Kashmir urgently needs new symbols
to a hardening of hatreds.
Farooq Ahmed Dar became a symbol on April 9, when, tied to an army jeep, he was used as a human shield against a stonethrowing mob. He had, by his own account, gone to vote in the Lok Sabha by-election. Dar’s plight brought him calumnies from all quarters. Prominent Indians, including the attorney general, defended his mistreatment. On social-media platforms, hypernationalists labelled him as a Pakistanisympathizer deserving no consideration. Most telling of all, many fellow-Kashmiris condemned him as Indian-sympathizer, for voting.
Even when the two sides agree on something — that Dar got what was coming to him — it’s for the completely opposite reasons.
What’s the way out from here? Kashmir needs new symbols. A grand symbolic gesture would be a good start: a visit to Srinagar by Prime Minister Modi, perhaps. A speech in Lal Chowk, offering balm, not bellicosity. Maybe even a ‘Mann ki Baat,’ in which he chats with young Kashmiris speaking their minds. Then the opening of dialogue, first with the mainstream political parties, followed by a widening circle of the willing. Gestures in other directions would help, too: a stern warning to those who spout hate speech about Kashmiris; an appeal that Kashmiris living in other parts of India be treated with courtesy; an encouragement of other Indians to visit the valley.
Oh, and it’s not too late to tear down Papa-2.