India’s Humanism qua Kashmir’s Nationalism

India's Humanism qua Kashmir's Nationalism

Jammuites thought our exodus was temporary . Though they benefitted economically because of us, they developed an antipathy towards us. For them, we were outsiders. Within months, invectives had been invented for us. The most popular among them was:

‘Haath mein Kangri munh mein chholey Kahan se aayey Kashmiri loley’

Kangri in hands, chickpeas in their mouth From where did these Kashmiri flaccid penises come?

The above is a quote from the book “Our Moon Has Blood Clots” by Rahul Pandita, who is a Kashmiri migrant. I have a purpose in quoting the above lines. The above lines juxtapose humanism and nationalism. Indeed nationalism succeeded in the above lines, for the Jammuites did accept Kashmiris initially, but humanism failed. Further, I have boldened the words “Kashmiri migrant”. That’s because this is how the whole of India, including the author of the book, consider Kashmiris as. In other words, till date, the Kashmiri Pandits have not lost their identity and do fail to find their homes elsewhere.

This is similar to what the still alive Pakistani/Punjabi migrants feel when they think of Pakistan. Most of these migrants have also prepared their hitlists, directed at Kashmiri or Pakistani Muslims. But not all is lost. Some Kashmiri migrants like Rahul Pandita’s father never prepared any hit list, which would become evident from the quote below and from the fact that he stopped his son from joining the RSS.

When Father heard this for the first time, he did not quite understand the insult. All he said was, ‘But we hardly eat chholey!’

Of course, Rahul Pandita didn’t understand his father. His father was trying to uphold the bigger humanity by ignoring/tolerating the parochial jingoistic/patriotic insults — and that’s probably the reason the son could write the best seller.

When a Jammuite insults a Kashmiri, he actually upholds his jingoism/patriotism towards his town, of course while forgetting humanity. Then how does it matter whether the patriotism is towards a small town, a big city, a province, or a country. Intolerance is the biggest symptom of jingoism, and tolerance, of humanity. The tolerance that father showed made him survive and grow in India. And the intolerance that RSS and its ilk show on a daily basis kills India, with or without Kashmir.

My immediate reference point is the arrest of JNUSU president for vicariously participating in anti-India and pro-Kashmir slogans. I fail to understand what’s the point of upholding a nation where humanity fails. Kashmir is indeed worth occupying/appropriating, and India does have the power to appropriate her too. Indian shastras also recognize marriage by abduction, so this marriage will also be legal and valid in “Hindu Rashtra“, but only in “Hindu Rashtra.”

But wouldn’t it be better to prove your worth for the marriage. Even then if the bride disagrees, well “wo afsana jise anjaam tak lana na ho mumkin use ek khubsurat mod de kar chhodna achchaa”. And “ek khubsurat mod” as we all know is always friendship. That’s probably what was springing up in JNU too: friendship. A patient lover would woo a little more, but one can’t be punished for being unromantic, especially by those who abuse even in romance.

I am indeed for the right of self-determination of Kashmiris, including Kashmiri Pandits. Without blinking an eyelid, I support the demand of Kashmiri Pandits’ for Panun Kashmir as well. I know that is the only feasible solution for the co-existence of Muslims and Hindus in Kashmir. Thereafter, let there be a referendum in both this and that Kashmir with option to maintain the status quo, to become independent, or anything in between. I don’t think there is any other solution to the Kashmir problem.

About the Author

Ankur Mutreja
Ankur Mutreja is an advocate practicing in Delhi, India, since 2009, and he is also an online legal consultant. He is also an author, writer and blogger since 2003. He has authored and self-published many books, which can be downloaded from the top menu.

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