Wither Panun Kashmir; Long live Homeland

 
 For the Kashmiri Pandit (KP) community year 2017 ended on a sad note. Homeland Day, observed by Panun Kashmir in last week of every December in exile, was given a go-by by those professing to claim copyright to its concept. Whether under duress or due to fatigue, intensity to pursue the demand for Homeland had been on the wane ever since present dispensation took-over the reins. Nothing can symbolise this drift better than the format of ‘Kashmir Shaiv Drishti’ festival ‘celebrated’ in Abhinav Theatre, Jammu, on December 29 &30, 2017. 

This festival was an antithesis to what Panun Kashmir stood for all these years in exile. Much that the organisation may deny, the format appeared to have a stamp of approval from RSS as it was in conformity with latter’s efforts to win over Kashmiri Muslims -Mullas included- to a compromised version of Kashmir Shaivism under the banner ‘Mystic Philosophies of Kashmir – Reconciliation of Theory & Practice’. Omnipresence of a few KP and non-KP scholars, wearing badges of recognition, lend credibility to this perception. That this festival was ‘celebrated’ not under the banner of Panun Kashmir or that the Resolution passed steered clear of any reference to Homeland establishes new political executive has had its way. Withering of Panun Kashmir-the organisation- was on the show.

For any reconciliation with Muslims of Kashmir, Panun Kashmir’s   Homeland stridency remains an irritant. RSS mandarins believe that by marginalising political and economic aspirations of KPs they could win over this Muslim constituency. Thus, Panun Kashmir had to be wrecked and that was engineered, first, through splits and, then, by stitching an alliance of two factions by arm-twisting a deal brokered by some shady intermediaries. Hence commenced an era of compromises and dilution. Panun Kashmir leaders were rendered hand ‘maids of political powers who orchestrated former’s ideological procrastination. Political interventions and organisational calendar were given a bye on flimsy pretexts. That disillusionment of the cadre raised no heckles, gives credence to the murmur that the aim was to let the organisation wither on the vine.

Dismantling of Panun Kashmir - the organization- was set into motion no sooner BJP came to power. Petrified, Panun Kashmir leadership drastically reduced its media visibility and to justify that on pretext of allowing Modi Government some time was just a ruse to hide its real intent as was winding up of Kashmir Sentinel, only political voice of KPs, or, for that matter, reluctance to observe days/events, like Holocaust/Martyrs’/Homeland Day(s), that has assumed political and social significance for KPs in exile.

Finally, recent festivities in Abhinav Theatre dealt a death blow to much revered and loved organisation called Panun Kashmir. No doubt the guests, a bouquet of assorted ideologies- till recently a no-no for Panun Kashmir functions, were treated to an enthralling live performance by Santoormaestro Bajan Sopori to the accompaniment of an all-Kashmiri Muslim group rendering melodious Lala Vakh albeit their versions. Last item,Bachakot (male dancing in female robes), was the proverbial icing on this cake of ‘composite culture’. Knowledgeable say the programme mocked the likes of Prof. M.L. Koul who dedicated their lives in exile to fight misinformation perpetuated by Muslims scholars. Reiteration of Homeland demand was avoided on purpose. It, in fact, was given a quiet burial.

It is a pity that KPs’ plight comes into focus only when elections are around the corner or when an individual requires a stone to step onto an exalted position. Post elections, KPs are not only forgotten but even ridiculed. It is no secret that an ill-advised Amit Shah snubbed the community for not voting for his party even before the results were out. The fact, on the other hand, was that the KPs too, like all Indians, were taken for a dreamy ride by the electoral rhetoric of Modi. They had voted for BJP in droves.

Not only the political parties, even community’s own exploit the saga of exodus and plight of those still putting up in abysmal conditions in temporary lodgings to further their personal agendas. Look how a powerful video highlighting stark reality of KP exodus went out of circulation no sooner noted actor Anupam Kher was rehabilitated by the government.

Rightly, there is a newfound vigour in RSS to win over Muslims in the Valley through various laudable initiatives like Eklavya mission and increased social and political interactions. Many former separatists and militants have been won over and brought into national mainstream by, as RSS claims, purging them of their regressive ideology. An important part of this strategy is to keep KP aspirations at bay.  It is part of a new appeasement policy in Kashmir. That TV debates on Kashmir have suddenly gone out of fashion is no coincidence. Also, after spending crores onAbhinav Gupt Kalash Yatra, why did RSS abandon its original plan to culminate the Yatra at the Cave, located in Bhairav Hillock in Beerva, as a homage to the great Shaivite philosopher? Yatra organisers wished to avoid ‘desecration’ of the Ziyarat that has come up at the cave. Kalash was instead hurriedly immersed in some nondescript waters at Shankar Pal in Dachigam to maintain cordiality with Kashmiris.

Besides, kurta clad RSS volunteers, who traverse length and breadth of Kashmir to understand its social, religious and political peculiarities, have assumed role of resource persons for J&K Study Circle, an RSS thinktank, to evolve Kashmir policies. Incidentally, some KP scholars too appear to be on this Circle’s supernumerary rolls. In this backdrop, KPs as a community has no relevance, abandoned without any remorse and Panun Kashmir leadership wittingly/unwittingly lent a helping hand. 

KP community is now at its existential crossroads and in a state of flux. Reasonable voices have fallen silent while the opportunists are making hay. Thanksgiving to Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji Maharaj has been reduced to a mere ritual. Real obeisance would be when the essence of the Guru’s message is imbibed. Some stray voices exhorting KP community to embrace Sikhism too are in circulation. Situation can’t get bizarre than that. It has indeed been reduced to a melee.

Community is disintegrating fast and there is a crying need for fresh leadership to emerge. Let the affluent wallow in their newfound wealth. A large majority continues to be in deprivation and among them are those who have sacrificed their ambitions for the greater good of the community. Those occupying public space now should voluntarily step aside for some young leadership to emerge.

There is no dearth of cadres committed to the cause of community. KPs need to shed inhibitions to pursue ‘identity politics’ for that is the bedrock of Indian political reality. Margdarshan Resolution-1991, adopted in one voice by the whole KP community irrespective of individual political preferences, is the only way forward. Panun Kashmir was born out of the womb of this Resolution. Panun Kashmir as an organisation can be replaced but Panun Kashmir as a Homeland is sacrosanct and for KPs it is life and blood. KPs have weathered many an upheaval in their long and chequered history and present crisis too would pass. Amen!