On the Kashmir situation

It is indeed heartening so much written and aired about the plight of Kashmir even as the protests and violence continue to grow - garnering so much attention and sympathy. With dismay, we read about police firing and stone throwing mobs, and youngsters being killed in police beatings and firing. Day in and day out, it has become the staple diet of the mainstream media in India, which is now thankfully showing a bias towards the "underdogs" - the citizen of Kashmir.


While I have been following this tragedy with great sadness, I am yet to understand the cause for all this mayhem. Nor is it clear, what those few actions, if taken, will go towards a solution to the problem. I just see people in hundreds defying curfew orders, and throwing stones at policemen, and destroying property. What does any armed person do when cornered? They fire and kill. It almost becomes self-defense. I am sure most of those miserable fellows, in such duties are themselves fed up with their "postings" - and merely continuing because they have a job to do - and mouths to feed back home.


It is an accepted fact of life in India, in all states and at the centre, that the Government is totally inept, corrupt, inefficient, self-serving and only interested in amassing wealth, for personal gain and to keep themselves in power. They are least bothered by the sufferings of people. They know, time will take care of everything and people get used to suffering. In fact, it serves their purpose - since you can keep these people happy by handing out occasional doles nearing election times.


Yes, by and large, things are not perfect here. Even in the better and advanced states, there is injustice metted out to the so called "common man" and police are uncultured and brutal everywhere. Yes, there are a lot of things that need to be correct, and this will happen. Some changes are already in the pipeline and more are due. Slowly, things will fall into place, because, we have a structured democracy - which, with all its disconcerting warts, is the most acceptable form of governance.


So, what is unique to Kashmir? I know, it must be several degrees worse, because it has been having various "problems" for donkey's years. So, the government has a seemingly  legitimate excuse to continue with status quo - so, more resources keeps pouring in from the centre to counter the "bad elements" - while ignoring governance altogether. If you dig deeper, those resources go into the pockets of those very element who want the status quo to be maintained!


Now the youth's who are protesting, why don't you come out and state what you want? I am sure, this sympathy that has been created in the media, and the rest of India, should be used to get what you desire. Don't let yourselves be exploited by people who have other goals to achieve, because, then you are letting yourselves fall from the frying pan into the fire!


This is what I would like to tell the youth of Kashmir, who have lost all hope for a better future, caught between very unsavory elements and situations. Stop getting killed. There is no cause more precious than your life. Utilise the current situation to voice your demands. Stop the protests and set up an open, transparent dialogue with your Chief Minister. Keep other politicians and mischief mongers out of it. Omar may be most inefficient in terms of governance, but he is one of the few honest persons in politics we have. I am sure, with your backing he will be able to set a table to work out a formula to start a new journey. Whatever, you do, don't let emotions get the better of you. There is no utopia that you can achieve overnight - but give it a chance to happen in your lifetime.