The word Kashmiriyat is being used rather vaguely by people from various sections of the society both within the state as well as outside. Each person is giving his own interpretation and meaning to this word. Most of the time attempts are made to give a religious connotation to the word. Kashmiriyat in true essence has nothing to do with religion. It is rather a special quality of the Kashmiri Nation to maintain its uniqueness and individuality in spite of the most difficult conditions irrespective of the religion. Kashmir’s culture and traditions have survived for thousands of years regardless of the fact whether Kashmiris have professed Hinduism, Buddhism, or Islam. Isolated from the outside world by very high and massive mountain ranges on all sides for centuries, the Kashmiris developed a distinct culture and language of their own. This ancient culture and the related traditions became so strong and deep over a long period of time that waves upon waves of foreign invaders failed to change or distort these. Kashmiris even after absorbing some of the values and traditions from all those who came here always maintained the uniqueness of their own culture. Unlike other places in the world, there is no separate or distinct trace of the outsiders who came to Kashmir from time to time. In many cities of the world one finds China Town, Greek or Latin Quarter and similar settlements of outsiders who happened to come to those places in the past. In contrast, in Kashmir we absorbed one and all among ourselves! No other nation in the world has undergone so much oppression and hardship as Kashmiris have faced for last more than four centuries. However, in spite of these troubles we have not given up our traditions, our customs, and our culture. This resilience, this depth of values, and above all, this strength of character is what can be called Kashmiriyat. The Mystic and the Sufi traditions alone do not represent Kashmiriyat. These are an important aspect of a much larger whole. Unfortunately, in the recent past there have been many attempts to present these Kashmiri values in a different politico-religious mould to suit outsiders’ agenda. A true view of Kashmiriyat can be taken from European visitors whose first comment is that Kashmiris are totally different from the people in the rest of the sub-continent. According to them Kashmiris resemble more Europeans than any race in the entire sub-continent. People who have visited Central Asian States feel that Kashmiris have much more in common with the people inhabiting these countries rather than with the people residing in different countries of the South Asian region. All the Central Asian States of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan have the same culture, traditions, food habits, music, and religion as Kashmir. The only difference is of language. Thus Kashmiriyat resembles more of our traditional link with Central Asia than with the Indian sub-continent. Political leaders from the sub-continent instead of trying to bring Kashmiris closer to their way of life should have appreciated and respected what is unique about Kashmiri culture and traditions. In practice, the reverse is happening. Indians are trying to project ancient Hindu period which does not even have something in common with North Indian Hinduism while as Pakistanis take the present majority religious line. Pakistanis claim Kashmir because the majority of its population is Muslim and as a consequence of the partition it should have formed part of the newly created Islamic State. They do not delve into the ancient past of Kashmir and all the tribulations Kashmiris have faced at the hands of outside invaders. Indians on the other hand lay claim on it ostensibly because Kashmir has been a glorious Hindu State in the ancient past and has always reflected religious tolerance even after the majority adopted Islam as their religion. They claim that religiously tolerant Kashmiris are essential to project India as a Secular State even though in practice India itself is not truly secular. Both the countries are fighting on Kashmir for their own selfish reasons. Neither gives any damn about the real Kashmiriyat which differentiates it from all the cultures of the sub-continent. Pakistanis are not much concerned about Kashmiriyat as it does not fit into their system of values. However, India has been trying very hard to Indianise Kashmiriyat. In every sphere of life they have been trying to introduce Indian traditions and values. Be it the basic Hindu religious philosophy, music, education and even the language. Kashmir’s rich history has been totally taken out of the curriculum. Our children are totally devoid of Kashmir’s history. They are taught only about last 60 years or so and that too in a biased fashion. Even a factual history of happenings right from 1931 with all the upheavals is totally missing. As regards the language, it has totally gone out of fashion at least in the urban areas. There is more emphasis on learning Hindi and Urdu than on Kashmiri. In fact, almost all “educated” parents speak to their children in Hindustani rather than in Kashmiri! It is only recently that Kashmiri language has been proposed to be introduced at the primary level. Kashmiri language and traditions are still alive not because of the Government but due to the fact that more than 80% Kashmiris live in villages where traditions are passed on from generation to generation without any formal education. Except among the urbanised villagers migrating in large numbers to the cities and towns. They get swayed towards the so called “modern” education and lose connection with their roots. It is very saddening to note that our intellectuals do not make any efforts to preserve and propagate the real “Kashmiriyat” but get swept off their feet simply by bestowing of some temporary material benefits. A few months back the University of Kashmir had set up a Department of Kashmir Studies with great fanfare. A well known Kashmiri scholar and historian who had done a lot of research on Kashmir and had written on Kashmir’s History was appointed as its Director for a period of two years. It was expected that the Centre would take a lead in not only initiating projects for studying various aspects of Kashmir but would revive people’s interest in real and true “Kashmiriyat”. However, the Centre is yet to take off and has faced the first upset. For some unknown reasons within two months of its establishment, the Director of the Centre has been replaced not withstanding the fact that he had a two year contract. The new incumbent is reported to be a Sanskrit scholar instead of a Kashmir Expert. This makes one feel that it is another attempt at “Sanskritising” Kashmiriyat. In the present extreme state of alienation, it would have been advisable to highlight and encourage true Kashmiriyat by reviving the ancient traditions and culture and linking these with our centuries old Central Asian neighbours rather than distorting it to suit short sighted agendas. Kashmir has a 5,000 year old history and its culture as well as traditions have survived the worst ravages of time. 60 years is a very short span in such a long and rich history of a nation. The genuine “Kashmiriyat” will continue to survive in spite of attempts to distort it. Only the distorters will not be there like the ones in the past who have been totally obliterated by history itself!