Freedom in Kashmir
A few days ago an unborn baby died for the want of a phone call. An expecting mother was admitted to a hospital for labor pain and during the crucial time, the hospital authorities couldn’t call the chief gynecologist over the phone as the communication clampdown continued in the valley.
It’s been more than a month since the fundamental rights of the people have been suspended by the Government of India since the abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A. The state has also been divided into two Union Territories, one with a legislative assembly and one without. People all over India have been rejoicing after the ‘temporary’ provision in the Constitution have been done away with. They say Modi has delivered his promise of ‘One Nation and One Constitution.’
The political leaders of Jammu and Kashmir have been detained under the draconian Public Safety Act of J&K. Politician and ex-civil service officer Shah Faesal was detained from Delhi airport while he was on his way to the United States. A prominent cardiologist from Delhi was summoned by National Investigative Agency for a text message between him and Kashmir separatist leader Yasin Malik which read INR 2.78. Instead of reading the message as International Normalized Ratio, NIA mistook it for INR 2.78 million. Just before he was summoned, Mr. Kaul had a made a strong protest on a national TV against abrogation of Article 370. This clearly shows the extent of surveillance by the National agency against those who raise voice against the Government.
Rana Ayub, journalist, and writer of Gujarat File claims 12 years has been detained by security forces in Kashmir and beaten during midnight raids. Women were threatened with rape and young boys were given electrical shocks. Families are unaware of there whereabouts.
Kashmiris who have families living in other parts of India has been unable to contact their near ones, interacting with one in Kochi, he says, “Kerala is the best place in India to settle down, there is peace here, people are educated and they don’t fight for a religion like in the other parts of the country. Here, everyone stays together with such harmony that religion becomes invisible. I am planning to bring my parents down to Kochi as I have not been able to contact them for the past 29 days.”
Those who write and share about Kashmir on social media have been attacked by vicious trolls and ‘pro India’ forces. They ask, “Why do you care so much about Kashmiris, do you have any relatives or friends.” This helps the government to dilute the situation in Kashmir as there are many questioning the ‘questions’ raised by common people. With schools closed, hospital running out of emergency medicines, the future of Kashmir is uncertain.
It’s time the people in the country questions the actions of the Government or what’s happening in Kashmir can happen elsewhere.
