Parvez Rasool, a Kashmiri cricketer, was briefly detained in Bangalore on suspicion of carrying explosives, an incident which triggered anger in the Muslim-dominated Kashmir valley.
This is not an isolated case.
Earlier actor and model Tariq Dar, a Kashmiri Muslim, was mistakenly imprisoned in New Delhi for weeks for having terror links. But Dar was later found innocent.
Delhi University lecturer S.A.R. Geelani, a Kashmiri, was even awarded the death sentence in connection with the 2001 Parliament attack case, but was later released.
Are Kashmiri Muslims, weary of decades of violence, treated unfairly by Indian authorities in different parts of the country?
The Kashmiri cricketer’s detention did not go down well in the strife-torn region, where anti-India sentiment still runs deep.
Rasool’s detention comes at a time when New Delhi has decided to resume peace talks with the leadership of the Himalayan region aimed at ending over 60 years of dispute.
Kashmiri travellers and traders who talk of being harassed after militant violence in any part of India, say such incidents are pushing ordinary people further away from the Indian mainstream.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, chief of Kashmir’s main separatist alliance All Parties Hurriyat (Freedom) Conference, said he would be taking up the issue of Rasool’s detention during his talks with New Delhi.
Tens of thousands of people have died during 20 years of anti-India insurgency in Kashmir. The strife has left nothing untouched in the scenic region, once the heart of Sufi Islam in the subcontinent and home to an easy-going society.
Kashmir’s young chief minister, Omar Abdullah, said it is easy to see young Kashmiris as terrorists but urged New Delhi to handle the youth of his state carefully and help heal the wounds of violence.
Kashmiri sportsmen say these things humiliate people in Kashmir where violence between Indian troops and separatist militants has brought untold misery to the residents.
Does being a Muslim from Indian Kashmir invite suspicion in a predominantly Hindu country?
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You pick any state in India or Pakistan, we will give 10 instances where young man is arrested for lack of evidence, women may be raped by security/police force. It is serious. But it is serious for all states.
So what is the difference. Other state have some development agenda and they are making at least some progress.
The whole issue is that there is no development in JK. It is hilly state, terrain, weather is difficult, so transport will be difficult. Hence, growth will be slower e.g. take example of NE states or Waziristan.
JK People make issue of any small thing and things become complex. There is no solution but to suffer. Even if JK becomes independent, becomes part of Pakistan, they will continue to suffer. There is ONLY hope if they are part of India. Thats it.
Also, after being in discussion for last 60 years (right from 47), it is a matter of pride for every Indian. We may not talk much on NE states etc, which are almost having similar problems, but matter is different for JK. This is beyond political issue, it is a pride issue. I know, this makes it more complex. But thats how it is. Kashmiris have to understand, every Indian have a special place for JK in their heart. We need to hold JK over our dead bodies, period.
- Posted by VivekFinally, I do agree, there are issues in JK like any other state, but separation is IMPOSSIBLE.
We will go out of our way to help any Kashmiri but it is not true that Indians any way want to hurt Kashmiri. Believe me.
Mr Rajeev.
- Posted by samirGood to know your story. here is one more. Ther is an army camp a little away from our home. Couple of months back ther were several bullet rounds shot at midnight making whole area panic. The next morning we came to know that 2 dogs were killed as they were moving thru bushes near the camp. they bullets were fired by army. i think that is the difference between shoot at sight orders in ur your state and kashmir
Mr. Sheikh Mushtaq:
Kashmir is no special place, it happens all the time in rest of the country and in all parts of the world. From personal experience I can tell you this happened in Punjab, my Sikh friends and I never complained like you are doing here. I have been witness to the students being picked from hostel in their vest/pajama by 3AM raid (a norm those days) and next day released when confirmed innocent. Nothing personal here by the Police. Rather we appreciated that police has the guts to do so and keep the terrorists on toes. In another incident in 199?, while going to my hostel walking around 12 midnight, I heard someone shouting “hands up” in pitch dark. I could not see anyone and I heard the guy repeat and asked me to move in certain direction and then I saw that the guy who shouted was standing in the dark and was in fact a CRPF Jawan on duty with his AK-47 pointed at me (In those days he had shoot at sight orders). He wanted to clarify what the hell I was doing walking in the campus at that time. Well, we had good10minutes exchange/discussion with my hands on head/no body movement and his hands on the trigger; in the end Jawan is satisfied that I am harmless, both of us are relieved, nothing personal and both of us get back to our respective business.
Try to see the complexities of the situation. Do not think simplistically. It is better to be safe than sorry. Terrorists do not have label on their head. I hate to say please do a favor to Kashmiris by writing both sides of the story.
- Posted by rajeevits true. There are excesses by indian agencies hat can be seen in the human right articles regarding the state. If the treatment within ur own home by alien forces is so bad how can u expect better hospiatbe atmosphere out of home. Now some may say the article is biased. But so many right abuses cant be biased. this is not the first stuory. its one of the stories
- Posted by sami believe that Indian security system like political system is more foe medals rather than teir actual duty… may be because of this race for medals wrong people are indicted many times…. such news of fake encouters and fake arrests are comming up regularly now
- Posted by ahtishaani think it is partly tru and a little over projected. India as a whole is discriminating Nort east and Kashmir…. There are certain elements that do it…. but alongside many people are ospitable to the effected people
- Posted by sabirIts not like that. I saw one kashmiri muslim youth with jk01 …. no. vehicle broken traffic signal & without accepting his fault, he was just creating scene near ram manohar lohia hospital new delhi with traffic policeman & with a smile that gentle policeman let him go.
- Posted by Balbir singhI think we all know the seriousness of kashmir but many kashmiri youth are taking unnecessary advantage out of it.
Its true that there are extra precautions by Indian security agencies in case of Kashmiri Muslims. Almost everyone has the scare when moving out of kashmir. But Detention of students… reputed personalities… etc… at delhi airport and rly stn has become regular practise. If 26th jan security is national importance then everyone should be checked not kashmiris. i m refering to post saying that kashmiris have to furnish u proof before getting accomodation during national days.
Moreover just like when the police top brass dont miss an oppurtunity to invite a press confrence when they catch a millitant…. same people should be bold enuf to invite a press confrence and apologise people when they catch an innocent man….
- Posted by ahtishaanThe part of the story is true…. But i feel that to some extent the people themselves are responsible for the problem. When kashmiris cant stand united on their own soil… its easy to target them out of the state as there is zero chance of unity…
- Posted by StreakWell actually it depends .My roommate is a Kashmiri having the sirname Geelani.Every one in the hostel interacts and treats him as a friend .He participates in almost all events in the college and there isn’t an iota of hatred for him.
- Posted by AnshuIndia is a big, democratic country. Here almost everyone is treated badly by the authorities and politicians. Why do kashmiris need a special mention.
- Posted by R KMany of you wrote about kashmiri pundits, according to official reports 215 were killed against 47000 muslims i think thats not a fair idea you have,regarding india spending money on kashmir,one should know that whole of morthern grid is fed by hydel power projects in kashmir,while indian army is occupying thousands of kanals without paying for it, no doubt the mistreatment is a part of a security excercise but if found not guilty they should not be put behind bars for many years as prof geelani was, the indian security agencies always want to make a point by making kashmiri innocents there scapegoats.
- Posted by juneeda shafiINDIA A DEMOCRACY HAVE SOME SHORTCOMINGS BUT PREVAIL DUE TO ITS MOST FORWARD LOOKING CONSTITUTION AND KASHMIRI MUSLIMS MUST REALISE THEY WILL LEAD A BETTER OPEN AND PROSPEROUS LIFE IF THEY WILL REMAIN IN HARMONY WITH INDIA.
- Posted by pilaniaYes, they are treated bad
No body accepts that Indian Army mistreated women and young girls..many RAPED and KILLED.
and this where the problems starts. Once you treat someone from your homeland as outsiders… they will act like outsiders.
Ask those many kashmiris who lost their young kids on the hands of IndianArmy.. how many
- Posted by bindaas