Aam Kashmiri, Soldier Keep Suffering
The removal of Article 370 has brought Kashmir into focus in a big way. While the official narrative is focused around ending the problems of Kashmiri people and integrating them with mainstream India, the other side is harping about the end of the special status and security clampdown along with restrictions on communication.
PS Randhawa
The removal of Article 370
has brought Kashmir into focus in a big way. While the official narrative is
focused around ending the problems of Kashmiri people and integrating them with
mainstream India, the other side is harping about the end of the special status
and security clampdown along with restrictions on communication.
There is abject poverty in
remote areas of the Valley. The only job available there is of a porter, for
taking rations to Army posts located at higher altitudes. That job only lasts
for a limited period. The common man has very small landholdings. Those in
towns are mostly dependent on tourism-related jobs that last for about six
months. Insurgency has severely affected the common man. Frequent calls of
shutdown have hit the small businessman, shopkeeper and daily-wage earner. He
has to join protests lest he is seen as a ‘traitor’ to the cause. Studies of
his children have suffered. His children, brainwashed by wily politicians, turn
militants and get killed in the bargain. It is not so-called ‘azadi’ that is
his biggest problem, it is to earn his living, somehow. While politicians of
all hues from the Valley have prospered, he is the one who has suffered the
most. His suffering continues.
Next is the soldier. There
were days when posting to the Valley was much sought-after. It is no more
so. Soldiers are performing duties under severely stressful conditions.
One is never sure from which direction a bullet or a stone is going to hit him.
Travelling on foot or in a vehicle is equally dangerous. He doesn’t know
whether he will safely return to the barracks at the end of the day. He, at
times, has to skip meals, rest and sleep. He is out of communication with his
kin for days. There are times he doesn’t get leave due to many compelling
reasons. His folks at home live on the edge, with prayers on their lips till he
returns from Kashmir. They are apprehensive to pick up the phone lest they get
some bad news about him. Besides getting killed in the line of duty, a number
of soldiers have lost their limbs and fallen prey to post-traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD). He has sacrificed the most.
For the rest of the lot,
nothing much has mattered. The business of politics has prospered. Other
business continues as usual with interruptions. One can only hope and pray that
peace returns to the Valley, and the common man and soldier, both enjoy a
peaceful life they deserve.
Published on 07 Oct 2019 in
The Tribune
No comments:
Post a Comment