IS INDIA IN FLAMES--A FUTURISTIC SHORT STORY!

It was 14 June 2004. A father and a daughter in their Sector 29, NOIDA, flat were discussing the intricacies of life. The daughter wanted to learn from the life experiences of her father, whom she rated very highly. In fact, he had been a role model for her. The conversation veered around to the factors leading to recognition and success in life.
“Truth leaves bitter taste in the mouth. My dear, the harsh truth is that no one wants to be on the side of truth because it can only swell and ultimately die of obesity as anonymously as it can.” Brigadier Usman was counseling his young daughter just out of the Jawaharlal Lal Nehru University, JNU for short, after completing her doctorate in literature.
Ameena listened to her father very attentively. She asked him a very pertinent question, “What is your recipe for success in this material world?”
“Be controversial because controversy sells” was Brigadier Usman’s crisp answer.
“I don’t get you Pa?” Ameena was shocked.
“It is, simple, very simple. If a dog bites a man, it is never news. But should a man bite a dog, it is a headline. You do not become famous by writing on truth. The easiest way is to “BE AN ODD MAN OUT”. Do not be part of the popular sentiments, go against it.” Usman sermonized.
“But, dad this is not fame but notoriety.” Ameena protested.
“You are right. Today, notoriety is synonym with fame. It is the post-modern age euphemism for greatness.” Brigadier Usman amplified.
“Illustrate, dad.” Ameena was questioning the wisdom of her father.
“You see how did great Nirad C Chaudhary become famous? Just hating and writing against his own people i.e. Indians. Take the case of Salman Rushdie or even Tasleema Nasreen. They all used the inside information of the weakness of their people to become famous” Brigadier Usman elaborated.
“You mean to say this lady called Miss Kumati Devi Roy falls into this category” Ameena asked.
“Absolutely, my dear. You know the Ramon Magsaysay Award has been thrust upon her by people who want to propel her into fame and use her, then, for raising voice against the establishment—because there will be some fools who would give her the company.” Brigadier Usman clarified his view.
“But what’s wrong dad?” Ameena shot back.
“Everything, Ameena. You see, when I was conducting operations against ULFA militants in Assam, I was asked by all concerned to stage encounters and earn popularity amongst the military circles. But I did not, as my conscious did not allow. I knew this was the weakness of our system. I also my officers and men and the unit suffered even after doing extremely well. We did not get recognition. But my conscience was clear: IF YOU CAN NOT GIVE LIFE; YOU CAN NOT TAKE LIFE. I won over the militants and the heart of local populace but in terms of success efforts of the unit remained unrecognized” Brig Usman painfully disclosed.
“So, this is your advice to me”, Ameena thoughtfully asked.
“Well, whatever you might think, but this is the hard fact of life.” Brigadier replied.
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Come 15January 2009. Government of India had banned the book, “One country, one law and One Nationality” by Ameena khan. The book had highlighted why Muslims of India must stop looking for guidance outside the national borders. She had brought out as to how the Pan-Islamic aspirations of some of the religious bigots were harming the interests of Muslim community in India. She had used very harsh words on the ambivalence of the people of Kashmir. She had also advocated for the abrogation of article 370 and special status to Kashmir. She had emphasized that Hurriat Conference, a conglomerate of 23 individuals, was basically formed to pursue the personal agenda of these individuals. She accused that most of them worked for ISI of Pakistani.
This had created uproar not only amongst the Muslims but also some concerned secularists. There was agitation for banning the book. Surprisingly the mass agitation was led by Kumati Devi Roy, famous for her Ramon Magsaysay award winning book,” God Did Not Do Me Justice”—where she had ridiculed the Hindu gods for the plight of Indian women. Somehow she felt that Ameena Khan’s book was a sacrilegious act and it ridiculed a religion. The agitation led by her over the last few months had turned violent and many people had lost lives. Ultimately, the government had to yield and the book was banned. Also, the government had issued orders for the arrest of Ameena Khan. She had gone under ground but her old father Brigadier Usman was taken into protective custody so that he does not suffer the wrath of agitation. His protests that he saw no threat and danger to his life bore no fruits with authorities.
The banning of the book led to another agitation by those who thought that every one had a right to express his/ her views. The agitation had started on 16 January 2009. People had been peacefully carrying out the agitation till 20 January 2009, till news came one day that Brigadier Usman had died in the police custody. This turned the agitation violent and some HINDU organizations jumped into the fray. They wanted the government to fix the culprits responsible for the death of Brigadier Usman, who, as per them was a national hero. It had become an all India agitation. But the government remained firm and book continued to be banned.
Ameena khan’s ancestors were from Baluchistan in Pakistan but around 1921 her great grand father had come and settled down in Poonchh. Her grand father had been in the British Indian army, who had joined Indian National Army of Subhash Chander Bose in 1943. He was arrested and tried for treason by the British but acquitted and settled in New Delhi. At the time of partition in 1947, her family opted to stay back in India but they continued to have connections with Poonchh. She considered herself a native of J&K state by all means. As a student in the JNU, she used to be in the forefront of all agitations demanding equal status for Muslim Women.

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25 January 2009. The president of India, on the eve of the Republic day address to the nation had appealed for national reconciliation. She had requested every one to leave the path of violence and confrontation. She asked the youth to work for the progress and development of the nation rather than getting involved in the destructive activity. She had cautioned that TERRORISM and MILITANCY can never resolve an Issue, it will only complicate because counter point will equally be as competitive and violent. She had specially advised the KASHMIRI SEPARATISTS that they were harming their own interests at the behest of a foreign nation. She had asserted INDIA would never PART with KASHMIR, come what may. She told the misguided Kashmiri youth that 115 Crore Indians will lay down their lives because KASHMIR is the core of India’s not only NATIONHOOD but also INDIANESS. Those who wanted separate homeland they went away in 1947. In India now, only Indians live. This was a very very emotional speech by any president of India since Independence and it could come only from a women President. The speech was received very well in all intellectual circles.
Somehow of some English news Channels did not approve of President’s address. They described it as an attempt to threaten people of KASHMIR. They described it as a check on the freedom and liberty of the people. During the ongoing debate, a telephone caller from KOLKOTTA asked the anchor of debate on one channel as to what did he mean by encroaching upon the FREEDOM & LIBERTY of people of Kashmir. “Was it a FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT to TERRORISE OTHERS and kill others if you did not like their religion,” he had asked? The news anchor told him that you were a HINDU FUNDAMENTALIST. This set of a chain reaction and there were a number of tele callers who called news anchor as irresponsible. Suddenly, outside the studio in MUMBAI, a huge crowd collected and the building was ransacked. The studio was set on fire. The desperate calls of the news anchor Mr. Pardeep Roy, to the police control room were unanswered. Mob was on the rampage everywhere in the city. Police was unable to cop with mob fury. The virus spread to other cities in the country. It was spontaneous reactions of the people who were fed up with the ENGLISH MEDIA for its biased views. The offices of ENGLISH NEWS CHANNELS as well as some ENGLISH dailies were under attack. The attempt of the police to control the crowd failed everywhere. At some places even policemen had joined the mobs.
Same day, a protest march was carried out in Ajodhya—where Miss Ameena Khan thundered that Babri Masjid was a historical error which was corrected on 06 December 1991. She asked Muslims of India to recognize this fact. She said all these Muslim religious leaders were deliberately keeping the Muslim population ignorant and uneducated so that they could maintain their grip over the UNINFORMED PEOPLE and retain their leadership of the community. She wanted the killers of her father to be brought to book. She named some Government officials of her community who were involved in the controversy.
She had given the call, “If you are an INDIAN, march to Ajodhya---Let us construct the Temple”. That day Ajodhya turned so violent that it never had been before. Additional forces were rushed in but it could not control the raging sea of humanity. Her ‘AJODHYA CHALO CALL’ had a Mesmerizing effect over India and Indians. Not surprisingly, Muslims of India had also joined her call.
All over India people had a bee line for Ajodhya. Barricades by the administration had failed. In her interview to a news channel next day, she had stated, “HAM MANDIR AISA BANYENGE—ISKI NEEMV KASHMIR TAK LE JAYENGE” (We will build such a shrine that its foundation will extend up to Kashmir”. Her concluding remarks sent the shiver down the spine of government. She had said, “Our next march will be to SRINAGAR---we will defy ARTICLE 370—we will fill it up with CRORES and CRORES of INDIANS—we can not have TWO LAWS in ONE COUNTRY.” She had told the ZEE TV NEWS anchor, “INDIA is for INDIANS—not HINDUS, Not MUSLIMS, Not Sikhs and not CHRISTIANS. Practice your religion at home. DO NOT CARRY IT ON YOUR SLEEVES.” This had a sparkling impact on the youths of India. AMEENA KHAN had become a YOUTH ICON----a GODDESS who will deliver. Her appeals used to have electrifying effect on youth. A new vibrant India was rising.
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While India was burning, Indian politicians were busy blaming each other for this. In Uttar Pradesh, the blame game was between SP and BSP. At the national level, it was between NDA and UPA. No one knew how to control human emotions once raked up. After all these political leaders are not trained in HUMAN MANAGEMENT---at best, they are expert in how to exploit them. They often fall back on their police and armed forces. Police had raised hands; Army too, was reluctant to take on the job.
By first week of August 2009, situation had become worse. There was no law and order in the country. The situation had become so violent that first time since India became free in 1947, the Flag hoisting ceremony by the Prime minister of India at the Red Fort had to be cancelled. The army was cut off on the custodial death of its ex-officer Brigadier Usman. It wanted first those culprits, who killed Brigadier USMAN to be arrested and brought to the book. The Army chief had refuted that army was blackmailing the newly formed CENTRAL GOVERNMENT of 54 regional parties, who had assumed office only in May 2009. These parties had their own regional agenda and they threaten to pull out of the government at the drop of a hat.
On 17 August 2009, at 1200 hours a DDTV correspondent spoke to Chief of the army staff in his office.
The correspondent had asked the first question, “Why army was not intervening to set things right”
The army Chief had questioned back, “Why, what was wrong?”
“There is lawless in the country. Police is unable to control”, the questioner had reiterated.
“You chaps—the champions of freedom and liberty ------should know it better that law and order problem did not fall under the purview of army jobs” Chief had said.
“But there was a mess in the country—there is no rule of law. You have to intervene.” The journalist was pleading.
“Young man, it was not army’s doing. Who has created this mess? How long you will keep using my boys for your own comforts and luxuries? You had been glamorizing the militants and chiding the armed forces for violations of human rights. How vociferous has been that lady journalist of yours along with Miss Kumati Devi Roy in denigrating my men in Kashmir? It is you who have created this mess and sort it out, now.” Chief had rebuked.
“But you are morally bound to intervene” the interviewer had begged.
“Old chap, you have to amend the constitution of India for army to take over such situations on its own---The law of the land does not want army in the Law and Order jobs. There is no question of moral responsibility. Tomorrow some of you only will blame us for VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS” The army chief had given a befitting reply.
“Aren’t you getting paid for this? It is your duty to protect the nation at the verge of collapse” The questioner was panicking.
“Thank god, you guys are realizing as to what have you done to this nation by overly emphasizing on Individual freedom and free speech. My dear friend, freedom, liberty and free speech do not come unshackled. They ought to have some restrictions to ensure your safety and security.” Chief had advised.
“But there has to be a way out of this mess” the correspondent had insisted.
“The way out is political solution. Still, there is time. Do not think of army now. Why don’t you approach that person who while discussing the SIXTH PAY COMMISSION on your channel some months back had said, ‘What was so special that army does to be paid so lavishly?’ Your interviewer had not even protested. I am sorry; army refuses to be drawn into this time. We have decided, let government sack all the Generals, Air marshals and Admirals, we will not intervene in law and order problems.”
The interviewing journalist could only sum up to say, “This is the first time in the history of independent India, army has out rightly refused to come to the aid of civil authorities. Unless army intervenes and there is no chance as of now, India will continue to be under chaos and disorder. The movement by AMEENA KHAN has spread to every village, every town and hutment—people are going crazy---only god can help. Which God? Hindu or Muslim or Christian or Sikh, I don’t know but it has to be Indian God and AMEENA KHAN has acquired that status. This is Satish Chandra of DDTV breaking News to you from South Block, New Delhi.”
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BBC broke the news at 1800hours IST on 17 August 2009 that USA foreign office had issued advisory to its citizens to leave India, followed by Great Britain and most of the European countries. The news anchor had also stated that the new president-elect of USA was greatly concerned about the nuclear weapons in India. This was the reason the President George Bush had stated that he had pushed forward a NUCLEAR DEAL with India. But some how, the deal had got scuttled by NSG (Nuclear supplier’s Group). The world was greatly worried about the disturbed situation in India.
All eyes were fixed on Kashmir. AMEENA KHAN’ had given a call to youths of India “To ‘CHALO’ KASHMIR ON 01 SEPTEMBER 2009. WE WILL HOIST NATIONAL FLAG AT LAL CHOWK” (Let us go to KASHMIR on 01 SEPTEMBER 2009.) It had created a situation of confrontation. Authorities were tight lipped in Kashmir. While militant’s organizations were making brave statements from across the borders, but the common man was worried. The common man knew by sitting on the other side of the border the militants can make tall claims but it would be real catastrophe if CRORES OF INDIAN YOUTHS had marched into the valley. They knew militants had overplayed their cards on the SHRINE LAND CASE this time.
A common feeling amongst the average Kashmiri was that the other side had been pushed to a corner where it has now adopted an attitude “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH”. The main worry of KASHMIRIS was that INDIAN MUSLIM YOUTH had joined the movement and on top of that it was led by a Muslim girl. Whatever little sympathy Kashmir had amongst Indian Muslims, it had been lost over the SHRINE LAND CASE. Only a few English Channels had spoken for some times in favor of Kashmir but after the attack by mob fury, they had been silenced. Kashmiris knew Pakistan was in no position to help. It was involved in its own political fights. Its military was involved in Baluchistan and NWFP. They were fighting Taliban. The common man was apprehensive of the damage done to KASHMIR by the militant’s arrogance. Politically it was itself being destabilized by Zardari and Nawaz Sharief political skirmishes. Only ISI was some hope but it was under attack both by President Zardari and USA. Army was asked to rein it in. General Kiyani the COAS of Pak army had to do this. Thus Kashmir awaited mayhem on 01 September 2009.
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Major General Narveer Singh Bhaduria, Joint secretary in the RAW (Research and Analyses wing), was pulling his hair. He could not believe this. This was explosive information with him. There was a fax from one of the MOSSAD operatives. It was terrifying. The fax had an intercepted message from the head of a Middle East country to its military attaché in New Delhi. It had asked the recipient, “PUT INDIA ON FLAMES? If the need be pay two billion dollars more get DURGA killed by some Muslim Boy. The March to Kashmir on 01 September must be scuttled-----------”
Narveer could make out who was being referred to as Durga. He also could make out as to why she was being planned to be killed by a Muslim boy. It was clear the aim was to create a divide in the new-found unity amongst the Hindu –Muslim youths. But he could not understand the motive of this country of the Middle-East. The next sentence of the fax had further created a big confusion. It had said, “------------Collect the money from USA Ambassador to India--------------.”
While he was scratching his brains, he was reminded of a report by one of their agents in NEW YORK. It was titled, ‘US INTERSTS IN KASHMIR and GILGIT HUNZA area of POK.”. He opened his cupboard and took out the relevant file. He leafed through the pages. It starts of with a news item which stated that the USA satellite imagery had found huge reserves of oil in the GUREJ-KARGIL- BALTISTAN-DARISTAN Areas of Kashmir. Besides Gilgit-Hunza region was replete with massive Uranium ores. The report had said that the information dates back to 1987. Ever since then, USA had desired to get a foothold in the KASHMIR valley. The commentator had stated that she had obliquely approached ZIA-UL-HAQUE in March 1988 for establishing a ‘high altitude weather interception laboratory’ in Gilgit but it was turned down by ZIA. Subsequently, huge money was paid by USA to buy land in POK through some militant organizations. The report went on to explain how USA had been funding the HURRIAT & other Kashmiri Leaders covertly to keep the ‘AZADI’ POT Boiling. The report had concluded that quagmire in KASHMIR was the result of US ambivalence. It wants KASHMIR to be sliced away from India and PAKISTAN and become it SURROGATE. Besides, the report had mentioned it gave USA many advantages vis-à-vis its future enemy of reckoning----People’s Republic of China. It can closely watch China from here.
“So, this is what it is. We are victim of a bigger game.” Major General Narveer had told himself. “But wait a minute, if this be so, Why should MOSSADH give us this information” Narveer had wondered. But next minute he had the answer because it was a private fax from one of the MOSSAD operative who did not like the new US President. He had given it to Brigadier Harry Sandhu, one of the four deputies of Narveer, who had gone to Israel for a routine conference a few days back. Harry Sandhu had very good relations with this Mossad operative---who was a key figure in the Israeli intelligence organization.
Narveer decided to act. He went straight to the PMO. He met the cabinet secretary and asked for a special session with the Prime Minister. As soon as PM learnt of this he jumped up and down. A CCPA meeting was emergently convened. At the CCPA it was decided to take immediate steps to provide security to AMEENA KHAN. It was also decided to request her to suspend her “KASHMIR CHALO MARCH” till 30 September 2009. Intelligence agencies were asked to step up vigil on the embassy of the Middle East country and US Embassy too. CCPA left the decision with the PM to declare national EMERGENCY and ban all strikes and agitation.
Two of the most important decisions by the CCPA were to introduce a bill in the next session of Parliament to abrogate Article 370 and set up a committee to recommend how to bring everyone under ONE LAW in the country without affecting religious practices. The PM was asked to address the nation and make these two announcements. At the same time army was asked to be ready to be deployed in strength all over the country, particularly J&K. The PM was to address the nation at 8 A.M. the next morning.
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Every where in the country Citizens were collected around the TV sets to listen to the special address to the nation by the PM. Ameena Khan, too had come out of her hiding on the advice of security agency. People’s mood was jubilant due to the rumored message of the address.
At around 0755, a news anchor of DD News asked listeners to standby for an important announcement. Everyone waited for the PM to appear. But no, the DD News was breaking news. It was flashing, “THIS MORNING MISS AMEENA KHAN, YOUTH LEADER OF INDIA, FELL TO THE BULLETS OF AN UNIDENTIFIED ASSASSAIN. SHE WAS FIRED UPON AT CLOSE RANGE BY SOME MASKED YOUTHS WHEN SHE WAS WATCHING THE TV. THE SECURITY FORCES HAVE SURROUNDED THE AREA --AND THE SSEARCH HAS BEGUN. ALL ESCAPE ROUTES HAVE BEEN SEALED”. Whole nation was stunned. Then began the death dance—because some one had shouted “ISLAM ZINDBAD” while shooting her. There was none in India waiting to listen to the PM. He was a bit late in announcing what he wanted to.
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A coded telegram went from the embassy of the Middle East country. It was intercepted and decoded. It read, “India is in flames. Durga has been done away with”
Major general Narveer had a hearty laugh. He immediately rang up Harry Sandhu his deputy, “Immediately, put AMEENA KHAN on DDTV NEWS before it is late. The nation is going to explode unless we produce the real AMEENA KHAN”. Brigadier HARRY SANDHU rang up DDTV Anchor Mr. PARKASH GOSWAMI and told him to make the announcement of AMEENA KAHN’s safety and that she would be soon appearing on the DDTV news CHANNEL.
Within an hour real Ameena Khan was on the DDTV news and addressing the people, “My dear friend! I am alive. I am OK. We will not allow INDIA to be in Flames. I suspend my agitation for a week. But we will go to KASHMIR on 01 September 2009. There is bigger game being played against India—which only the INDIAN YOUTH CAN COUNTER. God Willing! We shall. Jai INDIA. HAM JITENGE (WE SHALL WIN)”
Is it needed to be said that it had calmed the enraged people? India was getting ready to march into Kashmir---all 115 crores with full vigor to tell the world, “In INDIA ONLY INDIANS LIVE—KASHMIR IS INDIA”

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CONTOURS OF KASHMIR DISPUTE---SOME EXCERPTS FROM MY BOOK

MOUNTBATTEN’S PIT!

“I don’t care what people say about me today. I will be judged at the bar of history”, so said Lord Louis Mountbatten to Khushwant Singh, who quotes him so in his book “Truth, Love & A Little Malice”. (1) Khushwant singh had met him in mid fifties, when he worked with the Indian High Commission. Mountbatten remained convinced till his death that he had done a great job in trying to resolve Kashmir tangle. But he never accepted the fact that he was the author of the script for Kashmir imbroglio.

It is an emotional tragedy so thrust upon South Asia by a dying and decaying world power of Second World War vintage, who, stung by the post world war reality of its diminishing world sphere of influence, wanted to carve out a future role for itself. By deliberately creating Kashmir–like–problems, in her lost empire, she sought to sustain its past glory and image. As its empire shrank from Asia and Africa, it left footnotes for a troubled future in its erstwhile colonies. Zaire (Congo); Zimbabwe (Rhodesia); Angola; South Africa; Nigeria and Middle–East, all have felt the stings of its such a hidden desire. But South Asia was special because it was a jewel in her crown and she had to ensure it remained firmly in her grip, if not in the crown. So, a well thought out plan was put into action to create an unending dispute over Kashmir. A deliberate wrestling arena was created for India and Pakistan to keep fighting in it till eternity. The job was given to the last viceroy of India – Mr. Mountbatten, who was not found wanting in it, as we shall look at the events in 1947 and 1948.

It is a fact of history now that the greatest loser of Second World War was not Hitler’s Germany but Churchill’s Great Britain. Someday when the history of world is re-written the Afro-Asian world will owe its gratitude to Hitter for precipitating an event which shook the roots of colonialism and heralded an era of free – world. It is the most positive aspect of Second World War, despite all the ‘negativism’ ascribed to it. With the sun–setting on the British Empire at the close of Second World War, the British colonial policy of ‘Divide and Rule’ was revitalized to create bones of contention amongst the inheritors of their old colonies. Thus in June 1947, when Britain decided to partition the sub-continent, she had resolved to create Kashmir tangle. Mountbatten, the last viceroy, and first Governor General of India, was the key player. He had begun to manipulate the events in June 1947 itself. Let us see some of his actions.

On 04 June 1947, (2) in a reply to a question in a press conference he revealed his intentions. The questioner had asked him a clarification on British paramountcy pacts/treaties with various princely states in India. The questioner had basically wanted to know the status of princely states after the sub-continent got its independence. In his reply Mountbatten had sown the seeds of dispute. The question was, “When you withdraw paramountcy, would you regard sovereignty as thereafter being vested with the princes or the people of the states” Mountbatten replied, “It is a question with whom the treaties were made”.(3) Every reader will think as to what Mountbatten had implied by “Whom” was “Princes”. No, he did not. Here, it would be necessary to clarify that Britain, in 1947, had ruled Indian Subcontinent both directly and indirectly. Large Chunk of the sub continent was directly governed by the British Monarch called British India. Besides this, there were a large number of princely states, around 562, which were indirectly governed through local princes, with whom Britain had Paramountcy agreements. Thus, when Britain decided to free British India, it had also announced that paramountcy agreement would also lapse, which meant the princes were free to choose between either of the two dominions i.e India and Pakistan or become a sovereign Independent State. This is what the questioner was trying to clarify in the said conference on 04 June 1947. In simple words, the questioner sought to know whether the people of the princely states were going to play any role in deciding about the future of the state. Mountbatten’s answer therefore conveyed that it would vary from state to state. This is distinctly apparent, also from his answer to a specific question on the fate of Kashmir and Hyderabad in the same conference. While acceding to the rights of princes to choose their options, he put a rider that a prince must take into account geographical situation and communal interests before making any decision. He was thus giving ideas to the future leaders of India and Pakistan to interpret it the way they liked it. In so doing, he was sowing the seeds of great discord. Mountbatten was a past master in the game of double –speak and he fully exploited it to widen the gulf between the moral rigidity of India and emotional inflexibility of Pakistan. He had thus begun to draw up a blue – print for the Kashmir controversy. It is in this conference, he had inaugurated the digging of his pit, which later drew India and Pakistan into it. In order to realize his aim, Mountbatten had his finger at the pulse of three main characters of the subcontinent. He knew their rigid stands. In the garb of closing the gap and finding a solution, he had only to strengthen their personal prejudices so as to reach a point of no return. He did this to his perfectionist best.

The three main characters, who became pawns in the hands of Mountbatten were, Maharaja of Kashmir- Mr. Hari singh; Jawahar Lal Nehru of the Congress and Mr Mohammed Ali Jinnah of Muslim league. Ground realities and ambivalent positions of these three characters suited and favoured Mountbatten fully. Add to this list of three, the ambivalence of Sheikh Abdulla – a Kashmiri Muslim, who had his own charter of ambitions to assist Mountbatten in his game plan.

The Maharaja nurtured a desire to declare Jammu and Kashmir a free and Independent state with himself being all in all. The Hindus of Jammu region, bulk of them, supported him. But National Conference of Sheikh Abdulla in Kashmir, though a votary of Independence status, wanted no role for the Maharaja. In any case, if it came to choose between India and Pakistan he sought to go along with secular Nehru rather than theocratic Jinnah. Majority of the Muslims of the valley in 1947 were with National Conference of Sheikh Abdulla- who was the uncrowned king of the Kashmir valley. However it would be pertinent to understand Maharaja Hari Singh’s problems at the time. In June 1947, the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir was a Muslim predominant state with 75% Muslim Population and 25 percent Hindus. The opinions amongst both communities were sharply contrasting and confusing. The six regions of the state voiced differently. The Mirpur – Punch belt was a votary for Pakistan. The Baltistan, Dardistan and Gilgit areas preferred independent status, failing which they sought merger with Pakistan. The Kashmir valley favoured independence with no role for Maharaja and was prepared to join either of the dominions that recognized sheikh Abdullah as the sole leader with special status to the state. At the same time, Sheikh Abdullah distrusted Mohammed Ali Jinnah, who, too, was wary of Sheikh Abdullah. The animosity between the two was so deep that Jinnah preferred to deal with Maharaja Hari Singh than Sheikh Abdullah. Gandhi-Nehru combine of congress backed up Sheikh Abdullah. They were not prepared to deal with Maharaja unless it had the backing of Sheikh Abdullah, who was not prepared to make any commitment, unless Maharaja abdicated in his favour. If at all, Maharaja Hari Singh nourished any desire to join India, in June- July 1947, it was spurned by Nehru–Gandhi idealism. (4) Though Jinnah offered special status to Maharaja through Major General SL Scott, the chief of staff of the state forces, yet Maharaja was not convinced due to his personal fears in a Muslim state. (5) Thus it seems, backed up by some Hindu supporters of Jammu, Maharaja was inclined to dream of an independent state. Legally, he was helped by the Indian Independence Act passed by the British Parliament on 12 July 1947. The act had stated that the paramountcy that the British crown had exercised over princely states would end on 15 August 1947. Therefore, princes were free to choose their course of action before 15 August 1947. If, by 15 August 1947, they had not joined either of the two dominions, the state would be deemed to be free and sovereign under its own king. This was actually the bone of contention. Most people questioned the right of sovereignty being given to princes. This was what the questioner had also asked Mountbatten on 04 June 1947. Though, Mountbatten would have known the official position of the British Government, as he had prepared the draft of the Indian Independence Act, thereby, clearly assigning the sovereignty to princes, yet the viceroy created an air of ambiguity about it. Taking this line, he advised the Maharaja to stop entertaining a desire of an independent state and decide in favour of either of the dominion, before 15 August 1947. He even assured him if he decided in favour of Pakistan, it will not be treated as an unfriendly act by India. (6) It is not understood as to why was he only giving such an advice to King of Kashmir and why not to Nizam of Hyderabad or Nawab of Junagarh or any other princely state. Mountbatten very well knew that Maharaja Hari Singh would resist any move which pushed him towards Pakistan. He also knew, bitten by idealistic fervour, Nehru-Ghandhi combine will not accept Maharaja’s request for accession unless backed by the popular movement of Sheikh Abdullah who wanted Maharaja to go at all costs, before deciding about the state’s future. In fact, Mountbatten was deliberately spewing venom into Maharaja’s mind so as to enliven the controversy. Should it happen, lying at the junction of India and Pakistan, the state of Jammu and Kashmir had all the potential of becoming a permanent bone of contention between India and Pakistan, thus ensuring an arbitrator’s role for Great Britain for all times to come. In essence, even if the jewel of South Asia slips out of the British Crown but it will remain firmly gripped in her hands. Therefore Kashmir had to become a raging controversy. Thus, Mountbatten had to scuttle any move for peace over Kashmir. In so doing, he was ably assisted by the British Officers heading Pakistani, Indian and Kashmiri armed forces. By 15 August 1947, Louis Mountbatten had created enough confusion to ensure Maharaja had become indecisive. His “will-of-people-advice” to Maharaja Hari Singh had a definite poly to reinforce personal prejudices of “The Four Principal Characters”. To Nehru, “will-of-the –people” meant the choice of Sheikh Abdullah. Sheikh Abdullah was non-committal till Maharaja handed him over the power. He thereafter wanted a special status from either of the two dominions before acceding or staying independent. Nehru was prepared to accept him but Jinnah out rightly rejected any role for Sheikh Abdullah. To Jinnah, “will-of-the-people” meant that 75 percent Muslim population of the state would automatically favour Pakistan as it was being carved out as a ‘Muslim Homeland’. To Maharaja Hari Singh, “will- of –the – people” had no meaning, as Indian Independence Act of June 1947 had merely given an option to princes to choose, before 15 August 1947, to join either India or Pakistan. Should it not happen by the said date the princely state would be an independent, free and a sovereign state with its own king as head of the state. Mohammed Ali Jinnah, a renowned barrister-at-law, had no doubts about the legality of this provision of the ‘Indian Independence Act’. He was therefore prepared to do business with Maharaja Hari Singh when he offered him special status as enjoyed by him under the suzerainty of British crown. But Maharaja was doubtful of his future in a Muslim Pakistan. The open suggestion of Mountbatten had made him more stubborn. In a bid to buy time, Maharaja offered a ‘stand-still-agreement’ to India and Pakistan. While Pakistan accepted this, India rejected it because it was not supported by Sheikh Abdullah -the Indian yardstick of “will of the people”. It is an irony that Nehru-Gandhi combine of Congress had made ‘Sheikh Abdullah of the Kashmir valley’ synonymous with whole of Jammu and Kashmir. Definitely, within the valley, he was a popular voice but not in the other regions. It had been this synonymy of Kashmir with other parts of J&K, which had always guided India’s J&K policy since 1947. This is what Mountbatten had deliberately conceived so as to prolong the dispute. His advice to Maharaja too was based on this ‘Synonymy- Principle’. He had wrongly hoped and miscalculated that protracted dispute between India and Pakistan would ensure an ‘Ombudsman’s role for Britain’ for all times to come. Unfortunately, while the conflict remains, Britain is no more at the centre stage of world affairs. But Louis Mountbatten had not anticipated this. And he continued to misguide Nehru, ill-advice Maharaja and inflame Jinnah’s emotional fury. In his this grand scheme of things, he was ably assisted by plethora of British army officers well entrenched in the British Indian army at the time of partition. The attitude and behaviour of the British officers of those days, particularly in the context of princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, is amply documented in many a books. Major General (Retired) Hira Lal Atal, in his book “Nehru’s Emissary to Kashmir” explains in Chapters One to Three of the book as to how these officers were deliberately acting against the best interests of the dominion they were serving in. (7) It is with their help Mountbatten was able to turn Kashmir into a wrestling pit for India and Pakistan. Maharaja Hari Singh, Jawahar Lal Nehru of India and Mohammed Ali Jinnah of Pakistan, unwittingly, became his willing collaborators. They were guided by their mutual distrust, short-sightedness and personal ambitions. They did not understand the nuances of a larger game being played by Mountbatten and his British cohorts in their overtly sympathetic gestures and their packaged-advice to each one individually.

His approach was three-fold. To Maharaja Hari Singh, he would advise against independent status and join either of the dominion based on the will of his people. (8) In other words, as the princely state was a Muslim majority state he wanted the Maharaja to opt for Pakistan-very well knowing the fact that the popular voice of Kashmiri Muslims Sheikh Abdullah, wanted an independent status sans Maharaja. He was killing two birds with one stone to accomplish his larger aim. By constantly advising Maharaja to decide in favour of Pakistan, he was in fact, cementing his fears and prejudices in a Muslim majority state. Thus, he was making the Maharaja indecisive. He was also by this advice, deliberately, ignoring Sheikh Abdullah. These acts of Mountbatten encouraged Jinnah to annex Gilgit with the active co-operation of British officers in the J&K state force. (9) It may be noted that Gilgit Agency till August 1947 was under the British resident, who was withdrawn following independence and a J&K state forces officer, Brigadier Ghansara Ram, was sent as governor. Within two and a half months of his arrival, there was an uprising in the state forces, stationed in Gilgit, with the help of British Officers, and the state governor was taken as prisoner. Then, when Maharaja offered a stand-still agreement to India and Pakistan in August 1947, Pakistan accepted it. But Mountbatten prevailed upon Nehru not to accept it as it was not offered by Sheikh Abdullah – the popular leader of the valley Muslims. He encouraged Nehru- Ghandhi moralistic stand to insist that sovereignty belonged to people. He thus sought to marginalize the Maharaja with his ploy to insist upon the will of the people. To Nehru it meant the supremacy of Sheikh Abdullah and to Mohammed Ali Jinnah it meant the Muslim majority status of J&K automatically opting for Pakistan which was the basis of two nation theory. Thus, Mountbatten knew Jinnah would not accept the independent state of J&K, under Sheikh Abdullah, but was prepared to give special privileges to Maharaja. Whatever intentions Maharaja had of leaning towards India were spurned by Nehru-Gandhi moralistic stance. At the same time, Maharaja was dis-inclined to accept Jinnah’s offer and temptations due to his personal fears of reduced status in a Muslim Majority state. Guided by these considerations he was keen to maintain equidistance from two new –born dominions. Accordingly he opted for stand-still agreements with the two inheritors of colonial India, when paramountcy agreement with Britain lapsed on the day of independence. In the meanwhile, people of Poonch-Rajouri areas, dominated by Punjabi Muslims, revolted against the Maharaja and opted for Pakistan. Maharaja’s state armed forces did manage to control it but it gave ideas to Pakistani leadership.

To Mohammed Ali Jinnah, Mountbatten would assure merger of Jammu and Kashmir with Pakistan. As far back as July 1947, Mountbatten had assured Jinnah that in the case of Kashmir’s accession to Pakistan, no objections would be raised by India. This point has been elaborately explained by Major General (Retired) Akbar Khan in his book “Raiders in Kashmir”. (10) Mountbatten remained convinced about this till his death in 1979. He painfully explains this point to John Terraine in his book on “The Life and Times of Lord Mountbatten”. (11) He told Johan Terraine that in the beginning the Indian Government had not minded as to which dominion Kashmir would accede to. According to him, things changed only after 24 October 1947 when tribal raiders invaded Kashmir. It is obvious Mountbatten had Jinnah believe that the princely state of J&K had no other choice but to join Pakistan. It was reflected in Jinnah’s confidence in this belief when a large delegation of Muslim league had gone to meet him in his Delhi house in July 1947. Brigadier Akbar Khan (later Major General) was also present there in his capacity as a member of the armed forces partition sub-committee. When the delegation expressed its concern about the Maharaja of Kashmir- a non-Muslim and Sheikh Abdullah-a Muslim leader of the valley opposed to Pakistan, who would try to avoid J&K’s accession to Pakistan, Mr. Jinnah dismissed their fears that the opinion of the two persons could not be an obstacle. (12) Echoing Mountbatten’s words on ‘will – of –the – people’ (Muslim majority of the state) and its geographic contiguity with Pakistan, he sought to assuage the sentiments of the delegation. But Mountbatten was playing his game deftly. While insisting on the will of the people, he was allowing India and Pakistan to make their own interpretations. In this scheme of things, Maharajah was dissuaded from recognizing Sheikh Abdullah who favoured independence, whom Nehru-Gandhi would recognize as the popular voice of the valley. Jinnah would do no business with Sheikh Abdullah. And Maharajah would isolate himself by maintaining equidistance from Nehru, Sheikh Abdullah and Jinnah. Thus a deliberate situation of indecision was created which forced Jinnah to put into action his plans of forcible annexation. When this happened, Mountbatten’s pit had been fully created. It became deeper and deeper as time rolled by. Mountbatten had known that Kashmir would defy all solutions. He had cleverly created the insurmountable chasm amongst the four key players. Some of his actions of the last week of October 1947 expose his game. On 24 October 1947, when Maharajah of J&K pleaded with India for help, Mountbatten advised the government against any help due to lack of full information. (13) (14) Thus, VP Menon was rushed to Srinagar on 25 October 1947, who returned the next day with an assessment to immediately send the reinforcements. When the cabinet committee on defence was considering the same, Lord Mountbatten, now intervened. He told the committee that it would not be proper to send Indian troops to Kashmir, as on 15 August 1947, it had become an independent country. He argued to say its independent status stemmed from the fact that the state had not acceded to either of the dominion, as desired in the Indian Independence Act of July 1947. He asserted that the Government of India must acquire accession document from the Maharaja before it could send her troops. In the same meeting, to make it difficult for the government to intervene or rather dissuade moralistic emotions of Nehru from intervening, he strongly voiced his opinion that the accession by Maharajah would be incomplete without ascertaining the ‘will of the people’. He recommended that the accession by Maharaja should be conditional unless supported by a plebiscite after the raiders had been driven out. Once again Government of India fell for it and sent VP Menon to Jammu to obtain accession document signed by Maharaja Hari Singh.VP Menon returned in the evening of 26 October 1947 with the document. Yet again he tried to stall Indian intervention by giving military reasons but Nehru over ruled him. The government thus took the decision on 27 October 1947, full three days after the request was made by the Maharaja on 24 October 1947. The points raised by Mountbatten could have been well conveyed in the first meeting on 25 October. It is obvious he was deliberately delaying intervention to allow raiders from Pakistan to make significant gains or even capture Srinagar airfield. He had got them three vital days which allowed them to come right upto Baramulla, some 45 Kms from Srinagar airfield. Perhaps, another day or so would have got them the final objective. And Mountbatten tried all tricks in his bag to put off the decision to intervene. As recorded by Sh VP Menon in his book, “The story of the Integration of the Indian States”: it seems after the defence committee had taken the decision to militarily intervene in Kashmir on the evening of 26 October 1947, Mr. Mountbatten, now used another tactics to prevent or delay intervention. He, now, along with three British chiefs of staffs of the Army, Air Force and Navy, chipped in with military reasons of inadvisability of the operations. All of them advised against the military intervention. Mercifully, Nehru acted firmly and told them that the only alternative to sending troops would be to allow a massacre in Srinagar which would unleash a major communal holocaust in India. (15) Thus, on the morning of 27 October 1947, Indian troops were airlifted to Srinagar when tribal invaders had over-run Baramulla and were knocking at the doors of Srinagar. But by now, Mountbatten had partly achieved his objective of creating a stalemate. He had to only now ensure that it becomes a lasting stalemate. In this, he was aided by General Gracey, the acting chief of Pakistan Army, in the absence of General Messervy – the permanent incumbent.

It seems on the night of 27 October 1947, Mohammed Ali Jinnah, had ordered Pakistan Army to attack Jammu as stated by Major General Akbar Khan (Retired) of Pakistan Army. He quotes Allan Campbell from his book “Mission with Mountbatten”. Had it happened, it would have put an end to Mountbatten’s future scheme of things. In the world public opinion, Pakistan would have become an out right aggressor. The cover of “Tribal Invasion” would have been blown off. It would have complicated Mountbatten’s plans. Therefore it seems General Gracey advised Jinnah against such an action. The versions may vary. While Allan Campbell maintained that Gracey refused to carry out Jinnah’s orders without approval of supreme commander, Field Marshal Auchenleck; Major General Akbar Khan believes Gracey was able to convince Jinnah to withdraw his orders. One would like to believe Akbar Khan, who was one of the staunchest exponents of attack on Jammu in the event of Indian military intervention. (17) Gracey would have probably talked to Mountbatten about this, who might have shuddered at the thought of his future plans going awry. Thus, on 02 November 1947, when India was engaged in an unofficial war with Pakistan, the Governor General of India rushed to Lahore. There he met Mohammed Ali Jinnah. What did he do in Lahore? Why did he go at all? It was strange for a Head of the government to visit a country when both were actively involved in a war. His main objective was to dissuade Pakistan from direct military involvement in Kashmir. A question might be asked as to why he would do that. The answer to this lay in his future plan of action at that point. He knew legally Kashmir had acceded to India as provided in the Indian Independence Act of British parliament in July 1947. Therefore, international community would see it as integral part of India. Any direct involvement of Pakistan would be seen as aggression. He had been manipulating the show to make it appear as a dispute between the two countries so as to involve United Nations Organisation (UNO). Hence, if the issue then went to UNO, it would go under charter VII of the UNO, which seeks to throw out the aggressor. This is what he never wanted. In order to articulate as a permanent dispute between India and Pakistan, he wanted its reference to UNO under charter VI of the UNO which seeks to settle the dispute. On this hinged his whole plan for a significant future role for Britain as a mediator. Fully knowing the individual positions of the two newly born states, he was convinced that there was going to be no peaceful settlement ever. His game plan was to make the international community see it as a dispute. And there was no better option than to legitimize it as a dispute under charter VI of the UN. He knew that the Indian leadership of the times, morally stung by the Gandhian philosophy of non –violence, would not understand the difference between “eviction of aggression” and “settlement of dispute”. He could argue and convince the Indian leadership: as Pakistan was not militarily involved, it could not be termed as aggressor. And eventually he managed this. But on 02 November 1947, his mission to Lahore was to stop Pakistan from attacking Jammu region. This was his sole purpose. He very well knew, then, that UNO was paper tiger; it could not resolve any dispute other than passing resolutions. Thus “Jewel in the Crown” of Britain was being sought to be firmly held in the hands of a self–appointed care-taker. However allergic the modern Indian leadership may be to the word “Dispute”; it forgets it was their predecessors in the dawn of independence, who unwittingly accorded it the sanctity by playing into the hands of Mountbatten. Let us see how?

Quoting from a book ‘Mission with Mountbatten’ by Allan Campbell Johnson, who was Mountbatten’s Military attaché in November 1947, Shri DR Goyal argues, (18) in his book “Kashmir”, that when Mountbatten had gone to Lahore on 02 Nov 1947 he had advised Mohammed Ali Jinnah on the strength of Indian troops in Kashmir and their likely build up over the next few days. He thus suggested to Jinnah that he (Mountbatten) considered the prospect of the so-called tribesmen entering Srinagar in any form was remote. It is presumed he would have also fore–warned Jinnah on his ill-advised intentions of invading Jammu region. He probably would have told him the repercussions of being branded as an aggressor state. He probably advised Jinnah to bid for plebiscite in Kashmir, as it was the best option for Pakistan at that point of time. Louis Mountbatten played the Muslim Majority card with Jinnah, very well knowing the fact that Kashmir valley Muslims would go along with Sheikh Abdullah, who preferred independence or India. When Jinnah expressed his apprehensions on this bid, Mountbatten now played his trump card of suggesting a plebiscite under UN supervision. Legal mind of Jinnah would have well understood the difference between “resolving the dispute” and “evicting the aggressor”. He therefore seemed to have agreed with Mountbatten. What ever Major General (Retired) Akhbar Khan’s sound military reason for attacking Jammu, the legal framework of international law would have termed Pakistan an aggressor? He was therefore prepared to buy Mountbatten’s argument, hoping that Muslim majority of Kashmir would go along with him, if referendum was carried out by an independent international agency.

Having thus succeeded in persuading Jinnah, Mountbatten now turned to Indian leadership. His first task was to stop the Indian offensive which was gaining momentum. Indian army was all set to throw out ‘tribal raiders’ of so–called General Tariq-Ali (Maj Gen Akbar Khan of Pakistan army). Had it happened, then, there was no dispute! He had to halt the Indian army. He thus told Nehru that the capture of ‘Uri’ was adequate to clear the valley. Beyond this, he advised a negotiated settlement of the issue. He argued that it would affect India’s moral supremacy in the international arena. He would have told Nehru that legal position was in India’s favour. And what more, Sheikh Abdullah, who was the majority leader of the valley was now with India. Therefore, the argument went: India had nothing to fear! At this stage, even Sheikh Abdullah advised against going beyond Uri. His (Sheikh Abdullah) argument was that real Kashmir was already liberated. What lay beyond Uri was Mirpur –Muzzafrabad extension of Western Punjab, dominated by Muslims, who favouored merger with Pakistan. Thus army’s offensive beyond Uri was derailed. In order to take the issue to UN, he organized the meeting of two prime ministers at Lahore and suggested to both for seeking UN role in resolving the issue. When the question came as to who would approach the UN, he manipulated Nehru to do so. He convinced Nehru that Pakistan could not be termed an aggressor, as it was not directly involved. Therefore he advised him to refer the matter under chapter VI of the UN, thus perpetuating the issue as a dispute till eternity. Mountbatten had, therefore, succeeded in creating a wrestling pit for India & Pakistan.

To sum up, it was Mountbatten and Mountbatten alone, who ensured Kashmir becomes a wrestling pit for India and Pakistan for generations to keep wrestling in it. In so doing, he had an ulterior motive to seek a future role for a dying empire so as to keep its past glory evergreen. It is a different matter it did not work out, as it was perceived by Mountbatten. But people of Kashmir are paying with their lives for his double game. What has accrued to India and Pakistan? Both got a bonanza of everlasting hostility and animosity which has seen them through three and half wars over it. They have also got the taste of an ongoing human-sacrifice-spectacle over the last 15-16 years with enormous financial costs. If the economic consequences of three and half wars and the ongoing “Bleeding war” of past 15-16 years’ are ever computed, it would turn out that both India and Pakistan each would have created a better heaven than Kashmir for themselves. Unfortunately the tragedy of South Asia has been the obsession of its people with past which make them lose sight of present reality and future viability. Thus the wrestling bout goes on and on.

But again, Mountbatten was not the cause but a mere actor, in the hands of history of Kashmir, who forced him to play a negative role. The real cause is the history of Kashmir. On the South Asian land scape, today, Kashmir has become an ‘Earthly Black Hole’, sucking into it every from of energy of the sub-continent. It is so because the current Grand Cycle will only end around year 2100 AD. In the meanwhile, it will continue to support the death dance of a dying philosophy in the valley under two pseudo–names of ‘freedom’ and ‘terrorism’. The so called ‘Jihadis of Kashmir’ are, in fact, the pawns on the chess-board laid by the history of Kashmir, purely on its own terms and conditions. Mushraff or other Pakistani Generals may call them ‘Freedom Fighters’ but they only serve the cause of the history of Kashmir. These “Merchants of Freedom” are actually its tools to desist human efforts to seek an end to a conflict between two neighbours. We will see them in the next section.
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“I WANT TO MOTHER YOU!”—A SHORT STORY! -------PART THREE

Story So Far. Refer to Links:-
(a) http://rajee.sulekha.com/blog/post/2008/08/i-want-to-mother-you- a-short-story-part-one.htm
(b) http://rajee.sulekha.com/blog/post/2008/08/i-want-to-mother-you- a-short-story-part-two.htm

Rajneesh dialed a number on his mobile. It rang. A soft, sweet and a polite voice responded,”Yes, this is Professor Manik Lal Sanyal of department of History of-----“
“Professor, I know you and you know me. No need for introduction. I am No1/1 of ‘M U One’. I need you to check into your archives on Operation ‘GAME OF THE FOXES’.” Rajneesh was snappy.
“No1/1 of MU One? I guess you are aware of the University rules. We do not allow anyone access to our archives without proper identification. Shoot your twenty digits Personal identification Number, PIN for short”, Professor Sanyal was firm and polite.
“All right professor. It is “07091950002130092006”
“Wait, I will come back.” professor Sanyal had commanded.
Rajneesh knew the process will take some time before professor Sanyal contacted him. Rajneesh wondered about his own coded identity of NASH. It was unique. Rajneesh had known this PIN by heart. It was easy to remember but very difficult for the uninitiated to understand it. The PIN was given to every NASH employee who left NASH or who chose a second career. NASH officer cadre never retired but became inactive after the age of sixty five. Executives went out at the age of forty five if they couldn’t make it to officer cadre. In fact everyone had an option to leave after ten years active service. After initial induction, the officer cadre was selected from within the organization based on the performance. Every failure fetched negative points; no matter how genuine was the cause of failure. The scale of –ve points depended on the nature and type of operation. The highest classification was EXCLUSIVELY SENSITIVE. Such an assignment was always given to the most trusted and out-performing EXECUTIVES. It had to be a hundred percent success—it was always closely monitored by NASH Director, MUSK Head and the NSA.
Rajneesh had opted out from the organization, when he was MUSK HEAD, but he was CO of the MUSK UNIT No 1, when Operation ‘Game of the Foxes’ was launched. He had vaguely remembered NASH director telling James and his operational team of Charmer NO 1, along with the selected Executive, that the success of the operation would greatly reduce ISI’s mischief making capacity in India. The selected EXECUTIVE was exclusively briefed on oath by NASH director. No one knew his exact mission. It was said that it involved the elimination of a top under world Don of India who was on the pay roll of ISI.
But somehow the operation had failed miserably. Though Rajneesh had saved James but the axe had fallen on the EXECUTIVE. James was disappointed after this. He had insisted that it was not the fault of his EXECUTIVE but he was up against the stringent rules. Failure in an EXCLUSIVELY SENSITIVE operation invited the harshest punishment. In this case, it went beyond all norms. He was to be executed. James had reluctantly carried out the orders but he had sought relief from the organization after this. He was allowed to go after he did his MBA and was helped to get a job in a top notch MNC at Chennai. He had also got involved in some social organizations. Rajneesh had settled down in social work too. Both of them were actively in communication with each other. Rajneesh was always on call to NASH as a consultant to MUSK head. He began to think about his association of 30 years with James.
He began wondering as to who could be behind orchestrated accident of PS James. Time and again, his ears were being blasted by the surprised words of James,”Oh, sir! It is the same old Game of The Foxes”. Why did James make this statement? The operation was aborted after orders had been given for the execution of the FOX. He was supposedly executed by the CHARMER directly working under James. It was confirmed by James. Thereafter he had left the organization. While he was wondering like this, his mobile rang and professor Sanyal was on the line.
Rajneesh answered, ”Yes, professor. Could you get something?”
“You answer first, ‘Shouldn't NIGHT be the DAY when it is EVENING? If so, what would you call the Morning?” Professor Sanyal shot a question.
Rajneesh was aware of this Challenging procedure of NASH to establish the real identity of the person trying to establish contact. The questions of ‘Identity Challenging Procedure’ were always baffling with red herrings. An ordinary recipient would be straight away confused. He took out his electronic diary. He looked at the answer to this question No 24. He shot back to the professor, “Part of the Day”.
“Repeat”, came professor’s voice.
“Part of the Day”, Rajneesh repeated.
“Did you say ‘Day’?” Professor was confirming.
“No, I said,’ PART OF THE DAY” Rajneesh corrected.
“Right, Rajneesh! You will be on the tour of the History of ‘Operation Game of the Foxes’. I caution you will be entering the most top secret corridor of information of a very very secret organization, which is officially non existent. You will have to guard it at all costs, even at the cost to your life. In case you want to withdraw even now, you are welcome” Professor Sanyal was warning.
“All right—No problem, professor, I will keep it to me, even if I have to lay down my life” Rajneesh assured.
“Right, your name is being registered as the recipient of this information. This should not be leaked at any cost. In case it does, you will meet your end like PS James.” Professor Sanyal had dropped a bombshell.
“What, what, What?” Rajneesh was fully shocked.
“ He had filed an affidavit in the Chennai High Court giving out certain details of the case, where he was being tried for the murder of HASHIM ALI on the suit filed by POACHERS ( People’s organization Against Civil and Human rights Embellishments by Repressive State).The POACHERS had filed the case on behalf of Hashim Ali’s parents. He had created a stir by telling the judge that Hashim Ali was not killed but still alive. He had blamed NASH for his disappearance. The judge’s PA was on our pay roll. We acted before he could further reveal anything. In fact, he would have almost exposed our most successful man in a Foreign Intelligence Agency. Rest of the details you can read in the document forwarded to you on your NASH e-Mail ID.” Professor Sanyal further disclosed.
“Wait, professor! Do you mean to say Hashim Ali is still alive? Then, what was the Game of the Foxes all about? ” Rajneesh became curious.
“You better read. You know nothing about Game of the Foxes. What you know is the cover story. It was planned that way. FOX was to fail by design by tipping off the foreign agency in advance. It was to establish FOX ‘s credibility with that agency.” Professor replied.
“But professor, orders for his execution and its accomplishment by Charmer One. What was that?” Rajneesh was perturbed.
“His Pakistani brother-in-law, Sabeena’s husband, became the victim of ‘Charmer One’ and he accordingly gave its confirmation of FOX’s execution. The foreign agency thinking of threat to his life moved HASHIM and his sister-in-law to Pakistan. Hashim’s wife Sakeena came to India as an alleged agent of the agency but worked for us. She was running that Sheela Devi trust in Chennai” Professor again surprised Rajneesh.
“And who was the poor victim who died in Hashim’s flat on 22 July 2003?” Rajneesh waited for another surprise
“It was your ‘Charmer One’ and his family knocked out by ISI as a revenge for Sabeena’s husband.” Professor was categorical.
“So, whole operation was designed that way. I need not read your document now or Do I?” Rajneesh was utterly shocked at such a crass ignorance even as a very high official in the organization.
“You better, Rajneesh. There is a lot in there for you to know. We have information that Sabeena’s husband’s elder brother’s daughter and her son are on your trail to seek revenge on you.” Professor had disclosed.
‘‘Sabeena’s husband’s elder brother’s daughter? How old is she?” Rajneesh was suddenly curious.
“Around thirty three or thirty four. She works for ISI. She has been spotted in Chennai.” Professor informed.
“Did she stay with Sakeena? Did Sakeena know about her?”Rajneesh questioned
“No, Sakeena alias Sheela did not know her. Her name is FATIMA. But it seems she had spoken to Sakeena on the phone three or four times and expressed her desire to meet her. Sakeena had kept this as a secret from the organization. We do suspect she might have visited her once or twice. You will find her snap in the document” Professor was giving out information.
“Thank you, professor. I am grateful.” Rajneesh said and cut off.
“So, it was Fatima, who had been sledging me on the blogs” Rajneesh thought. “It was Sakeena who was killed in that flat in Chennai by Fatima”, he began to analyse the situation. He was deeply depressed over the loss of James. But why did the organization do so? Why didn’t it fight this false case of murder against him, if it knew Hashim Ali was alive? What was that article on Sex Scandal in Chennai, linking James with all this non sense? What was his relationship with Sakeena? There was something fishy about Sakeena and her activities. What happened to Sabeena? Was all this a part of the operation? Where is Hashim Ali? Is he still alive? Who all will become victim of this game? He was totally confused.
While he was thinking of all this, suddenly a question came to his mind, “Am I myself safe? Oh, my God! I am also a dispensable commodity. I might be the next sacrificial goat to divert Sabeena’s son’s attention from the real killer of his father.” Rajneesh was getting disturbed and nervous. Then another thought sprang up in his mind, “Was this case of murder by the POACHERS on James a planted case by NASH? Yes, why not? Is he the next one to be roped in” This thought sent a shiver down his spine. He cursed himself for having volunteered out of the army to join this damn organization. “I WAS RIGHT: ONCE YOU ARE IN THE BUSINESS OF KILLING YOU ARE NEVER OUT OF IT” he reminded himself on his own oft stated quote. He began to look for a way out. He was not keen to read the document sent by Professor Sanyal. But he opened up his lap top. Logged on to the net and went straight to his NASH Mail. The document was there. He saw Fatima‘s photo. He could recognize her. She was the same lady who had met her the other day in Sangeetha’s Fast food joint in Chennai. He saw some other snaps of James, Hashim Ali and some others he did not recognize. Names were there but it meant nothing to him. He saw the report with a big caution. He started reading it:
EXCEPTIONALLY TOP SECRET
(One page only)
Caution: Information provided here is exclusively for your eyes only. Any leakage will be traced to you and you will be accordingly dealt with. Read on.
AFTER ACTION REPORT ON OPERAION ‘GAME OF THE FOXES’
“Operation ‘Game of the Foxes’ was aimed at infiltrating a mole in the intelligence agency of a hostile neighbor who had been creating deep troubles in India by inciting communal passions. The operation was planned in three phases. Phase One was an elaborate plan to knock out a top underworld don working for ISI. This task was given to a man called FOX. Phase Two was to tip off the ISI on the plan and gain their confidence. This too, was the job of FOX to win over the confidence of intelligence agency. Phase Three involved elimination of the primary actors of Phase One and Two spread over four to five years to establish the credibility of FOX. These targets were never disclosed by the Director of NASH. Phase one and two were successfully completed by May2003. They say killing of Charmer one and his family was concurrent with the launching of Phase Three. It was not called off as yet. ------------------------------------------“
Rajneesh did not have to read further. Having in the organization for 15 years, he knew what was happening. Phase Three was still on and Hashim Ali was somewhere in Pakistan and calling on the shots. But why did he go against James? Did James know his new role? He again began to search for the clues in report sent by Sanyal.
“FOX was taken to Pakistan by ISI. He revealed a number of RAW operatives in Pakistan but not the NASH. They were all arrested and tortured. Some of them died and some were facing court cases for spying. Some had been sentenced to die by the courts. It was a major success of ISI at home. He became an instant hero. To further establish his credibility, he secretly married Sabeena without Sakeena’s knowledge and approval, but with the tacit understanding of NASH director. He also applied and obtained Pakistani nationality with ISI clout.
In the mean while, his wife Sakeena moved to India as a widow. NASH had financially helped her. But she was also recruited by the ISI. She settled in Chennai as Sheela Devi. One day she came across James in Chennai. As an obligation to her supposedly late husband, James helped her set up a trust which became famous as a SHEELA DEVI POOR WOMEN’s WELFARE TRUST. She used James to send money to Hashim’s parents at Madurai.
Sometimes, in January 2008, Fatima established contacts with her. Through her she came to know of her husband’s second marriage to Sabeena. This had upset her. She told James about Hashim being alive and married to Sabeena. This brought them close. Fatima knew this and she exploited her. At the same time, Fatima informed Hashim Ali on Sakeena’s relationship with James. Hashim Ali alerted ISI on James past. Thus Fatima was asked to eliminate her. In the mean while NASH director was tipped of by Hashim Ali on the likely fall out of all this.’ Nash’ agents approached Hashim’s parents and POACHERS to fix James in a murder case. When this case was filed in May 2008, James approached NASH director and told him that he had known the real truth on HASHIM ALI and he would expose this if the case was not withdrawn. --------------------------------------------“
Rajneesh did not want to read further. He knew there will be all lies now. NASH will justify all killings. “Who next?” he thought. He decided to vacate his house next day and told his wife to go to her ancestral place at Karnal in Haryana. He slept that night. He slept like a dead log because he did not get up till a police inspector woke them up at 11 O’clock next morning. The police inspector was accompanied a police party from New Delhi. When his wife told him that Police had come to talk to him, he wondered on the efficiency of Chennai police but he was in for a shock when told of Delhi police. “Why Delhi police”, he asked himself. But inspector Desh Raj of Delhi police set the ball rolling by asking the question, “Sir, do you know Professor ML Sanyal of Delhi?”
“Of course, What about him” Rajneesh replied.
“We want to talk about him. He is NO MORE-- Killed by some motorbike riders. 20 bullets were pumped into his body when he was walking on the pavement near his house in Lodi Garden.” Inspector Desh Raj broke the sad news.
“What? But why?” he knew the question was useless. How could they answer him? But why did they come to him?
“Sir, we do not know. We are just investigating. We checked calls on his mobile. We found he made a last call to you yesterday and it was unusually a long call” Inspector Desh Raj revealed.
“Yes, we talked---well, it was purely a private matter” Rajneesh tried to wave them away.
“Sir, how did you know him?” Desh raj asked a clever question.
“Well! We were just friends.” Rajneesh was circumventing.
“You must be very good friends to have talked for 45 minutes on a very very private matter, Sir?” Inspector Desh Raj chided.
“What do you mean?” Rajneesh queried.
“In that case, I have arrest warrants for you and you will have to accompany us to New Delhi. We suspect you are involved in his murder” Desh Raj had given his authoritative command.
Before Rajneesh could say anything he was pulled out of the house and put into the waiting police van. His wife did not know what happened. It was all done suddenly and the van disappeared. Rajneesh was reminded of the days he had the authority. These inspectors were too small a fry but they were the officers in charge. They had a job to do. They had headed straight for Delhi.
Mrs. Rajneesh rang up everywhere but no one knew where Rajneesh was? Chandigarh police had raised its hands. She read a news item in the Tribune the next day. It read:
“A senior retired army officer was arrested by Delhi police yesterday from his house in Industrial Area Phase2, Chandigarh. Officer was suspected to be involved in the alleged murder of a renowned professor of history of Delhi University. The professor was killed by motorbike riding gunmen while taking a walk near his house. It is said the professor had last talked to this retired army officer for 45 minutes. The police has been provided the relevant details by the mobile telephone company.
It has also been learnt from reliable sources that the officer was also involved in flesh trade and espionage in Chennai. Earlier his friend in Chennai, an ex army officer, was killed by some unknown persons. This officer ran flesh trade business through him. It is learnt on the day of the death of his friend in Chennai, he was seen in a Chennai restaurant with a female in Nungambakkam area. Chennai police is also looking for him. The female is supposed to be the kingpin of espionage network in India. She had a hand in the killing of a social worker, Mrs. Sheela Devi of Chennai—a renowned socialite of Chennai. ----------“

There was no news of Rajneesh for the next 15 days. Mrs. Rajneesh had learnt through her sympathizers in the NASH that Rajneesh was taken to Chennai for some investigations. She was told that NASH was providing all possible help to get him acquitted. Then in the evening Mrs. Tara Sharma, Col Vinod Sharma’s wife, came to her house with her husband. They were the neighbors. They looked very grim and serious. Mrs. Tara Sharma asked her to watch AAJ TAK News Channel, which was breaking some news on CHENNAI SEX and ESPIONAGE SCANDAL. TV was switched on. Rightly the Chennai correspondent was giving description of the scandal. Suddenly, Mr. Asish Chaudhary, the news anchor of the story remarked, “------------And the king pin of this racket of espionage and sex scandal, Mr. Rajneesh Singh, an ex Colonel of Indian army, committed suicide by jumping in front of the train this afternoon, while being taken to the court by Chennai police for double murder charges-----------------------.”
There was stunned silence in the room and Mrs. Rajneesh fainted. TV channel was showing flashes of the dead body but no one was watching anymore. No one was even caring for the boasts of the AAJ TAK anchor that these photos were being exclusively shown on their channel alone. They had sensational news and they were breaking it. World will never know the truth.----the real truth.
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"KASHMIR--CURSE AND CURE OF ITS HISTORY"--EXCERPTS FROM SECTION ONE OF MY BOOK

Dear Readers,
I am posting SECTION 3 of Chapter1 of my book "KASHMIR--FOOTNOTES FROM HISTORY--Its CURSE AND CURE" to give you an insight into the minds of ORDINARY KASHMIRI outside the precincts of SRINAGAR. Read it , If there is a demand--I might post the entire book as a serialised blogs. It is stuck up with the Publishers for deletion of certain portions in Section THIRTEEN. I will post it later. The book is slightly different as it is based on a HISTORICAL IRONY which suggests that KASHMIR has undergone the domination of a religion every 780-800 years of its known history. They are called GRAND CYCLES of HISTORY. Each Grand Cycle is divided into three SUB CYCLES of 260-270 years. First one is ESTABLISHMENT & PATRONISATION by RULERS; Second one is CONSOLIDATION, PROGRESS & PROSPERITY; Third one is of DECAY & DEGENERATION. Currently, KASHMIR is in its FIFTH known GRAND CYCLE of history. It is of ISLAM DOMINATION. This grand cycle started in 1342 AD and its GOLDEN PERIOD of two sub cycles ended in 1820 AD--when MAHARAJA RANJIT annexed it from AFGHANS. Ever since its DECAY & DEGENERATION started and it will end by the END of 21st Century when SIXTH grand Cycle will begin. It is only then the normalacy will return. For full information on this you can read my SYNOPSIS of the book posted at the LINK:

http://rajee.sulekha.com/blog/post/2007/04/kashmir-a-curse-and-cure-of-its-history.htm

Here I am posting only SECTION 3 of the book--It has 15 sections from history to dispute to theory of grand cycles and contours of Interim solution. If the response is Ok --I might post the entire book in blogs only.
Read on SECTION 3:-
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“AZADI”! A MATTER OF BASIC HUMAN NEEDS- HUNGER,



SHELTER AND CLOTHING!



The month of March 1998 covered India with a dense fog of political instability. The results of general elections in the country created strange bed-fellows. Rank opportunists joined hands to make a concerted bid to grab political power. Political ideologies were thrown to the winds and politicians of all hue and cries threw their masks and revealed their true faces. And nation witnessed, with utmost astonishment, that all of them were dyed in one colour – only one colour – that was the colour of political power. All of them rallied under two separate banners i.e. one, donned the colours of ‘Secularism’, the other of ‘Cultural Nationalism’. ‘The Secularists’ accused others as ‘Communalists’. The exponents of ‘Cultural Nationalism’ branded their opponents as ‘Pseudo – Seculars’. While one saw virtues in corruption, the others sang swan-songs in honour of regional satraps. Power, the political power, was the end game of politicians, while teeming millions; some say 400 millions’, from city – slums to remote villages; from railway tracks to Metro–pavements; from industry labourers to construction workers, all cried aloud for ‘Food, Shelter and Clothing’. But all their cries were drowned in the din and noise of the clichéd slogans of the politicians.
Witness some of these substitutes for ‘Food, shelter and clothing’ on offer by these political masters! One thundered unashamedly, “Communalism is more dangerous; corruption is not” and beat his chest repeatedly while adjusting and re-adjusting his ‘Gandhi-cap’ to hide his greyed hair. I wondered why there were no floods the same night at ‘Raj Ghat’ in New Delhi, because ‘Mohan Das Karam Chand Gandhi’ would have definitely cried the whole day in his tomb.
Watch the other one, who said, “These pseudo – secularists have plundered the nation over the last fifty years and they have fooled the masses. Corruption in high places is the biggest road block in our march towards progress and development.” I waited a whole fortnight to hear the sounds of gunfire from Chennai (Tamil Nadu) and Himachal Pradesh. (Remember Jai Lalita’s and Sukh Ram’s alleged corruption cases!) I was certain some people there would definitely face firing squads.
But, Lo! The reverse had happened. The people, one had expected to be in the line of firing squads, had actually taken the role of a firing squad. And the poetical mask of the hero of ‘Nehru’s prophecy’ in early fifties was off! Then again, though Jawahar Lal Nehru would have fretted and fumed with fire in his eyes in his peaceful abode at ‘Shanti van’ but his ‘Van’ (Jungle) was not on fire, as no one requisitioned the fire brigade when the lady from Chennai threw her weight behind the prophet of ‘Hate-Corrupt-Campaign’. This makes one feel that clichéd slogan of ‘food, shelter and clothing’ for every one is essentially a self-driven aphorism of our wily ruling class? And yet, violence-torn; poverty-stricken and corruption-tormented millions in this country look towards morally-bankrupt, ethically-deficient and scruples-lacking political leaders to do wonders for them.
And the people of the Kashmir valley, the poorest of the poor Indians, are no exception. Any one who sold them the dreams of ‘Food, shelter and clothing’ down the ages, they tagged along with him. If it was Sheikh Abdulla’s National Conference in Forties, they threw their lot with him. But while he and his ‘National – Conference –people’ became rich, the people became poorer. Then came ‘Bakshi’, ‘Sadiq’ and host of others. But no one did anything to change their lot. Frustrated and disappointed, they looked west and in came ‘Zia Ul Haq’s ‘Gillanis’, ‘Butts’, ‘Lones’ and ‘Maliks’ with hopes of a better life. And, so became ‘Zaved Mirs’, ‘Yasin Maliks’, and ‘Salaludins’, ‘Majid Dars’ the instant heroes of Kashmiris. Ten to 12 years, the people waited for them to deliver. They could see only Yaseen Malik’s trust of Rs one Crore or more’ or Amanulla Khan’s bludgeoning accounts in London. They watched ‘Gillanis’, ‘Lones’ and ‘Butts’ doing tango at the behest of ‘Zia-ul-Haq’s political descendants. Where were those promised basic amenities –the food, shelter and the clothing?
In the year 1998, they were as elusive as in the year 1342 AD or the year 530 AD or in the year 250 BC or in the year 1100 BC- when Lord Krishna, the great Aryan strategist of MAHABHARTA fame, beheaded Gonanda I, who was the ruling Naga king of the land (modern Kashmir) inhabited by the descendants of Neela Nag. I do not say this. Their history, as I read and as I was prompted and exhorted by Kalmuddin on March 14, 1998, to minutely understand it, speaks for them.
I repeat what Kalmuddin said to me on March 14, 1998, “Facts speak and I do not”. It was unique day in the Indian History too. This was the day when Sonia Gandhi ousted Sita Ram Kesari as Congress President and AIADMK supremo from Chennai had given her support to Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. This was the day, when lesser mortals like Kalmuddin and me met on the snow-covered heights of Shamshabari Range. And I wonder, if this was the day Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee realized the crown he picked up from the dusty lands of Indian Politics was studded with thorns and nails of his NDA (National Democratic Alliance) barbs. Perhaps one day, poet in him, will spill out the beans. This is my poetic hunch. I may not be right. And I never claim righteousness my forte alone. But I have a story to tell of my friend Kalmuddin’s sense of history. I must get on with it.

14 March 1998! The day was as bright as it could be on those snow-covered mountains of Shamshabari range. There was 12 to 15 feet of snow all around. We walked through those tunneled pathways, panting and grasping for breath, hoping for the summer to come soon. You see, in these snow-bound areas, life in winters is miserable. Hold on! I am not talking about Siachen Glacier, where I had been in 1986-87 winters. I do not know, at this stage, if I would be able to narrate those experiences. It is suffice to know it was a bit better here.

It must have been around 11 AM on 14 March 1998, when my Personal Assistant (PA), in–walked with the name of a civilian, who wanted to meet me. I was not keen to meet anyone till he said, “He is Kalmuddin from Kachhama”. “Oh!” I said, “Send him in”. After a few seconds, the frail and fragile structure of a shabby looking Kashmiri walked into my office. I looked at him. He looked at me. It was an instant chemistry. Perhaps an immediate connection had been established. But at that precise moment I was arrogance personified.

“Suna phir Kalmu! Aj kidhar ghum raha hai? Islamabad wale aj ki kar rahe ne Hindustan Vich? Phir kadon hat raha hai teri twarikh da parda? (Hullo, kalmuddin! where are you loafing around? what brings the man from Islamabad (Pakistan’s Capital, the appellation for Kachhama!) to Hindustan? So, when is your history unveiling itself?)” I shot these questions at him with deliberate intent.

“Janab! Badde aadmi ho! Majakh kar sakde ho. Asin ki tuswan de samne? Je janab di mehar ho jaye tan kuchh roti- kapde da heela ho jaye. (Sir! you are a big man. You can make fun of us. We are a small fry in front of you. If your Lordship is kind enough to give us some employment, it will go a long way to meet our basic human needs of food and clothing”). Kalmuddin rebutted me most humbly and made a request in a most dignified manner as he could do. (Our conversation was always in a mix of Urdu and Punjabi, but for the purpose of the readers of this book, hereafter, I will give the English translated version).

I was shaken by his simple but dignified rejoinder to my unwanted barbs at him. This was the second time he had the better of me. Re-gaining my composure, I said to him, “Who is this other man with you?”

“Sir! He is Gul Peer. He is an excellent carpenter. He is very good in errecting wooden structures “. Kalmuddin had quickly responded.

“But, where is your Noor Ahmed Shah? Has he not come back”, I asked.

“Sir, he will come. Definitely, he will come to you. He is a politician and he is a very busy man these days”. Gul Peer had opened his mouth.

“Kalmuddin! What employment can I give you? I have no jobs. Why don’t you approach Civil Administration?” I tried to evade them.

“Sir, You alone can do it. Civil administration will not do it. If they could do it why should there be unrest in Kashmir?” Kalmuddin was very emphatic.

“But Kalmu, my friend, I am not an employment agency. Why don’t you understand this?” I showed my helplessness.

“Sir, you are God. Keep us as porters or whatever you think. But if you want, sky is the limit”, he flattered me.

“When you want to exploit human ego”, they say, “Go and praise the man who can serve your purpose”. I knew Kalmuddin was doing exactly the same. I only wondered if Kalmuddin and his companion, Gul Peer, were convinced that I would fall prey to their flattery! In my life, I have always hated sycophancy. In fact it puts me off to the point of hatred. I detest it so much that I develop an instant despise for its practitioner. This is my failing and this is my biggest weakness. I often show it instantly whoever its practitioner might be. I, therefore, reacted very characteristically, “Listen Kalmuddin, first of all I am not god nor do I recognize religious gods what other people believe in. No, I am not talking about a Hindu God, Islamic God or whatever other kinds of Gods people talk about. I feel if there were some ‘Supreme – Being’, he ought not to be divided as a piece of cake amongst various known religions. He is ‘One’ and ‘the only One’ – who rules the world. It is the lesser mortals like us who slice him into pieces and make our own pieces of cake with icing as per our tastes.”

“We know it, Sir. You are the person who understands the true definition of ‘God’. Why do you think we are here? It is a matter of food, shelter and clothing for us. We are illiterate and we only understand that ‘God’ who can provide us all this”. Gul Peer had tried to soften me.

“But Gul”, I said, “I am not God, the way you people are demanding things out of me. I can not fulfill.”

“Yes! You cannot. When did we say you can? But it is people like you, who have to take a rationale view of our psyche; Kashmir and Kashmiris need a ‘Kashyap’. Can you be the one, Sir?” Gul Peer threw a red – herring.

“Kashyap was the one who rid this valley of Jallodhva-an ancient terrorist. Kashyap was a great sage of ancient times. To rid this valley of Jallodhva’s tyranny he worshipped for one thousand years”, Kalamuddin was elaborating.

I was now on unknown grounds. I was being sucked into an argument, I knew nothing about it. History has never been my forte. Here was a man quoting from history to make me realize how uncomfortable I was. But I did not give in and said, “Gul! Do not bully me with your knowledge. Give me time and I will know all about this. But what has history got to do with our present problem?”

“It stems from history.” Kalmuddin was curt and crisp.

“And what is it?” I made this mistake of asking him.

“Food, shelter and clothing”, he was quick.

“Back to square one? Where does it take us”, I said?

“What is being requested to your honour is to consider our case sympathetically.” Gul Peer announced.

“Alright, If I do find a job for you, what would you like to do, besides lecturing me on history”, I teased.

“If it happens, sir, our faith in real Allah! (God) will deepen. We will not look towards ‘man-made-Gods’ to seek solace”, Gul Peer stunned me.

“What? What? What did you say? What do you mean by ‘Man –Made- Gods”, I stammered?

“Our religious icons–who thrive on our general frustration! In the name of God and Freedom – who preach blood- shed”, Gul Peer made it so simple.

“Why only Kashmir? This is applicable in all parts of India, Perhaps the whole world. For ever, man lives in eternal ‘Ghettos-of-Mind’. His fear and frustration keep him constantly imprisoned into the four walls of a religion he acquires at the time of his birth. He can never break free of it. The label of birth becomes his identity”, I spontaneously said, astonished by my own words.

“You are right, Sir! It is our birth label, which we constantly identify and display but do not follow its principles. No religion tells you to rape women; kill other and hurt people. No religion asks you to hate others. Who was that famous Urdu poet, who said, “--------Religion does not teach you to sustain mutual animosity------- so on and so forth”, Kalmuddin said. “Oh! Yea. Doctor, Sir Iqbal Mohammed”, I said.

“You know Sir! His ancestors were Khoja Hindus of North Kashmir”, it was Gul Peer who surprised me.

“What? Doctor Iqbal Mohammed owed his ancestry to Kashmir? And he talked of India? What did he say, ‘----------Hindi we are and our nation is Hindustan-------”, I asked.

“Yes Sir! “Gul Peer affirmed.

It was almost 1230 AM. Our conversation was getting stretched. All the same, I was, by now, impressed with them. I mentally decided to employ them as porters. But I wanted to first check if they were really genuine. Therefore I had to break-off my dialogue with them for the day.

“All right. Kalmuddin, come over in a week’s time, I will do something for you”, I said.

“You are our only hope. Sir, you must give us a job”, Kalmuddin insisted.

“Ok! I will do something”, I dismissed them.

After the two-some left my office, I began to ponder if Kashmir – imbroglio was only a matter of food, shelter and clothing! It could not be. There was something more to it. What did Sigmund Freud say while laying the foundation of the theory of Psychoanalysis? He had said that man was in eternal conflict because of the clash in his mind of three elements i.e. Id (Innate desires), super Ego (Social censor) and external factors (worldly realities). I wondered, then, if social systems or even political systems too, were governed by the same principle. Much water has flown into Jhelum since Sigmund Freud first pronounced his theory in 1920.

But a question kept begging my mind. I asked myself, “How does one analyse Kashmir issue”. It gave rise to two more questions i.e. “What lies at core of the problem” and “Where does it begin”. Whenever I cobbled up an answer to one question, a few more questions sprang up. It was a series of these questions, which impelled me to go to the roots. Sure, I had to know the history of Kashmir from the ancient times to–date, to really understand the modern crisis. As Sigmund Freud explained and as Thomas Harrison reveals in his book, “I am ok, you are ok”, the behaviour and a conduct of a man is dictated by the impressions gained in the infantile years. And I am inclined to believe, as societies and polities are human driven, though collectively, yet the same principle must be applicable to them too. Each society and a polity must have its Id (instinctual desires), which are controlled by its super ego (National and political restrictions) and interacted upon by external factors (Geographic, regional, lingual and religious realities). Repression of Id during the infantile years by super Ego causes phobias and phobias when interact with worldly realities (external factor), it gives rise to personal prejudices which explains what seems to be irrational conduct of individuals, groups, communities, societies and political systems. Therefore the problem lies in the formative years. You can explain Indo-Pak relation with the help of this theory of Sigmund Freud. And in the case of Kashmir, I identify it with its early history as known to us.

It was this thought process, which made me critically examine the history of Kashmir and evaluate its present dilemma. Kalmuddin and Gul Peer were to provide initial insight into their history.
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IN MY TIMES; IN THY LAND!

Grand Pa! Grand Pa!! Where are thou?
Dare ye answer my questions so?
What kind of freedom ye sought?
Against foreign rule, whence ye fought;
Was it to obtain freedom of expression?
Or to assume the right of suppression?
Did it envision a license to kill?
Or ye meant ‘corrupt at will’!
Were ‘law’ and ‘out law’ to move hand in hand?
So ye desired, for my times, in thy land!



‘Complete Independence’ was the slogan,
If ye remember the ‘Lahore’ resolution;
Freedom came in forty-seven,
Whence ye ensconced safely in heavens;
How could ye see houses uprooted?
Transmigration of humans mooted!
Men were slaughtered, children maimed,
Blood gushed through alleys and drains;
Women smothered, girls raped in dust and sand,
That’s the freedom of thy times for my land!



Grandson! Grandson!! I hear thee lad,
Our dream was noble, some acts went mad;
Freedom we longed of a different kind;
Issues ye raise never crossed the mind;
Yes! We strived for freedom of expression-
Free of regional and communal passions;
‘Self -rule’ with dignity what we wanted,
‘Chaos’ and ‘disorder’ were not to be granted;
‘Freedom’ sought equality in all our schemes,
‘Religion’ and ‘regions’ were excluded themes.



Grand Pa! Grand Pa!! What thou raved?
A kind of obsession harbors each slave;
‘Freedom’ ye wept; ‘Freedom’ ye screamed!
Did thou know what real ‘Freedom’ means?
‘Foreign-rule-hate’ was the only one bond-
Tied ye till ‘independence’, not beyond;
Emotionally blinded, ye had no other vision,
‘Self-Rule-thought’ was a myopic mission;
Yes! A slave only longs to be free of chains,
Concern of the future is seldom entertained.



Thy idealistic logic of a secular polity -
An alien thought, was devoid of reality!
Fractured into regions, cut by religious lanes,
How could ‘Secularism’ mould it into one frame?
Self -interests emerged when freedom came,
Regional virus spread like forest flame;
Religious gulf widened, Language obfuscating,
‘Self-Rule-dream’ soon turned frustrating;
Each group promoted its selfish brand,
'Freedom’ so hailed for my times in thy land!



Grand Son! Grandson!! Thou forget thee history-
‘Tyranny’ and ‘infighting’ led to doom our ancestry;
‘Slaves?’ thou said, ‘yes, we were slaves’-
Of foreign intrigues, not mindless craze;
Thou are slaves of money and vicious thinking,
Thy mind is decaying, thy acts are stinking;
We laid down lives to make ye people free,
Ye kill thy brethren on a selfish plea;
Marriage have become thy money-spinning fads,
Evil rules the roost in thy times in my land.


Grand Pa! Grand pa!! I respect thee emotions,
But, surely, we differ on various notions;
Boast ye may of self-less ideals,
We promote our self with utmost zeal;
Ye dreamt of India as one big frame,
We segmented it as lingual grains;
Thy endless jail-sojourns sought no rewards-
‘Pass port’ they became to make us over-lords;
‘Selfless-sacrifices’ placed power in the hands-
Of self-serving families, of thy times in my land.



Freedom ye conceived of an utopian kind;
What we practice is freedom of mind;
Mind is free to think and perceive;
Whatever one deems, as one believes;
Thou shackled thyself in peaceful processions,
Our ‘Freedom’ hates such impotent obsessions;
Policemen are free to poke ‘under-trials’ eyes,
Crime in politics is a budding enterprise;
‘Free-for-all’ is the symphony of our cultural band,
‘Unshackled Freedom’ reigns my times in thy land.



Grandson! Grandson!! Hold thy tongue;
Such clumsy thoughts do make me dumb;
We won the freedom; ye enjoy its fruits,
What freedom we desired, ye corrupted its roots;
We renounced riches for freedom sake,
Thy passion is money, rest every -thing fake;
We steered the boat out of a stormy sea;
Ye are drilling holes on self -seeking plea;
Time ye stop running foreigner’s errand!
Lest India balkanize like ‘Soviet Land’.


Grand pa! Grand pa!! Ye do make a point,
Do ideals and ethics in our context count?
Yes! ‘Rama’ and ‘Krishna’ glorify television,
But their central diktat is no one’s mission,
Deadly wars followed, when women sacrileged
‘Sita’ by ‘Ravana’;‘Draupadi’ by ‘Kaurava-breed’.
Behold! Today no conscience is pricked,
If a girl fed to flames like a wooden-stick;
Shameful! Our culture has turned so bland,
What a freedom? For my times in thy land!



Right you are! Grand pa, you are right!!
Desensitized people deserve this plight;
Incest is common; mass rapes aplenty,
Being sister or daughter is just no warranty;
In temples and shrines no priests reside;
Butchers and sages together seek a hide;
‘Criminalized politics’ makes no one dazed,
For, money is ‘God’, as all other displaced;
Alas! Democracy runs on caste-creed brands!
Upturned morals rule my times, this mighty land!
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