During last two decades the people of the valley have witnessed many curfews and shut downs. However, the present episode is probably the worst and seems without an end in sight. The worst scenario is the competition between two sides in keeping common people confined indoors. The entire Kashmir valley has been turned into a huge prison where almost the whole population has been put under house arrest. For more than a month now people have been confined to their homes either due to government imposed curfew both declared and “undeclared” or by the civil shut down called by various organisations claiming to lead Kashmir’s movement for “Azadi”. All business activities have come to a grinding halt. Education of the children is at stand still. They have lost a huge chunk of their studies. The worst affected has been the health sector. People can neither reach medical facilities for treatment nor can those in hospitals go back to their homes. Some of the people already in various hospitals are unable to get medicine and even food. As commented on by a famous columnist, the authorities are treating the entire episode as a law and order problem to be subdued by excessive use of force. There is not a single day when there is not a protest in one or other part of the valley, heavily put down by batons and bullets. The authorities have become totally immune to untold human suffering. If such a situation had been prevailing in any other part of India, the local rulers would have been shown the door long time back. In fact, the media with its anchors would have upped the ante so much that the Central Government in Delhi would have been forced to take some drastic steps. But not in case of Kashmir which is an issue of “National Pride”. Not only the authorities but the bulk of the civil society with some exceptions and almost the entire Indian media especially the electronic one consider gagging Kashmiris as part of their duty to protect the so called “National Interest”! There is no such example of intransigence and arrogance in refusing to recognise the ground reality in any other part of the world. Even in case of Gaza where the entire west comes to the aid of the tyrant and cruel Israelis, there is massive uproar from the media and intellectuals on the atrocities committed on Palestinians who continue with their armed struggle for a free and independent Palestine.

For some unknown reasons, Kashmir which once used to be the prime news as regards Human Rights has virtually disappeared from the list of the places of International concern. This has made Delhi more arrogant and insensitive. This apathy is attributed by many to the Muslim character of the Kashmir’s movement for basic rights. This has happened more starkly after the 9/11 episode when Muslims all over the world were labelled as terrorists. India got a God sent opportunity to paint the Kashmir’s movement for the basic rights which had in fact started in 1931 as an uprising by Muslim terrorists from across the border. Not only they hyped the “cross border terrorism” syndrome to defame the movement throughout the world but also used this plea to convince their own population about the “miscreants” in Kashmir creating a problem for India’s “National Security”. Delhi, after having projected Kashmir problem as the work of some unruly elements instigated from across the border, is in a bind now. They are at a loss to admit that the current uprising is indigenous mass upheaval because of their oppressive policies. Their attempt has been to ensure the movement does not assume the proportion of millions on the roads demanding “Azadi” as happened in the past. Delhi is also following the methodology used in the past to crush popular movements in Kashmir. The hawks in Delhi know that there is a limit to common peoples’ tolerance to shut downs. Once the limit is crossed, the people will break the indefinite strike and refuse further directions for shut down. However, as per the past experience that would be a temporary phase and the people may spring yet another surprise after sometime. The fire fighting never really removes the cause of fire but only douses the flames momentarily. This battle of wits on two sides puts the common people directly in the line of fire. They have no escape. It is here that the insensitivity of Delhi to the suffering of common man in Kashmir is blatantly exposed. Naxalites have been creating a hell in a number of states. At one go dozens of security personnel are not only killed but their bodies are also mutilated. In spite of this, the Government is reluctant to use Army against heavily armed guerrillas. In fact, one of the Bihar politicians has said the “Naxalites are our own people and we cannot use armed forces against our own people!” In contrast, Delhi does not think twice in sending battle ready troops to stop peaceful protests of unarmed Kashmiris! Most ironic part has been the Home Minister claiming that the Amarnath Pilgrims are performing the pilgrimage without any problems and they have been provided all the security and facilities. No mention was made of the fact that almost the entire population of the valley has been put under virtual house arrest! He did not say anything at all about the Kashmiri teenagers killed by security forces bullets. Nor did he have any word of solace for the suffering common people. Home Secretary went a step ahead and claimed that none of the killed teenagers was innocent. He alleged that the protests have been instigated by Lashkar-i-Tayaba from across the border. According to reports, even the Intelligence Bureau has claimed in its reports to Delhi that the protests are indigenous. They have held the mis-governance of the state responsible for this mass outburst.

In view of these facts, one can either come to the conclusion that Delhi is totally insensitive to the sufferings of the Kashmiris and as stated by a columnist, the people don’t matter to them. Or in the alternative they have some other plans up their sleeves and want the valley to remain on the boil. A number of commentators have held the growing Af-Pak bonhomie being promoted by the Americans responsible for the sudden rocking of the Indo-Pak “Peace Process”. There seems to be a competition between India and Pakistan in trying to woo Afghans. Hillary Clinton’s initiative in bringing Pakistan and Afghanistan nearer to each other betrays the American covert strategy to have a pro-Pak regime in Afghanistan to enable their continued control over the area after their exit. This will not be to the liking of Delhi and one of the possible ways of putting a spanner in the works is to keep the Kashmir valley along with the Line of Control on the boil! If this be the case, then Kashmiris are in for a long haul of turmoil and suffering. In the final analysis, all these political manoeuvres are detrimental to both the countries having almost half a billion people seething in abject poverty. One only wishes that the good sense prevails among the ruling elites on two sides. Unfortunately, one does not know who is really in control on both the sides? In Pakistan, the Army is supposed to have the last laugh and on the Indian side, the Hindutva brigade prevails in everything! God Almighty knows when we will be able to breathe freely in an atmosphere of peace?