Navreh & Eid in Jammu Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed tremendous pain and agony in the last thirty five years that made a devastating impact on the lives of common people.The gruesome violence due to the ethno-religious conflict people were facing human tragedies.It damaged the socio-cultural fabric of the society in Jammu and Kashmir.Especially in Kashmir the violence has left wounds that will take years to heal.Terrorism targeted the peaceful lives of the people and ruptured the age old bonds of harmony among the communities.Society thrives on mutual trust and botherhood.When that is violated it develops fissures,causing mistrust.That is what exactly happened in Kashmir.Terrorist grousp patronised by Pakistan and given support by the indigeneous sleeper cells and over ground workers damaged the harmony in Kashmir.Both Kashmiri Muslims and Kashmiri Pandits have suffered in this ethno-religious conflict.Kashmiri Muslims were caught in the ideological undercurrents that shaped the Islamic crescent and the upheavals in the Arab world and the pumping of petro-dollars in the India’s backyard in Afghanistan-Pakistan region during the cold war.Pakistan’s military junta and its ISI diverted the money and weapons meant to fight the USSR towards causing religious frenzy in Kashmir.Fragile political ecosystem in Kashmir allowed this subversion to cause destabilisation,taking wind out of the sails if the gullible masses who were caught between the devil and the deep sea. Mercenaries who were infiltrated into Jammu and Kashmir spared none.They targeted the common people who believed in progressive social set up.Kashmiri Pandits were targeted for their religious denomination and it worked for them to create fear psychosis.Law and order collapsed within no time.Kashmiri Pandits were religiously cleansed and made to live as refugees in their own state and their own nation in secular and democratic India.To this day Kashmiri Muslims and Kashmiri Pandits are suffering for no sins of theirs.Most peaceful people were made to witness the worst human tragedies.Kashmiri Muslims suffred in Kashmir and Kashmiri Pandits suffered in the refugee camps and rented accommodations in hot and humid climate of Jammu and Indian plains.Almost three generations have suffered from 1989-1990 due to international conspiracies to destabilise Jammu and Kashmir and dismantle the northern frontier.And in ths Geat Game Pakistan has left no stone unturned to inflict genocidal attrition on the people of Jammu and Kashmir.Inspite of this bloodshed both Kashmiri Muslims and Kashmiri Pandits have not given up the hope of home and homeland.They have upheld the spirit of there tolerance and patience by taking courage from their religious and cultural values.This can be judged from the celebration of their age old religious festivals that have immense value due to the place consciousness and aesthetics. Kashmiri Pandits have recreated the mini Kashmirs wherever they have sought refuge.One can witness the replicas of Hari Parbat, Kheer Bhawani,Bhaderakali and many other ancient temples and shrines in Jammu and other parts of India to preserve their religious, cultural and civilizational moorings aming the genocidal attrition.This speaks about their resilience and an urge for renaissance to reclaim their home and homeland amid hostilities.Not only that they make it a point to vist their ancient pilgrimage centres and temples in their homeland Kashmir everywhere.Navreh is a festival that is rooted in the ancient history and origin of Kashmir.It marks the commencement of the new year as per the Sapta Rishi Samvat that is more than 5000 years old.This Samvat is upheld by Kashmiri Pandits till this date and its establishes their antiquity.This year too festivities on Navreh in Kashmir and Jammu besides other parts of India make it clear that Kashmiri Pandits closer to their homeland even in exile.On the other hand Kashmiri Muslims are going to celebrate Eid today after a month long fasting during the Holy Month of Ramadhan.Celebrations are at the peak.This too establishes that Kashmiris of all hues are God fearing people,who want harmony,peace and progressive society.Government of Jammu and Kashmir and the Central Government must ensure that festivals in Kashmir are made special by developing infrastructure and facilities during the festivals.After decades of conflict the celebrations of these festivals can pave the way for lasting peace.