ICC's Selective 'fixing' Of Blame To ArrestSpot-fixing In Cricket

By: Gowhar Geelani
These days it is quite fashionable to indulge in Pakistan bashing. It [the bashing exercise] pays in more than one way. It also gives you a few certificates for free: “liberal, well educated, modern-thinking, an enlightened and a secular person.” If any Pakistani national is charged for rash driving in Dubai, breaking a traffic signal in Berlin, crossing the speed limit in Tokyo, fighting inside a London nightclub, or, found drunk in the streets of Damascus after a verbal brawl there with a native, we have a ready-made argument from the "enlightened" class: "No wonder the culprit belongs to Pakistan. Their country, I'm sorry, is in a terrible mess. A failed state, you know! It is a safe sanctuary for the 'terrorists' of Taliban, Al-Qaeda and many other 'dangerous' terror outfits." All evidence heard, verdict pronounced and hence the case dismissed.

After the recent spot-fixing scandal in the game of cricket, this distinguished enlightened class have to add one more sentence to their favourite argument: "Pakistanis even cheat in cricket, that's so pathetic!"

We all know that rest of the world is crime proof, morally upright, and corruption free in all matters; social, political, and in sports as well! Ahh!!

Cricket –described by many as a gentleman's game, has once again been brought into disrepute; thanks to Pakistan's 'talented and tainted' trio of Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir.

To be brutally honest, the true fans of this great sport shouldn't feel sorry about the sentences handed down in Southwark Crown Court, London, on the morning of the 3rd November, but given Amir's younger age it is but natural to feel a touch sad for him.

Imran Khan –the man who led Pakistan to coveted World Cup victory in 1992, too feels sad for Mohammad Amir.

"It is a painful decision. Amir is in such an age where he is vulnerable. When the President of the country is corrupt to the core; is also the patron of the PCB, the sportsmen think and feel when the President can get away with it; they too can. But in the long term, the judgement could serve in the interest of the game. Fixing has tarnished the image of Pakistan and the game of cricket; feel sorry for the cricketers and their family," Khan told the media channels.

Like few others, I also feel for the families of these three cricketers-turned-culprits, who admitted that they conspired to cheat; bowled three pre-determined no balls, and accepted corrupt payments for executing the wicked plan of spot-fixing. What these three players have done is shameful, filthy and sordid. No doubt. One must not forget that crime never pays; sooner or later a criminal has to pay, so the trio too has paid.

However, the menace and nuisance of the match-fixing and spot-fixing in cricket doesn't start and end with this latest episode involving Butt, Asif and Amir.

Cricket is also known as the game of glorious uncertainties. For all the good reasons, this great game is full of surprises on the field; but for all the bad reasons it has thrown many a surprises off the field as well.

I, for one, do not suggest for a moment that the sentences handed down by a Britain Court are harsh. A precedent needed to be set. And I'm glad that it has been. The guilty players needed to be punished. Salman Butt –the former Pakistan skipper and by far a better English speaker than his contemporary team mates, has been sentenced to two years and six months in jail for his main role in the spot-fixing case; Mohammad Asif has got one-year jail sentence and Mohammad Amir six months. Mazhar Majeed, the players' agent and fixer, has been sentenced to two years and eight months in jail. Young Amir, however, has been sent to a young offenders' detention centre, not to jail.

All done and dusted.

On the personal front, I'll indeed be missing Salman's cracking cover drives, his gutsy cuts through the point region, wristy flicks, graceful glances, and all his shots that have been so pleasing on the eye. I'll certainly be missing Asif's astonishing accuracy with the ball, his in-swingers, the out-swingers and that very mean economy rate resembling McGrath’s. I'll of course be missing Amir's positive attitude towards the game, his nippy action, bouncers, outgoing deliveries with the left-arm angle and then that surprise ball that comes in to the right handed batsman. It is a huge loss to the world of cricket.

I am mourning that loss!

But, all of this is only one aspect of this menace of match-fixing in cricket. The role of the International Cricket Council [ICC] –cricket's governing body, is questionable on more than one count.

When it comes to take a stance against the stronger and richer cricketing nations such as Australia, India and England, the ICC acts like a "dead horse". It's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit [ACSU] –meant to check and arrest the match-fixing in cricket, is a "toothless tiger". Even England's test skipper, Andrew Strauss, believes so.

"...I still think the ICC could be doing a lot more than they are doing. Unfortunately, the anti-corruption unit is a pretty toothless tiger. They can't get into the real depth of it all because they haven't got the resources available to them. I don't hold it against them; they're doing the best job they possibly can. They can't do sting operations like the ‘News of the World,’ they can't infiltrate these betting networks. They've tried their best," Strauss told ESPNcricinfo.

But every law –howsoever holy, justified, draconian or laughable, is automatically applicable to the weaker and poorer cricketing nations; such as Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Zimbabwe. But when it comes to the richer nations, their hegemony and arrogance become laws! If the Indian cricket board, the BCCI, refuses to accept the Umpires Decision Review System [UDRS], the ICC gratefully obliges. When the BCCI babus speak, the ICC helmsmen listen with respect and surrender in fear! Would the ICC dare to take cudgels with the mighty, powerful and the rich BCCI?

Had some Indian, Aussie or English players been involved in the spot-fixing, would the ICC have had guts to slap bans up to five years or more, as the governing body of cricket did against the three Pakistani players? The answer, undoubtedly, is NO.

The spot-fixing and match-fixing exists in cricket even now. There are heightened fears that the players of many high-profile countries might be involved in this corrupt practice of making huge bucks the easy way. But, the ICC doesn't have the belly to raise a finger of suspicion towards them for obvious reasons.

The public memory, unfortunately, is short-lived. Let's not forget the history of match-fixing in the game of cricket that many of us love so much and follow passionately.

Former India captain and match-fixer, Mohammad Azhar-ud-Din, is sitting comfortably in India's Parliament today. Yes, a life ban was slapped on him, but the respect for the match fixer is so much that he was overwhelmingly voted to the Parliament. Ajay Jadeja, a 'co-fixer', is voicing his expert views on the game of cricket on a private television channel. At one time, Jadeja was accused and perceived guilty of fixing the game he once used to play. Marlon Samuels of West Indies too was found involved in fixing and today he’s on India’s tour playing for his country. Former South Africa skipper, Hansie Cronje admitted to match fixing and later died in a mysterious plane crash. It was Azhar who had introduced Hansie Cronje to the world of fixing!

Azhar-ud-Din, Ajay Jadeja, Sharma, H Gibbs, H Williams, Tim May, M Waugh, M Samuels, Salim Malik; and many more cricketers were accused to be involved in the corrupt practices of match fixing in one or the other way. But no one seems to be talking about them anymore, because the intended target is obviously one nation.
Now many ex-cricketers, especially from India, are talking so loudly about morals and ethics in the game of cricket, as if match-fixing and spot-fixing started and ended with Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir...!!!

Those who want to know where the financial nerve centre of the match fixing is; how did this menace start and spread, and how was it exposed, should definitely read the “Outlook” Issue of June 11, 1997.

[…The Indians, if you believed the buzz, don't lose matches; they simply tank them. Go by the buzz, and greed, commerce seem to be the main operatives. In last year's Titan Cup [1996] finals between India and South Africa, the police say the turnover of bookies in Mumbai alone was well over Rs 43 crore. … Suddenly, no match seems to be above suspicion. Amazingly, not even some of the best known names in Indian cricket are spared. In the course of its reporting, Outlook kept hearing some names with alarming regularity, including those of Mohammed Azharuddin, Ajay Jadeja, Nayan Mongia and former India manager Ajit Wadekar. Pakistan's Aamir Sohail had spoken to Outlook (April 9, 1997), saying "two Indian players" had approached him during the '94 Singer Cup in Sri Lanka to "fix" a one dayer. "I told them they'd come to the wrong guy," he had said. The accusation is lent credence by Manoj Prabhakar's testimonial. Wadekar, then, had dismissed Sohail's allegation. Indeed, in the two months that Outlook chased the story, anybody who's somebody in Indian cricket admitted match-fixing was on, but were unwilling to go on record.] Outlook, June 11, 1997 Issue.

Selective fixing of blame will not cure the disease of match fixing and spot-fixing!

--

Gowhar Geelani is a Kashmiri journalist with more than a decade-long professional experience at the national as well as international level.

AFSPA in Kashmir – “Armed Forces’ Say Prevails Anyway”:

GOWHAR GEELANI
There is a lot of noise in the media over AFSPA. Ask any senior Indian security official, a turn-coat politician or a retired Army General what AFSPA stands for. “Armed Forces Special Powers Act,” they will say. Now pose the same query to an ordinary Kashmiri living there in the hapless Vale for the past two decades. The answer perhaps would be: “Armed Forces’ Say Prevails Anyway”.

Many experts on India’s TV news channels and newspapers are debating the pros and cons of the proposed partial annulment of this draconian Act from a few selected areas of the Kashmir Valley. Much is being said about the “fissures” between the coalition partners in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, the National Conference and the Congress, over the “abrogation” of the AFSPA.

The glamour scenes of this staged drama are interesting. The lead role is being enacted by none other than Mr Omar Abdullah, the embattled Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. Mr Saif-ud-Din Soz, President of the J&K Pradesh Congress Committee, seems satisfied with the role of a supporting actor.

The people of Kashmir continue to be the real victims.

According to the Gazette of India, the Armed Forces [Jammu and Kashmir] Special Powers Act received the approval of the Indian President on the 10 September 1990. The Act, however, was deemed to have come into force on the 5 July 1990. What exactly is this Act? Basically, it is an Act that gives certain special powers to members of the armed forces in the disturbed areas in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. “Disturbed area” means an area which is for the time being declared by notification under section 3 to be a disturbed area.

There lies the root of the problem. How is an area declared disturbed and by whom?

The Governor of the state or the Central Government, may, by notification in the official gazette, declare the whole or any part of the state to be a disturbed area. In relation to the state of Jammu and Kashmir, the Gazette of India explains, if the Governor of that state or the Union Government, is of the opinion that the whole or any part of the state is in such a disturbed and dangerous condition that the use of armed forces in aid of the civil power is necessary to prevent– “activities involving terrorist acts directed towards overawing the Government, striking terror in the people or any section of the people, questioning or disrupting the ‘sovereignty and territorial integrity’ of India, or causing insult to the Indian national flag, the Indian national anthem and the constitution of India; etc.

Special Powers conferred upon members of the armed forces under the AFSPA can roughly be summarized as follows:
(a) Any commissioned officer, warrant officer, non-commissioned officer or any other person of equivalent rank in the armed forces may open fire if he/she is of the opinion that any person is acting in contravention or breach of any law or order;
(b) he/she may destroy any arms dump or any structure used as training camp for armed volunteers or utilized as a hide-out by armed gangs wanted for any offence;
(c) arrest, without warrant, any persons who has committed a cognizable offence or against whom a reasonable suspicion exists that he/she has committed or is about to commit a perceivable offence;
(d) enter and search, without warrant, any premises to make any such arrest as aforesaid;
(e) stop, search and seize any vehicle reasonably suspected to be carrying any person who is a proclaimed offender;
(f) power of search to include powers to break open locks; etc.

At a time when top Indian politicians are selling the news to the entire world about a record number of tourists visiting the Kashmir Valley this season, the massive voter-turn out in the just-concluded Panchayati polls, the successful completion of the holy Amarnath pilgrimage, the presence of only a few hundred gun-wielding youths where there were once thousands, and the state government’s focus on the issues of “governance”, “development” and “employment generation” in the state, how come many “wise men” in the Indian Parliament and Cabinet then justify the AFSPA in the same breath? Amazing.

Quite amazing is also the fact that as soon as Mr Omar Abdullah made his hasty and controversial announcement in a public meeting [he termed it as "good news"] about the partial withdrawal of the AFSPA, grenades were showered on the few bunkers of the paramilitary force, the CRPF, in Srinagar and South Kashmir. Though the Jamiat-ul-Mujahideen, a pro-freedom militant group in Kashmir, claimed responsibility for these attacks, many pro-India politicians in the Valley, including the General Secretary of the ruling National Conference, Mustafa Kamal, raised fingers of suspicion towards the vested interests in the Army, the opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party as well as pro-freedom leaders. How come a place that was being described as the one fast returning to normalcy can all of sudden go volatile just because of one announcement made by a mercurial Chief Minister?

By the way, many wonder about the status of the judicial probe ordered into the death of a National Conference sympathiser, Haji Syed Mohammed Yousuf Shah, in Police custody on the 30 September. Two fellow National Conference workers, Muhammad Yousuf of Ganderbal and Abdul Salam Reshi of Kokernag, had accused the 61-year-old deceased S M Yousuf Shah of Anantnag, of taking Rupees 1.18 crores from them for “assuring them a ministerial berth and a berth in the J&K Legislative Council”.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, chairman of a faction of pro-freedom alliance, the Hurriyat Conference, has said that the Army will not allow revocation of the AFSPA for obvious reasons. Addressing a group of people at Charar-e-Shareef, Budgam, he said: “If pro-India political parties in Kashmir are really sincere, they can repeal the Disturbed Areas Act on the floor of the J&K Legislative Assembly to make the AFSPA null and void.”

Meanwhile, the Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons [APDP] has demanded to end the “culture of impunity” in Kashmir. In its press release, the APDP has said: “In Jammu and Kashmir, the 8000 people who were subjected to enforced disappearance have not disappeared because of the imposition of draconian laws like AFSPA, but due to an institutional policy of repression, where even the draconian laws were defied. AFSPA requires the arrested persons to be brought before the district magistrate within 24 hours, which of course has never happened in Jammu and Kashmir.”

Some reports suggest that besides other recommendations the group of interlocutors on Kashmir have also called for a review and phased withdrawal of the AFSPA. Many political commentators in Kashmir have described the trio comprising of Mr. Dileep Padgaonkar, Prof. Radha Kumar and Mr. Ansari as a “bunch of jokers” who wasted one full year to compile a “laughable” report. Mr. Padgaonkar said that the separatists had “missed the bus”, but in reality not a single passenger in Kashmir boarded this bus of interlocutors with “one driver, a conductor and a cleaner”. Neither did the interlocutor’s bus move beyond the main station [the Union Home Ministry] nor it had the fuel in the tank [the petrol prices have seriously gone up!] to take any serious decisions. It did not have a mandate to do that.

Omar Abdullah may be right in his claim that he has Union Home Minister, Mr. Palaniappan Chidambaram in loop on the issue of the AFSPA. But, there is all-powerful Ministry of Defence. Those army personnel found guilty of killing five innocent civilians in South Kashmir area of Pathribal, in 2000, are yet to be punished. That is why many wonder whether Omar Abdullah has the mandate to take any unilateral decision on the issue as contentious as the removal of the AFSPA. When it comes to Kashmir, the Indian Army has the final say!

That is AFSPA – Armed Forces’ Say Prevails Anyway.

Gowhar Geelani is a Kashmiri journalist with more than 10 years of professional experience, both at the national and international level.
feedback: gowhargeelani@gmail.com

Give Audiences A Break!

Onscreen Shouting And 'Potbelly' Dancing
'Of English Speaking Gundas, Gundis and Crybabies'
By: Gowhar Geelani
Imagine a potbellied disreputable street politician sharing a platform with living legend Imran Khan on a television channel and then discussing the art of fast bowling, the swing, reverse swing and the seam movement. How ugly it'd appear onscreen is anybody's guess! That is exactly what usually happens when some of the Indian television channels, if not all, extend an open and unqualified invitation to this modern crybaby named Aditya Raj Kaul to spit venom left, right and center. I don't know whether he belongs to the Right-wing or the Ultra-right wing. Neither do I want to know. Come on, does this guy deserve such attention? All that the saner minds would want is that someone please clip his wings, whether they be Right or the Ultra-right. Give audiences a break! Don't insult their wisdom and intelligence. Please. For belly dance and solo performances of shouting, there are plenty of nightclubs available! Spare the television studios.

Yasin Malik, the leader of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front [JKLF], has, of late, developed an uncanny knack of giving even sexier soundbites than before. On one of the Indian television channels the other day, Malik profiled Mr. Kaul as an "English speaking gunda." Only previous year, the JKLF chief had, with a no non-sense attitude, said to the Editor-in-Chief of the Times Now, Mr. Arnab Goswami, that he was "intellectually bankrupt". All Mr. Goswami could say in response was this: "Thank you". Despite serious objections on Mr. Goswami's deliberate distortions with respect to the serious discourses on Kashmir, he deserves some grace marks here for keeping his cool.

The recent television debate on the CNN-IBN was about Mr. Prashant Bhushan, the senior lawyer and a key member of Team Anna, who was beaten to the pulp by three men inside his chamber in the Indian Supreme Court on October 12th, Wednesday, late afternoon. Mr. Bhushan had committed an unforgivable crime. An unpardonable sin. He had apparently favoured a referendrum, a direct popular vote, in the politically disputed state of Jammu and Kashmir. According to the media reports, the assaulters belong to a lesser known Hindu Right-wing group, 'Sri Ram Sene'. Reports also suggest that some of these attackers are associated with 'Bhagat Singh Kranti Sena'.

Anyway, the attack on Mr. Bhushan is not surprising. Because this sick bunch and all those self-styled custodians of the Indian nationalism and protectors of country's pride have been carrying out such exorbitant assaults in the past too. The appalling attacks on Mirwaiz Umar Farooq in Chandigarh [November 26th 2010] and Hurriyat chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani in New Delhi during a seminar on Kashmir are the recent examples of their unruly behaviour. Violence is their tried and tested weapon. They hate civil behaviour. They romance hate speech and deliver their verdicts through punches, kicks and slaps.

Mr. Kaul is of the view that such acts of bullying behaviour are, in fact, "manifestation of anger". Shazia Illmi, a journalist and also a member of Team Anna, gave him an intelligent response by describing hooliganism as "manifestation of complete stupidity". That's really like calling him a dolt. According to Illmi, those who counter alternative view points only through acts of vandalism are stupids of a rowdy brigade. And those who advocate such acts are exactly like Mr. Kaul. They refuse to improve the quality of their argument. All they're good at is shouting. That's it.

What exactly did Mr. Bhushan say? "Remove the draconian laws like the Armed Forces Special Powers Act [AFSPA] and Disturbed Areas Act, and respect the right to freedom of expression in Kashmir. And if Kashmiris are still not satisfied with India, hold a plebiscite as demanded by them, and as promised by us. If Kashmiris want a separate state; so be it, their aspirations should be respected. In my view there's nothing wrong in that."

But according to Thackerays, Modis, Bhagwats, and now; small fishes in the filthy pond like Kauls too, there's nothing right in what Mr. Bhushan has said. Fair enough. Counter Bhushan's argument with genuine logic and sound reasoning. "What does that mean," would perhaps be their response!

Surprisingly, even Mr. Anna Hazare--who in Kashmir too was respected by many for his ongoing fight against murky corruption and scams in India, distanced himself from Mr. Bhushan by declaring that Kashmir remains an "integral part" of India. He even threatened to review his decision of keeping Bhushan with him, or, even ousting him from his famous brigade named Team Anna. If this is Shri Anna's stance on moral corruption in politics, then God save the Indians! Arvind Kejriwal, another key member of Team Anna, also didn't agree with Mr. Bhushan's remarks on Kashmir. When one is made to read the distorted history pages and doctored text books, this is the expected consequence.

After the latest unfortunate episode [attack on Mr. Bhushan], I wonder what the conversation between Shri Anna Hazare and Mr. Prashant Bhushan would have been like. Perhaps somewhat on these lines:
Mr Bhushan's explanation to Anna: "Anna Jee, I did no wrong by favouring a plebiscite in Kashmir. It is our moral duty to support a genuine struggle of Kashmiris."
Anna's reply: "Our team was formed only to continue fight against the financial corruption in India."
Bhushan: "But why? That's grossly unfair!"
Anna: "Since the moral conscience of the majority in India is dead, I can't take such a risk. And honestly, I, too, am morally corrupt, if not financially. Tell me, who will follow me and our team if I start supporting Kashmiris?"
Bhushan: "Thank you. Then I'm happy to be labelled a seditionist or a Maoist sympathizer if the act of advocating people's rights has been declared a crime in modern India!"
Anna: "Iss Mudde Pai Ab Aur Baat Nahin Hogee [There will be no further discussion on this topic.]"

There the conversation ends.

Welcome to the elite club of anti-nationals and seditionists, Mr. Bhushan. After people like Arundhati Roy--celebrated author and social activist, and Gautam Navlakha--a renowned human rights defender, it is your turn Mr. Prashant Bhushan to listen to the 'ghazal' of democracy.

What Mr. Bhushan has said is nothing new. He's actually expressed his views quite in tune with India's first prime minister, Jawahar Lal Nehru, who promised a plebiscite in Kashmir. Independent history books, our own elders whose old eyes have been witness to the wretched history of injustices and denials in Kashmir, and many historians of international repute inform us that Pandit Nehru, in a broadcast to his nation on 3 November 1947, said this: "We have declared that the fate of Kashmir is ultimately to be decided by the people. That pledge we have given not only to the people of Kashmir and to the world. We will not and cannot back out of it." After that in his letter [No. 368, dated 21 November 1947], addressed to the then Prime Minister of Pakistan, Liaquat Ali Khan, Nehru wrote: "I have repeatedly stated that as soon as peace and order have been established, Kashmir should decide of accession by Plebiscite or referendum under international auspices such as those of United Nations."

Mr. Nehru could express such views on Kashmir, because it was still Gandhi's India then! Mr. Bhushan can't even repeat what has already been promised to Kashmiris, because it's modern India now!! Put as many exclamation marks as would please you.
Gowhar Geelani is a Kashmiri journalist with more than 10 years of professional experience, both at the national and international level.
feedback at gowhargeelani@gmail.com

Democracy On Sale In Kashmir

Sequel of 'Ghayal' Could Be Shot in Kashmir!
By: Gowhar Geelani
Disclaimer:
All characters appearing in this film are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Plot:
Recall Sunny Deol [Ajay Mehra] starrer 'Ghayal' [1990]. Ghayal, a Hindi word, meaning, the wounded. As an amateur boxer, Sunny Deol, finds out that his brother, Raj Babbar [Ashok Mehra], is missing. His inquiries and a complaint lodged with the Police only lead him to pain, agony and eventually disaster. Sunny is frustrated. And then, Raj Babbar's body is found. Ironically, Sunny is charged with murdering his own brother, and having an illicit relationship with Raj's wife, his sister-in-law, Moushmi Chatterjee. In prison, Sunny gets new friends in hardcore convicts. But all of them are good at heart. They make a special and much needed offer to Sunny. After preparing a well-crafted plan, they escape the prison by overpowering the policemen and security guards. Thus begins Sunny's just struggle, which ends with the death of the dreadful villain, Amrish Puri [Balwant Rai]. And the rest is history.

Now, set aside the reel world. Welcome to the real world. Concentrate on the characters, their roles and the plot.

Those who have watched this Filmfare Awards' winning movie would recall why Raj Babbar was killed and by whom? Who the villain was and how much power and influence did he enjoy? It is not that difficult to find some character resemblance to the recent mysterious death of Mr. S M Y Shah, a National Conference sympathizer, in Kashmir. Deceased Shah's son seems convinced about who has killed his father and why? One prime eyewitness also seems sure that Mr. Shah was interrogated at the Chief Minister's residence/office. Is it [the CM's office] the interrogation centre, where Mr. Shah was allegedly manhandled and threatened of dire consequences? "Shah was fine and healthy when he entered the CM's office. He vomited blood once he came out," says Abdul Salam Reshi, Kokernag. The second witness, Mohammad Yousuf, Ganderbal, could be the key. But he has zipped his lips. We're told that he'd only speak to the judicial commission.

The bribe-givers belong to the incredible National Conference. The one demanding the bribe, now the deceased Mr. S M Y Shah, too belonged to the National Conference. The final destination where the huge amounts of cash money had to reach, it seems, also was the party National Conference.

In times of Dusshera, Diwali and Eid the Indian democracy is on sale in Kashmir. For a ministerial berth it is probably only one crore rupee [INR]. If your desire is to confirm a seat in the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Council, don't worry! You'll get a 50 percent discount. The rate is only 50 lakh rupee. These rates, however, are fixed. This damn good offer may not remain valid till eternity or after the festive season is over. The practice, albeit, is going to continue. There will be new rates in new seasons. And if, by chance; there is a change of guard, what is going to happen then? The new governments will have their say in determining the new price tag! The Peoples' Deceptive Party [a new term coined by a journalist friend from the Valley] too will want to take advantage of the new marketing and management skills of politics in modern times.

The whole media is biased. The opposition is unfair and spreading lies after lies. The son of the deceased, S M Y Shah, is not speaking the truth. The victim family too is lying. The eyewitness, Mr. Reshi, is not being impartial. We all are biased. Only Mr. Farooq Abdullah, his son, Mr. Omar Abdullah, their cohorts and nodding goats are telling us the truth! That's the verdict from the royal family. We've no choice but to accept it on the face value.

One should always endeavour to be fair. Credit, therefore, must go where it is due. So, many many congratulations to the world's largest democracy, India, for developing a new culture of sale in festive season in Kashmir. Earlier Kashmiris would often cry about the price hike, especially during the important festivals. Now, the situation seems under control and ever improving on this front.

What has been revealed in the short and sweet press conferences by the son, Omar Abdullah, and his able father, Farooq Abdullah, so far, is only suggestive. And what has been deliberately kept hidden by the wise father-son duo is essential! Shri Anna Hazare's assignments are getting tougher with each passing day.

May I bother you again? Sorry for this. Recall 2010 Kashmir summer uprising. Sagacious statesman, Farooq Abdullah answering a volley of questions thrown at him by Karan Thapar. Yes, in the audience's favourite television programme, "Devil's Advocate".
Karan's Question:
"Your party, the National Conference passed a resolution for the restoration of autonomy, New Delhi rejected it; your party demanded partial withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), New Delhi rejected it; you, your son and your party demanded change in the status quo in Kashmir; New Delhi rejected it too, aren't you disappointed, isn't your party marginalized, isn't your credibility eroded?
Farooq's answer:
"No, not at all. I'm not disappointed. Credibility is a temporary thing, it isn't important. It comes and goes. What do you want me to do? Should I jump into a well?
Interjection:
Even jumping into a well needs some credibilty!

Scenario after the alleged custodial death of Mr. S M Y Shah:
Scene:
Mr. Omar has been clean bowled on all tracks in all seasons. He's failed to score on all major issues that include the issue of governance, arresting corruption, and safeguarding the human rights. Farooq Abdullah bats for his son, Omar Abdullah. Mr. Farooq addresses a press conference. One of the journalists asks him a question with regards to the unquestionable eroded credibility of his party, the National Conference. Visibly perturbed, both mentally and emotionally, Mr. Farooq talks about his party's credibility and even dares the scribes to go and ask the Cabinet Ministers and the Members of the J&K Legislative Council how much amount of money have they paid to secure their berths?
Interjection:
Why should we ask them if you, Mr Farooq, presumably know the answer! And rates may vary from season to season!!

Enough of this jaded negativity, cynicism and sarcasm. There are two ways of looking at a glass half-filled with water. It is half-empty for you, if you're a born cynic. The glass is half-filled, goes the optimistic expression. Let's be optimistic.

Disclosure of this fraudulent money business scheme highlights at least two positives for all of us. One that Kashmir is really growing and developing. People, especially, the sympathizers of the ruling National Conference have enough money. They're ever ready to pay 50 lakh rupee for securing a seat in the J&K LC and one crore rupee for confirming a ministerial berth. Who says there is dearth of money in Kashmir? Now, don't be negative again and start talking about those poor people, the majority. In most places, more than 70 percent of population survives in poor living conditions anyway. That's normal. Please stop being negative again and again.
Another positive is that Kashmiris will finally have some respite in festival times. So what if there are no discounts on the products meant for domestic consumption on important festivals like the Eid, Diwali and Dussehra? At least the Indian model of democracy is on sale in Kashmir. And it is no joke when the system of governance is put on sale!

So, rush and seize this opportunity.

By the way, where have all the bollywood masala scriptwriters gone? Remake or a sequel of 'Ghayal' could be shot in Kashmir this time!

Gowhar Geelani is a Kashmiri journalist with more than 10 years of professional experience, both at the national and international level.
feedback at gowhargeelani@gmail.com

Fact Finding In A Valley Of Versions Is Daydreaming!

By: Gowhar Geelani
Mehbooba Mufti should buy herself either a made in New Zealand or made in Singapore mirror. Both these countries score an impressive 9.3 points on Transparency International's corruption perception index of 2010. Made in India products are not trustworthy. India's score is paltry 3.3 and the country is ranked 87th. In that mirror of durable quality she'd be able to see the real face of her party and her own as president of the Peoples' Democratic Party [PDP]. Before making a passionate demand for Omar Abdullah's resignation in relation to the mysterious death of the National Conference [NC] sympathizer, Syed Mohammed Yousuf Shah in Police custody, September 30th, Friday, deceptive Mehbooba should have gone through her own party's history first. In a state of abstract musing and daydreaming, Mehbooba wants to make Kashmiris believe that Omar Abdullah will resign under her pressure. The words moral and morality have long been deleted from Kashmir's political lexicon. Omar Abdullah didn't feel the need to resign on moral grounds even when more than 112 persons, mostly teenaged boys, were killed in brutal Police action in 2010. Expecting him to resign over the death of one individual, and that too a party worker, in 2011 only means getting lost in reverie!

Normally, Kashmiris are used to give a patient hearing to the sermons delivered by religious clerics in mosques on Fridays, but Omar delivered his sermon in the guise of a press conference on Monday soon after the ugly display of tempers in Jammu and Kashmir Assembly. Moulana Iftikhar Ansari--known as dexterous cleric while delivering religious sermons to his followers and fans in some parts of the Valley --tried his hands on the pedestal fan present inside the J&K Assembly to hit the Speaker, Mohammed Akbar Lone. Perhaps with an intention to enhance his fan following, who knows? The Speaker, on his part, reacted like a disgruntled ticket collector of a flop circus show. In all such theatrics and exaggerated mannerisms, the focus on the death of NC sympathizer, Yousuf Shah vanished into thin air.

Mr. Omar Abdullah has dismissed all the allegations made against him by saying these were "beneath contempt". He's made all of us believe that the judicial inquiry ordered by his incredible government would separate water from milk. "Mera Qaatil Hee Mera Munsif Hai, Kya Merey Haq Main Faisla Daiga" [My murderer is my judge, will he deliver justice in my favour]. In a place as volatile as Kashmir Valley, the history of judicial probes has been no different from those locked wardrobes hidden in the basements, where everything fishy is kept secret. And this is an open secret. One doesn't require intelligence of a rocket scientist to understand this basic problem with judicial probes in Kashmir, a conflict-hit place.

I, for one, certainly don't know exactly under what circumstances did Mr. Yousuf Shah breathed his last. I don't know whether his was a natural death or otherwise. I don't know whether he was tortured first and murdered later. But, as a Kashmiri, I want to know. Like many Kashmiris, I too want to get to the bottom of the story, the truth, and all the facts leading to the death of Mr. Shah. For that to happen in ideal circumstances, all those suspected of playing any role whatsoever leading to his death must go. But, many of us know that is unlikely to happen in Kashmir.

Two fellow party workers, Muhammad Yousuf, Ganderbal, and Abdul Salam Reshi, Kokernag, have accused the 61-year-old Mr. Shah, a NC worker from South Kashmir's Anantnag district, of taking Rupees 1.18 crores from them for "assuring them a ministerial berth and a berth in the J&K Legislative Council." The government version on the issue is that the trio was called to the Chief Minister’s camp house on September 29th, late Thursday afternoon. All three, according to the statement issued by the Jammu and Kashmir Government, were handed over to the Crime Branch at Mr. Omar's residence for an inquiry in the matter, on the same day. "Yousuf died at police hospital following 'cardiac arrest' next day," the statement said. And this official statement itself raises too many serious questions than it seeks to answer.

Let's ask some of these questions, if not all, to Mr. Omar Abdullah, hoping that asking questions has not been declared a crime until now. There are, however, undeclared curfews. And most of us are also aware that only last year Mr. Noor Mohammad Bhat, a college lecturer, was arrested for asking a question: "Are stone pelters the real heroes? Discuss." But, let's take a chance and run the risk nevertheless.

If there were serious allegations of corruption levelled against Mr. Yousuf Shah, why a complaint was registered at Chief Minister's residence and not in a Police station? Is it that even the ruling party members have no faith left in the Police system? Why did Mr. Omar chose to act as a judge, jury and the hangman himself rather than advising the complainants to report to the Police? Mr. Yousuf Shah reportedly died while in police custody early on Friday morning. He was handed over to the Crime Branch by Mr. Omar for allegedly promising two party members senior positions in the government in exchange for huge amounts of money. Was Mr. Shah that influential and so close to Abdullah family that he could promise so big and so much? And if he was, is this how this government functions?

Mr. Omar has appealed the media to refrain from presenting an opinion in the guise of an objective report, not to editorialize the serious matter, not to twist the facts or distort them. But, Mr. Omar should also know that the journalists ideally have to present all sides of the story, that is, the version of the family members of the deceased Mr. Shah, the opposition in the PDP, the opinion of the common masses, and the views being expressed by the civil society on how this matter is being handled by the State Government; etc.

Despite an unprecedented gag on the media and censoring of free speech in Kashmir, Kashmiri journalists will still endeavour to behave a little differently than the Chief Minister's Public Relations Office or the State Information Department. Profuse apologies for this, Mr. Omar. An embattled politician, we assume, should know that the cases of criminal nature are neither solved at Chief Minister's residence/office nor by tweeting on the social networking sites. At least, you should trust the dubious institutions whose credibility is questioned by the majority for genuine reasons. Kashmir is a region where the two former heads of the State Human Rights Commission [SHRC] have described the institution they headed as "toothless tiger" and "dead horse".

After all, it is a grave matter. A death of a human being. Irrespective of the deceased Mr. Shah's political ideology, the questions about the human rights violations, if any, have to be asked. It is quite possible that for some sections of the populace in Kashmir, Mr. Shah may remain only a NC worker whose death shouldn't matter to them anyway. But for many Kashmiris he will remain a human being, who died in extremely questionable conditions. And all those important questions leading to Shah's suspicious death, therefore, must be asked and possibly answered too.
Fact Finding in a Valley of Versions, however, is almost daydreaming! Yes, a reverie.
　
Gowhar Geelani is a Kashmiri journalist with more than 10 years of professional experience, both at the national and international level.
feedback at gowhargeelani@gmail.com

'Pain To Be A Pakistani, Shame To Be An Indian'

20 May 2011 at 17:14

DIFFERENT DRIVES-III

By: Gowhar Geelani

For many a decades, distinguished genius on the cricketing field would bring laurels to Pakistan, but of late the match fixing and spot fixing scandals have only brought shame and embarrasment to this nation; which is unfortunately also notorious for being run by the Army and its not so famous intelligence wing. A country which was once known for Wasim's sensational swing, Waqar's toe-crushing yorkers, Imran's exemplary leadership skills and Saqlain's scintillating guile has now earned notoreity, thanks to the likes of Asif's, Amir's and Butt's. This is the painful story on the field.

Off the field, the picture is even more grim. The country is run by the nodding goats and stooges of Uncle Sam. Mr. Asif Zardari is known less as the country's president and more as 'Mr. 10 %' for his skills as a broker! Apologies for being so plain and forthright. Worse, the premier Mr. Syed Yusuf Raza Gillani always seems struggling for words. Words often fail him, and why not? He perhaps forgets the crammed lessons, and therefore, finds himself struggling in deciding what to say and what to hide!

'PAIN TO BE A PAKISTANI':

Whatever little pride [if at all any] had been left there now has been blown into pieces because of the operation kill Osama [Op' Geronima EKIA]. Al-Qaeda chief, Osama bin Laden, was 'killed' in a covert US operation, which was carried out by the US Navy Seals in Pakistan's Abbotabad town. For an ordinary citizen of Pakistan swallowing this bitter pill seems a painful transition from 'proud to be a Pakistani' to 'pain to be a Pakistani'.

Pakistani leadership [if one could describe it as such by any standards] finds itself in a tight spot. The country is facing very tough, uncomfortable and difficult questions. Some questions at the domestic front while many others at the international level.

'IMPOTENT ALLY':

On one hand the United States keeps pampering Pakistan by claiming that it is an important [read impotent] ally in the war on terror [read war of terror], but on the other hand this partner is not trustworthy and reliable enough to be informed about the kill Osama operation. Tone from the US authorities, by any means, is not encouraging for Pakistan. Recall the statement: 'Either Pakistan is involved or incompetent'. Isn't then it apparent that the US administration doesn't trust Pakistan? Isn't the US only involved in romance, subsequent marriage and then the honeymoon for strategic reasons alone, because of its huge military presence in difficult Afghanistan. Why doesn't Pakistan comprehend this 'use and throw' policy of the United States? Perhaps because of the fear of interruptions in the flowing river of US dollars in aid! Through operation shot dead Osama, Pakistan's sovereignty was not only violated but also the values of 'alliance and friendship' disrespected. These are the uncomfortable questions Pakistani government has to answer at the home turf.

'GREEN ARMY IN CATCH 22':

On the international front, Pakistan is also facing very serious and tough questions. How is it possible that Pakistan Army, its spy agency and the administration would have absolutely no information about Osama's comfortable stay in a million dollar mansion, located only few yards away from Pakistan's reputed military academy. After all, what is said about this country of 18 million people doesn't taste better: 'Every country has an Army, but in Pakistan, Army has a country.' Did Pakistan Army know about the most wanted man's luxurious hide-out? Did Green Army overtly or covertly extend any help to Osama bin Laden to make his stay in the country comfortable? These are all serious questions. But no satisfactory answers seem coming.

Today, embattled Pakistan finds itself pulverized from all corners. Even her friends are playing it safe at the moment and sounding extremely cautious.

'INDIA FISHING IN TROUBLED WATERS':

But on the flip side of it, India is trying to behave like a big brother without being one. Indian state doesn't command much respect vis-a-vis its human rights' track record. India is certainly not in a position to preach Pakistan on the question of morality or double- standards. Also, India shouldn't even think about carrying out the US- style operations in Pakistan to hunt down the likes of Hafiz Mohammad Saeed, Moulana Masood Azhar and Illyas Kashmiri. If the right sense doesn't prevail upon the Indian state and assuming that it might finally decide to go for such misadventure, then one can only hope that India doesn't use the same choppers for carrying out surgical strikes in Pakistan that it uses for carrying its state Chief Ministers in. Everyone knows the end results! [Arunachal Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh are the most recent examples.]

'STOP PREACHING AND INTROSPECT':

India, by any stretch of imagination, doesn't enjoy any kind of moral edge or an advantage over Pakistan. If Pakistan is accused of harboring dangerous men - widely believed to be responsible for the deadly attacks of 9/11 and 26/11; India also has a tainted person like Mr. Narendra Modi as the proud Chief Minister of Gujarat. Modi is the man largely believed to have orchestrated the Gujarat pogrom, which resulted in the massacre of more than 2,000 Muslims in 2002. A country, which carries the burden of the operation Blue Star and its aftermath that resulted in the mass murder of Sikhs; demolition of Babri Mosque and the massacre that followed; mayhem in Gujarat; and the fake encounters, third degree tortures and large scale extortion at the hands of Police in Kashmir, Gujarat and many north-eastern states, has absolutely no right to preach Pakistan. It has no right to lecture others on the questions of morality and civilized behavior.

'INDIAN MEDIA'S JIHAD':

It is high time that the Indian media also, especially the television news channels, openly declare that they're the mouth pieces of the Indian Army and the government. Before passionately preparing themselves for the 'jihad' against Pakistan in comfortable television studios, Indian newsmen and anchors should introspect and try recalling the very fundamental lessons of objectivity and impartiality they might have learned in their journalism classrooms.

'DOUBLE GAME IS DEADLY':

Pakistan, on its part, should also realize that the double game the country is involved neck deep in, is only going to break it into pieces. Instead of working for the US and expecting billions of dollars in aid or launching itself into diatribe against India, it is time to think about changing the lives of poor people of Pakistan. And India, on its part, should learn showing some degree of magnanimity by not drawing sadistic pleasure from the plight of Pakistan. Aren't poor farmers, thousands of them, committing suicides in many Indian states. Isn't it then time to reflect upon harsh realities in both countries than surviving on hate mongering, rhetoric and jingoism!

Right now it seems to be an unfortunate story of 'pain to be a Pakistani' and 'shame to be an Indian'.

About the author: Gowhar Geelani is a Kashmiri journalist with more than 10 years of professional experience, both at the national and international level.