 "The high voter turnout symbolises a wave of change in the valley and the direction the people of Kashmir are choosing for themselves and their younger generations. Image: PTI")
When one dares to traverse the history of terrorism in Kashmir, it’s a journey through a landscape marred by tragedy, where every step echoes with the anguished cries of the innocent. It’s a tale etched in blood — the blood of countless Kashmiri civilians, whose lives were snatched away in the crossfire of conflict; the blood of Kashmiri Pandits, who were forced from their homes in a brutal campaign of ethnic cleansing, still yearning for justice and return; and the blood of valiant military personnel, who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation’s borders.
The elements responsible for this condition of Kashmir left no stone unturned in trying to foment discord in the Valley, preying on younger generations like vultures for their own religious diktats and political ambitions. They say pen is mightier than the sword; however, the demagogues claiming to fight for the Kashmiri “azaadi” were actively using both.
When we imagine the history of terrorism in Kashmir, our minds often conjure images of terror-related activities — a narrative dominated by gun battles, curfews, and military operations. Yet, amidst the clamor of gunfire and the roar of explosions, there exists another, more insidious form of insurgency — one that wields pens instead of rifles, and spreads propaganda instead of bullets.
This faction comprises activists, writers, and ideologues that operate not on the battlefield, but in the realm of ideas and information. They are the architects of a different kind of warfare, one fought not with guns and grenades, but with words and narratives. Through newspapers, social media platforms, and public speeches, they propagate a toxic ideology that demonises the Indian state, glorifies violence, and foments division within Kashmiri society.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsOne heinous example that immediately comes to mind is Hassan Zainagiree’s writings in the daily Greater Kashmir. On February 15, 2008, the pages of Greater Kashmir bore witness to an egregious betrayal of journalistic integrity and moral decency. Zainagiree, a terror ideologue masquerading as a writer, penned a venomous article, “No Compulsion from UJC”, spewing forth a torrent of propaganda in support of terrorism under the guise of “armed resistance”."
In this despicable piece, Zainagiree shamelessly equated the heinous acts of terrorism with legitimate resistance, shamelessly justifying violence and bloodshed in the name of so-called liberation. He had the audacity to paint the actions of terror outfits as “appreciable”, accusing New Delhi of coercing unwilling Kashmiri masses into participating in elections for its own selfish interests. This twisted narrative not only distorted the truth but also insulted the intelligence of the readership.
What is truly mind-boggling is not just the fact that Zainagiree was given a platform by Greater Kashmir, but the utter audacity with which he openly supported terror groups and their nefarious agendas. By providing him with a space to spew his toxic rhetoric, Greater Kashmir became complicit in perpetuating the cycle of violence and instability that has plagued the region for far too long.
Zainagiree went even further, attempting to whitewash the atrocities committed by Pakistani-sponsored terrorists, shamelessly portraying them as champions of human rights. He even asserted that Pakistani-sponsored terrorists exhibit greater concern for human rights than the Indian State. On one hand he was lecturing India on being a signatory to this Geneva Convention or that UN charter while on the other; he was all praise for the “non-violent, pro-people approach” of the United Jihad Council (UJC).
Let’s take a closer look at the “non-violent, pro-people approach” of the United Jihad Council (UJC). The United Jihad Council (UJC), also known as the Muttahida Jihad Council (MJC), is an Islamist Jihadist organization formed by the Pakistan Army to coordinate and oversee the activities of various anti-Indian militant groups operating in Jammu and Kashmir. It was established in the summer of 1994 and is currently headed by Syed Salahuddin, the leader of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. The organization’s primary objective is to unify and streamline efforts against Indian rule in Kashmir, facilitating the distribution of resources such as arms, ammunition, propaganda materials, and communication channels among its affiliates. The UJC has 13 affiliate groups, including Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, Harakat-ul-Ansar, and Tehrik-ul-Mujahideen, among others. Some of these groups, including Lashkar-e-Toiba and Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, are recognized as terrorist organizations by the United States and the United Nations. In a 2012 interview, Syed Salahuddin openly acknowledged Pakistan’s support for Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and threatened to turn against Pakistan if it withdrew its backing for separatist militants in Jammu and Kashmir. Additionally, the UJC claimed responsibility for the 2016 Pathankot attack on the Pathankot Air Base, resulting in casualties on both sides.
Just one week after writing this gem of an article, Zainagiree wrote another masterpiece. On February 22, 2008, the Greater Kashmir published an article authored by Zainagiree, “Time to Act," further cementing his status as a terror ideologue.
In this latest diatribe, Zainagiree shamelessly advocated for Jamaat-e-Islami to intensify its efforts in spearheading door-to-door campaigns for election boycotts, echoing the tactics employed by factions of Hurriyat (G), (M), and JKLF. With unbridled zeal, he insisted that secessionist organizations must consolidate their efforts and adopt a singular, unwavering strategy to achieve their nefarious goals. His writings also had a menacing and threatening undertone for those not convinced of the tactics employed by his favorite terror organisations. Therefore, Fayaz Kaloo, the founder, editor, and owner of Greater Kashmir, played a pivotal role in sabotaging democracy from within. For three decades, he provided a platform to terror outfits, perpetuating their agenda through his newspaper up until the Abrogation of Article 370.
Things are still far from perfect even today but it is truly baffling to see the audacity of a terror sympathizer openly writing in a leading daily merely a decade and a half ago.
Fast forward to 2024, the Greater Kashmir is reporting on the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat witnessing second highest voter participation in over three decades. It is rejoicing at India signing a historic contract with Iran, solidifying a pivotal agreement to oversee operations at the Chabahar port for the next decade. It is reporting on the phenomenal class 10th and class 12th board results in the valley and it is also questioning the growing turmoil in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir as well.
From giving space to terror sympathizers to celebrating the high voter turnout, the Greater Kashmir has come a long way, further symbolizing the wave of change in the valley and the direction the people of Kashmir are choosing for themselves and their younger generations.
In the convoluted narrative surrounding the Kashmir issue, several writers, activists, and journalists have played a fundamental role in exacerbating tensions and perpetuating conflict. One notable example of anti-India misinformation warfare is Arfa Khanum Sherwani. She asserted that 99 per cent shops across the state were closed on the polling date, suggesting widespread disapproval among the populace. Countering disinformation debunked this assertion, clarifying that the claim is misleading. The J&K administration had announced a public holiday on polling dates in the UT’s five parliamentary constituencies. Whether knowingly or unknowingly, these elements serve as willing pawns in the hands of the Pakistan Deep State, advancing its agenda of destabilization and violence in the region.
It’s essential to recognise that in the ongoing clash between India and Pakistan over Kashmir, both parties are not equally culpable. Pakistan, driven by its nefarious ambitions and supported by its military establishment, has shamelessly wielded terrorism as a tool of statecraft, brazenly sponsoring and harboring militant groups to wage proxy wars against India. This deliberate strategy has inflicted untold suffering on the Kashmiri people and hindered any prospects for peace and stability in the region. Despite facing incessant provocations and terrorist attacks orchestrated by Pakistan-backed outfits, India has remained steadfast in its commitment to peace, refusing to engage in any meaningful dialogue until Pakistan ceases its support for terrorism.
Those who advocate for dialogue and reconciliation without holding Pakistan accountable for its role in fomenting violence are effectively peddling the agenda of foreign powers, such as the ISI, who seek to maintain instability in the region for their own geopolitical interests. By equating India and Pakistan as equally responsible parties in the Kashmir conflict, they perpetuate a false narrative that obscures the truth and undermines efforts towards genuine peace and resolution.
Until Pakistan renounces its support for terrorism and commits to genuine dialogue and cooperation, the cycle of violence and instability in Kashmir will continue unabated. And anyone who suggests otherwise is complicit in prolonging the suffering of the Kashmiri people and obstructing the path to peace.
The writer takes special interest in history, culture and geopolitics. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.