The irony is that those who once headed the unified command and used pellet guns to blind people are now lecturing on peace and the capability of J&K police
DR ABHIJEET JASROTIA
The latest address from the top cop of J&K, where he dared to call a spade a spade, reminds me of the quote, “Truth is always bitter.” Let’s delve into the history of J&K, starting from the Kabaili attack on Kashmir, where a daring young man, Maqbool Sherwani, who, by misfortune, was a worker of the National Conference (NC). The NC never honored his name in history, and he was never given the justice he deserved. The true lion of Kashmir was overshadowed by the NC’s apathy, which could never see beyond the Abdullahs. However, the BJP acknowledged his bravery by visiting his grave and paying tribute to him.
Since partition, Pakistan has always cast an evil eye on Kashmir and its people, leading to more than 100,000 innocent Kashmiris, predominantly Muslims, being buried due to the proxy war waged by Pakistan. Yet, Pakistan alone cannot be blamed; no one can infiltrate your territory unless they have internal support. From 1947 until 1987, Pakistan’s attempts to disrupt peace in J&K were thwarted by a smoothly running government. However, the 1987 defeat was intolerable for the NC, who were unwilling to relinquish power despite public mandate.
A call from the Home Minister in Delhi at that time disrupted everything, and the immature Prime Minister, who had gained power through sympathy votes, couldn’t grasp the devious plans of the dynastic politicians in J&K. Overnight, many crossed the borders, and Pakistan, ready for this moment, introduced gun culture to Kashmir. People fled to London and returned only to reclaim the same dynastic throne. The gun culture was a design by Pakistan to destabilize India. Some became separatists, others political leaders, and some turned into terrorists, but all were interconnected. This era was marked by bloodshed, backdoor appointments, and corruption, causing immense suffering among the common people.
Industries like Jammu Kashmir Industries (JKI) and Hindustan Machine Tools (HMT), which provided jobs to many, came to a standstill due to corrupt practices and nepotism, turning J&K into a banana republic. There was no accountability; terrorists backed the Hurriyat and vice versa, and the same story applied to some political parties. With only a few hundred votes, individuals could become MLAs, MPs, or even CMs. Killers of humanity like Shabir Shah, Bitta Karate, and Yaseen Malik were glorified as Nelson Mandela or Gandhi, hiding behind those now demanding capable officers’ resignation. International human rights organizations viewed it as a local injustice issue without understanding why peaceful Kashmir had turned into a land of graveyards. No one dared to speak against Pakistan, while their stooges in Kashmir enjoyed special status and benefits from both sides.
Then came August 5, 2019, when those unafraid to call a spade a spade took over. A three-tier system was restored, millions of tourists began visiting Kashmir, events like the G-20 were hosted, and above all, there was a voter turnout of 60%, which was an eye-opener for the dynastic politicians. Two former CMs lost their elections badly, and the people of J&K embraced a new era. Frustrated, Pakistan changed its strategy, and the failure of Operation K led to the birth of a new nefarious design, Operation J. Certain leaders, rattled by their defeats, are now calling for the resignation of decorated police officers who dare to expose them.
Those who relied on terrorists to win elections, and those who sympathized with terrorists, should reconsider their stance, as terrorist sympathizers cannot be national sympathizers. Those criticizing security forces are unaware of the area’s topography and the nature of the threat, as the infiltrators are not simple goons but trained Pakistani army commandos disguised as terrorists. It is tough to combat them, especially since Jammu shares a 1,222 km long and challenging border with Pakistan. Despite this, our security forces lay down their lives to protect us, including the black sheep and Pakistan sympathizers within.
The irony is that those who once headed the unified command and used pellet guns to blind people are now lecturing on peace and the capability of J&K police. As CMs, they were responsible for 31,015 civilian injuries, 3,723 eye injuries, and more than 1,000 people being blinded. These same individuals, who arrested 23,690 people and imposed the Public Safety Act on 1,178, are now speaking about the plight of jailed individuals. It is essential to cross-check the data and not generalizes with terms like hundreds of thousands or early lacs.
In conclusion, it is evident that those who always stood with Pakistan or terrorists will find it bitter when exposed by capable officers. The situation in J&K is complex and deeply rooted in history, requiring a comprehensive understanding and acknowledgment of the harsh truths.
(The Author is Spokesperson of BJP Jammu and Kashmir. Feedback: [email protected])
Box: It is evident that those who always stood with Pakistan or terrorists will find it bitter when exposed by capable officers. The situation in J&K is complex and deeply rooted in history, requiring a comprehensive understanding and acknowledgment of the harsh truths