Sometime back there was lot of hue and cry on proposed sale of land for development of tourism infrastructure in Kashmir. Almost all parties professing totally different ideologies and even diametrically opposite ones, raised their voices against this proposal which itself had been messed up by the authorities. The intention had only been to set up world class infrastructure of various tourism facilities to cater for the up market tourists expected to visit Kashmir. No body at that time dared to speak the truth that in real terms the land is not in the actual possessions of the locals. On papers we may hold the de jure possession but in de facto terms it is possessed by those who have the over riding authority on all things in Kashmir. They can take possession of any piece of land in the name of security whenever and where ever they like. All protests by locals go unheeded. In most locations they have been sitting on the prime land for decades and even now take over similar tracts of land not withstanding local resistance. There has never been any consistent protest from the local leaders on this subject. However, the most tragic part of the story is that the Kashmiris along with their this unfortunate piece of land have been sold and resold umpteen times by the so called leaders of all streams. They have always been treated as dumb driven cattle. A flock of sheep herded by different shepherds in one or the other directions without any compunction or remorse. This worst aspect of the tragedy has to come to light starkly with some young mainstream leaders going across the border to solicit new customers for selling Kashmiris. Their parents and in some cases their grand parents have been selling and reselling Kashmiris to buyers on this side of the border for more than half a century. Now the progeny of these leaders acting as sales persons have travelled across to find new buyers on the other side. There cannot be something more ironic and pathetic in the history of a nation. This sale and resale of Kashmiris who have been made to look like a saleable commodity reminds one of the marketing of products undertaken at present by multinational companies. To market their products, they usually have authorised dealers and sellers and resellers. Similarly for the sale of Kashmiris we have had authorised dealers as well as sellers and resellers. All through these last 60 years or so we had persons who have been claiming to be the authorised representatives of the people. They first sold us to one buyer and then backed out of the deal as the price finally offered did not satisfy their ego. Then after a prolonged period of incarceration, they again struck a new deal. This time they settled for a much lower price and sold their people into perpetual slavery. The progeny of these leaders has now started looking for newer markets and have assumed the role of resellers of the most battered and bartered commodity in the history, the dumb driven people of Kashmir! Unfortunately, due to reasons best known to them, the present so called “authorised dealers” did not go there to contest the deal. Wisdom demands contesting auctions and not running away from these. One fails to understand what makes Kashmiris such a wretched commodity that every one who has a chance sells them for a pittance. Is it because of centuries of external subjugation which has ingrained in them a philosophy of survival against all odds? Is it because the people have become totally materialistic and have lost all sense of self-respect and dignity? Is it because the moral fabric of the society has been so much battered that there is no sense of fair play and justice? The History is a witness to the fact that we have ourselves invited our oppressors. Right from Mughal times it has been Kashmiris themselves who have gone out to bring in outsiders to rule over them. A delegation of Kashmiri Sunni nobles led by Sheikh Yaqub Sarfi invited Akbar to Kashmir to rid them from the persecution of Shia Chaks. In Afghan period Pandit Birbal Dhar went to Sikhs to rid Kashmiris from the tyranny of Kabul Governors. However, the first sale of this ever saleable commodity without their consent in the recent history was undertaken by the British who sold them to Dogras for few thousand pounds sterling. They were sold lock, stock, and barrel. It was like a pasture being sold along with the sheep that were grazing therein. Since that time Kashmir has seen many upheavals and uprisings. People have repeatedly tried to assert themselves and break the shackles of bondage. However, every uprising has thrown up a new leadership which has invariably compromised after leading the masses for a short stretch. They have always been changing horses mid-stream and leaving the people in the lurch. More battered and confused as ever. In spite of the dawn of so called modern civilisation and the digital scientific age of twenty first century, the mentality of selling the land along with the people has not changed. At present there is total confusion all around. No one is clear about the ultimate goal. Four point formula, self-rule, autonomy, total independence, joint control and a host of other propositions and solutions. There is a myriad of solutions propagated by a myriad of leaders. However, the basic premise of sincerity in alleviating the sufferings of the people and presenting a practical and viable solution is missing. What does a common Kashmiri look for as the most viable and urgent solution? Firstly, release from violence from all sides. People want peace. They have seen enough of bloodshed. A complete generation has been wiped out. There is only one path forward to bring peace. All violence from both sides must end. This can happen only when both sides are sincere about it. Draconian legislations have to be withdrawn and soldiers sent back to barracks. Civilian face of the administration has to be restored. The administration itself has to be overhauled to make it fully representative, honest, fully accountable, and people friendly. The basic facilities of life have to be made available by ensuring good governance. All political prisoners need to be freed from the jails within the state and outside. The other side too has to cease all acts of violence both against security forces and in civilian areas. Movement of people within the state and across has to be made easy without any cumbersome procedures. In brief, an atmosphere of trust has to be created all around. Above all else, the politicians from all sides have to summon the political will to take some momentous decisions. They will have to face stiff resistance, not from common people but the vested interests. The situation of continuous conflict has created many vested interests that benefit from uncertainty. They would never like peace to return. Peace for them sounds the death knell. Talking of vested interests one is reminded of a poster issued by Lockheed, the famous armament company of USA which said, “Peace in the world means lesser jobs for Americans!” Similarly, peace in Kashmir means closure of many “shops” in the entire sub-continent and even beyond. It means end of the dealerships, cancellation of sellers, and resellers’ licences. Release of billions of rupees blocked in defence deals on two sides for poverty alleviation and social uplift. This can only be done if the younger generations on both sides take a break from the past and come together. Kashmir needs a new generation of young leaders to come forward for the emancipation and salvation of the common masses. A generation which has seen the worst face of the tyranny. A generation which will not barter the blood of martyrs. A generation which sincerely and honestly wants to give Kashmiris a place of honour and dignity! The days of chameleon sellers and resellers are past now!