The Kashmir Scenario Exclusive
Kashmir is witnessing an abject trend of sectarian clashes in year 2012. Burning Shrines, Sectarian clashes, Rumors have defined life in Kashmir in year 2012.
The gutting down of centuries old revered shrine of Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jeelani (RA) popularly known as Gaus-ul-Azam Dastgeer Sahab (RA) on 25TH June, 2012 sent shock waves across kashmir.
The sacred two centuries old shrine of Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jeelani (RA) popularly known as Gaus-ul-Azam Dastgeer Sahab (RA) was gutted in a mysterious fire incident in Khanyar area of old Srinagar, plunging the the entire kashmir into deep agony and grief. Pertinently, the shrine is considered to be one of the most revered shrines of Kashmir, the 206-year wooden structure of the Shrine, which for centuries has been the seat of spiritualism as well as sufism in the valley, housed relics of Shiekh Abdul Qadir Geelani, an Islamic preacher who is highly honoured by Muslims across the world.
The troubled sectarian turf of Kashmir has already resulted in loss of human lives. On August7, 2012, A 20-year-old college student was killed and two injured in a sectarian clash at Sindhbal in Jammu & Kashmir’s Ganderbal . This was the first such furious sectarian clash reported from Kashmir.Shabir Ahmad Bhat was critically wounded and later died after followers of the Deobandi sect, owing allegiance to Jamaat-e-Islami group, clashed with the rival Barelvi sect over the use of loudspeaker at a local mosque.
Atleast a dozen people were injured during the clashes between two sects in Redwani area of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district on November1, 2012.
The clashes between two sects occurred during evening time after the members of one sect objected to other sect for organising some programme in a mosque. In the area, actually the dispute between the two sects over the mosque was there since last so many years. Few months ago the dispute was resolved after one sect agreed to pay Rs 8 lakh to another sect for constructing the separate mosque. However, when the people belonging to one sect fixed the sound system in the mosque in connection with some religious programme, the people belonging
to another sect objected, leading to clashes. Many people were injured in these clashes.
Now currently, the whole Down-Town area has been under frequent curfews over the surge in sectarian clashes between Sunnis and Shias. Sectarian clashes between Shia and Sunni Muslims erupted in the old city areas of Srinagar Wednesday, 28th November, 2012 . Curfew was clamped in nine police station areas when police failed to end the violence.
The Chairman Hurriyat Conference (G), Syed Ali Shah Geelani, also in a recent press conference termed the recent clashes in old city as a “deliberate attempt to divide Kashmiri Muslims” even as he criticized the state government for thwarting his ‘peace march’.
“Conspiracy is being hatched at the international level to weaken the unity of Muslims,” he told media in a press conference at his Hyderpora residence this forenoon. “The recent sectarian clashes were a part of the plans to divide Kashmiri Muslims, and weaken the resistance movement,” stated Geelani.
The question on the lips of every sane Kashmiri which has remained unanswered is that –“Who is fanning these sectarian fires in once harmonious valley of Kashmir”?
Tahir Muzter, a leading civil society figure and columnist, while talking with Kashmir scenario on the menace of rising sectarian clashes stated -“Sectarian menace, should not be taken something separate the fact is that under a big secret ”action plan’ kashmir is being tamed ” it is under implementation in kashmir sectarian menace can be one part of it ——–on this plan—i have a story of 3000 words ready for the press but the tragedy of kashmir ,now is —like rulers and politicians –newspaper owners are also have become self centered ——–and go by the directions of Delhi /or kashmir government policies. Sometimes it looks that subject has been completely raped in newspaper office”
Mushtaq ul Haq Ahmad Sikandar, a writer cum social activist, while talking to “The Kashmir Scenario” states -“The sectarian clashes in Kashmir are a result of deep and continuous indoctrination of exclusivist, violent and intolerant versions of Islam, that have been imported from the mainland of the subcontinent, whether it is Deobandi or Barelvi version. Also others like the Salafis are a result of Petro dollar boom, while Shiaism has increased due to the Iranian revolution. These versions of Islam and the scholars associated with them are responsible for the increase in sectarian clashes in Kashmir. Kashmir over the centuries developed its own indigenous Islam, that is plural, inclusive and tolerant and has tried to imbibe the teachings of Hinduism and Buddhism too, and it developed the culture of Rishism. This Rishism is presently under threat from these alien versions of exclusivist Islam in Kashmir. The Rishis who were responsible for the spread of Islam in Kashmir, tried to bring the people closer to each other through the united and inclusive teachings of Islam, that the present day mullahs of these sects try to undermine. Instead of bringing people together, they are declaring other Muslims who don’t believe in their version of Islam as infidels.
So the need of the hour is to say no to these imported versions of Islam, as our Islam isn’t barelvi, salafi, deobandi. It is Rishi Islam, and another irony is that Barelvi mullahs have tried to veil their version of mainland Indian Islam as Sufi and Rishi culture of Kashmir, and under this false garb they are trying to be champions of Kashmir’s syncretic culture. People must understand, that their version of Islam is no different from other violent, intolerant and exclusivist sects, so we must fight a relentless battle to save our pluralist, non sectarian and inclusive Islam of Kashmir, that makes us distinct from the others”.