Ramesh Bhatt
“Freedom is nothing else but a chance to be better.”
Albert Camus
Azaadi is an Urdu word which essentially means freedom or independence. Human beings have always longed for freedom, be it from the clutches of slavery prevalent in the medieval times or from the draconian dictators who had no regards for human rights and compassion for their population. Let us first understand how the so called Azaadi made its way into Kashmir. The slogans of Azaadi reverberated in India during the famous Quit India movement in 1942, which led to the collapse of once mighty British Empire. The British were wise enough not to ignore the vast potential of a united India which at that time was an amalgamation of around 560 princely states. The Muslim league led by Jinnah rallied strongly for an independent nation for the Muslim community which he felt was absolutely necessary if their rights were to be safeguarded. Therefore lines were drawn on maps, apparently in a hurry which changed the course of history to say the least, India and Pakistan were formed. The princely states were given the option of choosing between the two or remaining independent. While majority of the princely states joined India, a few chose to remain independent. Jammu and Kashmir was one of them, but it was not for long as Pakistan launched a massive assault in 1947- 48 to annex Kashmir by employing irregulars to project the conflict as an indigenous one. The ruler of Kashmir, Maharaja Hari Singh immediately requested assistance from India. The Indian Govt accepted the request only after the Instrument of Accession was signed by the Maharaja on 26 October 1947. The Indian Army was immediately rushed in to put the advance of the Razakaars to a halt. The UN had to interfere to bring the conflict under control and a ceasefire was declared in 1949.
The conflict in Kashmir is a cobweb of ideologies, as complex as the Kashmiri culture and society. Initially there were the likes of JKLF led by Yasin Malik who pressed for an Azaad Kashmir, totally independent of India as well as Pakistan. Then came the hardline separatists of the likes of Geelani and Masarat Alam who spoke the language of Pakistan. Soon, the valley which was once an epitome of peace and tranquility transcended into killing fields soaked in blood of innocent Kashmiris. The Pakistanisation of the narrative by the separatists further aggravated the relationship between Srinagar and New Delhi. Streets were filled with protestors raising the slogans of Azaadi, unfurling Pak and ISIS flags became a common sight in such protests. The youth, with the most impressionable minds got radicalized and became fodder for their masters controlling them from across to fuel unrest. It appeared as if once the heaven on earth has plummeted into the depths of dark ages.
It appears today that the common Kashmiri has got disenchanted with the violence and wants to live a peaceful life. He has begun to realize that the perpetrators of so called Azaadi have been busy only in accumulating enormous wealth while the common man is left to bear the brunt of the conflict remotely controlled by the enemies of humanity sitting across. The poor have been exploited to the hilt by their war mongering political masters while their own families and children live a luxurious life in the plushest localities of downtown Srinagar or abroad. This realization has forced the common masses to revisit their thoughts on Azaadi. Most of them believed in the cause of Azaadi for an independent Jammu and Kashmir but there are no clear answers when confronted with the fact that PoK and Gilgit Baltistan would never be surrendered by Pakistan to create the erstwhile J&K. The geographical location of the Valley precludes it of any possibility of remaining independent by its own. Even the separatists are scared to commit themselves, making loose statements that the population would decide whether it stays independent or joins Pakistan contrary to the UN resolution on plebiscite. The Indian Govt left no room for the separatist narrative by abrogating Article 370 of the Indian constitution on 5th Aug 2019 which paved the way for complete integration of the state into the Union of India. Suddenly the futility of Azaadi was as clear as a mirror to the common masses who were again left asking, what is true Azaadi?
Azaadi in its true sense in the present day for the Kashmiris is nothing but their genuine aspirations for a new and better Kashmir with equal opportunities for all, development, jobs, thriving business houses, education and above all a peaceful and vibrant Kashmir. The huge participation of the people in the recently concluded DDC elections is an apt reflection of the Kashmiri aspirations. Moreover the unprecedented number of independent candidates securing victory in the said elections is a clear indication that the people are fed up of the same old corrupt politicians who have left no stone unturned to rob Kashmir and its people of their aspirations. The need of the hour is to reach out to the Awaam of Kashmir at the grassroots levels, especially the youth in the form of open debates on their interpretation of Azaadi and why they desire it. Such debates will help allaying the false fears of the population as well as convince them regarding the fruitlessness of their actions. Finally, perception management by exposing Pakistan of its duality in the Kashmiri struggle, atrocities and killings by militants and cutting off the foreign channels beaming anti-India and jihadist propaganda may change the mindsets. Kashmir is changing for the good and Azaadi seems to be in sight. The Azaadi to change our beautiful Kashmir for the better, for what it used to be, a paradise on Earth.
