On July 7, the Indian government deployed troops in the Jammu & Kashmir state to quell a wave of protests by Kashmiri youth against human rights violations by Indian security forces. This is the first time in nearly 20 years that Indian troops have been deployed in Srinagar, the state's capital. During over six weeks of protests, more than a dozen Kashmiri youth – mainly stone-throwing teenagers – have been killed during clashes with the Indian security forces.
The Jammu & Kashmir state, which is divided by the Line of Control between India and Pakistan, witnessed a beginning of Pakistan-backed armed militancy from 1989 onward, i.e. after the end of the Cold War. Over the past few decades, a number of militant organizations, including Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Muhammad, and Hizbul Mujahideen, have been active in the Kashmir valley. In recent years, the militant activities have been declining in the state. Recently, Indian Interior Minister P. Chidambaram blamed the Lashkar-e-Taiba for the upsurge in youth protests.[1] However, commentators in India think that the protests are now led by Kashmiri youth, especially those who grew up witnessing violence after 1989.
In a recent article, titled "Rebels with a Cause," prominent Indian commentator Amitabh Mattoo argued that the Indian government must not see these protests as being instigated by Pakistan-based groups. Mattoo, who is a Professor of International Studies at New Delhi's Jawaharlal Nehru University, urged the Indian government to undertake immediate measures to ensure that the Kashmiri youth, alienated by years of violence, are engaged in meaningful empowerment schemes.
Following are some excerpts from the article:[2]
"While It's Tempting to Reduce the Protests to Indoctrination by Extremist Islamic Groups… the Reality is that this Radicalization has been Caused by... a Sense of Hopelessness [Among Youth]"
"The deployment of the Indian Army on the streets of Srinagar to enforce a curfew is a grim reminder that the state has descended into a deep crisis once again. Unlike in the past, the writ of the state is not being challenged primarily by a popular insurgency or by militant organizations or even by a separatist cartel. Instead, it's the anger of a new generation of young men and women who have grown up in these two decades of conflict, which is translating into resilient protests in many parts of the Kashmir valley.
"And tragically, most of those killed over the last weeks have been young people, often in the prime of their life. The irony is that at a time when Pakistan is in internal turmoil, and its leadership is still reluctant to talk meaningfully on Kashmir, our own follies have, once again, derailed Jammu & Kashmir's journey back to stability. In any case, what is immediately required is for New Delhi and Srinagar to fully understand the anatomy of the uprising and then craft policies that can quell this rage.
"Four important features of the protests need to be highlighted. First, while this rebellious urge may have been sparked off by specific incidents of violence and killings, it's a larger expression of anger, disillusionment, and frustration. While it's tempting to reduce the protests to indoctrination by extremist Islamic groups, Pakistan's machinations or the influence of other vested interests, the reality is that this radicalization has been caused by multiple factors, but above all by a sense of hopelessness. This is a generation that has seen suffering, killings, political uncertainty, and has had to remain sequestered in their homes for great lengths of time. A generation that has witnessed often a daily tragedy, seen no light at the end of tunnel, often endured harassment, and which has been distrusted by sections of the Indian establishment, is consequently simmering with deep discontent and angst. And yet is not at an age where it can introspect and take a long-term view of matters."
"There's No... Leader Who can Legitimately be Blamed (or Claim Credit) for the Street Protests; This Rage of the Young is Built on the Larger and Longer Sense of Kashmiri Victimhood, Injustice, and Insecurity about Their Identity"
"Second, this is also a generation, somewhat paradoxically, that's been empowered by technology. The internet, as we know, is a powerful instrument of social communication. But it's an equally powerful instrument of radicalization and political mobilization. One has to conduct only a sample survey of the Kashmiri lists on, say, Facebook to witness the anger, the appeal of the 'stone pelters' as well as the collective expression of rebellion.
"Third, unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be a leader, or leaders, who is either inspiring these protests or directing them. There may be those who are ideologically or logistically guiding these protests. But there's no mainstream or separatist leader who can legitimately be blamed (or claim credit) for the street protests. Finally, this rage of the young is built on the larger and longer sense of Kashmiri victimhood, injustice, and insecurity about their identity."
"[India] Must Announce a New Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES) for Jammu & Kashmir, which would... Seek to Ensure that Every Kashmiri Young Man and Woman will be Provided... Opportunities"
"Therefore, in addition to long-term political prescriptions, three immediate initiatives need to be taken.
"One, it is vital to end this cycle of protest-violence-protest. Surely, in the 21st century it should be possible to control protesters, armed only with stones, without having to kill young men and women. It's not surprising that the average Kashmiri finds it disturbing that while Kashmiri protests lead to deaths, protests during the Bharat bandh [i.e. India shutdown], for instance, lead to no such violence. Zero-tolerance of human rights abuse can't remain a slogan; it must be translated into reality with immediate effect.
"Two, it is vital to engage these young men and women or at least sections of them. This has to be done not just by the government alone, but in partnership with civil society. The state government must also bring all the stakeholders together, including parties in opposition. In addition, there are men and women of unimpeachable integrity who can be called upon to form a Council of Elders who can work with Mohalla and Village elders and the imams of local masjids [mosques] to restore peace...
"Three, Kashmir has, of course, been flooded by schemes and packages, but this is the time and place for one more scheme. The prime minster must announce a new Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES) for Jammu & Kashmir, which would, in partnership and consultation with the state government, seek to ensure that every Kashmiri young man and woman will be provided the opportunities that ensure that s/he becomes an empowered stakeholder in the future of the state. YES should make interventions wherever needed to provide access to the best quality of training, coaching, counselling and guidance available in the country. And YES should do everything necessary to ensure that every Kashmiri young person can be secure of his/her future..."
Endnotes:
[1] Daily Times, Pakistan, July 1, 2010.
[2] Hindustan Times (www.hindustantimes.com), India, July 7, 2010. The text of the article has been lightly edited for clarity.
