Pahalgam and the aftermath

On April 22, in a terrorist attack at Baisaran in Pahalgam of Indian Kashmir, 26 Indian tourists were killed. This incident was tragic and horrific, and we have received individual and collective expressions of grief about it, which need not be repeated here. It is yet another heinous crime against humanity—a statement that is also redundant because such crimes continue to happen, whether in Palestine, Ukraine, or in smaller forms in Bangladesh. Our shock, surprise, condemnation, and disgust persist, but such crimes are continuing without regard for anything.

Is this incident a sudden and regional version of the various large and small political and religious conflicts happening globally? In the subcontinent — in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh — it has certainly developed a distinct character. The foundation of nationality based on the disastrous and flawed two-nation theory was proven wrong by the emergence of Bangladesh in 1971. Yet now, Bangladesh’s recent governance seems ready to prove that too wrong — implying that Jinnah’s two-nation theory was indeed correct. However, no final conclusion has yet been reached, nor does it seem likely that it ever will be. As a result, a balance in the communal existence of Hindus and Muslims in this subcontinent has not been established, which is essential for citizens to live in peace. On one side are Pakistan’s various militant conspiracies and activities, and on the other side is the rise of Hindu-majoritarian BJP in India after 2014 — neither development has been conducive to creating that balance.

Many are mentioning the Indian government's interference in the issue of Muslim Waqf properties as a reason behind why this attack happened at this particular time. It is said that even the recent riots in Murshidabad were linked to this initiative. As far as I understand, in matters of authority and control over Waqf properties, widespread corruption has occurred in some places, with communal properties falling into private hands and financial mismanagement taking place. In a ‘righteous’ attempt to control this, the BJP government was seeking a way to include non-Muslims in the Waqf committees. Did it occur to their fertile minds that such a move would portray Muslims as an untrustworthy and unreliable community? And how trustworthy would the non-Muslims, who would obviously be government loyalists, be — can that even be guaranteed?

Without making any religious or communal implications, why didn’t the government consult with Muslim representatives and seek remedial measures with their advice? I do not know. Did they try? Readers are welcome to correct my ignorance.

In any case, if this government initiative regarding the Waqf committee incite a group of people to riot or to kill innocent civilians, no person of sound mind — regardless of community — will ever support it. Therefore, not only the heads of state around the world — it must be remembered that this includes the leaders of Islamic states in the Middle East — but people of all levels, whether Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, Christian, Sikh, or others, have condemned it unanimously. I am not particularly concerned about the leaders. The sight of Omar Abdullah or Tarigami breaking down in tears is certainly heart-wrenching to me as well, but even more moving was the sacrifice of the Kashmiri youth Adil, a horse attendant, who sacrificed his life trying to wrest a rifle from a militant.

I saw that on the very day of April 22, the people of Kashmir held protest marches condemning and protesting against this horrific killing. That protest still echoes across every region of Kashmir. And yesterday (April 23), Kashmiri newspapers printed their front pages in black as a sign of their strong anger and condemnation of the incident. A completely successful general strike also took place across Kashmir. I know that all the ordinary people of Kashmir are deeply wounded and pained by this incident.

This is only natural. Innocent people, who came to Kashmir with no intent of hostility — even the most ruthless terrorist would not dare deny this — certainly deserve human sympathy. I am not belittling that. But the grief and sorrow of the common people of Kashmir is rooted much closer to home, intimately tied to their daily existence and their struggle for survival. Indian tourists are the lifeblood of the Kashmiri economy. Of course, tourists from all over the world visit paradise-like Kashmir — they stay in shikaras on the Dal and other lakes, stay in hotels, ride ponies along the lakeside and boulevards, visit temples, mosques, apple orchards, rows of chinar trees, tulip gardens, and scenic spots like snow-covered mountains and valleys. They buy Kashmiri shawls, dry fruits, winter clothing, intricate handicrafts, and utensils — and it is from the income generated from these tourists that many Kashmiris sustain their daily lives. This writer too has been reading about loved ones’ Kashmir travels on Facebook and WhatsApp since the heat of summer began, has seen their photos, and has felt their joy touch him again and again.

It is not only outsiders who go to Kashmir. Kashmiris too, at times, leave Kashmir and travel across distant parts of India, carrying shawls, mufflers, winter clothing, dry fruits, and so on. They call out their wares along the way, and with many households, they build lasting bonds like those of family and friends.

Among our own friends and relatives, there are several such Kashmiri uncles, nephews, and brothers, who visit once a year and sometimes even stay with us. In these relationships, no consideration is given to religion, region, or occupation.

So, will this brutal massacre in Pahalgam bring any benefit to the people of Kashmir at all? Is there such an utter fool in the world who would claim that it would bring even a drop of good? Did it help in solving the Waqf issue in any way? Indian Muslims are making their voices heard through movements and protests; the majority of political parties and public opinion—regardless of religion—are supporting them. And it is also becoming clear that even the courts are not willing to accept the waqf law in its current form. Then for what purpose was this horrific, inhuman cruelty committed?

If Pakistan, or any other country, is behind this, then they must understand that there is not even the slightest possibility of achieving any of their interests through this horrific game. It was well known that India would retaliate, and is the outcome going to be pleasant for Pakistan? The Indus Waters Treaty has been annulled, and Pakistan will have to bear the consequences. Pakistan has to depend on India even for trivial things — something this writer heard directly from then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during a visit to Pakistan in 2001. It was said that even items like betel leaves and salt had to be imported from India. I don't know whether any of that situation has improved since then.

The most important thing is that such terrorism threatens the very existence of Muslims in India in various ways, which perhaps the ISI or its authorities fail to realise. Historians can debate what happened first or later, but the recent rise of militant Hindutva, propagated by the BJP and its sponsor RSS through events like Ram Navami, Hanuman Jayanti, and other 'programmes', is not just aimed at Pakistan but also at India's Muslim population, which constitutes 27 percent of the total. We know that Kashmir is a source of deep emotional pain for Pakistan, but no matter how painful it is, it will never become a part of Pakistan. If Pakistan has not learned this lesson after multiple wars, it is living in the fool’s paradise. The identity of Islam will not be a shield for its protection—Afghanistan’s Islamic dictatorship has not been its close ally. Moreover, recently, some immature public opinions in Bangladesh (though not representing the conscious public opinion of society) have been spreading foolish talks about forming a large Islamic state out of parts of West Bengal and the northeastern regions, but there is absolutely no viable possibility of this.

If we do not accept the fate that we must live together as human beings, beyond religious symbols, in our subcontinent, a great catastrophe will fall upon everyone, Hindus, Muslims, and all. This cooperation is multifaceted: with food supplies like rice, lentils, potatoes, and meat, with electricity supply and various development projects, and above all with education, healthcare, and widespread exchange of skills, books, and cultural literature. The Muslims born on the soil of India have their birthright here, just as Hindus and Sikhs born on the soil of Pakistan or Bangladesh have their birthright there. We also want the opinions of Indian Muslims to be accepted in solving the Waqf issue. But let no one harbor the unrealistic dream of changing national boundaries in South Asia based on community lines.

May our confused generation be able to pass on the simple lesson of living together to the next generations.

Dr Pabitra Sarkar: Bengali linguist, former Vice-Chancellor of Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata.