Monday, 31 October 2011

Dr. Ali Jan: The Lukmaan Of Kashmir



Medicine And Ali Jan Sound Synonymous In The Kashmiri Context Writes Dr Javid Iqbal

Some called him Luqman, the age old medical legend. Many considered him the finest physician Kashmir has ever had; the ones who worked with him conceded the highest pedestal in the profession to him without dissent. The ones taught by him - I have had the privilege to be one of them - remember him for the lessons that remain imprinted in memory, four to five decades from the date his grace descended on the lecture halls of GMC. The tale and the trail of the legendary physician live on, and it is highly unlikely to fade away in foreseeable future!
Prof (Dr) Ali Jan was born in an age of rapidly changing times. The period itself is significant, a period of transition, a period of change, and a period of high drama, as centuries without much of a change yielded to rapidly changing times. European renaissance had taken the occident to heights of glory, though some moral questions remained in the West. The orient, the East might have retained its chastity; quest for moral perfection, however, deprived it of material comforts, and it did not translate into taking educational strides. Western education was erroneously taken to be a polluting influence, hence resented. In such a scenario, to qualify for lower grades in any academic stream was a quality, few could attain. To attain the highest grade in the highly rated profession of medicine, few could dream of! It was given to the selected few to aim for and attain it. SMHS Hospital! Old hands much before GMC came into being in 1959 related with relish the tales of earlier years…of early fifties when Fazl-ur-Rehman the surgeon wielded his scalpel deftly and Dr. Jan solved medical mysteries. Diagnosis, the chief element of medicine came to him as easily as the breath of fresh air. What eluded others, he could read like the palm of his hand. By the time, GMC got established; Dr. Jan was already a legend. Profession apart, his social stock soared to dizzy heights. Healing touch apart, he had developed a rapport with high and the mighty, to an extent where even power corridors started having a feel of his grace. Recently I was wonderstruck when an old hand in politics related to me an episode, wherein some political bigwigs entrusted Prof. Jan with drafting an important political document. Mirza M. Afzal Beg, the constitutional expert, the old political hand of Kashmir who would normally do it was missing. Dr. Jan offered to try; later Beg could hardly believe that this could come from a doctor in medicine. Such was the diversity of Prof. Jan-the legend carries on, as more and more water flows down Vitasta. He is remembered, related, and renowned to the extent that medicine and Prof. Jan sound synonymous in the Kashmiri context. Precisely in that context, he could easily be placed in the galaxy of famous Kashmiris. Scores would attest to the fact in the nook and corner of the vale. With all the accolades, a controversy of sorts developed. Sangh Parivar leader Shama Prasad Mukerjee’s death in custody in fifties, while he was under Dr. Jan’s treatment has been adversely commented upon in some political narratives. Mukerjee had been booked for venturing into J&K State without a permit, as was the regulation in early fifties. It would be beyond Dr. Jan not to give his patient the best he could, Mukerjee or anyone else. To cast aspersions on the manner of treatment could only be the handiwork of a sick mind. Dr. Jan’s fair name was needlessly dragged into controversy, which hardly affected his high professional standing and societal rating. Professional standing! He was an epitome of excellence in clinical medicine, in an age when para-clinical diagnostic tools were limited to laboratory investigations and radiological techniques, few could afford. The modern imaging techniques—ultrasonographic [USG] computerized topographic [CT] magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] were unknown. With barely a stethoscope as the diagnostic tool he would pick up, what eluded others in clinical examination; often merely the history of the patient had him make an impression. Some attributed it to his sixth sense; others would relate it to his constant study. As his students, we would often see him engrossed in study in his SMHS hospital chambers. Societal Rating! My father Prof. Saif-ud-Din - an academic- was his batch mate in S.P.College and a life long friend, he predeceased him and Prof. Jan paid him glowing tributes on radio Kashmir. It remains a prized taped possession. I remember an occasion when my father cajoled him to visit a relation on death bed, as he was retiring after a tired day’s work. “Saif” protested Prof. Jan [as he would always call him] “didn’t I see him and tell you that it is terminal case of cancer with no hope for remedy”. “Yes, you did, that was in your clinic” retorted my father “but his sons say if you do not visit him before he dies in his home, people might accuse them of allowing their father to die without Dr. Jan seeing him”! Could there be a greater tribute to the genius, whose students we have the privilege of being! The road that takes us to the tertiary care center SKIMS bears his name—rightly so, as long as he lived he provided the ultimate care!

Sunday, 30 October 2011

"Planned settlement of Non-state residents In Kashmir” : Seminar By Hurriyat G| An Overview

Proceedings Of One Day Seminar Organised By Hurriyat (G)

Entitled

Planned settlement of Non-state residents In Kashmir”




The proceedings of the seminar were managed by Mr. Ayaz Akbar (spokesperson, Hurriyat G). There were 9 speakers which include people from Civil Society, members of Hurriyat G and famous columnists of the valley.

The speakers deliberated upon various aspects


Jenab Ghulam Nabi Sumji (General Secretary Hurriyat G):

Started with a few verses from Holy Quran. He talked about various strategies adopted by imperialists cultural aggression, ethical and mor facets pertaining to the settlement of non-Kashmiris in Jammu and Kashmir by the puppet administration and the ramifications which might arise therein. Here is the crux of what each speaker said about the issue:wherever people resist sinister designs. He talked about Short Term Policies and the Long Term Policies. The short term policies include harassments, arrests, injuries, killings, custodial disappearances, rapes. Long term policies include; bankruptcy, change of demography by settling non-state actors like the way it has been done by Israeli’s in Holy Land-Palestine. He suggested that people should contribute towards the cause of free Kashmir on an individual level rather than putting the entire load on Qaid-i-Inquilab Jenab Syed Ali Shah Geelani Sb. Though, he maintained that Geelnai Sb is our torch-bearer.

Jenab Abdul Majid Zargar: Zargar Sahab is a famous columnist who writes for daily Greater Kashmir and is a Chartered Accountant. Mr. Zargar pressed for understanding the context of the problem that was the topic of the seminar. He talked about various types of occupation carried out by imperialist regimes

which include Military Occupation, Political Occupation, Economic Occupation and Cultural Occupation. Military occupation involves muzzling every voice which is raised against the corridors of power by use of brute armed force. The political occupation aims to make leaders out of the suppressed lot so as to gain insights of resistance. Economic occupation involves gaining control over the resource base of that particular region like what India is doing with our Hyro-power, forests, etc. The theme of the seminar henceforth comes under political occupation wherein the puppet administration wants to settle outsiders in K&K so as to change the Muslim dominant demography to a non-Muslim state and then finally implementing UN resolutions which will go in favour of India. He discussed about past attempts m
ade by the central government at Delhi like Women’s Property Bill, Amarnath Land Row, Dogra Certificate, etc. He also informed audience about a place in Jammu called Qasimnagar where thousands of non-state slum dwellers reside without belonging to the state.

Jenab Z G Mohammad: is a famous columnist who writes for daily Greater Kashmir. He informed audience that the state subject law was passed by Pandits in 1929 to prevent people from other states to settle in J&K fearing economic losses like job opportunities. He added another
term i-e; Mental Occupation and pressed on how to liberate Kashmiris of this menace. He pressed for unanimity of thought between various parties over here fighting to end Indian occupation in J&K. He also talked about Resettlement Bill which was passed twice in the state assembly and the causes that lead to the bill being declared Null and Void after 20 years. He suggested that we should work as one nation and put pressure on India at various forums/fora so that our demand of free J&K is attained.

Jenab Mohd Shafi Reshi Sahab deliberated extensively on the issue. He stated that by doing this it is getting easier for India to proliferate roots in J&K with lesser investment while achieving signification gains including demographic and cultural change. he informed the audience that it all began in April this year and kudos to Rising Kashmir for highlighting the issue. The government had proposed to build and/or develop infrastructure of slums in and around Jammu. He said that we should be determining to crack the sinister designs of India besides sensitizing the masses so that the bill is not passed in the state assembly.

Dr. Javid Iqbal: is a pediatrician and writes for daily Greater Kashmir. He informed audience about the Rajiv Awas Yojna for development and settlement of slum dwellers at places where ever they exist. He said that two colonies in the outskirts of Jammu have come up in the recent times. One colony is called Maratha Nagar and the other is settled around BC road. He informed audience that there is no need to pass the bill as Schedule 6, 8, 9, 10 of the constitution of J&K nicely deals with the issue. As per the census of India the number of slum dwellers has increased from 395000(2001) to 494180(2011), an increase of 98900 all this being done under a well thought about plan of RSS and its allies. He also talked about how NHPC is bartering hydro-power resources of J&K and how the royalty which was fixed at 50% has gone down to 12.5%.

Jenab Mohd Rafiq Ganie: started his speech by reciting Surah Maidah Verse 45. He gave historical insights into the Kashmir conflict right from 1920s and what tactics are being employed by Indian to weaken the freedom resolve among Kashmiris. He talked about the lakhs of people killed in Jammu in 1947 wherein the Muslim-dominant division of the state was converted to Muslim-minority division.

Jenab Ashraf Ashai: is a retired Engineer. He talked about the RRS ideology and its ramification on Kashmir, He talked about the ‘state within state’ concept of panun kashmir. He also talked about the policy adopted by Delhi and NHPC to rob the people of J&K of economic benefits of hydro-power. He also discussed about the policy which is being adopted by Israel in Palestine and how it changes the demography of Palestine. He said India is doing the same stuff in J&K.

Prof. Shiekh Showkat: Teaches at department of Law, University of Kashmir. He dealt with the problem of settlement of non-state persons very intelligently by giving in various inputs. He also suggested that our freedom struggle should have ‘social agenda’. He informed social stigma is attached to various jobs and that is why non-state actors dominate overhere in evert sector from barbers to masons and carpenters. He also talked about the causes of decline in Sex ratio and held Census of India responsible for it by pointing out vital discrepancies in the census. He said that non-local population is also counted along with the locals and because non-locals mostly comprise of males the sex ratio is bound to fall.

Qaid-i-Inquilab Jenab Syed Ali Shah Geelani Sahab: dealt strongly with the issue in light of Quran and hadith. He said that how can the conscience of certain people allow them to forget 6 lakh martyrs. He said that India is doing everything it can to prove its legitimacy but by the grace of Almighty we will not allow that to happen. He asked people to establish Baitul Maals and Darsgahs. He said that settling non-state people is the handiwork of RSS and Indian Intel agencies to weaken our just and noble cause of freedom. He also said that religious clerics should inform people about the consequences of the same. He said only Quran and Sunnah can help us in better understanding Islam in its true perspective and throwing imperialist India out of our lands.

He said media should sensitize people about the agenda behind the settlement of slum dwellers over here. He said that a proper Islamic dress code should be followed by our sisters and daughters to prevent immorality in the society. He told about the cultural aggression being promoted in Universities, educational institutes, mobile phone companies and devised people to keep vigil on kith and kin. He informed audience that from 5 Sept, he has not been allowed to meet anyone or move out of home by the puppet Indian police. He also said that Hurr G activists are arrested and tortured in various camps and jails to break the resolve of freedom. Lastly he ended the talk by saying that Quran and Hadith are the way for our prosperity and liberation from Indian occupation.

Saturday, 29 October 2011

Appoint Desmond Tutu A UN Arbiter To Resolve Kashmir, Says American Council


A landmark idea has been floated in Washington and New York to tackle one of the oldest items on the UNSC agenda

An elite group of Kashmiri Americans has proposed to UN secretary general Mr. Ban Ki-Moon to appoint rights activist Bishop Desmond Tutu as head of a UN effort to stabilize Kashmir, where 2,700 unmarked graves were discovered last month.

Warning that Indian occupation soldiers are responsible for a “semi-genocidal campaign” in the disputed territory, the Kashmiri American Council [KAC] used the occasion of the raising of Libya’s new flag at the UN to paint a dark picture behind India’s media blackout on Kashmir.

KAC’s statement is linked to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon’s remarks during The Otto L. Walter annual lecture at the New York Law School. In the lecture, Mr. Ki-Moon appeared to be reviving a key function of the UN: to support the will of the people.

KAC is an American group lobbying for peace by resolving one of the oldest international disputes on the agenda of UN Security Council. India first involved the UN in the dispute and its first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, pledged on 2 November 1948 to allow Kashmiris the right to decide their future but later reneged and forcibly annexed the region.

Mr. Ki-Moon said that support for the Libyan people has revived UN’s mission of standing by the people when their government cannot or will not protect them.

Kashmiris in the Indian-controlled territory and the large Kashmiri Diaspora worldwide “look to the Secretary General of the United Nations as the custodian of the moral responsibility of the United Nations,” KAC said in a statement.

Copies of KAC’s statement were received at powerful offices in the US capital, including the White House, the Department of State and the Capitol building.

The KAC board also referred to petitions submitted earlier to the office of the UN Secretary General:

“The people of Kashmir have tried to address to you various petitions and communications regarding the situation in Kashmir. The information establishes that a massive campaign of brutal oppression that was launched by India in 1990 continues unabated. Various estimates are given of the death toll of civilians so for. Making due allowance for unintended exaggerations, the figure runs into tens of thousands. Countless individuals have been maimed and countless women molested and assaulted. United States, Department of State’s country report on human rights says that 8,000 to 10,000 people have involuntarily disappeared.”


The group’s principals made sure to remind Washington and the international diplomatic presence at the UN of the unmarked graves in Kashmir, which is a scandal for India because the country is already home to 21st century’s first and biggest genocide so far, where 2,000 Indians were butchered over three days in 2002 for being non-Hindus.

“The Board quoted Amnesty International which in its report on September 26, 2011, said that over 2700 unmarked graves have been identified by an 11-member police investigation team of the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) in four districts of north Kashmir. The state government must ensure that all past and current allegations of enforced disappearances are promptly, thoroughly, independently and impartially investigated and that, where there is sufficient evidence, anyone suspected of responsibility for such crimes is prosecuted in proceedings which meet international fair trial standards.”


In a proposal that could help nudge Kashmir on the UN Security Council’s agenda, KAC offered key suggestions:

“The Board warned that India has succeeded in erecting a smokescreen by claiming that the Kashmir issue is to be resolved bilaterally between India and Pakistan without the intervention of a third party. That wishful thinking has never allowed a meaningful dialogue for a durable and equitable settlement of Kashmir dispute. The human urgency of the situation in Kashmir demands that tripartite negotiations between Governments of India and Kashmir & the genuine leadership of the people of the State of Jammu and Kashmir be initiated under the leadership of the United Nations. The U.N. can appoint a person of an international standing, like Bishop Desmond Tutu to be the facilitator in this regard.”


Kashmiri-American sources in Washington DC tell PakNationalists.com that Kashmiri-Americans are already in contact with US lawmakers and diplomats from several countries, including Turkey, Belgium, Russia, China and Pakistan, in addition to senior UN officials, to push the idea of Mr. Tutu leading a UN-sponsored arbitration of the Kashmir dispute.

US officials and experts working to improve the chances of peace between Pakistan and India find the idea worth considering.

Syed Ali Geelani issues a statement against the ongoing religious aggression in Kashmir

Chairman Hurriyat Conference (G), Syed Ali Shah Geelani, tuesday alleged that Christian missionaries in Kashmir were luring “naïve” muslim boys and girls with money and other incentives to convert to Christianity.

In a statement issued here, Geelani appealed ulema to fulfill their “religious responsibility and defeat this heinous conspiracy.

“Hurriyat would take ulema into confidence and devise a strategy to save the nation from this cancer. We hope the ulema would rise above differences and extend their full cooperation in fighting these conspiracies,” he said in a statement here to PBI.

“Even though we are not against any religion, we cannot allow anyone to lead astray our children or take undue advantage of their naivety,” Geelani said.
“Christian missionaries have been utilizing funds from America and Europe for converting naïve people of other religions to Christianity, and this has often led to conflicts in several parts of the world,” he said.
“When the entire subcontinent witnessed unprecedented bloodbath in 1947 , not a single incident of the sort took place in Jammu and Kashmir . However, the conspiratorial activities of Christian missionaries can lead to disturbances and lead to an unfavourable situation because no Muslim can see his child being lured with money to shun his religion,” he said. (PBI)

Kashmiri Muslims conversion to Christianity | Is an another unrest in making?

By Sheikh Saaliq
In a shocking revelation on the social networking sites few hours ago a video has surfaced all over showing Kashmiri Muslims converting to Christianism in an appearance before a rabbinical court. The video which was leaked a day ago is being shared all over the internet.

There are lots of speculations that this video doesn’t belong to Kashmir and is a video of some other place but The Vox Kashmir team has investigated and found out the video is of the city outskirts somewhere in the strong hold of Christian missionaries. The video clearly indicates a large number of Kashmir Young boys and Women converting to Christainism.

IS IT TRUE:

The Vox Kashmir proves that the video is from kashmir


The Attire Used:

Th attire used by the most number of youth shown in video are the typical Kashmiri dress. As the video has been shot just days back the people in video are also wrapped in warm clothes as winter is approaching in Kashmir.

Calling people by their names:

The cleric in the video is being shown calling the people by their names when they are ready to take a ritual bath as per christian religion. It is pertinent to mention that the cleric uses names such as Mohammad Yousuf, Ayoub, Riyaz Ahmad, Idrees and Shabir which are mostly used in kashmir. And above all names are Muslim names.

Using of some Kashmiri language during ritual:

The video itself shows apart from calling people by their names the cleric uses some of Kashmiri words while he is performing some chritain rituals. He uses some of these words “Thod wath” (get Up), “Near-sa” (Now go) and many words like these like which clearly show that the video if from Kashmir.

Singing some religous songs is Kashmir language:

The video also shows that many people are witnessing this event and most of them holding green and white flags in their hands. When cleric calls people one by one to convert people surrounding them including the cleric sing some kind of a song in Hindi “Yeshu ke peech mein chalne laga na lotoongaa, na lotoongaa” (I wil come following the Christ and i will not look back). After some time the song is again being repeated but this time in kashmir language. “Yesuas pat pat be ha paky, wapas na yimy” (I wil come following the Christ and i will not look back) which clearly now indictes that the people converted are Kashmiri Muslims.

Cleric telling to spread Christainism in Kashmir:

The biggest proof is itself the cleric in white attire. At the end the cleric thanks his God and thanks people for accepting christanism their new religion and coming to new life. After this the cleric promises to spread this religion to whole Kashmir while saying this:
“Aaj ke baad Khudawand teri badshaht prati din vadiye kashmir mein Badti jaye gi” (From now on the God’s religion will spread in Valley the of Kashmir too)

TAIL PIECE:

After seeing this video the reaction have been very sharp. TVK is not any how challenging the religion of Christainism and is neither opposite the people who converted but in a place like Kashmir where you only need mere things to make a unrest will this Video take over the emotions of Muslims of Kashmir and the main question is that is another unrest in making?
That remains and enigma…..

Friday, 28 October 2011

Rethinking Kashmir


Guest Post By: Farhana Qazi

Defined by tourist cliches and brilliantly crafted one-liners, the disputed territory of Kashmir is a backpacker’s haven and “paradise on earth.” And while charmingly seductive, the idyllic landscape is beset by a sense-of-siege and is home to millions eager for change and consistency. Nearly two-decades of conflict and on-and-off talks between nuclear arch-rivals India and Pakistan have had few meaningful results.
Deeply disappointed by Indian and Pakistani political ploys, people on both sides of the mountain passionately push for peace, either through active participation in much-talked-about-protests or political party meetings that are all-inclusive. Outside of government, residents of the conflict, many of whom are bewitched by deaths and disappearances of friends and foes, undertake risks to release information and record present grievanc
es. Without the people of Kashmir, high-level talks will fail to alter the status-quo of aggressive policies, artificial politics, and animated street protests. The latest issue to haunt the valley is the discovery of mass graves and cyclical human rights abuses-neither issue is new to the residents of Kashmir, but a common narrative they have become achingly accustomed to. In Buried Evidence, a multiauthored publication by The International People’s Tribunal on Human Rights and Justice in Indian-administered Kashmir, the death toll between 1989 and 2009 is listed as well over 8,000-these include enforced or involuntary disappearances and an additional 70,000 or more were found dead. The authors contend that a history of “violence and violation” of human rights abuses result in anguish and anxiety among the population. In the summer of 2008, the international community offered a limited response to the mass graves discovery. For example, the European Parliament passed a resolution to denounce disappearances, detentions and deaths since the outbreak of conflict, calling for an impartial and independent investigation-similar to requests being made by international human rights organizations this year. Three years later, the same story repeats itself. This summer, Amnesty International and India’s Jammu and Kashmir State Human Rights Commission released reports with terrifying statistics of the dead and disappeared-a report that Indian authorities have repelled, despite outside pressure for transparency. The imbroglio over unmarked and unknown mass graves in Kashmir raises doubt and deepens distrust with the ruling elite. Amnesty’s report highlights a fundamental question of whether the Indian state is legitimate or lawful in its “occupation” of Kashmir-an instrumental issue that is debated. Discussion of the ongoing dispute has had a chilling effect and on the local population. The impact of unsettled policies has taken its toll on the youth. In a recent interview, a Srinagar-based doctor, who wished to be unnamed, expressed his concern that the youth of Kashmir are unable to cope in an unending and unresolved conflict. As a physician, he points to the youth’s increasing use of over-the-counter or inexpensive drugs. The doctor noted, “The trauma of war contributes to an ailing society. Most people suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD. To live, Kashmiris are on drugs. We are all sick. Even children take cheap medicine to fall asleep. What will happen to our youth? They have no coping mechanism.” A temporary respite from rage, drugs masquerade the desperation and depression that local residents share. Countless stories of women as told by journalists, including my own collection of mourning, discredit India and Pakistan’s attempt at negotiation. Without taking into account the narrative of violence and a vicious cycle of neglect, the South Asian leaders’ initiative to engage one another is just that-a media blunder that masks the agony and affliction local Kashmiris have harbored for nearly six decades. The Kashmiri people are determined to seek a political solution. Aware of India and Pakistan’s recent overtures to resume dialogue, local communities on both sides of the border watch for signs of prosperity. High-level meetings between the two arch-rivals may be a significant step, though historical record of previous attempts at dialogue proves that neither India nor Pakistan is willing to make critical concessions. Interviews of local residents sport a business-as-usual attitude. A young lawyer in Srinagar admitted, “All the leaders are playing with the blood of martyrs. That is injustice.” A similar distrust expressed by other Kashmiris with their party leaders highlights the failure and fiasco of local officials to take seriously a collapsing society. A Kashmiri law student in exile indicated, “Every political party is vested in itself, with no regard for the people. Until they learn to serve the people, there is nothing India and Pakistan can do to settle the dispute.” A divided Kashmir may present opportunities for India and Pakistan in the short-term, but long-term inadequate policies will encourage strategic encirclement. To move forward on Kashmir, India and Pakistan may need an Arab ally to help South Asian rivals redesign their ambitions for Kashmir to ensure a longer time-table for progress. An outside negotiator has the potential to allow New Delhi and Islamabad to stitch together a political model that involves the people of the valley. Absent an outside collaborator, India and Pakistan risk reducing Kashmir to symbolic gestures, sensationalized by the international press as disingenuous and dishonest


. Farhana Qazi is a senior lecturer on Pakistan and Islam for the US government. She can be reached at farhana331@gmail.com