The political and religious leaders of Pakistan and more significantly the Pakistan army leadership are least concerned about the people of their own religion; they do not hesitate in drawing such policies and implementing such laws which trample the betterment of the natives but fulfil the selfish motives of the predominantly Punjabi Pakistani elite class. On the surface Pakistan tries to hype the fake narrative of injustice taking place against Muslims in Kashmir, but in reality all of its provinces except Punjab are suffering from this injustice.
Despite Shias, who are natives of Gilgit-Baltistan, being accepted universally as a part of the Muslim community, they are consistently persecuted by the Sunnis of Pakistan. The Musharraf Government used Pathan tribesmen of NWFP and Afghanistan along with its army to suffocate and ultimately silence the protests of Shias. The houses of Shias were set on fire; their crops were destroyed; their women were raped; numberless Shias were kidnapped and butchered. Separatists of Kashmir, dreaming either to merge with Pakistan or carving out a separate nation should wake up because their fate will be no different from the Shias of Gilgit-Baltistan.
Nor the separatists in Kashmir should forget that the Pakistani Army has been accused for executing genocide in Baluchistan. Whosoever tried to open his mouth in protest was tortured to death. Chief Minister of Baluchistan, Akhtar Mengal, is a stark example; he was imprisoned and denied basic human rights. With the increase in the activities of ISI in Baluchistan, there is also an increase in the disappearance of Balochs. Many Baloch student activists, journalists and sympathisers have been arrested and gunned down openly. Hamid Mir, a journalist, was gunned by an ISI agent for hosting a program in the region. Sabeen Mahmud, a human right activist, tried to throw light upon the terrible condition of the Baloch people and was assassinated. The reckless kidnapping and butchering of the Baloch people has converted this region into a land of mass graves.
Killing and inflicting torture upon Baloch was not sufficient for the Pakistani government; they also exploited the region which is rich in oil, gas and minerals. In spite of the ample natural resources leading to gas production and mining, Baluchistan has remained the most backward state of Pakistan.
It is also necessary to remember the atrocities committed upon the people of East Pakistan now Bangladesh in 1970-71. In those days, the focus of investment and development was West Pakistan; Bengali speaking Muslims were kept devoid of growth and advancement with no foreign aid directed towards them. When East Pakistan demanded a good share of autonomy, they received devastating brutality. Civilians were killed, students butchered and women raped by the Pakistan army post imposition of military rule.
If the separatists in Kashmir are so desperate to join Pakistan, then, they should start training themselves to bear repression mutely because the “freedom of speech and expression” that they take for granted in India, does not exist in Pakistan. They should also gear themselves up for psychological insecurity and social stigmatisation that are the landmarks of their so called ideal nation, Pakistan.
The separatists and other inimical forces should stop acting in a disloyal manner towards India and should stop taking advantage of the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution and human rights prevalent in the country. They should not check the patience of Indians and their Government; otherwise the day is not far away when Indians will start demanding that they be deported to their favoured destination.
The words of Warren Buffet precisely describe the Separatists in Kashmir – “What we learn from history is that people don't learn from history.” However, the successful and peaceful conduct of DDC polls clearly indicates that the educated people of Kashmir want economic development and a bright future for their youngsters.
(The writer is a senior journalist based in Delhi. E- Mail - editoronkar@gmail.com)
Photos - Govt Middle School, Shopian, J&K. Image credit - Twitter / Militants hideout in Hokresar in outer Srinagar. Image credit - Greater Kashmir