Education Dept yet to learn from Wular tragedy

Shikaras ferry children to submerged Bandipora school


ACADEMIC Indifference

In this small hamlet in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district, Kashmir’s School Education Department is risking the lives of about 150 school children, who are left with no option but to visit the school by Shikaras.

This is notwithstanding the gruesome Wular Tragedy in which 20 children of a Handwara school were drowned in the Wular Lake following a boat capsize due to negligence by Navy personnel and the school Principal, both indicted of “criminal negligence” by a judicial commission.

The rising water level in Wular often leads to submergence of the Government Middle School in Kulhama village. The water submerges the school, forcing the authorities to close down some of the classes temporarily besides putting a halt on other activities like the Mid Day Meals. “We face the problem of school closure time and again,” said a group of students, who were seen roaming outside.

The school, established in 2004 after its up-gradation under the Sarva Shiksa Abyan, is situated on the banks of Wular Lake, and has about 150 students on rolls besides six teachers including a headmaster.

Due to recent rainfall in the Valley, the school lawns, kitchen and the staff and student bathrooms have been submerged.

For the past five days, authorities have closed down the lower primary classes. For rest of the classes, shikaras are used to ferry students and teachers. “We had to close down the KG classes because of the fear that the little children may drown in Wular while coming to school by shikaras,” said the school headmaster, Abdur Rehman. “We have asked the Zonal Education Office to look into the issue and see what can be done in the best interest of the students.”

According to locals, the problem persists ever since the school was established six years back. “The school has been established at a wrong location. Whenever the water level in Wular increases, the school gets submerged. With the result, the teachers have to suspend some of the classes,” said Ghulam Rasool, a local.

Worse, the fear of shikara capsize has gripped the parents of school children, who demand immediate shifting of the school to a safer location. “The Wular tragedy is still fresh in our minds. School children have to travel half a kilometer by a shikara to reach the school and then back home. It is a great risk. The frequent strong winds in Wular can, God forbid, lead to drowning of children. The Education department must do something to end this perpetual problem,” demanded the locals.

On May 30, 2006, 20 children of Burning Candle Public School, Handwara, were drowned in Wular Lake due to the negligence of Marcos, an elite operation unit of Indian Navy. The inquiry commission had indicted Navy and the school Principal for “criminal negligence.”

Education Dept yet to learn from Wular tragedy

Statement of Maqbool Bhat before a special court in Pakistan

Call it a coincidence or tyranny of the conditions, I have to stand today in this special court under a special order to defend the charges which are baseless and false. More appropriately these charges are the creation of a mind that is enemy of the freedom of my country and a cruel joke with the people of Jammu and Kashmir who are fighting for liberation. History has given the verdict against those conditions and self-acclaimed rulers of Pakistan who have made me stand in this witness box. This verdict of history is so clear that no further explanation is needed. It has drawn a clear line between us and our hypocrite opponents. I take this proceeding as a compliment for myself and my comrades as future generations will have no confusion about our identity.


Thus this command of Quran has proven true about this group of hypocrites: "And when they meet Muslims they say we have become believers and when they are alone with their Satans then say no doubt we are with you. We are just taking the fun. Allah takes the fun of them and develops their imprudence. Fact is that they have no vision."

By the crime this group is committing against the oppressed people, it was inevitable that they should trap themselves in a situation where they are unable to escape.
I have neither prepared any conspiracy nor been a part of any such group. My role is clear all the way through. However it is true that I have rebelled against obscurantism, slavery, capitalism, exploitation, corruption, cruelty, and hypocricy. If the ruling class of Pakistan, which is a product of imperialist system and is represented by the civil and military bureaucracy, call it conspiracy then I have no hesitation to accept it.

For me this case against us is not unusual at all. During human history whenever exploitation and slavery are challenged the ruling classes have always relied on the word 'conspiracy'. But the history proves that in the fight of oppressed against oppressors, eventually the former won and the oppressive structure is crushed by the revolutionary struggle of the people. I have disliked self-praise but now when my role is being distorted, deliberately, I am forced to claim that at every stage of my life, I have not only supported the peoples strugggle against exploitation and oppression but always actively participated in it.

I have consciously chosen this role for myself because I see it as sunnah of prophets and is a way of revolutionaries. I have no doubt about the success of this role and the welfare it brings for the people. I can not refrain from bringing this fact in the notice of this court that apparently only six persons are made involved, but the actual motive of this case is to crush our linberation movement.

Pakistani bureaucracy should know that no matter what turns our fate takes as a result of this case, they will achieve nothing but disgrace and failure, as for as their actual motive is concerned. If the struggle for freedom was to be stopped by the court rulings there would have been hardly any free nation on earth today. If the evolution of civilization, democracy and freedom was to be prevented by the existing judicial or administrative system no revolution would have taken place from the beginning of history.

Decisions about the movements for welfare and freedom of people are not made in the existing courts, but the evolutionary process of human history gives the verdict of these govemnts. For the courts themselves are the product of that system that these movements are aimed to change.

It is for this reason that in some cases verdict given by these courts as present are proven meaningless and relinuished. It is not possible here to give details of all those conspiracies made against my country and my people. However it is imperative to highlight those aspects of these conspiracies that are exploited to construct this case.

This is not done by the unmistakable enemies of our people but by the imprudent and wicked 'friends' who have despicably occupied the power in this unfortunate country and have subjugated not only a hundred million of her people but also put its existence at stake by their malicious actions for keeping power in their hands. It is obvious that a leadership which has no sympathy for its own people cannot be hoped that it will extend any friendship to a nation which is still fighting against foreign occupation.

No one can stop men from claiming that every ruling power in Pakistan has exploited the Kashmir issue for last 25 years for its lust for power and abused this issue to mislead the people of Pakistan who have and still do support the freedom of Kashmir. When power came into the hands of military dictatorship this conspiracy has become even more dreadful. Division of Pakistan is only a logical result of this conspiracy.
This is said that a conflict was started from the day NLF was formed; between our struggle and the bureaucracy and military dictatorship of this country. The roots of this conflict are in the disagreement on aims and strategy. Military rulers of this country never liked our concept of armed struggle. Not only they did not like it, they always tried to crush any such struggle.

The story of such conspicuous incidents is too long to cover here in detail but it was never come to a stage of branding us as enemies of this country This time chosen by the military dictators to declare us enemy of the country was that when they were giving the final touches to their conspiracy.

It was last week of February 1971. In the President's house in Rawalpindi, the dictators were planning to prevent the transfer of power to the elected members of 130 million people. From its formation to 24 February 1971, no faction of rulers ever suspected it or its activities, including Ganga Hijacking. However, as part of their conspiracy, the rulers decided to use NLF and Ganga Hijacking on false grounds to justify their anti-people and anti-democracy designs.

The initial instructions were issued from President's House Rawalpindi. Inter Services Intelligence Bureau was ordered to investigate the hjacking case and keep the freedom fighters away from public and press. They should be transferred to a distant location. Responding to our enquiry we were told that country is in a crises. To solve the conflict with Mujeebu'r- Rehman on constitutional matters we need the nation to be calmed on Kashmir issue.

We were also told that Shiekh Mujeeb is for friendly relations with India and does not like to promote any confrontation for we did not want political crisis of Pakistan to be exacerbated. We co-operated and agreed on freedom fitghters' transfer to Tanda Dam, district Kohat. Only a few days later the proposed meeting of national assembly was postponed. Hence the crisis was intensified. What happened in East Pakistan after the declaration of former military dictator was pre-planned. Sheikh Mujeeb was invited for negotiations with former President in Rawalpindi.

When he refused, another declaration was released in March 71 from Presient's House that former President was going to Dhaka for negotiations. Just one day before, Yahya Khan's departaure for Dhaka, it was announced by the foreign office that hijacking case will be investigated. Replying to our explanation we were told that this is to decrease the bitterness during Yahya -- Mujeeb negotiatins where it is inevitable that Mujeeb , who has already demanded an enquiry into hijacking, will raise this issue.

We were also told that international pressure on Pakistan is also increasing and to prove that Pakistn is not involved in the hijacking we need such measures. We were assured that if neceessary, a commission will be formed but it is likely that this stage will not come.

The commission was appointed at the time when Yahya -Mujeeb negotiations entered into concluding stage. The impression was given that the commission is nothing more than an eye-wash. Actual motives were to come out only on 27 March 1971 when military operation was started in East Pakistan.

Only two days after this commission has started its proceedings as well. Among the three members of the commission, two were from the intelligence depatment and the third Mr. Rahat Chhattari was the one whose services were terminated from by the first elected government of this country under the allegation of corruption.

This chain of events shows that this case had special motive which can be nothing but the search for the justification for civil war situation in which the country is bourght by the military dictators. The report compiled by the commission according to the wishes of the rulers has fulfilled their need. We were arrested on 14 April, six days before the report was presented to the President.

And to crush our struggle mass arrests were made, memories of which are terrifying. But these rulers who were overwhelmed by the lust of power could not understand that lie is bound to be defeated. The 'nature' did not take long to give its verdict. The rulers reached their logical end before making us escape goats.

It is easy to talk about freedom. But it needs a lot more courage and patience to fight for freedom. This is the path where every turn is full of tests. You go through such stages where your own friends on whom you relied, don't want to know you for their vested interests. They, even, leave you and make alliances with enemies.

Struggle is the best criteria to judge not only who is for and against truth, but also to expose the hypocrites. It is not for freedom fighters to complain about the difficulties they face but in our defence personally

I have gone through three stages of state torture; first in occupied Kashmir, then in "Azad Kashmir" and finally in Royal Fort ( Shahi Qillah) Lahore, which is the remains of colonial era. As time is not sufficient to go into the details, I would give a brief account. At all three places the purpose of torture was completely different. In Indian occupied Kashmir, occupying officers were looking for facts about our movement and about myself. In Muzaffarabad, "Azad Kashmir" the FIU (Federal Intelligence Unit) was not looking for facts, but they wanted me to confirm their assumptions and Gestapos in Lahore Fort were torturing me to tell utter lie and to give a false statement as part of their conspiracy.

Only the administrative machinery of the oppressive rulers of this country could have done what was done to us to distort the facts and to construct the stories and characaters. Some details of the torture, of which we were subjected in Lahore fort, are given by my comrades in their written statements. But there was a lot more done in the Fort. The fact is that some details are so shameful that it is not possible to bring them in writing*. I leave the decision about what happened in Shahi Qillah (Royal Fort) for the day of judgement.

Whatever ruling is made by this court, I can clearly see that it cannot do justice in this case. It is not that I do not trust this court, but it is the self-constructed nature of the allegations made against us, for they can't be defended in existing conditions. The false nature of these allegations cannot be proved until my country is divided.
However, it is my faith that the dawn of freedom will fall in my country and the line of division will be trodden. This will be the time when facts about my life will come out. Only then I will get justice and this will be done in the court of history. That day my people will know the reality of the allegations, by both the Indian and Pakistani rulers against me, of being an agent of India or Pakistan.

During the examination this court has enquired about the suspicion shown by FIU Major. Naseer Gul in his report about my escape from Srinagar prison. Having read this report in full, I maintain that it is totally against the facts and nothing more than a biased view of a military officer.

All contradictions, which this 'expert' intelligence officer has pointed out are rooted not in my account of escape, but in his views about peoples' armed struggle. Product of colonialism, Generals hate the concept of peoples' army because it challenges the monopoly of General 's on military resources. It is a historical fact that military dictators never supported any organisation engaged in liberation war.

On the contrary, they made contacats with the enemies of freedom fighters. During martial regimes, the armed struggles of Palestine, Algeria .Vietnam and other African countries were presented as negative. The military rulers of Pakistan never supported a peoples' amed struggle in Kashmir. They hated it as much as the Muslims of early period hated pig meat. It is this hate of military rulers towards peoples' armed struggle, which has made me and my comrades the target of brutal torture and humiliatiaon.

Finishing here, I would like the court to fulfil its duty which has been given to it under a special order. At present I have no other choice but to give myslef in the merciless hands of time and to wait for the day when the darkness of discrimination and malice, cruelty and exploitation will be replaced by the light of justice. That day I will ask for justice.**

Note: By Hashim Qureshi

* We were subjected to brutal torture in Shahi Qillah. If I disclose the details of the shameful treatment to which Bhat Sahib has alluded, then these will become cause for virtuous and sincere Pakistanis to hang their heads in shame. Therefore, following in the footprints of my leader, I maintain silence in this matter.

** For conscientious political workers and patriotic Kashmiris as well as impartial observers and rationalists, Bhat Sahib's above statement brings out the following indisputable conclusions:

1. Ganga hijacking case was framed against us by Pakistani military junta and bureaucracy because they needed sacrificial goats for the separation of East Pakistan.

2. Pakistani military junta and rulers have never been sincere to the freedom of the people of Kashmir.

3. Ganga hijacking case was a conspiracy against the rising national liberation movement in Kashmir.

4. After this statement the story given by Alastair Lamb in his police reports - based work Kashmir: A Disputed Legacy is proved nothing but a heap of falsehoods and concoctions. The rest of demolition exercise is done by the statements of late K.H. Khurshid and Major Rahim Shah together with what transpired in Ashraf Queshi's meeting with Alastair Lamb and his wife in

Steps Towards Peace: Putting Kashmiris First

Even if India and Pakistan appear willing to allow more interaction across the Line of Control (LOC) that separates the parts of Kashmir they administer, any Kashmir-based dialogue will fail if they do not put its inhabitants first.

Steps Towards Peace: Putting Kashmiris First , the latest briefing from the International Crisis Group, identifies the key political, social and economic needs of Kashmiris that should be addressed on both sides of the divided state.

“Since the Mumbai attacks by Pakistan-based militants in November 2008, tensions between the two neighbours have eclipsed Kashmiri hopes for political liberalisation and economic opportunity”, says Samina Ahmed, Crisis Group’s South Asia Project Director. “This atmosphere of hostility is undermining the progress that had been made in softening the borders that divide the Kashmiri people”.

Suspended by India after the Mumbai attacks, bilateral normalisation talks known as the “composite dialogue”, which began in 2004, led to a number of steps to normalise relations, including Kashmir-specific confidence-building measures (CBMs) to restore communications routes and promote cross-LOC trade and travel. But without Kashmiri ownership of the CBMs and control in implementing them, any gains will easily be reversed whenever India-Pakistan relations take a turn for the worse.

Despite the recent rise in militancy, clashes between separatists and security personnel and other violence, Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) is not the battlefield it was in the 1990s. India has pledged to reduce its military presence and has made some overtures to moderate factions of the separatist All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC). The roots of Kashmiri alienation, however, still run deep, and outbreaks of violence occur regularly. J&K remains heavily militarised, and laws that encourage human rights abuses by security forces remain, fuelling public resentment that the militants could once again exploit.

India should revive the “special status” guaranteed by the constitution and repeal all draconian laws. Replacing military-led counter-insurgency with accountable policing and reviving an economy devastated by violence and conflict would instil greater confidence among Kashmiris.

On the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) side of the LOC, Pakistan must prioritise reforms that open political debate to all shades of Kashmiri opinion, stimulate the local economy and end AJK’s over-dependence on the centre. While Pakistan’s elected civilian leadership has expressed a desire for improved bilateral relations and for resuming the composite dialogue, it must ensure that jihadis, still backed by the military, can no longer disrupt the regional peace. Another Mumbai-like attack would have a devastating impact on bilateral relations and could conceivably bring the nuclear-armed neighbours to the brink of war.

“Even if India is persuaded to resume the composite dialogue, it is unrealistic to expect a solution to the Kashmir dispute in the near future”, says Robert Templer, Crisis Group’s Asia Program Director. “Both India and Pakistan should focus on creating a favourable environment for cooperation”.

Steps Towards Peace: Putting Kashmiris First

A Challenge: Follow the path of Shaheed Maqbool Bhat by Manzoor Dar

"Freedom and independence is the fate and destination of Kashmiris. Indian rulers or Pakistani generals and bureaucrats cannot enslave Kashmir for a long time. I am convinced that my motherland will see the dawn of independence, and that dreaded line that divides our hearts (Line-of-control) will disappear one day." - Shaheed Maqbool Bhat

Whereas peoples of the free world celebrate their independence days, the people of Kashmir have important days to remember the lives of its countless martyrs who gave complete sacrifice for the struggle to further the justice and freedom of their divided and occupied nation. First and foremost, Shaheed Maqbool Bhat is remembered and cherished as the pioneer of the people’s struggle for independence and re-unification of Jammu & Kashmir. And his death anniversary on February 11, the day upon which the government of India executed Maqbool Bhat despite serious judicial irregularities and a last minute mercy plea from the then President of India, is perhaps the single most important day on the Kashmiri political calender. February 11 might be the day upon which India put to death Maqbool Bhat the man, but it is also the day the dream and struggle of Maqbool Bhat became eternally embedded in the hearts and souls of the people of Jammu & Kashmir. On this day the dream, the struggle, and the sacrifice of Maqbool Bhat is eulogized by the masses with great fervor and public outpouring of pure dedication and determination.

An onlooker may ask why is it that the life and example of Shaheed Maqbool Bhat has assumed such  central position in the ideology and methodology of the struggle for freedom and justice in Jammu & Kashmir? The reason why is simple yet powerful. It is said that a person does not truly live unless he advances the condition of humanity. In the case of Shaheed Maqbool Bhat and his struggle to awaken his nation towards the fight against oppression and injustice it would not be an exaggeration to say that he lived a thousand lives. Not only did he take up the political independence of Jammu & Kashmir as a goal but he paid deep attention to the overall condition of the common man and humanity at large. His was a complete struggle that encompassed reform of society, promotion of tolerance, and push for economic justice. His oft-repeated saying indicates that he possessed great depth in his vision: "It's far better to die in the field in struggle against illiteracy, poverty and oppression and to achieve the glory of humanity while fighting against evil forces than to die in bed." Simply put, it is his ideology of justice and the sacrifice he gave for that which has won him eternal love from his people and respect the world over. It is safe to say that the allegiance of the common people to the path of Maqbool Bhat is unquestionable.

However, 15 years after the death of Maqbool Bhat it pains me know that this great Shaheed right no would definitely be turning in his grave and deeply hurt to see what has become of his beloved country. Violence and chaos appears to have taken over in such a way that there appears to be no sense or strategy to it and somehow the people’s struggle for independence has been by-passed. The course being followed by certain leaders and groupings of leaders has virtually no chance of achieving what Maqbool Bhat’s and the thousands of other Kashmiris’ sacrifice was for. As the recent spectacle of "bus diplomacy" rings true, the dynamics of the Kashmir problem has become slowly confined to the very bilateralism between India and Pakistan over Kashmir that Maqbool Bhat loathed. Furthermore, the ignoring of Kashmiris at the table can be attributed directly to the position which many of those who presently claim leadership took as willing benefactors to Pakistan’s territorial approach in Kashmir.

In addition to knowing about the suffering of his people, Maqbool Bhat would feel deep pain by observing the lack of direction and mistaken leadership that has befallen the present movement. For this reason alone, there is a pain and sorrow that many admirers of Maqbool Bhat feel weighing heavily upon their souls. This is a pain in knowing that the present struggle and particularly the present condition of leadership is far from being on the true path and example of Shaheed Maqbool Bhat and as such there exists a deep black cloud of uncertainty hovering over the fate of the people of Jammu & Kashmir - the very nation which Shaheed Bhat loved so very much. Maqbool Bhat said that even in captivity a freedom fighter is liberated as long as he remains conscious of his goal and principles. For this reason, the uncertainty and confusion existing in the present political atmosphere in Jammu & Kashmir can be called a warning sign that things are not on the right track and that in order for this movement to succeed, the people of Jammu & Kashmir must reform the present shape of the movement and return its course directly and solely on the path that Shaheed Maqbool Bhat paved for his nation.

One thing remains very clear: this movement is not lacking in the area of sacrifice and dedication of the people. After all, more than 50,000 Kashmiris have given their very lives for this cherished goals of freedom. Shaheed Bhat anticipated that terrible obstacles would be pushed in front of the people of Jammu & Kashmir if they were to demand their freedom. Indeed, his own lonely struggle was a taste of this hardship to come and it is a known fact that he faced terrible police-state oppression from the authorities of Pakistan and then later was actually murdered by India. Maqbool Bhat described his struggle: "It is easy to talk about freedom. But it needs a lot more courage and patience to fight for freedom. It is a path where every turn is full of tests. You go through such stages where your own friends on whom you relied, don't want to know you for their vested interests. They, even, leave you and make alliances with enemies."

It would be no exaggeration that Shaheed Maqbool Bhat would be proud of the common people who have demonstrated such patience. But with the same certainty, I am sure that Maqbool Bhat would be angered and ashamed of the way in which the leadership has behaved, specifically how it has bartered away the ideology and goal of independence by entering strange alliances or adopting ambiguous demands. To be more specific, I would like to discuss the way in which those claiming exclusive leadership have confused the struggle for independence and have reduced the Kashmir struggle to a squabble between India and Pakistan - as it is wrongly seen by the outside world now - because of the way it has been subservient to dictates of the occupiers.

Though these leaders criticize Pakistan and India’s mutual overtures and bilateral talks it is absolutely true that these leaders who have played the role of Pakistan and have confused the Kashmiri struggle by holding it hostage to their communal approaches and demand for UN resolution implementation. The very "help" they took from "friends" allowed the hijacking of this struggle. And above all, these leaders - some of whom were Indian politicians while Maqbool Bhat was struggling and when he was hung and some of whom have in the past labeled the Shaheed as an agent and his ideology as "kufr" - have conspired against Independent Kashmir thought. Namely, the present APHC Chairman has recently given statements only two-option self-determination and has ruled out what he called the "third option" of independence.

Interestingly, some of these same leaders are endorsing a strike for February 11. One can only guess that they want to exploit the genuine sentiments in order to fool the outside world that they command the sole leadership. Even Pakistan this year has had to make some vague recognition of Feb. 11: a sign that independent Kashmir is strong in the hearts of Kashmiris. To these individuals Maqbool Bhat is honored for only the fact that he was killed by India. But Maqbool Bhat’s contribution was not only going to the Indian gallows. So to these people it must be said that if they wish to honour the memory of a person they must honour the ideology and strategy of the person. Otherwise, it is just a publicity stunt exploiting the sacrifice of a great martyr they still have failed to truly understand.

So for the sake of the generations to come and for those who are currently carrying on the real struggle for the real goal of independence it is of the utmost importance that they endeavor to understand and heed the ideology and approach of Shaheed Maqbool Bhat. Indeed, a re-dedication to the path of Maqbool Bhat will serve to solve many of the problems currently facing the movement. In particular, two things must be emphasized: 1) his exactly defined goal of achieving a re-united and independent Jammu & Kashmir with a strong democratic and tolerant framework and 2) his strong belief that the struggle must remain in essence a struggle for the people and by the people.

On the first aspect, Maqbool Bhat’s goal of the re-unification and independence of Jammu & Kashmir, most people are quite clear what this implies and this is well understood by the masses. Above all many are aware that the solution of independence is perhaps the only way in which both India and Pakistan can make a just peace in Kashmir.

Regarding this, Maqbool Bhat was very determined that the struggle must be a truly egalitarian and unified struggle for national independence. He was also worried about the possibility that the struggle could be "hijacked" should the struggle’s goals be made ambiguous. In his own struggle, Maqbool Bhat refused Pakistani dictates and decided to struggle alone rather than allow his group to be used as a tool for a proxy war for different ends.

He emphasized the importance of the goal of independence: "Any fight without an ideology and without a clear goal can be hijacked by anyone with bigger power- we want to fight our own war, we will accept help but not interference". When asked about the need for Kashmiris to receive recognition, help, and sympathy from the outside world, Maqbool Bhat emphasized that this could not be at the cost of loosing the reigns of the movement: "We have to first prove that we are capable of running such a movement. Once we organise our nation help will come to us without any strings".

Maqbool Bhat was particularly worried that this conflict would become communalized by foreign conspiracy. Instead he insisted that the struggle for freedom be based upon the principles of universal justice. Indeed the following warning of Maqbool Bhat has come true in a prophetic way: "Any organisation or individual attempted to carry out independence movement in Kashmir on the basis of sect and religion will be deemed as an arch enemy of the nation, because it will lead to the division of the Motherland - where ethnic, linguistic and sectarian disputes and clashes will undermine the national unity and character - ultimate output of which is constant turmoil and infighting and an ideal situation for foreign subjugators to continue their direct and indirect rule and oppression. Kashmiris freedom movement based on sectarianism and religion can't muster international support whether it is launched at the behest of "secular India" or Islamic Pakistan. The only way to achieve national freedom for Kashmir is to demonstrate as United Kashmir Nation."

Regarding the rest, I would like to conclude with a strong request that the present intellectuals as well as the common people of Jammu & Kashmir contemplate the following advice of Shaheed Maqbool Bhat- I am sure that its implications are obvious regarding certain leaders’ erroneous belief that Kashmiris can look to the outside world as a saviour: "I can't be unjust to history, I would like to make it clear to you that regarding our problems which include wheat or educational problems to national political independence, until and unless Kashmiris themselves command and lead it - They will not succeed. It is the verdict of nature and history even. I'm here to give up this struggle if anybody from you comes up with a single example from nation's history, that any other nation of the world had fought, or lead freedom movement of another. No, never. But unfortunately, Kashmiri leadership always looked forward to others to organise and lead their movement (contrary to the wishes and aspirations of common Kashmiri people). Hence, loosing the image and status of a nation interested to be recognised as united under indigenous leadership and command. "

Since the departure of Maqbool Bhat, leadership has become in many ways a hated word in the minds of the common Kashmiri who has time and again given sacrifice for the just cause of freedom but has seen their goal become more and more elusive. Why is this? Perhaps it is because while the sacrifice of Bhat has been honored, his ideology and methodology has not been held as the standard for leadership. Maqbool Bhat believed that the Kashmiri leadership’s role was to serve the people and to live by example. He would never ask his people to do something he himself was not prepared to do. Is there a leader or any leaders today that can come close to this great person when all one observes is a group of individuals spending most of their energies in politicking, ego, and exaggerating their importance?

With my critical and even harsh analysis above, a reader may accuse me of being too cynical and demanding of the leadership. But with the level of supreme sacrifice that the people of Jammu & Kashmir have offered in the last 50 years, we should all expect impeccable leadership despite the conspiracies hatched by New Delhi and Islamabad. Some may say that such a servant of the people like Maqbool Bhat can never emerge again in Jammu & Kashmir. To this I conclude with a hopeful challenge to every political activist and every free-thinking Kashmiri who hopes for the freedom of his nation. People have matched the sacrifice of Maqbool Bhat, but have they endeavored to emulate the strategy of Maqbool Bhat?

I propose that such a leadership can emerge if they dedicate themselves to upholding true justice and understanding the complete picture that this father of the nation painted with his own blood. And it is for the purpose of keeping the dream alive that February 11th is so very important.

Perhaps we will have to wait for the children of today to grow but the struggle is far from being over. I conclude with a prayer that the following words of the visionary, Shaheed Maqbool Bhat, will come true: "Political and economic liberation of our nation demands incessant struggle and commitment, even lives be sacrificed so that next generation could follow our steps and could live an honourable life with a dignified way - and after death we would re-appear with different names and characters to continue the just struggle."

A Challenge: Follow the path of Shaheed Maqbool Bhat by Manzoor Dar