Z for Zalim: Semiotics and the Occupation of Kashmir

By: Shivam Vij

A for Apple and Z for Zebra. Children are taught the alphabet with the help of images. And the association of images with sound. It helps them associate the sound of A with the sound of Apple, and associate that in turn with the image of an apple. The alphabet book depend

s on images that may be familiar to children. The word Apple is a signifier, and the apple itself is the signified. This is, most simply, what semiotics or the study of signs and sign processes.

In a future world, if there are no zebras, alphabet books may have to replace the last entry with something else. What could it be? Zebra crossing? Zimbabwe?

Last week, the Jammu and Kashmir Police registered a case of sedition, defamation and criminal conspiracy against six officials of BoSE, the government’s very own Board of School Education, for this:

This is a page from a book called Baharistaan-e-Urdu. This attempt to teach Kashmiri children the Urdu alphabet (note to self: this is what I need to learn Nastaliq!) makes them say, “Zoi se Zalim,” Z for Zalim, meaning cruel. That is only one of four examples. The other two are: zaroof (utensils), zahir (visible) and zareef (humorist).

The maker of the textbook no doubt wanted to used such signifiers and signified images that Kashmiri children can relate to. So just as you could say P for Pheran and a child would know what that is, you could say Z for Zalim and refer to the security forces, because a child in Kashmir hears them be called that all the time. It is time for scholars of semiotics to study the Kashmir conflict, but it needs no scholar to tell you how this incident is illustrative of what the people of Kashmir, whom Indians say are fellow Indians, fell about the security forces Indians say provide security to the people of Kashmir.

It would be ridiculous to suggest that the maker of this textbook was not being political, or that the political import of this act is unintentional. Such is the repression in Kashmir that everyone is deeply aware, and in fact over-cautious about acts of speech. Who should this be said to, how should I frame it, should I keep my counsel? No, no, I don’t want azadi. Come tomorrow and I’ll want it.

The textbook image resembles a private security guard and not a policeman, but it is obvious that a “security” person is being used to stand-in for much more than, say, an ATM security guard. It is certainly not the image of a “hooligan” as the BoSE chairman would have us believe. That the textbook writer did not place a police, paramilitary or army person there is practical: the book wouldn’t have escaped attention on its way to the printing press. The clever toning down again suggests s/he was aware of how political his/her small act was. S/he knew it would go much farther in fostering dissent against the state than a post in a blog an op-ed in a newspaper.

The incident shows how easily, in the smallest of ways, the Indian state’s claims of Peace and Normalcy in Kashmir crumble! India and its Kashmir spokespersons and experts and defenders on Kashmir have been telling the whole world about how this was a Peaceful Year in Kashmir, because, well, the security forces were not asked to kill any stone-pelters by shooting into their skulls!

What a peaceful year it has been in the beautiful valley of Kashmir, indeed, a year so peaceful when a textbook published by the state was teaching Z for Zalim about people who provided this peace and security! What an ungrateful people indeed!

Writing in the Economic Times, Najeeb Mubarki is confused. He writes, “It is a truth often verified that school textbooks across south Asia are filled with hilarities and downright stupid mistakes. An exercise in seeking something to be offended by would probably throw up umpteen examples. That, in general, is a sad commentary on the primary school systems in the region.” And then he further writes: “…in its harsh suppression of dissent and opposition within Kashmir, in its seeking to blatantly —and, one might add, arguably illegally too — criminalise extant political realities in Kashmir, the administration often works and functions like a police state.” The state can’t possibly be crushing dissent and opposition here because according to Mubarki, there was no dissent in the textbook writer’s act, it was only a “downright stupid mistake,” a “hilarity” like the rest of her/his South Asian counterparts!

Mubarki wonders why the state police wastes time trawling through textbooks – but in fact, the book had been in circulation for a year. It could just have been that a police officer sat down to teach his child and was embarrassed to see this. (I wonder why Kashmiris sometimes try to suggest that state repression in Kashmir is mindless. See for instance this article by Burhan Qureshi that recollects memories of repression but not the revolt that the repression was responding to.)

Mubarki’s piece has an excellent title though: Where the state charges itself with sedition. It must be sad for the BoSE chief, Sheikh Bashir, to be accused of sedition. For those who don’t know, Bashir is one of the most patriotic Indians in Kashmir. Bashir is such an Indian nationalist that he even paid from his own pocket to be honoured with the Bharat Gaurav Award The award was ‘given’ by a certain NRI organisation called the India International Friendship Society. So happy was the BoSE Chairman about being called the Pride of India that he decided to use tax-payers’ money to issue advertisements in newspapers congratulating himself on being ‘awarded’ the Bharat Gaurav Award. Bashir is the sort of ‘Indian’ who is singled out in Kashmir for outsiders to be shown – look, he’s Kashmiri and a patriotic Indian! For all such patriots the Indian government should institute a special award so they don’t have to buy it any more.

News of this funny incident has been reported all over the world, thus once again giving away the bad planning of the Indian version of How to Have an Occupation and Pretend it Ain’t One. Perhaps the Home Ministry’s Kashmir Division should learn from the Kashmiris themselves; for instance, from this comment by a Kashmiri on Facebook:

"The emperor hereby orders deletion of the letter zoi alphabet from Urdu, Kashmiri, Gojri, Pahari, Sheena and Balti languages of his colony. Thus words like zaalim and zulm naturally stand obliterated from the lexicon.

The subjects are hereby directed to unlearn zoi and any word beginning with zoi. In addition, by the same decree, mazloom is also designated as a forbidden word from these languages unless used by the authorities in their official pursuits. Anybody found using zoi or its derivatives will be punishable with minimum 14 years of imprisonment by the newly promulgated Indic Alphabetica Act.

The order is implemented with immediate effect."

Appeared Earlier On: kafila

Nuptial Knot Of Sisters Awaits Brother’s Release

Combining the strength to collectively hold the position of their brother in the family, the sisters of a Kashmiri youth still wait for their brother to return and get them married. The dreams seem to be shattered due to their brother’s detention.

Last year on December 31, Mehraj-ud-din Shergujree of Hajin Bandipora was arrested in Bhopal. “He was falsely implicated there. He had gone to Bhopal for an orientation as he had a lot of interest in learning religion. Unfortunately he became the victim of cruelty there and was made a prisoner”, says his sister, Shaista Qadir.

Mehraj has nine sisters and seven of them are unmarried. The sisters say they are waiting for their Zuu to come. “We have never thought of happiness without Baijan. In fact, happiness went away the day he was taken away from our eyes”, says Shaista.

Writing his final year examinations, Mehraj is presently detained at Srinagar’s Central Jail. Away from home, his sister says, Mehraj is living life of a caged bird. “He would walk freely in his home; would go to college and handle our father’s shop very well”, says Shaista.

The family says Mehraj was once brought to local police station Hajin but detained again, later. “They once brought him here and told us he will soon be released. We were anticipating his homecoming but our dreams shattered when they detained him again,” says his father, Ghulam Qadir.

Even a local court, according to Ghulam Qadir, had granted bail to Mehraj but never to be released. “They played with our sentiments. At the time when I need my son very much, he is languishing in jail”, he says.

Mehraj-ud-din is the only son of Ghulam Qadir Sheergujree. He used to run the shop besides going to college. “He worked very hard. On one hand he was studying and on the other hand, like an awlaad-e-saleha (faithful son) helped our father in maintaining the shop”, says Shaista.

After passing 2nd year exams Mehraj had started his own shop selling Kiryana items. “He worked hard in his shop after he would come from college. Besides he helped me in early hours of morning in collecting milk”, his father says.

The family is waiting for their son to come home and bring them happiness. His shop is running in loss. They wait for him to come, shoulder the burden of the family, and get his sisters married. Two of his engaged sisters will not marry until he comes.

Mehraj’s 10-year-old niece says her Mamu will bring her lots of toys. “Mamu gaya hai hajas, woh bohat saare khiloonay layenge wahan se (Mamu has gone to Hajj, he will bring me lots of toys),” she says.

Bhagavad Gita Faces Legal Ban In Russia

Bhagavad Gita, one of the holiest Hindu scriptures, is facing a legal ban and the prospect of being branded as "an extremist" literature across Russia. A court in Siberia's Tomsk city is set to deliver its final verdict Monday in a case filed by state prosecutors.

The final pronouncement in the case will come two days after Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his Dec 15-17 official visit for a bilateral summit with Russian President Dmitry Medvdev consolidated bilateral trade and strategic ties and personal friendship.

The case, which has been going on in Tomsk court since June, seeks ban on a Russian translation of "Bhagavad Gita As It Is" written by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).

It also wants the Hindu religious text banned in Russia and declared as a literature spreading "social discord", its distribution on Russian soil rendered illegal.

In view of the case, Indians settled in Moscow, numbering about 15,000, and followers of the ISKCON religious movement here have appealed to Manmohan Singh and his government to intervene diplomatically to resolve the issue in favour of the scripture, an important part of Indian epic Mahabharata written by sage Ved Vyas.

The ISKCON followers in Russia have also written a letter to the Prime Minister's Office in New Delhi, calling for immediate intervention, lest the religious freedom of Hindus living here be compromised.

"The case is coming up for a final verdict on Monday in Tomsk court. We want all efforts from the Indian government to protect the religious rights of Hindus in Russia," Sadhu Priya Das of ISKCON and a devotee of a 40-year-old Krishna temple in central Moscow, told IANS.

The court, which took up the case filed by the state prosecutors, had referred the book to the Tomsk State University for "an expert" examination Oct 25.

But Hindu groups in Russia, particularly followers of ISKCON, say the university was not qualified as it lacked Indologists who study the history and cultures, languages, and literature of the Indian subcontinent.

The Hindus pleaded with the court that the case was inspired by religious bias and intolerance from a "majority religious group in Russia", and have sought that their rights to practice their religious beliefs be upheld.

The prosecutor's case also seeks to ban the preachings of Prabhupada and ISKCON's religious beliefs, claiming these were "extremist" in nature and preached "hatred" of other religious beliefs.

"They have not just tried to get the Bhagavad Gita banned, but also brand our religious beliefs and preachings as extremist," Das said.

The ISKCON devotees have taken up the matter with the Indian embassy in Moscow too for an early diplomatic intervention before things get worse and the court passes an adverse verdict banning the Bhagavad Gita and Krishna consciousness teachings.

In the Nov 1 letter addressed to Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Pulok Chatterji, ISKCON's New Delhi branch Governing Body Commissioner Gopal Krishna Goswami, said the prosecutor's affidavit claims Lord Krishna "is evil and not conforming to Christian religious view".

Goswami also urged Manmohan Singh to accord priority to the matter during his Moscow stay and take it up with the Russian authorities.

Indian diplomatic corps officials at the embassy here, who were unwilling to be named, told IANS that they have been following up the case since the time it was brought to their notice earlier this year.

They had also taken up the matter at the appropriate levels in the Russian government to get the case either withdrawn or get the defence to fight the case to obtain a favourable verdict.

Officials at the Indian Prime Minister's Office, who were part of the Indian delegation accompanying Manmohan Singh, confirmed to IANS the case and the letter they received from ISKCON in this regard.

"This matter is receiving the highest attention and the Indian embassy officials in Moscow have been instructed to follow up the case with the Russian authorities," they said

Qaid-e-Inquilaab Dares Omar ‘Let Us Be Free To Fight Politically’

A day after chief minister Omar Abdullah challenged separatists to “fight politically” mainstream parties, the chairman Hurriyat conference (G), Syed Ali Shah Geelani, today challenged him to let the separatist leaders be free and allow their political activities to see who is favoured in the society.

Omar Abdullah yesterday lashed out at separatists, accusing them of indulging in “hooliganism, highhandedness and muscle power”. He challenged them to “fight politically”. “If you want to fight, you should fight politically and not by means of hooliganism, highhandedness and muscle power,” he told the separatists, adding that “lies cannot live long and people cannot be hoodwinked by slogans and fear.” In his strong worded response, Geelani said the CM was ruling the state with army’s help and that without the latter’s support his government “will lose its address within a day.”

“We challenge Omar Abdullah to come out of the security cover and then fight us politically. We challenge him that the Azadi slogans will echo from every inch of Kashmir,” he said in a press statement issued here. “Let Omar Abdullah give up the security cover and also withdraw the restrictions on our political activities, the whole world will see who is favored here. The world will see what people of Kashmir want,” he challenged.

Omar, Geelani challenged, should allow the separatists to hold a rally at Lal Chowk to know the reality. “We will hold a rally at Lal Chowk and let the government not restrict it, the reality will be revealed to everyone. The rally will be a referendum,” he said. The veteran separatist also accused the ruling national conference and other mainstream parties of “hooliganism.”

“Was not killing of around 150 civilians hooliganism? Is not arresting of innocent youths hooliganism? Is not restricting the activities of separatists not hooliganism?” he questioned.

He, however, said Tariq Ahmad was killed due to personal differences, not for strike. “He was killed by some goons with malicious track record. Hartal was made just an excuse. The incident should not be linked to the pro freedom movement,” he said.

Kashmiries Take Initiative On Kashmir Issue!

Guest Post By: Shafiq Mir

This is perhaps for the first time that any organization based in the state of Jammu and Kashmir has taken a serious initiative to search an amicable way to get out from the problem state has been facing for the past six decades . Though, there are scores of political and social organizations in the state of Jammu and Kashmir which have been crying for Kashmir issue for the past sixty three years , but each organization has always projected its own point of view on the issue without caring about their acceptability among those who have entirely an opposite view on the issue.

Indus Research Foundation (IRF) a Jammu based non governmental organisation which came in to being only few months back has tied up with some more organisations across the sea, particularly a London based non governmental organisation namely Conciliation Resources headed by a globally known social activist , Tahir Aziz on the principals of common minimum programme (CMP). The aim an objective of IRF has been told only to facilitate the interactions between all stake holders of Kashmir issue residing both the sides of LOC. The IRF has no personal view about the resolution of Kashmir issue but it believes that if the people to people contact across the regions and LOC is established at broader level and common people are allowed to sit together and debate their interests freely , there is large scope of bringing the people on an amicable solution of the problem due to which both India and Pakistan have always been on war front in the past 63 years . Honorary director of IRF, Zafar Choudhary says that none of the governments of India and Pakistan can ever take any unilateral decision on Kashmir issue with out taking their part of Kashmiries in to confidence . Choudhary says, “ the national level politics of the both the countries has always been seen connected with the Kashmir policy of the parties . Therefore, none of the national party of any of the country can afford to show any flexibility on Kashmir, because it goes against their political interests in their respective countries . This is the only reason that Kashmir issue remained tangled and was kept boiling for the past sixty three years by the politicians of both the countries”, says Zafar Chudhary . “ Leaving aside the political views and compulsions of different political parties on both the sides of LOC in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, we have noticed an unavoidable bindings between the people of both the sides .If in some parts they differ in religion but at the same time they have similarity and commonality in culture and language . If in some parts, they have linguistic difference , they have similarity in religion and customs . And we have seen the people only want to meet each other and want to recapture and establish their pre 47 social relations. Keeping in view this urge of the people we have taken an initiative to work like a bridge between the people of both the sides of LOC and facilitate interactions between them”, added Zaffar Choudhary . For this, he says, his organisation Indus Research Foundation(IRF) has tied up with some more organisations based in Mirpur and UK. The effort of the Chudhary’s group and friendly organisations seems to have been bearing fruit which is evident from the recent Istanbul (Turky) agreement signed between trade and industry organisations operating from both the sides of the LOC. Facilitated by these civil groups, an agreement was signed between trade organisations of both the sides of LOC on 28th November 2011 at Turky in which a joint chamber of trade organisation was announced with its first president from Kashmir valley . As per agreement , the second term after one year will be given to other side of LOC . And on rotational basis, in the third year the president will be elected from Jammu . This can be described as biggest development of the state of Jammu and Kashmir in the past sixty three years when the common people came to close each other at their own with out the involvement of government at any level .

Moving ahead with the same mission, second such interaction between the different shades of the society was organised by IRF at Jammu on 11th of December . In this interaction cum one day seminar, the people belonging to different professions participated and discussed the internal dimensions of Jammu and Kashmir with special focus on the mutual interests of the various regions of the state . Interestingly, no politician of any belief was allowed or invited in this interaction which was sufficient proof that the organisers were strict to their principal of keeping their organisation away from the political motto and intentions . During the day long interaction, various angles and aspects of mutual interest were discussed and it was agreed by all participants that an unnecessary mistrust has been created among the various sections of society and regions . This is perhaps for the first time when a Kashmir based organisation has taken an initiative to resolve the problems being faced by them . Earlier, we have been witnessing only Delhi based and other out side organisations doing such efforts on behalf of Kashmiries . This is a well come step and must be encouraged at all levels .

Mass Graves In Occupied Kashmir : A Matter Of Concern

The confirmation of unnamed mass graves by the Human Rights Commission in occupied Kashmir has sent shock waves across the globe. A report released after a probe by the investigation wing of the Commission revealed that it is beyond doubt that there are as many as 2156 unidentified bodies buried in unmarked graves at 38 sites in Baramulla, Bandipore, Handwara and Kupwara areas of North Kashmir. The report said that all these bodies with bullet injuries were handed over by the police to the local population for burial and were classified as unidentified militants (Mujahideen).

This is for the first time that any official body has made such disclosures. Earlier in 2008, the International Peoples' Tribunal on Kashmir in its report had disclosed the presence of such over 2700 graves across the occupied territory.

Subsequently, the European Parliament had passed a resolution on July 10, 2008, demanding of India to conduct an impartial and thorough probe into the matter to ascertain the identity of those buried in these graves but New Delhi is yet to respond to the demand.

All these graves are believed to contain the bodies of those who have been killed by Indian police and troops in fake encounters and in custody over the years. The disclosures have raised concern among the family members and relatives of those over ten thousand innocent Kashmiris who have been subjected to custodial disappearance by the occupation forces during the past 22 years about their safety.

As this report of the Commission is based on the verified findings of its own team of investigators there is nothing to question its authenticity but unfortunately, and to nobody's surprise, the first reaction of the puppet administration of the occupied territory was that the report was 'yet to be seen' by the concerned authorities. This kind of attitude speaks volumes about the seriousness of the authorities towards bringing the truth to fore.

Unfortunately, the people of Jammu and Kashmir have been facing the worst kind of Indian state terrorism for the past over sixty-four years just for challenging its illegal occupation of their soil. Indian troops under the protection of draconian laws like Armed Forces Special Powers Act, Public Safety Act and Disturbed Area Act had been committing gross human rights violations in the occupied territory to suppress the Kashmiris' just struggle for securing their inalienable right to self-determination. During the last two decades alone more than one hundred thousand Kashmiris have been killed, thousands have been disappeared in custody and hundreds of others continue to remain behind the bars for demanding this right.

The Hurriyet leadership and the human rights activists of the occupied territory in their reaction to the revelations have maintained that the discovery of the mass graves have vindicated their stand that the occupation forces are engaged in the genocide of the Kashmiris. The world rights bodies like the Amnesty International have also expressed concern over the matter demanding its impartial probe.

The civilized world cannot afford to ignore these shocking revelations. India should come forward and bring forth the facts by identification of the dead bodies. For this purpose it should start DNA testing without any delay as this method is used and acknowledged across the world and give exemplary punishment to the erring personnel. Moreover, it is also responsibility of the international community to impress upon New Delhi to fulfill its obligations towards the issue. It should also hold India accountable for committing war crimes in the occupied territory if any foul play is proved. If it is done, it will help in stopping the occurrence of such incidents in the territory in future.