Published: Wed, 20 February 2013 10:55 PM
Late in the evening on February 22, 1990, the Islamic Students League (ISL) Chief, Shakeel Ahmad Bakshi and his two associates called on meand urged me to march to the Chrar-e-Sharief shrine with them on February 24. The call ‘Chrar-e-Sharief Chalo’ (March to Chrar-e-Sharief shrine) was given by a commoner, Zaffar Kawa. I urged Shakeel to discourage such unknown elements. “Kawa is a commoner and we do not know him. Today he has given a call, tomorrow somebody else will come up with a different programme. It will take away the initiative from the leadership,” I pleaded. But Shakeel had made up his mind and on the scheduled day, I found myself seated beside him (Shakeel) in a Jeep driven by an activist of the ISL.
It was a bon voyage. The vehicles on the serpentine curves enroute the revered shrine were a visual feast. All were in high spirits, the dampness in the air notwithstanding. It took us around three hours to reach the shrine. Thousands of people were already waiting in the shrine lawns. A podium had been erected in front of the mosque. It was total confusion. Nobody knew how to start the proceedings. Noted lawyer, Mian Abdul Qayoom who headed the newly created alliance of seven pro-resistance organizations Tehreek-e-Hurriyat-e-Kashmir was also on the podium. Rafiq Shaheen, a leader of the ISL finally called on Bakshi address the gathering.Shakeel stressed the need for unity among militant organizations. By this time many militant groups other than JKLF had come into being. Minor infighting was also reported at several places. He sought resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the wishes of the Kashmiri people. He also hailed all militant commanders and organizations. He, however, left the stage without completing his speech. I could feel that he did not say what the people were expecting from him. A huge crowd gathered around him and I lost him.
I started my journey back home all alone. However, some people soon joined me. All of us were hungry. The small town had never witnessed such a rush and the local shopkeepers made a fortune. A chouchwor (Kashmiri bun) was sold for Rs 10. The marchers did not take home a good impression of the local population. Almost all of them were cursing the shopkeepers for the ‘loot’ they resorted to on that important day.
After walking for more than ten kilometers, an acquaintance offered us a lift in his vehicle. I heaved a sigh of relief. Kralpora was generous enough to offer us bananas. A group of people approached us with ‘vital’ information. The police were checking the vehicles ahead on the road. If you have a militant in your car, he must disembark here.” We received more bananas and similar information at many places. However, the police and other agencies had decided to remain indoors that evening for obvious reasons.
The enthusiasm of the people was worth seeing. They showed concern about the safety of the militants and offered fruits to the people. The entire population of the Valley worked like a team that day. The people, irrespective of their political affiliations, were out on the streets waving at the marchers, offering them drinks and praying for their safety.
The 'Charar-e-Sharif Chalo' procession in the words of Ved Marwah was an unbelievable sight. Despite my severe opposition to the programme, I had to admit that a strong message was conveyed that day. The Kashmiris not only displayed their unity but conveyed in clear terms that they were all for freedom from Indian rule. When I say Kashmiris, I mean the people of Kashmir and not the leadership. The leadership was always divided. It was divided on the day when we marched to Char-e-Sharief and it is divided today.
I was a lawyer then and held Mian Abdul Qayoom in high esteem for his commitment to the struggle. On the podium at Chrar-e-Sharief, I could feel that he was not given the respect that he deserved. I was right. After talking to a few political activists who were present on the podium, it dawned on me that his chairmanship of the Tehreek-e-Hurriyat-e-Kashmir had not gone well with some ‘important’ people. I also came to know that they were not happy with the inclusion of some religious and social organizations in the newly created amalgam. Qayoom did not represent any organization in the amalgam, but was there as an individual.
Shakeel reached Batmaloo around midnight. I met him the next morning and shared my observations. He agreed that a strong message had been conveyed. However, he disagreed that some people were unhappy with Mian Qayoom. But, he too was averse to inclusion of some organizations in the alliance.
About his speech at Chrare-Sharief, Shakeel said: “I am not a militant. I am a politician and I must behave like a politician. I am with militancy not in militancy.”
Kashmiris not only displayed unity but conveyed in clear terms that they were all for freedom from Indian rule. When I say Kashmiris, I mean the people not the leadership. The leadership was always divided. It was divided on the day when we marched to Char-e-Sharief and it is divided today
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