Mudasir Bhat
The slogan was something which used to send an adrenalin rush into my veins, giving me the push to throw stones at security forces. The continuous shouting of this slogan within the group used to daze our minds as if we were in a trance. It felt like drug was running in our veins which made our minds clouded. We were not able to differentiate between right and wrong Bas ek Junoon hota thaa to aim and attack security persons. This was my slogan too during my younger days. In my mind I just used to hum Hume kya chaiye Azzadi” Hume kya chaiye Azzadi”.
Today, if I hear this slogan even on television, my blood starts boiling. The adrenalin rush in my veins is 100 times more now than in my younger days. Today, instead of throwing stones, my blood boils remembering how youths like me were used by our maulvis, religious and political leaders for their own agenda. We were misguided right from the beginning. Our young minds were like unused clay. One could either make beautiful pottery from it or use it to make bricks. Alas!! such was our fate that instead of molding our life on the path of righteousness and prosperity, we were thrown on the path of sins and destruction. With good education and proper resources, we could have become entrepreneur engineers or could have done something in sports, make a name for ourselves and our country. We were never given the opportunity to do anything good in life. Instead, we were brainwashed to take revenge and be a part of the struggle in the name of Azzadi. Today, in my middle age, when I sit and think of those times, I try to understand if it was really a struggle for Azzadi. Why were we struggling for what? We were never enslaved in the first place. We were masters of our own destiny and lived in the most democratic and liberal country in the world. We had freedom of every kind. Freedom of Speech. Freedom of Choice, Freedom to practice religion, whichever we want. Then we were fighting for which Azzadi.? Aur kya Azzadi chaiye. These questions make me angry. I just want to go and catch hold of those people and question them who misguided us, making us lose those precious years of our youth us the precious years of our youth. Why did they spoil the lives of youths like me in the name of Azzadi? On whose side, were they? Why did only we suffer when they prospered?
The agenda of the gang of religious leaders was very simple. With the help of Khadim’s of God, they used to start brainwashing the Awaam after the regular prayers. We were told stories about how we are being oppressed by the government and were targeted because we are from a specific religion. They usually glorified our neighbors. Rosy picture was painted of how these neighbors were our well-wishers and they thought about our good and prosperity. How they support us at every moment. They are the ones who will give us a free ground. Such were the sermons preached. We were told to target every security person. The more our stones hit them, the more we would be rewarded. The person whose aim was like a sniper in hitting his target was made the leader. Once the prayers were over, messages used to be circulated on the location of the meeting point and the unit that needed to be targeted that day. Logistical support with vans full of stones was delivered near the meeting point. At the specific agreed time our tamasha used to start. We were told to hide our faces so we could not be recognized by the forces if there was a parade. We were cowards who used to hide behind a mask and hurt people who were just doing their duty of maintaining peace. This was regular practice every week. The so-called political parties who were representing us, if did not agree on any new policy of the government, then we were called to show their strength. Without any reason, we usually target the peacekeepers. Such was our life. We were just Katputali in the hands of those in power.
My life took a massive turn one day when, while stone pelting in the josh of getting the target, my face got unmasked. After the incident, when the police started identifying the people involved, I was picked up. What followed was days and months of questioning. I was also not spared and was taught a good lesson about my misdeeds. What made the government different from our sympathizers was one thing:” We were seen as humans by the government, not a commodity of destruction.” We, of course, were going to be punished for creating havoc, but we were also given a second chance. We were counseled and shown the mirror how we were destructing our lives for the benefit of others. We were guided by officers from the police as well as the Army about how, instead of taking stones in hands we should hold books. Knowledge and education can change the fate of the most downtrodden. We were shown the path of education and how it can mold our future. The officers assured us that we cannot change your past, but we can weave a beautiful future for you. True to their words, we got this chance very soon.
During our counselling session there was also an evaluation on things that we are inclined towards. Some of the boys were excellent artisans and some good at sports. Based on the evaluation on the point of interest of each person, they were sent for further training in that field. I wanted to study further and become an engineer. My zeal for learning was recognized. I was allotted a seat in Super 30. Now my time used to be spent attending classes and discussing topics for developing new software to make the lives of people easier. There were faculty from prominent institutes who used to come and impart their knowledge and experience to us. My life took a U-turn for my good. Now, instead of stone, I had a book in my hand. The guidance from the Army set up institute helped me crack the entrance exam. The day the results were announced I could not believe that I had cleared my exam. My instructors at the institute were so proud of me that they threw a small party for my success. Now I have a future. I work with a reputed firm with a decent salary. Due to my work, I get to travel to different cities. This has helped open my mind by meeting different people I learn from their experiences. Leaving the cocoon of destruction, I now have wings of independence and a sound financial background.
Not only me, but one of my friends, who was an expert stone pelter, now has been trained in sports and now is representing the state in short put events. Never would we have imagined this kind of future if we followed the shadows of our sympathizers. Yes, today I shout the slogan “Hume kya chaiye Azadi” but with a different perception. Today we want Azzadi from this selfish self-proclaimed protector of ours. We want Azzadi from these Maulvis and religious leaders who corrupt young minds like ours. We want Azzadi from political leaders and homegrown terror funders whose only aim is to have a fat bank balance for themselves and their families. We want Azzadi from this so-called Messiah of our future
