Recent Articles at Kashmir Affairs [www.kashmiraffairs.org]
General Musharraf and Kashmir
Murtaza Shibli
The massive challenges and exigencies of hanging on to his now very fragile rule is immense and overwhelming for the General so much so that it seems he has abandoned Kashmir for good. As he battles to maintain calm in his beleaguered country following his second and more ruthless coup, Kashmir seems to have been drowned under his new and ever increasing priorities. This is therefore no surprise that in his 'emergency' to the nation, General Musharraf did not mention Kashmir at all.
Murtaza Shibli
The massive challenges and exigencies of hanging on to his now very fragile rule is immense and overwhelming for the General so much so that it seems he has abandoned Kashmir for good. As he battles to maintain calm in his beleaguered country following his second and more ruthless coup, Kashmir seems to have been drowned under his new and ever increasing priorities. This is therefore no surprise that in his 'emergency' to the nation, General Musharraf did not mention Kashmir at all.
http://www.kashmiraffairs.org/shibli_musharraf_kashmir.html
Kashmiri Women: Concerns, Milestones & Solutions
Ather Zia
For the last 16 years Kashmir has been embroiled in a fulminating manifestation of a turmoil that has been simmering since 1947. The issue which is protracted and violent has taken a massive toll on human lives. Women amidst the mayhem have been equal recipients in the suffering.
Ather Zia
For the last 16 years Kashmir has been embroiled in a fulminating manifestation of a turmoil that has been simmering since 1947. The issue which is protracted and violent has taken a massive toll on human lives. Women amidst the mayhem have been equal recipients in the suffering.
http://www.kashmiraffairs.org/Zia_Ather_Kashmiri_women.html
KARGIL: The Forgotten Land
Musavir Ahmed
The Kargil district was carved out of the erstwhile Ladakh district under the District Re-organization Act in 1979. Prior to this it had the status of a tehsil. The constitution of Kargil as a tehsil took place in the 1890's during the early years of the reign of Maharaja Pratab Singh. .. The ancient name of Kargil is Purk or Purik. People of the adjoining places as well as the natives still call the area, which according to Isfander Khan (1997) extends "right from the top of the Zojila to the nalla of Lamayaru and from Rangdum Lingshed to the sanghum of Indus", by its ancient name. The word 'Purik' came from 'Purang' which according to legend was the birth place of the first ruler of Purik.
Musavir Ahmed
The Kargil district was carved out of the erstwhile Ladakh district under the District Re-organization Act in 1979. Prior to this it had the status of a tehsil. The constitution of Kargil as a tehsil took place in the 1890's during the early years of the reign of Maharaja Pratab Singh. .. The ancient name of Kargil is Purk or Purik. People of the adjoining places as well as the natives still call the area, which according to Isfander Khan (1997) extends "right from the top of the Zojila to the nalla of Lamayaru and from Rangdum Lingshed to the sanghum of Indus", by its ancient name. The word 'Purik' came from 'Purang' which according to legend was the birth place of the first ruler of Purik.
http://www.kashmiraffairs.org/Musavir_Ahmed_Kargil_fogotten_land.html
Mental Health of Societies
Jeremy Seabrook
The intrusion of powerful external forces into any culture upsets its balance, deforms society, and sets up pathologies of one kind or another, unpredictable in their scope and impact. Societies, like individuals, require certain conditions in which their mental health, as well as their physical well-being, can be sustained. This is why much of the discussion over Kashmir has been missing an important dimension. Kashmir, invaded, occupied, fought over for centuries by Persians, Mughals, Afghans, Sikhs, British, adjusted themselves to these continuous violations.
http://www.kashmiraffairs.org/seabrook_mental_health_societies.html
Gilgit Baltistan: A Saga of Pakistani Colonization
Manzoor Hussain Parwana
Gilgit-Baltistan, also called Federally Administered Northern Areas, was once a part of Jammu and Kashmir. But since 1947, when India and Pakistan achieved independence, the unfortunate territory is facing the wrath of colonisation.
Manzoor Hussain Parwana
Gilgit-Baltistan, also called Federally Administered Northern Areas, was once a part of Jammu and Kashmir. But since 1947, when India and Pakistan achieved independence, the unfortunate territory is facing the wrath of colonisation.
http://www.kashmiraffairs.org/manzoor_parwana_gilgit_baltistan_saga.html
India's Last Chance is Lost
Nayeema Ahmad Mahjoor
In the changing political landscape of Pakistan, it would be foolish for India to assume that the Kashmir movement has died down or become irrelevant. So far as Pakistan is concerned, Kashmir has become linked to its very existence and it is unlikely that it will allow its investment in the issue to go to waste simply because of internal problems.
Nayeema Ahmad Mahjoor
In the changing political landscape of Pakistan, it would be foolish for India to assume that the Kashmir movement has died down or become irrelevant. So far as Pakistan is concerned, Kashmir has become linked to its very existence and it is unlikely that it will allow its investment in the issue to go to waste simply because of internal problems.
http://www.kashmiraffairs.org/nayeema_Mahjoor_India's_last_chance.html
A Wedding in Kashmir
Palash Kumar
Peace, which appears on the surface of Kashmir, too, seems ready to burst into a riot of crimson, also the colour of blood. As if to signal how quickly the stillness in the Valley can be shattered, a security motorboat whirred in a distance - men with AK 47s and binoculars, looking out for an unpredictable adversary who chooses his own time and place to strike. A week before we left for Kashmir, to attend a close friend's wedding, two army majors were killed .
Palash Kumar
Peace, which appears on the surface of Kashmir, too, seems ready to burst into a riot of crimson, also the colour of blood. As if to signal how quickly the stillness in the Valley can be shattered, a security motorboat whirred in a distance - men with AK 47s and binoculars, looking out for an unpredictable adversary who chooses his own time and place to strike. A week before we left for Kashmir, to attend a close friend's wedding, two army majors were killed .
http://www.kashmiraffairs.org/palash_kumar_wedding_kashmir.html
Prisoner of its Own Doing
Firdous Syed
The imprints of the Kashmir problem are so deep, historical and widespread that it's almost impossible to wish away the 'dispute'. In fact nature of the dispute is so intense that it has kept destiny of the subcontinent captive for 60 years now. Owing to this conflict, precious economic resources, which could otherwise have been used to alleviate the problems of 700 million impoverished Indians and 60 million poor Pakistanis, have been consigned to building of a military machine by both the countries.
Firdous Syed
The imprints of the Kashmir problem are so deep, historical and widespread that it's almost impossible to wish away the 'dispute'. In fact nature of the dispute is so intense that it has kept destiny of the subcontinent captive for 60 years now. Owing to this conflict, precious economic resources, which could otherwise have been used to alleviate the problems of 700 million impoverished Indians and 60 million poor Pakistanis, have been consigned to building of a military machine by both the countries.
http://www.kashmiraffairs.org/syed_firdous_prisoner_own_doing.html
A Critique of the EU Parliament Report on Jammu and Kashmir
Gautam Navlakha
As a student we were taught that half knowledge is worse than no knowledge. This is what came to my mind when I read the full text of the EU Parliament's resolution on Kashmir. One would have thought that, unlike the EU Commission, the EU Parliament as the representatives of their people would take principled positions and not get swayed by exigencies of the moment. But as the report reveals they have gone further by singing paeans to the aggressor and virtually dismissing the demand for the right of self-determination.
Gautam Navlakha
As a student we were taught that half knowledge is worse than no knowledge. This is what came to my mind when I read the full text of the EU Parliament's resolution on Kashmir. One would have thought that, unlike the EU Commission, the EU Parliament as the representatives of their people would take principled positions and not get swayed by exigencies of the moment. But as the report reveals they have gone further by singing paeans to the aggressor and virtually dismissing the demand for the right of self-determination.
http://www.kashmiraffairs.org/Navlakha_G_Critique_EU_Report.html
The Constitutional Dilemma of the Northern Areas of Pakistan
Basil Nabi Malik
The Northern Areas of Pakistan represent an area of remarkable beauty, and mountains of outstanding altitudes. The scenic beauty of this region has remained the issue that has attracted the most attention, but in recent years, an aura of disillusionment and confusion has prevailed in these heavenly dominions. An increase in education, awareness, and contact with the outside world has brought with it a realization of a lack of constitutional representation within Pakistan.
Basil Nabi Malik
The Northern Areas of Pakistan represent an area of remarkable beauty, and mountains of outstanding altitudes. The scenic beauty of this region has remained the issue that has attracted the most attention, but in recent years, an aura of disillusionment and confusion has prevailed in these heavenly dominions. An increase in education, awareness, and contact with the outside world has brought with it a realization of a lack of constitutional representation within Pakistan.
http://www.kashmiraffairs.org/Navlakha_G_Critique_EU_Report.html
Film Analysis
Partition A Film by Ken McMullen
Amina Rawat & Carlos Sardiña
Dedicated to the memory of Saadat Hasan Manto (1912-1955), 'Partition', made in 1987 and released on DVD in 2007, is an adaptation by Tariq Ali and McMullen of Manto's Urdu short-story 'Toba Tek Singh' (a town in the now Pakistan part of Punjab and also the alias of the main character in the story). The story is based in a lunatic asylum in Lahore where Manto was himself once an inmate for his alcoholism. Through the dialogue, the utterances and behaviour of the inmates, 'Toba Tek Singh' illustrates the anguish and confusion of the partitioning of India faced by the already confused, further intensifying their 'madness'.
Partition A Film by Ken McMullen
Amina Rawat & Carlos Sardiña
Dedicated to the memory of Saadat Hasan Manto (1912-1955), 'Partition', made in 1987 and released on DVD in 2007, is an adaptation by Tariq Ali and McMullen of Manto's Urdu short-story 'Toba Tek Singh' (a town in the now Pakistan part of Punjab and also the alias of the main character in the story). The story is based in a lunatic asylum in Lahore where Manto was himself once an inmate for his alcoholism. Through the dialogue, the utterances and behaviour of the inmates, 'Toba Tek Singh' illustrates the anguish and confusion of the partitioning of India faced by the already confused, further intensifying their 'madness'.
http://www.kashmiraffairs.org/Rawat_Sardina_film_analysis_Partition.html
Interviews
Mohan Singh Survivor of Partition
Amina Rawat
"I was age 12-13 when I came here during partition. I remember '47 very well; it was in November the firing had started and we had to hide in our relative's shop during the day. At night we tried to leave but were surrounded by the army so we tried another way to leave and cross over. We came walking through water up to our shoulders to India. .."
Mohan Singh Survivor of Partition
Amina Rawat
"I was age 12-13 when I came here during partition. I remember '47 very well; it was in November the firing had started and we had to hide in our relative's shop during the day. At night we tried to leave but were surrounded by the army so we tried another way to leave and cross over. We came walking through water up to our shoulders to India. .."
http://www.kashmiraffairs.org/Amina_rawat_interview_Mohan_Singh.html
Kashmiri Pandits in Jammu Camps
Amina Rawat
"This is our living quarters; Muthi camp. What is it? Muthi camp. We don't have anything; roti, clothes, houses. We suffer in all ways; eating, drinking, sitting, getting up, living. ... We ask the government to give us just the amenities to live a basic life and organisations come and go to see our suffering but we don't get anything. On our name, the money does come from above [the government], but who are they giving it to? The Muslims and the bureaucrats. And on our name these people are building a name for themselves. .."
Amina Rawat
"This is our living quarters; Muthi camp. What is it? Muthi camp. We don't have anything; roti, clothes, houses. We suffer in all ways; eating, drinking, sitting, getting up, living. ... We ask the government to give us just the amenities to live a basic life and organisations come and go to see our suffering but we don't get anything. On our name, the money does come from above [the government], but who are they giving it to? The Muslims and the bureaucrats. And on our name these people are building a name for themselves. .."
http://www.kashmiraffairs.org/Amina_Rawat_interview_Kashmiri_Pandits_Jammu_camps.html
Sarpanch Mohammed Latif & Friends, Poonch
Amina Rawat
Amina Rawat
Sitting on a narrow bench in the midst of a not so colourful display of rolled material in a cloth shop in Killa Market, Poonch city, three or sometimes four elderly men sitting alongside me chitchat. As they joke and laugh with each other, they seem to take lightly the issues I am here to discuss that I feel almost ignored. So I just sit and observe them, at times thinking perhaps I should move on elsewhere.
Maulana Wahiduddin Khan
Islamic Scholar, Editor Al-Risala
Yoginder Sikand
Islamic Scholar, Editor Al-Risala
Yoginder Sikand
Based in New Delhi, Maulana Wahiduddin Khan is a noted Islamic scholar and prolific writer. Not new to controversy, he was recently in the news over protests in Kashmir against an article that he had written in his magazine Al-Risala. In this interview he talks about this latest controversy and about his own views on the Kashmir conflict.
http://www.kashmiraffairs.org/Yogi_Sikand_interview_Wahiduddin_Khan.html
Literature
The Ugly Kashmiri (Cameos in Exile)
Arvind Gigoo
The Cause
"Those who chose to stay there have betrayed our cause."
"What is your cause?"
"The effect is the cause."
Windfall
This shouldn't end. I have become rich.
The Ugly Kashmiri (Cameos in Exile)
Arvind Gigoo
The Cause
"Those who chose to stay there have betrayed our cause."
"What is your cause?"
"The effect is the cause."
Windfall
This shouldn't end. I have become rich.
http://www.kashmiraffairs.org/Arvind_Gigoo_Ugly_Kashmiri.html
Verses of Sheikhul Alam
Musavir Ahmed
http://www.kashmiraffairs.org/Musavir_Ahmed_verses_Sheikhul_Alam.html
Musavir Ahmed
http://www.kashmiraffairs.org/Musavir_Ahmed_verses_Sheikhul_Alam.html
Short Story: Two Stories
Mehfooza Jan
http://www.kashmiraffairs.org/Mehfooza_Jan_Two_Stories.html
Mehfooza Jan
http://www.kashmiraffairs.org/Mehfooza_Jan_Two_Stories.html
Poems by Mehfooza Jan
- Love
- The Story of My City
- Romance
- Love
- The Story of My City
- Romance
http://www.kashmiraffairs.org/Mehfooza_Jan_Poems.html
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