DNA Edit: Heartless politicians

When death came knocking on Border Security Force (BSF) constable Mohammad Ramzan Parrey aka Rameez’s door, he didn’t quake in his boots. He went down fighting the terrorists who had come to abduct him. And, yet the politicians of Jammu and Kashmir didn’t find his valour worthy enough for recognition.

In a shameful act of indifference — that must have hurt Rameez’s bereaved family members — they chose to skip his wreath-laying ceremony, even as the Army, BSF and police officers showed up to pay their last respects. The absence of the political leadership, both from the government and the Opposition, at the burial ground can only mean that the people’s representatives have lost touch with local sentiments.

This is not the first time that the state government has displayed a heartless attitude. However, the locals did what politicians had failed to do by turning up at his home and at the cemetery to express solidarity with his relatives. He is the son of the soil, a man who had sworn to protect the state and civilians from terrorists. His death could have become a rallying cry for the state to end violence in the Valley.

If such sacrifices go unrecognised, it would be demoralising for the men-in-uniform. If Rameez’s courage is rewarded with routine statements of condemnation by the CM Mehbooba Mufti and opposition leader Omar Abdullah, what sort of message is being conveyed?

That these jawans are cannon fodder and it’s pointless to dwell on their deaths? It will only deepen the mistrust and animosity that the people of Kashmir harbour towards its leaders. This was an occasion for the leadership to stand by the side of Rameez’s family and send out a strong message to militants that India values its soldiers.