The movement has entered a decisive phase and the pro-freedom leadership should be very cautious
Maasid Sidiq
The movements which acquire the stature of one mission, one vision and one struggle are not common in history. One such mass uprising is being witnessing in Jammu and Kashmir today: an uprising which is unique in its own way and has never seen before in the history of Jammu and Kashmir.
However, at a time when we see people expressing solidarity with the movement overwhelmingly; two key dilemmas clouds the brains of many. If this movement is to be sabotaged by the opponents then these factors are the way through and if this movement is to be taken to its logical conclusion by its supporters then these factors must be considered very seriously. One is ‘education’ and the other is ‘unification’.
For the time being, adversaries of the movement questioned the economic growth of the state, destruction of the lives and properties, Hurriyat protest calendars etc in order to get a dig over the propellants of the current movement but the general mass actions rendered all these concepts null and void. They had to think of something new now and nothing better there was than to question the continuously deteriorating education in the valley and unification in the various pro-freedom groups implying that there is no clear agenda and no visible leader! However just because adversaries are raising such concerns people of Kashmir can’t neglect them altogether, their point do carry some weight and it is high time that the pro- freedom leadership takes them into proper account and strikes a balance between the ongoing struggle and these factors.
Education and azadi
There is no doubt in the fact that education is the most important thing in terms of its growth, prosperity and success for a society. At the same time, however, it must be realised that it is not something to play politics upon. Education is a serious business and needs to be taken seriously. But it is unfortunate and ironic that the educationists of the state are telling Hurriyat to guide them in the educational process of the state. They are unable to cater a plan in order to save the educational set-up of the state. At the top of it, the best they can do is to link education with examinations, issue date sheets and then postpone it and then further postpone it because of ‘unavoidable reasons’. While some other institutes are bold enough to tell the students to appear in examination at all costs, thereby risking their lives. At a time when we question the leadership and recall mistakes, and give them suggestions, isn’t it high time to introspect into the administration of educational institutes, who have failed to tackle issues which were in their domain?
We must differentiate between education and examinations. Examinations do form a part of education but it must be noted that examination in itself is not total education. Examinations can be delayed in case of non-passing out students but education can’t be. Had the administration of different educational institutes thought over these lines, we won’t have witnessed such deterioration of education.
The passing out students of various institutions do need their degrees as soon as possible, for that they must sit in examinations. The administration of various institutes should concentrate on them in terms of ‘examinations’ provide them hostel facilities immediately and mobilise all resources for them so that they can sit in examinations. Since the passing out batches are few in every institute, hostels can very well accommodate them. Every major institute of the valley have got hostel facilities, it is time to put them to some tangible use.
The non passing out students can wait for the examinations, the problem with them is education. The institutions should immediately start new semesters, acquaint students with new syllabus so that they can make some self study. In order to press on the self study, institutions can give students assignments so that their attachment with the books is ensured. Students can then very well consult each other and teachers over phone in order to guide them in case of doubts. Also, it must be understood that students outside J&K rely mostly on self studies, so why can’t students here do the same.
The various educational institutes must pay a heed to it, their policy of forcing all students in the examinations under the banner of ‘education’ is creating mistrust and frustration amongst the students. Date sheets for examinations were issued in the early June this year, but now after nearly three months neither examinations are over nor anything in terms of education has been achieved. State educationists must prepare themselves in order to adapt the changing situation in Jammu and Kashmir, we can’t and should not tell leaders to guide us in terms of education. It is the job of educationists to frame out a plan.
Given these facts when the state educational institutes press for education and examinations, it automatically generates the feeling that they are being pressurised. Another point to support this fact is that institutes are open on all non strike days, but for Sundays and other Gazette holidays. At this time they should have been open even on holidays, the state government is probably not allowing such a move in order to show some influence over the valley functioning. This is how politics is being played over a holy process of education. Had the state government been really concerned about the education in the state then they would have definitely thought above their ethos and egos.
Unification and azadi
The other way by which the adversaries of the present movement are trying to quash it is by projecting that the movement is by and large leaderless. It is strange that this idea is now seen reverberating in some sections of the pro-freedom campus as well. The statement of some leaders that ‘this movement is led by the young generation’ is an open testimony to it. And now we are already witnessing the ‘unification’ amongst the pro-freedom leaders being advocated so that people may be guided properly. To say that we should unite in itself means that at present we are not united! The Leader and chairman of the Hurriyat Conference (G) Syed Ali Shah Geelani has been very positive in this regard. When asked about unity, he has time and again replied that we are already united, our cause is one, means may be different.
We must understand that unity means the unity of goal and purpose. It doesn’t necessarily mean standing next to each other hand in hand. Moreover, it must recalled that a joint conglomerate was formed namely, ‘Coordination Committee’ in 2008 agitation, what happened to that? And why it ultimately failed to guide people? It should be noted that people draw inspiration from a leader and not from a committee.
If at this time Hurriyat (G) is announcing a calendar and no pro-freedom group is opposing it and people of all sections of society are rendering full support to it then it automatically means that everyone is united and everyone is up for one cause.
The movement has entered a decisive phase and the pro-freedom leadership should be very cautious while issuing any statements. If true unity is to be achieved then it is time for the election of one leader. Is Mirwaiz Umar ready to step down and pave way for Syed Ali Shah Geelani or Yasin Malik as one true leader and vice versa so that total unity is achieved? If we talk of unity we must understand its repercussions.
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