Belligerence begets more belligerence

The famous phrase “toughness begets greater toughness”, as quoted by Martin Luther King, expounds the shifting dynamics of the struggle of Kashmiri people for their independence. People in India-occupied Kashmir (IOK) are subject to gross human rights violations and they have been witnessing increasing Indian aggression since the start of the illegal occupation of the region. Thousands of lives have been lost, women raped, and children and elders tortured and killed.

Since the killing of Burhan Wani in 2016, Indian forces, faced with the unprecedented level of resistance from indigenous populace, have resorted to the extreme measures of coercion to suppress and malign the purely-indigenous movement.

Given the fact that Kashmiris have lost their faith in rigged political process, their identity has largely been compromised, attempts are being made to bring demographic changes in the region, Kashmiris have been pushed to find new channels to fight against heinous designs of occupation forces.

Like always, unfortunately, Pakistan was attempted to be linked to the attack by Indian deep state as well as by tabloid Indian media to dilute the intensity of indigenous struggle of Kashmiri people. Nevertheless, Indian media have also now started to realise the intensity of Kashmir’s struggle.

Into its third generation, the struggle of the Kashmiris for fulfilling dream of freedom from Indian occupation is now more determined and emotionally charged. Though the current generation up against Indian occupation forces is more educated and knowledgeable in facing Indian forces, Indians will continue to try to smash Kashmiris’ indigenous struggle through new tactics. However, after Burhan Wani as well, Kashmiris are not able to further bear the yoke of Indian subjugation. No matter how the Indian media and polity defend their occupation in Kashmir, India must realise that J&K is slipping away from her hands and the pulse of Kashmiri populace now lies under the thumb of resistance leadership. Most importantly, the reality needs to be acknowledged that the Kashmir dispute is an internationally-recognised dispute as per the resolutions of the United Nations.

Suicide bombings could be a new norm in Kashmir. Various analysts have also warned time and again about such probable suicide attacks in Kashmir, given the continuously increasing Indian brutalities and human rights violations. Still, Indian response and handling of Pulwama attack is below par. To the dismay of peace-loving communities of the region, Indian attitude is far short of the ideals of rationality and pragmatism.

Unfortunately, in a never-ending blame game, there has been no serious coordinated effort by India and Pakistan to assess and mitigate the causes of unrest. To Pakistan’s credit, it has not only given diplomatic and moral support to Kashmiris but has also tried to internationalise the conflict, not to mention scores of invitations by Pakistan to India for bilateral talks on such matters. Almost every successive government in Pakistan has tried to engage in talks with India, but to no avail.

Prime Minister Imran Khan did the same in his latest speech on Pulwama attacks. Not only did the PM invite India for talks on the Kashmir dispute but also assured strict actions against perpetrators of the attack, if provided with substantive evidence of their involvement. However, without such cooperation, it is unlikely that a solution will be found. Unless India steps downs from its militarised approach in Kashmir and tries to solve the conflict through dialogue, violence is likely to prevail. It is only through the path of negotiations that the deadlock can be fixed and the underlying causes behind the vicious cycle of violence be addressed.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 21^st, 2019.

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