Kashmiries are not even entitled to strive for their future, neither by the stone pelting nor through pen in their own beloved country but even then, they are highly expected to carry a pride of being citizens of India, as it seems.
Ironically, when stone-pelting youths were chasing bullets in Kashmir recently, Bhopal witnessed protest against Kashmiri students, pursuing study here. Their only sin was that they approached Bhopal in pursuit of a prosperous future.
As per the information, Kashmir lacks Degree Colleges, especially post-graduate seats, so concealing their identity they reach out to other places for studying. Though, it’s my own conception, but it’s quite obvious that they certainly prefer those areas, where Muslims’ share in population is significant. And Bhopal is one of them. So, they come here to receive higher education.
Recently, one English newspaper published that around 10,000 students, hailing from Kashmir contribute more than Rs 15 crore annually in the Bhopal’s account with obscure identity. They are basically poor from pocket so could not afford study in other countries, but are very rich in dreaming, which forces them to try out all the feasible options, especially in these crucial times to make their future prosperous.
It is quite tough to imagine a person’s state of mind, when he hides his belongingness from his community, land or anything else. When, I strived hard to feel the height of poignancy, it resembles with a son who is compelled to hide his belongingness with his mother. Unfortunately, Kashmiries are going through the same state in this central Indian state.
Tragically, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) members launched protest against these students, killing their confidence of being Indian citizen, calling them a threat for Bhopal. This protest was launched, following the news, I mentioned earlier. The deafening silence of Indian intelligentsia over the issue is really heart-breaking.
Not a single whisper emerged against this protest, especially when the entire nation is busy to discussing about dissipating Kashmir, at every nook and corner. At the very same time, when all the nation loving minds are bewildered about the widening cleavage between India and the valley and are busy to search the way, which could bridge the gap, no body asks, why Kashmiries could not pursue their study in Bhopal.
As by the logic, if Kashmir is the region coming under Indian Territory, Kashmiries could also carry their study, wherever they want in the entire length and width of the country.
Friends, I would like to inform you that now Kasmiries living in Bhopal are extremely scared and have disappeared themselves in killing darkness. Don’t know they attend their class or not these days. As passionately, I approached them to know their condition, but after a close proximity even, they refused to interact with me. Just, imagine what would be going with their parents, who are already facing very unfortunate and crucial time of their life.
Friends, story of injustice does not end here. Subsequent to the protest of ABVP which brought the issue on the very fore, Barakatullah University, in its latest circular, has taken decision to grant admission to students from other states only if there are vacant seats after granting admission to Madhya Pradesh students. The decision was taken mainly in the light of admission of a good number of Kashmiri youths in the previous sessions of the university. Now, it has even restricted them sense of being a respectable Indian. Here the question surfaces that what other option has been left for a Kashmiri; expect pelting stones on our dreams!
