The only difference is, in 1990 it was the gun which had fascinated people whereas this time youths are leading the struggle and guns have been replaced by stones.
A group of youths enters a mosque in the dead of night and appeals to the faithful to come out.
Minutes later, a sea of people — men, women, children and youth — fill the streets and start raising pro-freedom slogans defying curfew and ignoring the huge presence of police and paramilitary forces.
Déjà vu. The current unrest in Kashmir has a strong imprint of 1990 when people had defied the harshest of restrictions and led marches to the United Nations Military Observers Group in India and Pakistan to submit memoranda seeking azadi (freedom).
The only difference is, in 1990 it was the gun which had fascinated people and the popular belief was that azadi was round the corner, whereas this time youths, mostly born in turmoil, are leading the struggle and guns have been replaced by stones.
Azadi songs are being played through the public address systems at mosques, otherwise meant for azaans (calls for prayers), and graffiti of ‘Go India Go’ has appeared on walls. The youths leading the evening protests through lanes and bylanes are being cheered by people.
“There is resentment and disillusionment. Its implication is that the mainstream has lost credibility,” Rekha Choudhary, noted political observer who teaches at University of Jammu, said.
In the past two months, there have been 31 deaths in Kashmir, mostly in firing by security forces.
“The government is trying hard to crush the movement. But people will continue the struggle against India till they achieve freedom,” a spokesman for National Front said.
The unending cycle of killings has fuelled severe unrest. The rising casualties are giving a handle to the people and reinforcing the sentiment of azadi.
“The government seems to be at war with its own people. It has lost credibility and moral authority. Undue restrictions have brought life to a standstill and society, especially the weaker and vulnerable sections, is facing economic hardships,” Mehbooba Mufti, People’s Democratic Party president and leader of the opposition, said.
What is alarming for the government is people have started targetting its symbols. Be it police stations, security camps, courts, government offices, nothing is being spared.
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