Countering the Separatist Mind-Set: An Analysis of ‘Eid-ul-Zuha 2011’

Author: TWI

As is the annual norm around Eid-ul-Zuha, the supporters of Mr Syed Ali Shah Geelani, leader Tehreek-e-Hurriyat and Chairman Hurriyat Conference (G), were found to be distributing a booklet containing his opinion on ‘India’s oppression of Kashmir’. This 37-page booklet, in Urdu, first surfaced in 2011 titled, ‘Eid-ul-Zua 2011’, and was released by the secessionist leader on 03 Nov 2011, a few days prior to the Muslim festival of Eid-ul-Zuha[1]. A severely abridged version is also routinely provided to tourists at the various hotspots in Kashmir. Ostensibly, the aim of the booklet was to allow a larger audience for his anti-India tirade. It is, and reads like, the text of a speech. With the authorities habitually disallowing him a public namaz on the festival, he stays confined to his Hyderpora house. Faced with the peril of his speechwriter’s effort being laid waste, perhaps a book-release was the sole available choice, which he exercised. The booklet serves as a good sample of Geelani’s thought-process and deserves a closer scrutiny.

FACEMASKS AND GRAFFITI DO NOT AN INTIFADA MAKE – SEPARATING PALESTINE AND KASHMIR

Author:  TWI

Every prolonged instance of stone-throwing by a disorderly Muslim crowd is not Intifada. The word and the sentiment belongs to West Asia and specifically to Palestine. Facemasks and graffiti are not the only components of an Intifada. Kashmir is not Palestine, India is not Israel.

This analogy, of comparing Kashmir with Palestine, has been making a hum for some time now. Scholars, genuine and otherwise, debating the possible solutions to either areas of tumult have looked around to seek intellectual inspiration and inevitably the Muslim component of the population has brought about the comparison. Others, seeking to promote Kashmir as an extension of Global Jihad have made similar observations. The uninformed have played along.