Daily Communal Propaganda by Hindutva in Jammu sowing poison

Kashmir Times
July 28, 2008
Editorial

Irrational and xenophobic
Slogans of 'Quit Jammu' betray communal mind-set

That the Jammu agitation on the Amarnath land transfer controversy is taking a more communal turn is a cause for concern not just for the minorities in the state but all those for whom secularism, communal harmony and the integrity of Jammu and Kashmir is dear. The latest 'Quit Jammu' outburst by a BJP leader asking Kashmiri Muslims to leave Jammu only smacks of xenophobia and racism and ought to be condemned and opposed in the strongest possible words. By raking up such slogans, the BJP has not only vitiated the atmosphere more, creating insecurities in the minds of the Kashmiris staying in Jammu but also the minorities in Jammu region. It also reflects the divisive agenda of the BJP and its cohorts who should realise that politics of exclusion on atavistic lines has never served any noble cause. Puerile xenophobia only creates insecurities and social and economic instability which is not in the interests of this state, much less Jammu city. While there are many Kashmiri Muslims living in Jammu region, a large number of Hindus from Jammu are also putting up in the Valley. Besides, in both the regions, due to the state's two capital formula, entailing the annual durbar move practice, the movement of people from one region of the state to the other is a regular feature. Such slogans, therefore, also end up making lives of the common masses vulnerable. There is neither any legal, logical or ethical basis of raking up such a demand that seeks to prevent people from traveling to certain parts of the state. Already, the Muslims of this state have been wrongly branded as 'terrorists' and harassed in several parts of the country. Why should they now be harassed in their own home state as well? A year back, separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani had revealed a similar xenophobic streak by whipping up frenzy with his demand to oust all outsider labourers from the state. It took time for saner elements to prevail and make those supporting such a call to realise the perils and irrationality of such a move. The BJP's call is far worse than that. It seeks to curb the rights of the individuals of this state within the peripheries of the state.
The BJP leader has maintained that the supporters of Geelani, PDP and National Conference and all those who have built their homes on the forest land of Bhatindi would not be allowed in this state. And how may one ask he proposes to begin a screening of those supporting these politicians? And as far as Bhatindi's vast forest area turned into a posh colony is concerned, it is not simply the domain of the Kashmiri Muslims but people from various ethnicities and religions including the Hindus of Jammu. And, how does one distinguish the Kashmiri Muslim from the rest? Is it by language? Many people from Doda and Poonch are also known to speak Kashmiri? Essentially, such slogans seek to be whip up frenzy against all Muslims in the eventual run. While it is important to oppose such prejudiced and communal slogans, the genesis of such a pernicious demand also needs to be understood. After whipping up frenzy on the Amarnath land controversy, the Sangh Parivar is working overtime to give it an out an out communal direction so that it can fully go ahead with its Hindutva agenda. Besides, it also seems to be inspired by the equally senseless demand of a separate state on communal lines. While divisions on communal lines spark hatred and bloodshed, the interests of this state best served with the plurality of the state maintained by a unique balance of overlapping cultures. Besides, the economies of various regions of the state are interdependent. The Sangh Parivar is also trying to create deeper communal divides by referring to the state police as a 'communal Kashmiri force'. Such malicious propaganda is absolutely baseless. The police force is not divided into Jammu police or Kashmir police. It is a united force comprising of people of all regions and religions. Such voices of irrationality and hatred will only vitiate the atmosphere and will turn out to be lethally suicidal. Besides, they go against Jammu's culture of hospitality, harmony and it's vastly plural capacity to absorb several cultures. Such xenophobic hysteria must be shunned with the contempt it deserves.