashmir Hills‏

Chaos Afflicts Hindu Pilgrims In Kashmir Hills‏

Beijing’s Date With Organization Of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) – Analysis

Beijing’s Date With Organization Of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) – Analysis

ادب نامہ ۔۔۔ پریس کالونی کا کتّا ۔۔۔ تحریر: یوسف جمیل ۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔ ٹیٹوال کے کتّے کی کہانی تو آپ نے سنی ہوگی ۔آج سرینگر کے فیشن ایبل ریذیڈنسی روڈ کی بغل میں واقع پریس کالونی کا کتّا منتظر شنوائی نظر آرہاہے ۔ اُس کی کہانی بھی سن لیجئے اور فیصلہ کیجئے کہ اس کا حشر کیا ہونا چاہئے ۔آخرکتّوں کی قسمت کا فیصلہ ہم انسان ہی تو کریں گے ۔ اُسے زندہ رہنے دیا جائے یا وہ یہ حق کھوچکاہے ۔آخری حکم ہم ہی جاری کرسکتے ہیں ۔ پریس کالونی کے اس کتے نے کب ، کہاں اور کن حالات میں جنم لیا۔ ہمیں اس کی بالکل خبر نہیں۔ ہمارے لئے اس کی کہانی 2008ء کے موسم گرما سے شروع ہوتی ہے ۔ امرناتھ شرائن بورڈ پر صوبائی حکومت کچھ اس قدر مہربان ہوگئی کہ رعایا کے ایک بڑے حصے کا خون کھول اُٹھا جوایک بڑی ایجی ٹیشن کا سبب بنا جوکشت وخون اور تباہی پر منتج ہوئی ۔وادیٔ کشمیر میں نفسانفسی کا عالم تھا۔ کئی ماہ پر محیط شورش کے دورن مسلسل کرفیو اور دیگر حفاظتی پابندیوں ، پکڑ دھکڑ اور حکومت اور اس کے قانون نافذ کرنے والے اداروں کی طرف سے طاقت کے بے دریغ استعمال کے نتیجے میں ایک ایسا ماحول پیدا ہوگیا تھاکہ ہرایک کو جان کے لالے پڑ گئے تھے۔اشیائے خوردونوش نایاب تھیں یابالکل غائب ہوگئیں ۔اس میں جموں میں بعض عناصر کی طرف سے چلائی جارہی اقتصادی ناکہ بندی مہم کا بھی عمل دخل تھا ۔بالخصوص سرینگر شہر میں لوگ اپنے شب وروز بھوکے پیٹ گزارنے پرمجبور ہوگئے تھے ۔جب انسانوں کے لئے کھانے پینے کی کوئی چیز میسر نہیں تھی تو جانوروں کو کیا کھلاتے ، وہ کیا کھاتے اور کہاں سے کھاتے۔ ہمارے ساتھی فوٹوگرافر حبیب اللہ نقاش کے والد اچانک بیمار ہو گئے۔کسی طرح سے انہیں اسپتال پہنچایا گیا ۔ وہاں ان کی دیکھ بھال کے لئے حبیب اللہ کوبھی رُکنا پڑا ۔ بیٹا فرض نبھانے سے کیسے چوک سکتا تھا۔حبیب اللہ کی عدم موجودگی میں اس کے ایک ہم پیشہ ساتھی توصیف مصطفی نے پریس کالونی میں واقع اس کے فلیٹ کو اپنا عارضی مسکن اور اپنی پیشہ وارانہ سرگرمیوں مرکز بنالیا۔ غیرمعمولی پابندیوں اور انتہائی پُرخطر صورتحال میں کیا اپنی پیشہ وارنہ سرگرمیاں جاری رکھتا۔ بس ایک شوق ، ایک جنوں اور اپنے پیشے سے عقیدت نے اس عکاس کو اپنا گھربار چھوڑنے پر مجبورکیا تھا ۔ پریس کالونی میں کھڑی ایک عمارت کے فلیٹ نمبر2میں توصیف بالکل قید ہوکر رہ گیا ۔ایسا ہی یا اس سے بھی بدتر حال اُس کے ساتھی فوٹوگرافروں اور دوسرے صحافیوں کا تھا۔ اشیائے خوردنی کا اسٹاک ختم ہوچکاتھا۔ بازار مسلسل کرفیوں ، ہڑتال کے لئے کی گئی اپیلوں اور دھونس دبائو اور دھمکیوں کے طفیل بند پڑے تھے اور شہر سے باہر جانا ناممکن تھا کیونکہ انتظامیہ نے پہلے سے جاری کئے گئے کرفیو پاس منسوخ کئے تھے اور نئے کرفیو پاس جاری کرنے سے انکاری تھی ۔ کسمپرسی کی اس حالت میں جب توصیف نے اپنی عارضی رہائش گاہ کی عقبی کھڑکی سے باہر کی طرف دیکھاتو اُسکی جان میں جان آگئی ۔ایک ڈربے نُما پولیس گاڑی پریس کالونی میں آکر رُکی اور اس میں سوار کانگریس پارٹی کا ایک مقامی سرگرم رکن محمد سلطان منڈوعرف سلہ منڈو باہرآگیا اور پھرمسلح پولیس محافظوں کی معیت میں انگریزی روزنامہ ’’گریٹر کشمیر‘‘ کے دفتر کی جانب چلنے لگا ۔ غالباً اُسے وہاںکوئی پریس نوٹ اشاعت کی غرض سے سونپنا تھا۔توصیف دوڑ کر نیچے آگیا اور شناسا سے یوں مخاطب ہوا۔ ’’ہم بھوک سے بلک رہے ہیں ۔بڑی مہربانی ہوگی اگر ہمیں کہیں سے کچھ لا کے دے دو‘‘۔ توصیف نے اپنی جیب سے پانچ سو روپے کا نوٹ نکالا اور اسے محمدسلطان کو تھمانے لگا۔ اُس نے لینے سے انکار کیا لیکن یہ وعدہ کرکے وہاں سے چلا گیا ۔ ’’فکر نہ کرو ۔میں کچھ نہ کچھ انتظام کرلوں گا ‘‘۔ سہ پہر کو محمدسلطان ایک ذبح شدہ مرغ کو لے کردوبارہ پریس کالونی میں وارد ہوا۔ توصیف کو اُس وقت کسی فرشتے سے کم نظر نہیں آرہاتھا۔ اُس نے محمد سلطان کا شکریہ اداکیا اور فوراً کچن کی راہ لی ۔ مرغ کے خوردنی گوشت کا سالن تیار ہوا تو توصیف نے قریبی فلیٹس میں رہائش پذیر دوتین ساتھیوں کے ساتھ اسے نوش کیا ۔ سب اللہ کے حضور میں سربسجود ہوگئے پھر انہیں اُس نحیف کتّے کا خیال آگیا جوکئی دن سے پریس کالونی میں لڑکھڑاتے لڑکھڑاتے گھوم رہا تھا۔ اُس کی حالت سے یہ اندازہ لگانا مشکل نہیں تھاکہ وہ بھی کئی دنوں کا بھوکا ہے ۔ توصیف نے تناول کئے گئے مرغ کی بچی ہڈیاں ایک برتن میں جمع کیں اور پھر انہیں باہر لے جاکراُس کتے کے آگے ڈال دیں۔ کتّے کی جان میں جان آگئی ہے یہ صاف نظر آرہا تھا۔ وہ دن اور آج کا دن ۔ یہ کتّا حبیب اللہ کا دَر چھوڑنے کے لئے بالکل تیار نظرنہیں آرہا ہے۔کئی بار اُسے پیٹا گیا ،لتاڑا گیا۔ اُس پر پتھر برسائے گئے ،ڈنڈے بھی چلائے گئے لیکن لگتا ہے کہ اس نے بھی وہاں سے نہ جانے کی قسم کھائی ہے ۔ کتّے نے حبیب اللہ کے فلیٹ تک جانے والے زینے کی بالائی سطح کے چبوترے کو اپنا دائمی مسکن بنا لیاہے ۔ لاکھ کوششوں کے باوجود بھی وہ اسے چھوڑنے کے لئے تیار نہیں ہواہے۔حبیب اللہ کو حال حال ہی میں مرغ اور بلیاں پالنے کا شوق چرایا ہے ۔یہ کتّا اُن سے بھی گھل مل گیا ہے مجال ہے کہ اس نے کبھی انہیں گزند پہنچانے کی کوشش کی ہو ۔ چاہے اُسے کئی دن تک بھوکا ہی کیوں نہ رکھا جائے۔ عمارت کی بالائی منزل میں دوروزناموں کے دفاتر واقع ہیں ۔جب ان کے ہاں کوئی انجان مہمان آتاہے تو کتّے کو چبوترے پر براجمان دیکھ کر الٹے پائوں لوٹنے میں ہی اپنی عافیت سمجھتاہے حالانکہ کتّے نے کبھی کسی شخص ،چھوٹے یا بڑے، کونقصان پہنچانے کی کوشش نہیں کی ہے۔ یہاں تک کہ وہ کسی پر بھونکتابھی نہیں ہے ۔ یہ اُن کتوں سے بالکل مختلف نظر آرہاہے جن پر انسانوں کے خلاف بغاوت کا الزام ہے ۔اپنے ایک صحافی دوست نے جو ان میں سے ایک روزنامے کا مدیر ہے ،مذاقاً یہ استفسار کیا ’’بھئی کہیں اس کتّے کو یہاں بٹھاکر کسی نے ہمارے اخبار کے خلاف سازش تو نہیں رچی ہے ؟‘‘وفاداری کتّے کے خمیر کا اہم جز ہے ۔ ہمیں تو یہ کتا خاندانی بھی لگتاہے ۔ اب جب میونسپلٹی والے شہریوں کے اصرار پر کتوں کی جان کے دشمن بن بیٹھے ہیں ہمیں اس کتے کی فکر ستارہی ہے۔ کہیں اسے ناکردہ گناہوں کی سزا نہ بھگتنا پڑے۔کتّے ،کتّے ہیں ،انسانوں کے ساتھ ان کا کیا مقابلہ۔ لیکن اسی سڑک پر ،اسی گلی میں ،اسی بستی میں ، ان ہی اقامت گاہوں میں ،اسی زینے پر انسانوں نے انسانوں کا خون بہانے میں کوئی عار محسوس نہیں کیا ۔ وہ تو انسان تھے اور یہ کتّا ہے ۔

The Dog in the hallway

The Dog in the hallway The story of a stray dog who refuses to walk out on his redeemer, leave his doorstep REALITY BITE YUSUF JAMEEL You must have heard the story of the dog from Tetwal, be familiar with the plight of the ‘Tetwal Ka Kutta’ a victim of the Partition frenzy. Much water has flown down the Kishanganga and the Jhelum since, and Sadat Hasan Manto has not heard yet he could be born again. Or has this land turned infertile to produce another Manto and the comparable? That apart, today, another dog, an ordinary creature, I presume, wants to be heard. We, the humans must give him a patient hearing and then decide his fate. After all, it is we, the humans who can decide if he has a right to live or he has ceased it. We alone can pass judgement on him. The dog lives in a backstreet of Srinagar’s fashionable Residency Road; precisely on the upstairs hallway of one of the buildings in Mushtaq Press Enclave (MPE). When, where and in what circumstances did he open his eyes in this world, we don’t really know. For us, his story begins in Summer 2008. The Jammu and Kashmir government had in what was seen by many people as an act of excessive ‘benevolence’ surrendered a plot of forest land to the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) which a vast majority of the Valley’s population openly and sturdily objected to. Instead of coping with the sensitive issue with utmost care, those at the helm of affairs tried to silence the dissent and hold back the situation and rule with iron fist. Soon tens of thousands of people were out on the streets actually to give vent to their old and unheard grievances and primarily the political sentiment, innate demand of azadi. The government forces responded with imposing round-the-clock curfews, making random arrests and even targeting the protesters with gunfire. On the other hand, pro-freedom parties and supportive groups seized the situation, and did all they could, to further their agenda. Entire Vale of Kashmir was pushed into an anarchic state of affairs wherein hardly anyone would feel safe. An ‘each one for himself’ kind of condition was also thrown up. The curfews, shutdowns, violence and economic blockade of the Valley by Hindu chauvinists in the planes led to scarcity of foodstuffs. And then a day came when there was hardly anything available to eat particularly for majority of the Srinagar residents, the worst hit by unrest. With almost nothing on hand, how could they feed the animals around, what would the mammals particularly the stray dogs eat and where? The poorest couldn’t be expected to give a hand to the poor. The father of a colleague, photographer Habibullah Naqash fell seriously ill. Somehow, he was taken to hospital and soon Naqash also relocated there to look after him. In his absence, his friend and equal Tauseef Mustafa made the flat in MPE Naqash lives in as his temporary abode- to reside and operate from there as well. In the face of unprecedented restrictions, the curfews and somewhat perilous circumstance in which our tribe like other fellow citizens had been caught, it was hardly practical to discharge our professional responsibility yet the yearning to toil, the passion, the dedication and love for the pursuit forced Tauseef to leave his home and the family behind and stay at a place which plausibly was suitable for people like him to operate from. The infamous MPE! But he soon discovered he in no way was any better than millions of fellow citizens and like them had been virtually reduced into a prisoner inside Flat No. 2 of the middle block at MPE. The condition of his counterparts and other journalists was not any different either. Some were caught even in worst situation. They, as most Srinagar residents, had run short of rations and essential commodities. In many cases, there was hardly anything left to eat or drink except the tap water. Marketplaces were shut and even the vendors from Aabi Guzar in spite of being at a stone’s throw could not make it to MPE as gun-wielding policemen had blocked all entry and exit points. The curfew passes issued to media persons had been cancelled and the concerned authorities were refusing to issue the fresh ones. In this helpless situation, Tauseef felt elated when he through a rare window of the flat saw a local Congress leader Muhammad Sultan Mandoo alighting from a white police Gypsy and flanked by his security guards began walking down the back alley towards the Greater Kashmir office presumably to deliver a party statement for publication. Tauseef quickly came downstairs and pushed himself in his course to plea “I’m hungry. Do me a favour. Kindly, get me something to eat.” He took out a Rs. 500 note from his wallet but before he could give it to Sultan, the latter reacted saying “Come on dear. I won’t take it but I assure you I will do something.” When Sultan returned in the afternoon, he had brought with him a dressed chicken for Tauseef who hurriedly went to the kitchen to cook it. Soon he and a couple of photographer friends also stuck in the neighbourhood sat around dastarkhwan, the table-cloth, to cherish the feast. As they were preparing to pray and adore before the Sustainer to thank Him for what had turned out to be for them nim’nat-e-ghair mutaraqqabah, the real windfall, Tauseef abruptly began to think about a lean stray dog he had seen roaming around in MPE the other day. He took the chicken bones and leftover meals in a serving dish, luckily found the dog sitting downstairs and put these before him. Thus begins the saga of fidelity and devotion by an animal towards its redeemer. The dog reciprocated by choosing the doorway of Naqash as his permanent home. Four years gone by, he refuses to leave it. That in spite of being hit a number of times. Even bamboo sticks were swung to make sure he flees the area and never returns but to no avail. More often than not, the dog can be seen resting in a corner of the upstairs hallway. Occasionally, he goes down to take a quick walk around and then returns to his domicile. Lately, Naqash has begun to rare a few poultry birds and kitten which are often seen having joined by a group of pigeons from a building perch. Strangely, the dog who appears to be khandani, from a special high caste breed, has never interfered in Naqash’s leisure pursuit and, in fact, shares the meals served to him with these species. He has not on a single occasion tried to harm them even if he had to beat his hunger. The top floor of the building has the offices of two newspapers. Seeking to put satirical flair in it, the editor of one of these recently asked if the dog has been assigned the task of scaring visitors to the publication office away. But to be fair to the animal he never, ever tries to threaten anybody. Betraying his instinct, he does not even bark at strangers. Yet on seeing him positioned in the upstairs hallway, many unfamiliar visitors, thinking to remain out of harm’s way, better like beat a quick retreat. At a time when the Srinagar Municipal Corporation has launched a massive drive to get the citizens rid of increasing number of stray dogs, the canines, one is really worried about our unusual neighbour. It would be totally unfair if he is punished for the others’ fault. Some of those from the species may have revolted against ‘Ashraf-ul-Makhlooqat’ with or without reason, this dog in the facing building is undisruptive and, it seems, peace-loving too and hence does not deserve to be given a bad name and hanged. Anyways, dogs are dogs. They can’t compete with humans. But history stands witness to the fact that humans did not hesitate in shedding the blood of other humans along these alleys, in these lodgings and on this stairway only. Regardless, they belonged to the human race which ought to be a kind, compassionate species. Dogs are dogs. Yusuf Jameel is a veteran journalist of Kashmir. Feedback at yusufjameel@gmail.com

Breaking Ice On Kashmir‏ – OpEd

Breaking Ice On Kashmir‏ – OpEd Yusuf Jameel SRINAGAR (Kashmir): India-appointed interlocutors on Kashmir, it seems, were sailing in several boats at once and wished to uphold preconceived notions than addressing the crucial questions which outwardly had prompted New Delhi to assign them the task. That why does the scenic Himalayan region often burst into flames, where even a normal crime or a civic issue brings people out on the streets to chant pro-freedom slogans and sporadically try hands at their own version of Intifada, how to overcome mistrust existing between its Muslim majority population and the successive governments which has taken its toll over the years and ease sub- regional and ethnic tensions as well? However, the inconsistency with which the mediators from day one articulated themselves publicly on issues concerning Jammu and Kashmir as the official name of the Indian controlled part of the disputed region goes is also reflected in their 179-page report submitted to the country’s Home (Interior) Minister P. Chidambaram in October last year and made public recently. After dissecting and analysing all the important aspects of the report one finds it only self-contradictory and confusing. At end of the day, the interlocutors have served neither God nor Mammon. The government is apathetic and in all probability may shelve the report. It was disinclined even to make it public. On the other hand, it has already been rejected by key players of Kashmir politics including separatists and some ethnic groups for dissimilar reasons though. India’s main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced to launch a nationwide ‘Save Kashmir’ campaign in the belief the panel recommendations are detrimental to the security and integrity of the country. The state’s ruling coalition partners-National Conference (NC) and Congress too are dragging their feet. Chief local opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) insists its own ‘self-rule’ formula is sacrosanct and doable although it sees some positive features of self-rule in the report. Moreover, the interlocutors would before penning down the report openly voice divergent views on identical issues and during their assignment even choose to wash their dirty linen in public, a story that strained their credibility. Whatever was left has been only squandered as the report has, so far, failed to find any takers. Local watchers believe ‘Kashmir is the graveyard of many reputations’. The interlocutors-Dileep Padgaonkar, Radha Kumar and M. M. Ansari- seem to be the latest prey. Fallacy or fact In a democratic society, the majority rule and respect for the rights of minorities are of overriding importance. Any attempt to dilute it and, ostensibly, seek to divide people into fragments logically makes the initiators suspicious in the eyes of those already feeling disillusioned and alienated and who perceive themselves as being victims of an inequitable system and a make-believe or real devious game played to impair their distinctive identity. Then any other propositions and considered opinion, how so vital, real and positive they might be, find no takers in the people they are meant for either. That precisely is how the report is being seen back in the Valley. More importantly, in a democratic setup only the decisions taken with consensus can address the issues of vital national importance. In this case, such harmony is missing. BJP has begun to sell the notion that the report, if accepted by the Indian federal government, would "weaken" the country's position on the sensitive border state in dispute with Pakistan and scene of a 23-year-old insurgency by Muslim separatists which New Delhi has largely contained using its military might. The party has objected mainly to the report recommending deletion of the word 'temporary' from the heading of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution and replacing with word 'special' and its saying a broad consensus exists in the state on the point that the state's distinctive status guaranteed by this article must be upheld. BJP has been asking for abrogation of Article 370 as a prelude to the only Muslim majority state’s complete merger with Indian Union as it sees it only solution towards neutralizing overwhelming pro-independence sentiment. Some analysts, however, say the party is dragging on the issue with an eye on the forthcoming elections in Gujarat state. That precisely makes it all the more important for ruling United Progressive Alliance particularly the Congress to discard the report, at least for now. The question thus raised is; has the document its authors claim could address the issues Jammu and Kashmir is faced with lost its sheen before the Indian government mulls over it- and if, at all, it wishes to do. Some local watchers subscribe to the view, essentially that of separatists, that it has been a futile exercise and a waste of time and resources. Average Kashmiri too does not see much in the report that could allure him either, leave alone if, at all, it has any potential of resolving the mess he or the state as such has been caught in. Opinion-makers have in newspaper columns termed the salient component of the report as “not any impressive” and, in fact, something not heard before. Hard-line pro-freedom leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani summarizes it by saying “Old wine in new bottle.” The Confusion Is that really the case and has the panel tasked with ascertaining the views of the people on resolving the Kashmir tangle at a time when the scenic region was witnessing massive protests during the 2010 summer, through its report, thrown up total confusion or made the one that already existed more confounded? It has also been openly accused of acting as an extension of New Delhi’s ‘divide and rule’ policy on Kashmir and its report termed as government trick to buy time. To find the answers, it would need to scrutinize the salient content of the report. The report ridicules the universal majority-rule principle by circuitously seeking to term it as “majoritarian conceits” and “regional chauvinism”. The panel, ignoring the essence of the civilian unrest that the Valley witnessed for three consecutive summers beginning 2008 and decades of separatist campaign, rejects the idea that Kashmir should be autonomous. Instead, the report — which is not legally binding — reaffirmed Kashmir's "dual character" within India. Paradoxically, the report defines “freedom” demanded by the Kashmiri Muslims as “freedom” from a staggering range of afflictions: freedom from religious extremism and “opaque and unaccountable administration;” from “economic structures” to “social structures and policies”; freedom “from harsh laws, or laws harshly applied” to “intimidation and violence that compel people to flee their habitat.” It would be naïve to expect the separatists endure the diktat. Therefore, the principal component of the predicament has been ignored rather provoked. Shakeel Ahmed Bakshi, the face of young dissenters who openly supported stone-pelting pastime of the local youth during the 2008-10 civil unrest openly calling it Kashmiri Intifada, protests “It seeks to “dilute the freedom sentiment.” The Interlocutors seem to have supported many freedoms but the cause of the “freedom” and talk about “deep sense of victimhood” instead being the source of tribulations which has irked even the moderate separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. “Such moves (appointing Interlocutors) are nothing but a waste of time,” he said to ridicule the report. Panun Kashmir, an outfit of displaced Kashmiri Brahmin Hindus, has rejected the report saying it was a crude joke with their geo political aspirations. This report is liable to be out rightly rejected being “totally apathetic” and “unconcerned” about the plight of Kashmiri Pandits and has failure to address the issue of the reversal of the causes of the “hounding out” of almost entire minority community from the Valley. On relation between New Delhi and the state, the report calls for review of all Central (federal) Acts and Articles of the Constitution of India extended to the state after 1952 Delhi agreement between country’s first Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru and Kashmiri legendary leader Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah. But quickly contradicts itself saying “This does not mean a pure and simple return to the pre-1953 situation. The clock cannot be set back.” Restoration of pre-1953 constitutional position has been the principal demand of ruling NC. The report says that granting more autonomy, as the territory had before 1953, "would create a dangerous constitutional vacuum in the Center-state relationship. The clock cannot be set back." Not only has the panel attempted to wind New Delhi’s best bet in Kashmir up but the question it can be asked is; then why did it talk upon the 1952 Delhi agreement at first place and recommend that a Constitutional Committee (CC) be set up to review all central acts and Articles of the Constitution of India extended to the state after the signing of agreement. Though Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has sought time to examine the report, saying “will discuss it with senior colleagues and then react”, his party colleague and Member of Indian Parliament Dr. Mehboob Beg takes a dig. “On one hand, they call for revisiting the Central laws and, on the other, say clock can’t be turned back.” He said, “This is a clear contradiction and the Interlocutors need to explain it.” Beg is also of the opinion that recommendation of forming a committee for revisiting federal laws seems to be “time-buying exercise.” The report apart from disfavouring any change in the state’s present status within Indian union rejects the idea of dividing the state on the basis of region or ethnicity. But then proposes creation of three separate Regional Councils for Jammu, Kashmir Valley and Ladakh regions with equal constitutional status - legislative, executive and financial powers. This is set to revive the touchy ‘trifurcation’ debate in the state and it is where the Mirwaiz sees a deliberate attempt to “split the society into regions, religions, and ethnicities.” Contrary to political sentiment, the report suggested that there should be no change in Article 356 which gives New Delhi authority to impose federal rule if there have been failure of the constitutional machinery in any state of India but in same breath says if the state government is dismissed, elections should be held within three months. Interestingly it also suggests that for internal emergency, prior consultations with the state government is required. “It should be headed by an eminent personality who enjoys the esteem of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and of the people of the India as a whole…It should include as its members Constitutional experts who enjoy confidence of all major stake holders. The CC's conclusions, to be reached within six months, will be binding on "all of them". Simply turning a blind eye to local concerns and sensitivities, the panel seeks to authorize Indian Parliament to make laws applicable to the state that relate to country's “vital economic interests”, especially in the areas of energy and access to water resources. That comes at a stage when the demand by locals that there should be end to the exploitation of the state’s vast water resources is getting momentum. In deference to the sentiment, the Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet recently accepted a report formulated by a cabinet sub-committee seeking return of major power projects from the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC). The NHPC is being openly accused of exploiting the huge water resources of the state to its benefit and critics quote statistics that show 27 percent of the corporation’s earnings are from Jammu and Kashmir. Positive expressions The report, however, contains certain recommendations that merit consideration by even those who have rejected it for other reasons. It talks about a broad consensus existed on a political settlement in the state through a dialogue between all stake-holders including those who are not part of the mainstream. It also recommends that for promotion of the state's economic self-reliance, a fresh financial agreement between the Centre and the state is required. Under the political component, the report deals with Centre-State relations and internal devolution of powers and suggests a road map listing confidence-building measures that includes review of contentious Disturbed Areas Act and re-appraisal of application of controversial AFSPA. The report also says that no more central laws and Articles of the Constitution should be extended to the state by Presidential order. The report also listed several recommendations to harmonise relations between people on both the sides of Line of Control including a hassle-free movement of people and goods across the de facto border that divides Kashmir between Indian and Pakistani controlled parts a consultative mechanism where elected representatives from both sides can deliberate on issues of common interests like water, economy, tourism and trade. “This would be especially effective if democratic institutions of self-governance are established in areas of princely state under the de-facto control of Pakistan,” it says adding “The core idea here is to make the LoC irrelevant, a mere line on a map." However, separatists and some analysts say the idea of making LoC irrelevant is a “conspiracy” to divide Jammu and Kashmir on permanent lines and has the blessings of the United States. The thought is likely to whip up a more assertive demand on both sides of the LoC for granting the promised plebiscite. The Mirwaiz knowing surely the Interlocutors have failed to address the “real issues” and that another attempt has been made to divide Jammu and Kashmir on religious and ethnic lines suggests India and Pakistan should take people of the state as the prime party in any dialogue process aiming to solve the Kashmir issue. “Otherwise it would be a futile exercise and the tensions would continue to haunt the South Asian region.” Muhammad Yasin Malik, chairman of the pro-independence Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) who like the Mirwaiz, Geelani and other senior separatist leaders had refused to meet the interlocutors, termed the report as an “intellectual exercise in bankruptcy without any historical background.” Indian Express summed up saying the interlocutors have while seeking a ‘new compact for Jammu and Kashmir’ drawn a roadmap to resolve the Kashmir dispute without acknowledging that it has been the demand for a solution outside the ambit of the Constitution that has fuelled the insurgency since 1990 and have seen the Kashmir problem largely through the prism of Centre-state relations. Hence, they have chosen to put focus on past but the time and situation gave a call for future. Professor of International Relations, Amitabh Mattoo, reacting on the report said, “Initial disappointment confirmed.” ***