Whose blood is it or who died ?
Opinion BY |ARIF ZAHOOOR LONE
Kashmir is a place deeply loved by the Mughal Emperor Jahangir. He was so enchanted by its natural beauty—the snow-capped mountains, lush green valleys, blooming gardens, and peaceful lakes—that he called it a paradise on Earth. His famous Persian words, “Gar firdaus, ruhe zamin ast, hamin asto, hamin asto, hamin ast,” translate to “If there is ever a heaven on earth, it’s here, it’s here, it’s here.” These words reflect the deep admiration and emotional connection Jahangir felt for Kashmir. He would often visit the region to escape the harsh heat of the plains and enjoy the cool climate and serene environment. Today, this quote has become a symbol of Kashmir’s unmatched beauty and is widely used in tourism campaigns to attract visitors. It captures the essence of what makes Kashmir special—its breathtaking landscapes, rich culture, and timeless charm. Tourists from all over the world are drawn to this beautiful land, hoping to experience the same magic that once captivated a great emperor. Jahangir’s words continue to live on, reminding everyone of the unique splendor that Kashmir holds and why it has been called the “Paradise on Earth” for centuries. As one travels through the region, the scenery continually shifts, revealing tranquil lakes that reflect the surrounding beauty like mirrors. These lakes, often framed by forested hills or open meadows, add a sense of calm and serenity to the already peaceful environment. The combination of rugged mountain terrain, fertile valleys, and glistening bodies of water creates a stunning visual tapestry that feels almost otherworldly. It’s a place where nature remains untouched and pure, offering an ideal escape for those seeking both adventure and tranquillity. Whether you’re hiking, photographing the views, or simply soaking in the silence, this landscape leaves a lasting impression on all who experience it.
Every year a number of tourists come to visit this heaven. About 80% of the economy of Kashmir generates from tourism. But from time to time, any inevitable accident done by terrorists made this heaven into hell. Otherwise, Kashmir was always known for its hospitality, brotherhood and sympathy. As every single person is known about the recent terrorist attack on tourists in the Baisaran area of Pahalgam District, Anantnag. It was not only the killing of those innocent tourists who were brutally killed there, but it was the murder of all humanity. Due to this barbaric incident, not only the tourism but every aspect gets affected; even every Kashmiri’s character is in question. Some said Kashmiri is a terrorist, some said he is a spy for Pakistan, etc. Which is totally wrong, and we should stop this. Because what happened in Pahalgam was totally wrong, and we condemn it. People who came here to explore the beauty of heaven and to carry some memories with their beloved ones, but it’s unfortunate that they will not make any movement but will take dead bodies of their loved ones in coffins on their shoulders, which will hurt the whole humanity for decades. Whose blood was it, and who died? Was this a Muslim, Hindu, or Sikh Kashmiri? Not at all; the official list of the dead bodies included everyone’s religion and also a Kashmiri boy Syed Adil Hussain, a single breadwinner for his family. This is not the Hindu-Muslim war because those who were killed in the incident were not being identified by their religion and then killed. Talk is not about Hindu and Muslim; talk is about humanity. Talk is about the security lapse in Kashmir. Religion is not associated with terrorism. One who is a terrorist has no religion. One who is found guilty of this barbaric attack should be given harsh punishment.
The media’s fourth pillar of democracy has the role of watchdog, but what they are doing is hiding the reality and making false reports, which have had an ill effect on the other three pillars of democracy. Every time in Kashmir, it’s now becoming a trend for the media to give hype to false news instead of the reality and the mistakes of the government. Similarly, we saw that our media is giving hype by connecting this incident with religion and putting a finger on those Kashmiri people who opened the doors of their houses and worship places (Masjid) in winter only to give proper hospitality to their guests (tourists); at that time, the same media channels were broadcasting and appreciating the hospitality of Kashmiri people, and now the same media is raising their fingers on Kashmiri people only to put hatred in the people and hide the Govt Failure, and my question is how these brutal incidents happen in my valley? This is the biggest question for the government. But it is very unfortunate that our media would rather ask the question to the government; they are asking it to a Kashmiri. Why and how did it happen? What were the reasons behind it? It’s very much unfortunate for all of us that we are asking these questions to a Kashmiri person who himself is tired due to it from the 90s. Kashmiris were never in support of violence, but they were always being punished and blamed for the guilt of others. Don’t play politics on these dead bodies of innocent people, and don’t give it the faith of religion; they are all non-Kashmiri actors who did this inhuman act. We condemn it and also request the government to investigate and punish the offenders as soon as possible and take some initiatives so that this kind of incident should not be repeated again. The moment we step into J and K, we see check posts on every corner, and no bug can enter without permission in Kashmir, but what happened in Pahalgam was the biggest security failure. We have high-tech surveillance and a top-notch army, but here we need to reconsider our strategy and ask some bitter questions of our government: how, where, and who – and make them answerable because they are answerable and they have to answer. How many times has a common Kashmiri proved his patriotism? Didn’t a Kashmiri try to attack back at a terrorist and get shot? Didn’t a Kashmiri pick up injured persons on his shoulders to save them? Then why are Kashmiri students outside the state getting beaten and threatened? Also, the question is, who is responsible for that much hate against Kashmiris? Why is a common Kashmiri always blamed? The biggest responsibility for this hatred lies with mainstream media and some hate mongers who are always targeting a specific religion. The reason behind writing all this is to inform people that Kashmir and Kashmiris are also in pain and suffering and also to tell people to think rationally.
The picture of my soul is my Kashmir,
Oh my God , please return Kashmir again.
About Author:ARIF ZAHOOOR LONE
The author is the student of law from Kashmir law college Nowshera Srinagar , view are his own
can be reached at ariflone854@gmail.com
