Boobytrap For Kashmir “Leaders”
Z. G. MUHAMMAD Smaller Default Larger ‘There’s only one way into this fortress, and that’s to scale the walls.’ This dialogue from famous Hollywood blockbuster movie of early Seventies, ‘Where Eagles Dare”, with Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood in lead roles resonated in my mind on seeing a spate of statements from the ‘resistance’ and ostensibly ‘dissenting’ leadership on the Governor N.N. Vohra’s address to the joint session of the Assembly on Wednesday. For any student of contemporary Kashmir politics, the interest exhibited by the ‘dissenting’ important leaders at the address is a sort of making history. These leaders for past two decades either have been ignoring such addresses or dismissing them to the trashcan. Is it subtle expression of change of mind-set, a paradigm shift or a display of misplaced understanding? This … Read entire article »
Filed under: Editor's Take, Kashmir-Talk
Minus Tariq Ali’s essay, the book: ‘Kashmir’s case for Freedom is Good
Z.G. MUHAMMAD It is a sad story. In our premier academic institutions, hardly any serious work is done on the Kashmir problem. Notwithstanding insularity of our own academicians and ‘scholars’, Kashmir continues to be abuzz in a good number of academic institutions in the world. In a number of policy institutions along with other important subjects, concerning global peace Kashmir continues to maintain its primacy. It is read, written and talked about.- every year a number … Read entire article »
Filed under: Editor's Take, Kashmir-Talk
Why Kashmir Failed Solutions?
Move Beyond ‘Cricket Diplomacy’ Even if it breathes some fresh air into the relations between the two countries PUNCHLINE Z.G. MUHAMMAD Smaller Default Larger The relations between India and Pakistan are more brittle than glass. Even if put in a steal frame of agreements, they breakdown on a slight touch. In May last year at the swearing in ceremony of Narendra Modi grand bonhomie was seen between newly elected Prime Minister and Nawaz Sharif. But it took just a meeting between Kashmir leaders and Pakistan, High Commissioner to turn this cordiality sour. There was nothing unusual about this meeting. Meeting between Kashmir leaders and Pakistan diplomats on the eve of India-Pakistan dialogues on Kashmir have a history. In fact such meetings were greatly encouraged by New Delhi after the 2004 composite dialogue. For meeting President … Read entire article »
Filed under: Editor's Take, Kashmir-Talk
Ceasefire violations and United Nation
PUNCHLINE Slaphappy UN Secretary General Z.G. Muhammad If skirmishes along the Line of Control (LOC) nee the Cease Fire Line (CFL) and working boundary between India and Pakistan, escalate to war- conventional or nuclear, Who will be responsible for these wars? My answer to this question without mincing words, would be: the UN Secretary General. My outright answer is rooted in history of its failure in accomplishing its mandated objectives in Jammu and Kashmir and assuring lasting … Read entire article »
Filed under: Editor's Take, Kashmir-Talk
Washington: Third Party Mediation in Kashmir
To be read along-with Obama’s proposed visit to India Punchline Z.G. MUHAMMAD The “Freedomists” are busy in extending a helping hand to the flood hit people. Ostensibly have freed themselves from their announced election boycott campaign. And have almost left the space to the ‘electoralists’ to play the ball. The BJP and its team of IT experts from Mumbai have started a blazing media campaign in the state. Flooding media with advertisements, the party has almost outsmarted the … Read entire article »
Filed under: Kashmir-Talk
Next Role-Player in Jammu and Kashmir?
From the trashcan of politics Z.G. MUHAMMAD For understanding contemporary Kashmir politics, sometimes it is rewarding to stir through trashcan of history. No moment one stirs through it, some nauseating stories come to the surface that one finds are being replicated even today. The other day glancing through the broadsheets and reading about eagerness of some “electoral-politicians” signing ‘Faustian-contracts’ for strutting across the corridors of power for some time- a line from ‘As You Like It’ less read Shakespearean drama, repeatedly resounded in my mind: “Let it suffice thee that I trust thee not”. Seen in historical perspective the quoted line could be an appropriate title for history of sixty seven years relations between New Delhi and Kashmir “electoral- politicians”. With New Delhi, any politicians has been or is okay, so far he … Read entire article »
Filed under: Kashmir-Talk
Understanding Dynamics of Electoral Politics in Kashmir.
Z.G. Muhammad Some forty two years back a leading New Delhi newspaper had published an editorial titled, “Weep Over This Victory”. This incisive and piercing commentary on the 1972 State Assembly elections, had stirred my young mind and made me think if ‘electoral politics’ in the state could ever be credible. Thinking this piece of writing was worth preserving for posterity I had pasted it on a white sheet of paper. It was part of my small archives till silverfish feasted upon it and consumed it completely but during many an elections including those held after 1996, I re-read it and found it as apt for all the elections held in the state as it was at the time of its publication. All these election with much trumpeted songs of … Read entire article »
Filed under: Editor's Take, Kashmir-Talk