ISLAMABAD: The current uprising against the Indian occupation by the people of Kashmir has proved the predictions of research scholars, diplomatic and political pundits wrong that the normalcy in the valley will prevail soon due to shortage of food and the fatigue element. However, despite passage of 87 days, there is not a single death by hunger, no incident of mass agitation against the shut down courtesy to the “Night Economy” which has played a vital role in sustaining the freedom movement for the last 87 days.
It is a proven fact that economy is the first casualty in any uprising, and, on the basis of this fact, the political pundits and the research scholars having command on the international affairs predicted that the ongoing freedom movement in Indian Held Kashmir will not last for long. This scribe has tried to dig out what is that factor behind continuation of present uprising in IHK which has proven the predictions of scholars and political pundits wrong. For this purpose this scribe talked to almost a dozen of Kashmiris, including youths, shopkeepers and government servants who are participating in the movement,
The first question this scribe asked to a shop keeper in Srinagar Muhammad Waseem that how the Kashmir freedom movement is sustaining despite a complete shutter down in major cities of Kashmir and how its economy can sustain for long if the movement continue for next few weeks or month.
“To be honest, there is no economy in Held Kashmir as it is totally a consumer state. This time we have adapted and found new ways to sustain like water finds its course. Secondly, our economy doesn’t suffer from huge inequality like in rest of India. Here wealth is almost fairly distributed and everybody has a home. There is no acute poverty.”
Ali Hamza, a student who recently graduated from a university in New Delhi, while talking to The News, said the only difference between the present movement and the past is that it is totally a political oriented movement. This is one of the major reasons that it is sustaining for long. This phase will continue, intensity might decrease, but it will not end, he said.
To a question about fatigue element, he said fatigue movement sets in every phase, and the movement will be over when it (fatigue) comes or when Huriyat calls off strike, but it doesn’t mean an end to the movement.
“The present freedom movement continues from past 28 years, but there are phases. Earlier it was gun oriented, but now it’s more politically oriented like there is mass participation of people. Apart from this uprisings the Kashmiri people continue to be politically active even if situation returns to bit a normal as resistance has become a culture in Kashmir,” commented Hamza.
When asked how people are sustaining, especially, when the markets remain closed. He said people get a weekly calendar from Hurriyat. “There are timings for relaxation for doing economic activity. Many a times such relaxation is not allowed by the state, and the economic activity is done during these hours, excepttransporters and shop keepers in main city of Srinagar, rest of the people have managed to work since they have got accustomed to such situations. The food items and medicines are brought during relaxation period,” informed Hamza.
Muhammad Junaid, a student of the University of Kashmir in IHK was asked the same question that how the present freedom movement is sustaining for 87 days, he said it is difficult to answer this question.
“The ongoing movement was not started with a calculated strategy. It continues on its own because it was spontaneous and simultaneous. Street movements are also fragile in nature. Kashmiris have fought against Indian sovereignty in different ways and phases--2016 is one of them. As the current world order, India's international reputation, economy and its military might goes, I don't see any possibility of India leaving Kashmir. By the history of how India responded to the resistance movement in Kashmir, I can say that India is not going to respect the ‘Aazadi’ sentiment at all. It won't give Aazadi because Kashmiris want it; the Aazadi will be taken away from them by power. I think even if the ongoing spurt of protests die, Kashmir will not rest till the dawn of Aazadi descends. They will fight in ways. Nobody had expected 2016, the most powerful, intense and indigenous revolt in Held Kashmir history against the foreign power,” commented Junaid.
Basit Ali a fruit merchant, while responding to the same question said the business community is not budging at all. They are ready for more losses. One reason is that this season is over. Whatever losses they had to endure are done. They can at least continue till the start of the next season.
“We have evolved a consensus among business community that we cannot suffer these losses every year and that we can't also see the suffering and killings. Therefore, every one of us have asked for a final political solution as per the aspirations of people,” commented Basit.
Muhammad Majid Ali, a government servant in Srinagar, while talking to The News, said although the present movement has affects, the Held Kashmir economy a bit but not to the extent that it affects the lives of the people of the valley.
“Most of the money circulating in the market is of the government employees, and I don't think the government will stop paying its employees because it will escalate the problem for it,” commented Majid Ali and added there are around 350,000 employees in the occupied state.