Burhan Wani is not my
hero. Dr Shabir Choudhry
London 07 July 2017
Are
we moving towards fascism in Kashmir?
Yesterday
I sent a post on Face book with the following text:
Burhan Wani is not my hero because he
promoted gun culture, accession to Pakistan and division of Jammu Kashmir on
religious lines.
Response of this was
unexpected. It was unbelievable that some Muslims belonging to the Valley of
Kashmir could stoop so low, and use vulgar language against another Muslim
fellow citizen, which is only used in brothels. May be that kind of language is
suitable for their homes, but not suitable in public.
Some of these people think by
using this filthy language they are serving interest of Kashmir and Azadi. No.
They are bringing out filth which is stored inside them. They are creating
divisions and telling others that this is the kind of society we want to
establish by use of guns and bombs where no one will be allowed to express his
opinion.
I did not use any insulting
word about Burhan Wani, and yet fanatics from the Valley of Kashmir have shown
their true colour. They have shown their class and upbringing. Their message
was: We will not allow any view which differs with their fanatic agenda. Some
have used vulgar language against me, my wife, my mother and my daughters. If
this is your level of tolerance that you do not allow anyone to express his views,
then you are worse than Hitler.
Call me what suits your
agenda, or what suits your political and financial masters, I for one, will
oppose this kind of society where right of expression is not allowed. Where
people with gun can impose their will and a foreign agenda on others. Fanatics
of Kashmir and Taliban are two sides of the same coin. This kind of society is
not suitable in 21st century. This cannot be called azadi.
Apologists of Kashmiri
fanatics are no better than apologists of Taliban in Pakistan. Those who choose
to remain quiet in fear that they don’t want to be abused by these fanatics
will eventually suffer with their families when talibanisation of Kashmir takes
place. Now is the time to face them and defeat them.
Struggle of Burhan Wani
In nutshell, Burhan Wani
believed in militancy, that is why he was appointed Commander of Hib –Ul Mujahedeen.
To him the struggle was jihad, which means it is a religious dispute; and he
wanted to make Kashmir part of Pakistan.
I have always worked for
united and independent Jammu and Kashmir with democratic and secular society, because
to me it is not a religious struggle. People have a right to disagree with me,
but they don’t have a right to abuse me and intimidate me.
Burhan Wani was a commander
of Hizb – Ul Mujahedeen, a militant organisation set up by Pakistan, funded by
Pakistan, armed by Pakistan, trained by Pakistan; and their Supreme Commander still
lives Pakistan, and Pakistani occupied Jammu and Kashmir. He is also a Chairman
of Jihad Council, which include Pakistani militant organisations like Lashkar e
Tayiba, and Jaish e Mohammed. Hizb Ul Mujahedeen wants Jammu and Kashmir to
become part of Pakistan.
I want the struggle to be
peaceful, as gun has resulted in death and destruction. I don’t want to see
more destruction and dead bodies. I don’t want to see more widows and orphans.
However, those who promote gun culture and violence want all this. How can
these people with such agenda be my heroes?
Despite that, if anyone wants
to call Burhan Wani a hero, that is his choice. However, he has no right to
impose his choice on others, either with the Pakistani gun, their propaganda
machine or with their thuggery. Just imagine, if these fascists get in power in
Jammu and Kashmir what will be the quality of life there.
Right expression under attack
During this tirade of fanatics
against me on social media, majority of friends thought it was appropriate to
remain quiet. However, some politely supported a right of expression; and some
openly said they agreed with my views, and that Burhan Wani was not their hero.
Most of posts are not worth reading or quoting. Some even send me inbox messages
showing me their class and family culture.
One critic, Tariq Ahmad Dar said, ‘he is every
body's hero except Indian agents’.
Some
others also said, those who do not regard Burhan Wani as a hero are agents of
India.
These people are either
advancing a foreign agenda; or are blinded with hatred. To them, anyone who
differs with their view is an agent of India.
My understanding is that
majority of people of Jammu province do not regard Burhan Wani a hero. Does
that mean they are agents of India?
Majority of people of Ladakh do
not regard Burhan Wani a hero. Does that mean they are agents of India?
Similarly, majority of people of Gilgit Baltistan and Pakistani occupied
Kashmir do not regard him as their hero. Does that mean all these people are
agents of India?
What this means is, only
these fanatics funded by ISI, Saudi Arabia are patriotic. They can sing praises
for the occupier they like, and which feeds them, provides them guns and funds;
and we cannot even tell facts, and expose the country that occupies us.
Those of you who say: ‘some
misguided youths are emotional, and rest of the people are tolerant and believe
in democratic society’ are very economic with truth; especially when they have
decided to take side of these fascists or remain quiet.
Another
critic, Waheed Khan wrote:
‘He
is the hero of Islamic world’.
Which Islamic world, the one
which does not support Kashmir dispute? Saudi Arabia gave the highest civilian
award to Modi. Is that to appreciate Burhan Wani or appreciate what Modi is
doing?
In any case, did Burhan Wani
liberate Al Aqsa Masjid that he has become hero of the Islamic world. You
people live in a totally different and imaginary world.
Some people say Burhan Wani
was not promoting gun culture. His most popular photo is with AK47. Please tell
me did he want to promote peace with AK 47? Why don’t you accept what he was –
a militant commander who wanted to fight the Indian army.
Let me tell you one more
bitter fact. You can use vulgar language against me and others who show a
mirror; but you WILL NOT win any independence with this approach. You will
divide people of Jammu and Kashmir on communal and political lines. This will
not suit citizens of Jammu and Kashmir; but it will surely serve interests of
your political masters in Islamabad.
Writer is a political analyst, TV anchor and
author of many books and booklets. Also he is Chairman South Asia Watch and
Director Institute of Kashmir Affairs. Email:drshabirchoudhry@gmail.com
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