Rameez Makhdoomi
“The most effective way to destroy people is to deny and obliterate their own understanding of their history.” ― George Orwell
The misinformation noises are back as if everything has become rosy and sweet .In the midst of propaganda tunes of few Kashmiris getting selected into so called premier Administrative services like Indian Administrative Service & Kashmir Administrative services the sections of Indian media are going crazy as if everything has been resolved.
As if the selection of few Kashmiris into administrative services have nullified the United Nations Security Council Resolution 47, adopted on April 21, 1948, as after hearing arguments from both India and Pakistan the Council increased the size of the Commission established by United Nations Security Council Resolution 39 to five members, instructed the Commission to go to the subcontinent and help the governments of India and Pakistan restore peace and order to the region and prepare for a plebiscite to decide the fate of Kashmir and also as if these developments invalidate the Government of India, White Paper on Jammu & Kashmir, Delhi 1948, p. 55.Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Prime Minister, in a broadcast from New Delhi on 2 November said:”We have declared that the fate of Kashmir is ultimately to be decided by the people. That pledge we have given, and the Maharaja has supported it, not only to the people of Kashmir but to the world. We will not, and cannot back out of it. We are prepared when peace and law and order have been established to have a referendum held under international auspices like the United Nations. We want it to be a fair and just reference to the people, and we shall accept their verdict. I can imagine no fairer and juster offer.”
And come to 90s when the struggle for achieving democratic rights took a violent turn; since then from mass rape of women in Kunan Poshpora to massacres in Gawkadal and some recent killings of hundreds of boys in 2008, 2010 and 2013 uprisings the humanity in kashmir has been simply littered for just demanding the implementation of promised and due rights as humans. In this regard, on social networking I give my opinion fearlessly when I see analysis being done by media in such a bias way as if IAS, KAS is end of Kashmir Dispute. My feelings were penned down on Facebook as –“Dear Indian Media Don’t be So Absurd, So foolish, So Dumb, So irrational ,So blind, So illogical as you are confusing success and selection of few kashmiris into administrative services as an important step in resolving the Kashmir Dispute. Kindly read General Knowledge Kashmir dispute is about right to self-determination of People, it is about ascertaining democratic will of people in choosing their destiny, it is about justice of unprecedented atrocities committed against them to quell pro-liberation struggle. To set records straight, British gave you concept of civil services and entrance into these that did not mean they told Mahtma Gandhiji the issue is over. Kindly educate yourself.”On the other hand, Some of these selected candidates are falling prey to propaganda tunes and lecturing us that more Kashmiris should join the Civil Services and contribute to decision-making, peace and development,” . They further state “And for them therein lies the Azadi for Kashmir. My heart just says to these civil servants your Azadi and conscience might have an end in few monetary bucks but majority of Kashmiri youth real freedom lies in having right to self determination implemented and taking their political struggle to logical conclusion. Kindly focus your attention on the responsibilities you have in easing out common man’s problems rather than lecturing to a browbeaten nation on its historic and well rooted struggle.
A letter written to a Daily newspaper probably by a foreign national Juanita Tracey Naika on the very topic makes an interesting read .The letter states- “ I have been following the media interest in Dr Faesal with some interest over the past weeks and I too couldn’t understand why someone would give up a coveted position as a doctor to work in the Civil Service. Dr. Javid Iqbal’s article went some way to explaining the history and social standing of the Civil Service in Kashmir. In my country Civil Servants (as they are known) are nothing more than pen pushers. Please note the term ‘Servants”. The Civil Servants in Kashmir appear to be so bound by political and bureaucratic constraints I find it hard to believe that anyone would want to pursue this career. In fact in my country Civil Service would not even be considered a career and certainly would not rank in socially standing alongside the position of doctor.”
I would like to maintain that I have respect for many of my colleagues who have joined KAS or IAS and are vigorously serving common masses but on a healthy note never give sermons to this browbeaten nation on serious and sensitive issues like freedom and democracy.
The Indian media, before projecting the entry of Kashmiri students in so called Indian administrative exams need to look into their own history. For the sake of knowledge, I would love to share certain point out of the Indian history.
The so called Indian administrative exams were not the finding of India, but was started by the British during its rule in india.AT that point one person named as Satinder Nath Tagore, opted to sit for the so called administrative exam and was later declared qualified. AT that point of time many voices raised questions as to why he (Satinder Nath tagore) opted such British made exams.
He replied as a quote, “I opted for Indian administrative exams, knowing the fact that it is a British established…was to show to the so called British that we Indians are as superior as they are.”
The need of the hour is that media does not overgeneralize or overhype the joining of Kashmiris into administrative services and maintains and performs its impartial role in conflict zone like Kashmir because in real journalism the concepts like humanity, impartiality, balance should be priority rather than ultra-national and propaganda tendencies. For our Administrative Officers who are already in services and those who aspire to join serving people, proper implementation of projects, honestly performing their duties should be priority rather than lecturing or giving sermons to people on their genuine struggle of political and human aspirations.