Cricket Isn't Just A Sport In Kashmir

By: Gowhar Geelani

In the words of American athlete, Jesse Owens: “It was the summer of 1936. The Olympic Games were being held in Berlin. Adolf Hitler childishly insisted that his performers were members of a “master race,” nationalistic feelings were at an all-time high.” …. I was in for a surprise. When the time came for the long-jump trials, I was startled to see a tall boy hitting the pit at almost 26 feet (7.9 metres) on his practise leaps! He turned out to be a German named Luz Long.” …. I guessed that if Long won, it would add some new support to the Nazis' Aryan-superiority theory. After all, I am a Negro. A little hot under the collar about Hitler's ways, I determined to go out there and really show Der Führer and his master race who was superior and who wasn't.”

Owens then went on to win four gold medals in Berlin Olympics.

This is how it happened:

“Walking a few metres from the pit, I kicked disgustedly at the ground. Suddenly I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned to look into the friendly blue eyes of the tall German long jumper. He had easily qualified for the finals on his first attempt. He offered me a firm handshake,” Owens wrote.

The conversation between the two amazing athletes:

''Jesse Owens, I'm Luz Long. I don't think we've met.'' He spoke English well, though with a German twist to it.

''Glad to meet you,'' I said. Then, trying to hide my nervousness, I added, ''How are you?''

''I'm fine. The question is: How are you?''

''What do you mean?'' I asked.

''Something must be eating you,'' he said – proud the way foreigners are when they've mastered a bit of American slang. ''You should be able to qualify with your eyes closed.''

''Believe me, I know it,'' I told him – and it felt good to say that to someone.

Leaving the long jump aside, let’s inspect the cricket turf when the traditional arch-rivals, India and Pakistan clash with each other.

'WAR MINUS THE SHOOTING'

Politics should not be mixed with sports. Cricket is just a game. After all, it is just sports. These are the “worn-out” phrases and sentences often repeated when our favourite cricket team loses; and the team we don’t want to see on top, wins. In Kashmir context, it is no secret which cricket team Kashmiris – most of them I mean – favour, cheer for, support and why.

Cricket is a sport. Sport is politics. Politics is sport. Cricket is politics. You can’t separate the two. If you think you can, you’re simply deceitful. Those who proudly claim to have graduated to another level and learnt the art of detaching cricket from the debate of “freedom/Azadi” are simply lying. Beware of them!

“I am always amazed when I hear people saying that sport creates goodwill between the nations, and that if only the common peoples of the world could meet one another at football or cricket, they would have no inclination to meet on the battlefield,” George Orwell wrote in his famous essay “The Sporting Spirit”.

When India defeated Pakistan in the semi-finals of the coveted cricket World Cup 2011, many Kashmiris were dejected and felt defeated too. India celebrated. Kashmir mourned.

India and Pakistan recently met in the Asia Cup 2012. India won. Kashmir’s streets, I’m told by some of my friends there, wore a deserted look. India celebrated. Kashmir felt a pang in heart.

When Pakistan were finally crowned as Asian Champions 2012, Kashmiris were joyous; they celebrated, they had their ‘Diwali’, they had their ‘Eid’, they burst fire-crackers. This is normal. This happens everytime Pakistan wins, everytime India loses. Or when India’s early exit from any big tournament is guaranteed.

India-Pakistan encounter in the middle of that 22-yard cricket strip is a “war minus the shooting”.

Kashmiris – more often than not – find some sound rationale to “politicize” this game of glorious uncertainties. A journalist friend argues: “When Indian media sells influx of tourists in Kashmir as an “indicator of normalcy” and a “good bye to freedom struggle”, why shouldn’t Kashmiris want India to lose a cricket match even if playing a minnow like Ireland?”

Why this passionate and unconditional love for team Pakistan?

“Simple: hatred for India,” feels another friend who works in the United Arab Emirates and is a cricket connoisseur. “This is how I’ve grown up, supporting Pakistan team. Their players entertain me, Miandad’s sixer at Sharjah, well, how can one forget that historic moment,” he adds.

In his late twenties, Faheem Jeelani, who’s trained as an engineer, feels proud of his “bond with Green”. Jeelani’s unconditional love for Pakistan cricket has a history.

“Nothing unites Kashmiri nation more than a Pakistan victory in cricket,” he writes in his blog. During the ’71 war, my father and his friend would stand atop the terrace in Jammu and shout slogans with Green flags waving, when a Pakistani Jet flew by – unmindful of the wrath from neighbours belonging to other faith,” he adds. The love and affection for Pakistan comes naturally to us [Kashmiris], we are fed upon it. Our stories are entwined with it – and the Stoics wouldn’t know why!”, he concludes.

'MIXING UP'

Kashmiris are in love with Pakistan cricket. Not because they see a political future of Kashmir with that country. It seems it is not because of religious reason either. Because then Kashmiris would have easily supported teams of Bangladesh and Afghanistan too. It appears that it is because they know favouring Pakistan would hurt India more. They shower praises on Pakistan team to injure India’s “ego” and make her realize that how much it hurts when she and her hawkish media “wickedly” mix up the issues of routine administration and matters of day-to-day governance with the larger and external dynamics of Kashmir dispute, by selling tourism, winter sports, and civic polls in Kashmir as an alternative to the promised “plebiscite”.

During cricket matches, especially when India and Pakistan play or India are defeated by England, Australia and South Africa, or even Bangladesh, a passionate activity is witnessed in the online debates. Social networking sites are abuzz with arguments and counter arguments.

There is passion. There is provocation. Points are made. Points are scored. There are arguments of history. There are arguments of statistics. There is power of argument. Yes, I tell you there is everything.

If an Indian fan boasts about Little Master’s world record of 100 international tons, a Kashmiri supporting Pakistan cricket argues about the fastest ball being bowled by ‘Rawalpindi Express’, quickest hundred scored by ‘Boom Boom’ Afridi in 37 balls, Wasim and Waqar being the all-time second and third highest-wicket takers respectively in limited overs’ cricket history.

An India fan reminds Kashmiris about Pakistan’s defeats at the hands of India in the world cup quarter-finals (1996), world cup semis (2011), and T20 final (2007), Kashmiris brag about the overall edge that Pakistan holds against India by winning 69 out of 121 ODIs played between the arch-rivals. Kashmiris also remind Indian fans about Javed Miandad’s famous sixer off Chetan Sharma’s last ball at Sharjah, Shoaib Akhtar disturbing the furniture of Dravid and Tendulkar in two successive deliveries at Eden Gardens, Saeed Anwar’s mammoth score of 194 against India in Chennai (1997), and famous victories in the Chennai test and Aaqib Javed’s hat-trick and seven wicket haul against India at Sharjah.

The arguments keep coming. So do the counter arguments. There’s no stopping.

Even some senior police officers stationed in Jammu and Kashmir update their Facebook status with “provocative” messages, sometimes only for fun though, in relation to Indo-Pak cricket, and otherwise too, with an attempt perhaps to either “seek attention” or “survey the Kashmiri minds”, or may be both.

When India recently chased down an improbable target of 330 against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2012 league match, a senior police officer in Kashmir posted, “silence”, on a popular online group that debates cricket. Then he went on to write this on his own page: “Congrats team India. Well played. You have done it again”. The day Tendulkar scored his 100^th international ton, the same police officer wrote:

“I wonder what people have to say now. Sachin has silenced all the critics. Congrats.” This is the response he got:

“Scoring your 100^th century against Bangladesh in 147 balls is like trying to get laid with Victoria’s secret models for years and finally bedding Rakhi Sawant.” Oops!

On the 22^nd of March, the day when Pakistan were crowned as Asian Champions 2012, Inspector General Kashmir range S M Sahai chose to updates his Facebook status writing this “cheeky” message: “Sometimes Pakistan also should be happy.” Cricket isn’t apolitical as such in Kashmir. IG Kashmir, Mr Sahai got some befitting replies in the shape of comments on the thread that followed.

“I am the 1992 world cup winner. I am the 2009 T20 world champion. I am the last ball sixer at Sharjah. I ended the career of Kris Srikanth with that ferocious bouncer. I am the ‘Sultan of Swing’. I invented the reverse swing and the ‘Doosra’. I mastered the multiple hat-tricks. I am the ‘Cornered Tiger’. I am the fastest ball, the quickest hundred, the longest six, the shattered stumps at Eden Gardens, the highest individual score of 194 at Chennai, the 40-ball century at Kanpur. Now I am the Asian Champion 2012. I am the aggression. I am the passion. I am the unpredictable. I am Pakistan.”

'SYMBOL OF RESISTANCE'

Jesse Owens concluded his piece “My Greatest Olympic Prize” on a friendly note: “You can melt down all the gold medals and cups I have, and they wouldn't be a plating on the 24-carat friendship I felt for Luz Long at that moment. I realised then, too, that Luz was the epitome of what Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympic Games, must have had in mind when he said,

''The important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning but taking part. The essential thing in life is not conquering but fighting well.'' Owens appreciated Luz Long’s friendship and held his newly-found German friend in high esteem, the debate in Kashmir, albeit, isn’t that uncomplicated.

There is a flipside as well. If India wins and the die-hard Indian fans jog your memory by showering accolades on Kohli’s magnificent hundred the other day in Asia Cup, Kashmiris shot back: “India did not ‘Kohlify’ for the finals.” Indian fans remind you about Kohli’s knock of 183 at Dhaka against Pakistan in a winning cause, Kashmiris find solace in their own creative ways, saying: “When Indians score centuries, they pump their fists in arrogance. When Pakistani batsmen score centuries, they bow their head in humility and kiss the soil.” That’s why Kashmiris love them. That’s why Kashmiris support them.

And even if no such reasons ever existed, they will still be cheering for Pakistan cricket.

Kashmiris say they detest “arrogance”. They are fond of “humility”.

Cricket may be a religion in India. In Kashmir, cricket is one of the many symbols of showing resentment towards India. It is one of the many symbols of resistance. Cricket is a sport in Kashmir. Cricket is politics in Kashmir.. It gives Kashmir a reason to hit back at India in whatever little way!

This is another matter two of my cousins are staunch supporters of Indian cricket team, as they have been out from Kashmir for more than a decade now when they were in their teens. But all my cousins refer to the duo as “mukhbirs” [informers], “renegades” and “traitors” in a friendly banter!

Gowhar Geelani is a Kashmiri journalist with international and national experience of more than a decade.

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.

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

'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.

"Thank you Democracy!"

By: Gowhar Geelani
Bonn, Germany

During past one month many videos about ongoing protests in Kashmir and attrocities at the hands of Indian paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force [CRPF] and Jammu and Kashmir Police [JKP] have been uploaded on the social networking site Facebook and popular Youtube. Many of these caught my attention, but a video titled 'Indian soldiers beating Kashmiri children' shook me to the hilt.

CRPF troops were training their rifle butts on Kashmiri children, apparently aged between 10 to 14; thus inflicting serious wounds on these little angels. According to this video, these hapless children were playing cricket in an area in the summer capital Srinagar where some protesters had attacked paramilitary troops with stones an hour before.

Angry CRPF and JKP men used their sticks, boots and rifle butts to teach these children a lesson of their lives, but unconscious of the fact that while doing so; they were actually ensuring that the anger and alienation was transferred to the next generation.

While chatting with a friend about this horrific video, he had this to say:" To me this video vividly explains the relationship New Delhi has with Kashmir since 1989, a relationship that is totally dependent on the might of guns, music of bullets, ruthless and arrogant power and aggression."

I could not watch this video again.

The facebook friend continued his remarks: "It is quite unfortunate that the world's 'biggest democracy', India; behaves 'undemocratically' when it comes to Kashmir. It views Kashmir issue only through security prism. Through its powerful and 'nationalistic media', it keeps conveying to the people of Kashmir in clear terms- time and again, to understand and be realistic that India won't give up even on an inch in Kashmir."

Another friend joined the chat room and said: "Indian media also tells people of Kashmir that India's military might is capable of crushing all the powerful voices rising against New Delhi and resistance against human rights abuses in all its forms and manifestations."

The chat ended with no hope and no easy answers, only disappointment, pain and agony.
But, I continued to reflect upon the video.

A clear message from a big country, an emerging economic power and a South Asian giant. Fair enough. A big country and its big media have the right to be aggressive all the time and make their intended aggression and might percieved and realised as such.

Kashmir is a small place. And Kashmiris very small and hapless people, who apart from many other problems are facing a serious leadership crises and wrath from many quarters simultaneously. They have nothing to seek refuge in except for few emotional slogans and inspiring resistance poetry of legendary poets like Habib Jalib and Ahmad Faraz.

Despite all odds, what a common Kashmiri is trying to convey to mighty India is perhaps this: "By firing bullets you can kill protesters, by cane-charge you can disperse and dispel crowds, by imposing curfew you can maintain a temporary calm, by perrenial propaganda you can twist facts; but remember, you're yet to produce weapons that can kill our genuine aspirations....!!!"

Another problem that Kashmir faces is lack of international attention to the gross human rights violations. In politics, they say, rats marry snakes. But I'm of the view that in modern day international relations, economy marries human rights abuses. India is a huge country with more than 1.1 billion people, big nations like America, United Kingdom, France and Germany do not want to annoy India by lecturing it on human rights, because they see India as a potential market for international trade and commerce.

And that is perhaps why even if 60 innocent Kashmiris lost their lives to paramilitary bullets in year 2008, no country raised a serious voice. And 29 more innocents, mostly teenagers, fell to "democratic" bullets in the last six months in Kashmir Valley, the international community is still maintaining "criminal silence" over it. And quite expectedly, the same international community raises hue and cry when a single Iranian opposition protester receives minor wounds in police action in Tehran. That sums-up how international politics works and functions.

Let's come to the set of advices, lectures on democracy, non-violence and peace and reconciliation from mighty India and its mighty media. They project M K Gandhi as 'Father of Nation', an epitome of love and sacrifice and a great symbol of non-violent "Quit India" movement, but when people in Kashmir follow Mahatma's principles; what do they do? They boycott reporting the peaceful protests! Here we learn another lesson, "Media Gate-keeping."

Disappointed, common Kashmiri is now asking this: "First you said we're with guns, all guns fell silent; then you said we're pelting stones, stones too fell silent; then you said we're raising provocative slogans, slogans too fell silent; but now we're protesting peacefully, do you still have to say anything?"

When teenagers were falling to the music of bullets in Kashmir, one by one, the Indian media were busy focussing upon some 'ghost' and 'imaginary' elements who were presumably fomenting vicious cycle of violence and 'luring' Kashmiri youth to stone-pelting. Perhaps not satisfied with the reporting of local journalists in Kashmir, the New Delhi-based big media houses then sent an additional strong contingent of "patriotic journalists" like Indian government keeps on sending additional troops to bring 'normalcy' in the troubled region, and as some 'experts' in Delhi put it 'cool down tempers' in volatile Valley.

Tempers will cool down, as they have been in the past; then Kashmir will be on the boil again, as it has been in the past; then Indian media will repeat the same prescribed dose again, as it has been doing in the past; then more Kashmiris will die on streets and will be lying in the pool of blood, as they have been in the past; then 'experts' sitting in Delhi studios will come up with new conspiracy theories and suggest remedies to cool tempers again, as they have been doing in the past; then Kashmiris will say: "Thank you Democracy, Long live Hypocrisy!"

Gowhar Geelani is a Kashmiri journalist based in Bonn, Germany since 2006; where he works for Deutsche Welle [Voice of Germany] as an Editor.