As usual Kashmir is facing the internecine warfare among its well wishers and emancipators. This problem has plagued us throughout our long history of more than 5,000 years. During all our earlier stints of self rule whether in Hindu period, Buddhist period or the Muslim rule, Kashmiris were given to infighting. There were many reasons for this periodic turmoil which quite often resulted after the change of guard caused by the demise of the ruler. However, on a number of occasions it was the personality or ego clash among the leaders of the people. Often the infighting was exploited and even sometimes instigated by outsiders. Right from the time of Yousaf Shah Chak the outsiders have overpowered Kashmiris due to their internal bickering. It was the sectarian conflict which afforded Akbar the opportunity of annexing Kashmir to his empire even though he had failed twice earlier. In the modern times, the Kashmiri’s struggle for emancipation which began in 1931 has been continuously plagued by this infighting among its leaders. Sher and Bakra clash was one of its manifestations. On one side was the Moulvi Yousaf Shah leading people desirous of joining Pakistan while on the other hand was the Lion of Kashmir (Sheikh Abdullah) leading the pro-India National Conference. In 1953, it was the National Conference now led by Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad against the newly formed Plebiscite Front. The story goes on and on. Even in 1990 when there was a massive and unprecedented upheaval for “Azadi” led by a completely new and young leadership, there was a split among the very first group of these revolutionaries. On one side was the Jammu & Kashmir Liberation Front fighting for an Independent Kashmir while as on the other hand was Hizbul Mujahideen for accession to Pakistan. For the first time in early nineties there was unity among the freedom fighters and a conglomerate of all parties was formed under the title of All Parties Hurriyat Conference. It was probably for the first time that such a unified voice for the basic rights had been formulated by Kashmiris. The conglomerate got recognition throughout the world and there was a universal demand that this grouping be included in all parleys being held for the final solution of Kashmir. But as usual the grouping which was claimed to be the most authentic and representative body of Kashmiris broke up into opposing factions. However, this time the break up was the result of the combined efforts of the two claimants of Kashmir. Again the basic cause was the clash of egos and personality. One faction is trying to befriend India whose leaders have totally rejected any change in geographical borders of Kashmir while as the other faction is advocating accession to Pakistan whose leadership is prepared to disown Kashmiris totally! No one seems to be caring for the suffering Kashmiris themselves. If the professed goal of both is the emancipation of the people then there should be no problem on the methodology or the route to achieve that objective. The total shut down on January 17 needs to be analysed deeply. It is not because the people are with one or the other faction but it is an indication of the resentment of the people against this infighting which is not only negating the very purpose of the movement but is a sad commentary on the untold miseries and sufferings of the people including the huge sacrifices of the youth which have almost wiped out a complete generation. The massive shut down must make these leaders ponder that there is a change in the thinking of a Kashmiri and he cannot be taken for granted now. If they do not value his sacrifices and plead the case for honouring his aspirations, they will be rejected miserably.