Waseem Lajpal
One wishes to appreciate the wisdom and foresight of Canadian-born Marshall McLuhan who coined the term ‘Global village’ in 1960s even before the formal introduction of internet. McLuhan died in 1980 and was unable to see the real transformation which has practically shaped the world today. Technological advancement of new media has made it convenient even for the non-professionals to go viral worldwide with their messages and themes. Marshall McLuhan would have been stunned to see the way the people around the world and especially in Indian held Kashmir are using this technology. Burhan Wani was gunned down by the Indian Forces, but his message could not be. And that message is most talked about today in India, Pakistan and even across the globe with bold title of Azadi.Wani’s message is spreading through the social media across the globe despite India’s super power position in the communication domain. Facebook has been hushed on the issue by India and so has been done with the internet access, but the brutalities are still pouring out. The Guardian has been prominent in highlighting the plight of Kashmiri youth many of whom have lost eyesight due to the unprecedented use of pellet guns by the 2nd Largest Army of the world and by the Biggest Democracy of the world.
Events in Kashmir are different in many aspects from the past ones. Over forty days of continuous curfew,killing of over 81 innocent people and brutal use of power against bare handed civilians, Indian forces have miserably failed to silence the Azadi slogans.Indian Newspaper, The Hindu reports use of around 3,000 pellet cartridges containing 1.6 million pellets, fired from the pump action guns resulting in over 400 injured in the eyes only.Kashmiris have opted to be blinded through pellet guns but have refused to be silenced.In a botched attempt, Indian Primer Modi tried to hijack the situation by diverting attention towards Pakistan. Modi’s Independence Day statement has been subjected to severe criticism from not only Pakistan but also from Inside India. Former Indian Home minister P. Chidambaram has criticized the ‘Land Centric’policies of Mr. Modi and asked for engaging theKashmiri people. Mr. Chidambaram in his articles in the daily Indian Express has suggested steps which could ease the tension. Another well-known name, Former external affairs Minister Salman Khurshid has criticized the statement by Mr. Modi by declaring that it will weaken the Indian stance. The latest astonishing disclosure has come from Indian Finance Minister MrArunJaitley has declared the entire valley population as ‘Stooges of Pakistan’ and stone-pelting as ‘New form of attack from Pakistan on Indian unity and integrity’. Despite these statements however, Indian leadership is grossly underestimating the situation this time which has gone beyond cosmetic corrections.
Pakistan cannot sit quietly over the issue on which it has fought three wars with the neighbor. It’s the time. It’s the time of idea of Azadi which has been thrust in to the very souls of Kashmiris. Diplomacy needs to move on and so do the politicians. Kashmiris are looking towards Allah while facing Pakistan. They are fighting their cause bare handed and expect Pakistan to stand at their back. It is the time to show the moral support which the Pakistani leadership has long been promising through statements. What other better moment can come foran emergency session of Organization of Islamic Cooperation if not now? Modi’s statement is reflective of direct confession of Indian involvement being orchestrated inside Pakistan and even the Indians reckon so. Pakistanis are in pain once again after being hit by terrorist attack in Quetta. Putting own house in order and path correction are desirable, but closing eyes from the external factors is never an option. Here is the response to Mr.Achakzai’s question on the involvement of RAW from a person not lesser than the Indian PM himself.
Modi’s statement is also being interpreted as a change of policy towards Pakistan, from artificial restrain and engagement gestures to open blame and confrontation approach. However, this time the situation in Kashmir is different and appears divinely orchestrated. Never on earth could the Indian Forces or the policymakers dream of such a devastating wave of protests and display of determination from the unarmed people of almost entire valley. Another glaring element of the ongoing struggle is the absence of foreign hand which the Indian leadership has always been claiming in the past. The struggle this time is indigenous and it is by entire population. Such unprecedented display of unity has become a nightmare for the central as well as the Mehbooba led State Government. Another highlight is the high vitality and energylevel with which the people confront the security forces.
Possible response options from Pakistan need deliberations. Modi has talked about so called rights violations in Gilgit, AJ&K and Balochistan. One way to respond is to offer for a bilateral visit by delegation consisting of the members of civil society, Human right activists, journalists, and independent observers from both countries to visit all these areas and also the Indian Occupied Kashmir. Such gesture will put Modi on the back foot and will expose reality of his stance.Frankly speaking, Pakistan should go on with the proposal and execute it in own areas to highlight the hollowness of Modi’s rhetoric. India is likely to reject the idea and hence will get caught up in her own created marsh. Another way is the one which we are already witnessing unfolding in the streets of Balochistan, GilgitBaltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir through mass protests and statements of the local leadership. Yet another task is required to be performed by the media through highlighting the gravest human right violations being orchestrated by a most guarded valley on earth. Kashmiris look towards Pakistan for informing the world about the wrong being done in valley where thousands of troops have been deployed after the AmarnathYatra.
Pakistan needs to watch the internal as well as the external situation with a lot of care. Events in Karachi following the address of British Citizen have exposed so many plans. Kashmir has been simmering since over forty five days now and few lethal events have started unleashing from Quetta to Karachi. Pakistan, its citizens, the leadership and the media needs to be on guards, If not Now, then when?
