Braid Chopping: Another Evil Trick In The Book!

In the light of international law, the state of Jammu and Kashmir is a disputed territory which has been under forced occupation by India since 1947, the year India got its freedom from foreign occupation. For past around seven decades, this so called largest democracy has turned this state into an open prison by deploying more than seven lakh occupational forces here. And these occupational forces enjoy infamous acts like AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act). Since the day occupational forces landed here, India has left no stone unturned to strengthen this occupation. Back in early 90’s, when I was only a blooming bud of grade one, I vividly remember how occupational forces used to break into our houses in the dead of the night and harass inmates for no reason. This was the time when armed resistance against occupation was at its peak. The people here especially youth had taken up arms, for India choked any peaceful means possible. The 1987 elections were rigged and people like Mohammad Yousuf (now Syed Salahudin), fighting elections from Amira kadal constituency were left with no option, but to join armed resistance. They realized the fact that no freedom can be and has been achieved hitherto with peaceful means alone. Not a day passed when we were not asked to show our identification. Until today, my grey matter has failed to think of any humiliation worse than this. It breaks you to the core when someone from Bihar or Bengal asks you to produce your identity card in your own motherland. Assembling male population at one place, leaving behind female inmates for indefinite time was as common as stars in the night sky.

India has been using every evil trick in the book to suppress the idea of freedom here. But every trick ends in vain, for suppression is no solution. You can arrest a person but not an idea. The haunting memories of ghosts in the early 90’s to frighten people are yet lurking in my mind. From late night until dawn, we used to stay awake, beating every sonorous object to keep these ghosts away. This was an evil trick used by the occupational forces to break our resolve, the resolve for freedom. Beyond this, rape, loot and arson have been their culture here. In the recent past, the paddy crop was burnt to ashes; innocent people especially children were turned blind with pellets. India wants status quo to continue, for peace is not profitable. India has never been sincere and honest to resolve this dispute. Rather, they have let loose the reign of terror here.

Braid chopping is yet another evil trick India has been using to break our resolve for freedom and divert our attention from the core issue. Creating fear, chaos and confusion among people here is what she has been doing since long. But these evil tactics have never paid off, every time they have backfired and disappointed them. India started off this drama of repression here the day they illegally occupied us. Braid chopping is one of the episodes of this drama. There might be more episodes to follow. There is no reason to scare of these evil tricks. The dire need of the hour is to stand united and be cautious. We must do our utmost to fight these evil tricks by taking every precautionary measure/s possible. Furthermore, it’s time to come above the level of farce and fight occupation to the best of our capacities, for occupation is the root issue while others are just offshoots.

P.S:

We, oh heaven, aren’t to be suppressed by falsehood!

A hundred times you have tested us! (Iqbal^RA)