An article published recently in the jammu based local newspaper, which attempts to paint a picture of education in Jammu and Kashmir as being so called colonised, thus echoing a perspective that aligns with the Pakistani narrative . However, a closer examination reveals a more nuanced reality, where the disruption of educational institutions had been intricately linked to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and the actions of secessionist proxies in last three decades, which is a publicly known fact. The ‘colonised author ’appears to have descended down from some different planet.
The assertion that schools in Jammu and Kashmir were not functioning normally due to the sponsorship of terrorism by Pakistan holds weight when considering the ground realities. The streets of Kashmir witnessed rioting instigated by these proxies, leading to a small clan of terror and secessionist activists holding the silent majority at ransom, resulting in enforced shutdowns of businesses and schools. The power wielded by this faction, armed with guns and stones, overwhelmed the populace and created an environment of fear and submission.
The recent interventions by the Government of India against the secessionist-terrorist ecosystem have brought about remarkable positive changes. Schools are now operating on all working days following a regular academic callander, accountability has increased, and incidents of rioting and stones pelting are the stories of past. The root cause of the disruption in education is traced back to the Pakistani-sponsored unrest, a crucial point that must be acknowledged when analyzing the situation.
The very title of the article, “Education Colonized in Jammu and Kashmir,” appears oxymoronic considering the multifaceted reasons behind the closure of schools. It is not in any way the so called case of colonization but rather a complex interplay of terrorism, proxy wars, intrigues, rioting and unrest all thanks to Pakistan.
The last three decades, largely prior to abrogation of Article 370 is replete with hundreds of instances and patterns where educational system was deliberately targeted by elements supporting Pakistan in J&K. A deliberate and systematic campaign by Pakistan and her proxies has targeted this crucial aspect of social development in Kashmir, aiming to keep the younger generation illiterate, so that Pakistan is able to get recruits for its proxy war machine to spill the blood of innocent Kashmiris and keep the pot of terrorism boiling.
This strategy, initiated around the arrival of guns in 1990, witnessed the abduction and brutal killing of prominent educator Mushir-ul-Hassan, then Vice Chancellor of Kashmir University, along with his colleague. Numerous teachers, including Mirza Mohamamd Yaseen Shah, Ghulam Rasool Shah, Sarwanand Koul Premi, Rajni Bala, Supinder Kaur, were slain by terrorists.
Any Kashmiri of middle or older age reading this would likely recall the name of a teacher from their extended locality or community who fell victim to terrorist violence. Late Geelani’s call for ‘No Education till Azadi’ and the burning of educational institutions, such as Islamia College of Srinagar and Sopore Degree College, in the 1990s, along with the destruction of schools even in 2016 post-Burhan Wani’s killing, would illustrate the gravity of the situation. There have been many instances where schools bustling with daily educational activities were forced to shut down by stone pelting attacks and in 2017, terrorists attacked a prominent educational institution in Pantachowk, leading to their intervention by the police and preventing a potential tragedy.
As an eyewitness to hundreds of incidents, it becomes evident that the majority of Kashmiris yearn for a return to normalcy and the resumption of regular educational activities. The scenes of individuals armed with lathis and stones, disrupting the lives of commuters on their way to earn a livelihood, had become all too common. This had not only impeded the progress of education but also created an atmosphere of instability that hindered the overall development of the region.
The late SAS Geelani’s proclamation that education is unnecessary until so-called Azadi, sheds light on a mindset that prioritizes militant-political agendas over the welfare of the people. The post-abrogation of Article 370 era presents a hopeful narrative, as Kashmiris are now actively pursuing quality education and equal access, aligning themselves with the national mission. It was first time in 2022, after 32 years of turmoil that Kashmiri children went to school on all days of the academic callander by the consistent efforts of UT administration with strong support of local people and Central government.
The article published is devoid of any facts or figures, it resorts to usual propaganda driven cliches and one fails to understand how such an abject propaganda piece could find place in a newspaper. The only thing though inconsequential, the author had to leverage to support an adversary’s narrative is the land lease issue of a private school of Baramulla. The school is open and running. The altered ground realities in Kashmir are quite promising and it is for every one to see that J&K has changed for good in last few years.
It is crucial for the wisdom and knowledge of posterity, to emphasise the atrocities committed by the Pakistani state through its sponsored terrorists and other secessionist proxies, particularly on the educational system of Jammu and Kashmir. The disruption caused by this external interference has had profound implications on the lives of the people, especially the youth who deserve a stable and nurturing environment for their academic growth.However, it is quite heartening to witness children of J&K racing up with the educational excellence that our country offers, the famed IITs and AIIMS are no more far from reach of anyordinary student toiling hard to achieve his or her cherished goals. This is what India has to offer to her children, unlike guns and bombs that seem to the favourite pastime of youngsters in our neighbourhood.
Education must not be a casualty of proxy wars and political agendas, and the people of Jammu and Kashmir deserve a future where learning flourishes without fear or disruption. Heartening to witness history in making in J&K with government determined to bring peace and prosperity and entire nation of 140 crore people echo this sentiment of people of Jammu and Kashmir.
(Author works as Consultant (Research-Jr) at ICSSR and is pursuing PhD from Bennett University. Her areas of work include gender intersectionality, conflict and development. She tweets at @TehmeenaRizvi )
