Editor's Mail

S Krishan Kaul     

Dear sir,

Your editorial 'Divided We fall' reflects the sentiments to some extent concerning the crisis situation within the community leadership and organisations. Indeed! in the given situation, a powerful and collective response has been lacking.

In our case, seemingly the more things change around, the more things remain the same for us. Despite the unprecedented happenings since the last seven years our sufferance and half-hearted actions of some forums are aimed only to harness the modes of self projections. 'Marg Darshan-91' at Jammu saw the adoption of 'Homeland Resolution' which was put forth by Panun Kashmir as an agenda to address our grave crisis. Panun Kashmir as an organisation brought hopes and expectations. As it would be, 1993 brought the first split in Panun Kashmir i.e. 'PK' which was a rude shock in the sense that neither the then leadership issue of 'PK' was in contention nor were there any visible differences of substance warranting it. Instead, the reason cited in its handout through local press mentioned that, "I cannot allow people who have a wavering commitment to the Homeland demand to be a part of any organisation structure of 'PK'. Panun Kashmir cannot become a proxy-organisation to any socio-political institutions be it even local BJP or RSS". Isn't that intriguing? Add to it, the split was effected immediately after the return of Dr Ajay Chrangoo from U.S.A., where his tour was sponsored by Indo-American Kashmir Forum, i.e., IAKF, for the 1st time.

After the split, 'PK' organised world conference of KP's at Delhi bringing forth 'Delhi Declaration', only to dilute the 'Marg-Darshan-91' resolution.

Today, 'PK' is on the crossroads of yet another split having taken place between its two supremos with all the drama of hush-hush puzzles. Every time with the split, it is the collective and expectant psyche of Kashmiri Hindus having been stabbed, hence the Community initiatives are killed from time to time. The other day when 'PK' faction led by one group was out at Shalimar Chowk at Jammu to lead to rally to burn effigy of election process in J & K, there was a thin motley crowd of factionalised 'PK' working group to perform and enact the scene. As an organisation having time & again spurned & pooh-poohed the unity moves from various K.P. forums by claiming that the testimony of the strength and unity factor of K.P.s is the participation of thousands of its people in their rallies. Ironically! that day it was several hundred times less to their previous claims. Contrary to it, Panun Kashmir stands alienated today. 'PK' is not the manifestation of the ultimate in the struggle of K.P.'s. Split of 'PK' is not the end of the road of living spirits and sense of purpose. Instead the happenings in 'PK' should be the eye opener for all of us to see that the aspiring community leadership cannot survive by seeking egg-shell crowns on their respective heads. They have to sit together to build a collective and cohesive response to the concerns of the community! immediate and beyond sanning their academic differences.

I couldn't restrain myself because no such organisational division and contradictions have been debated openly for the public interest so far by the various community forums. I have been the erstwhile member of National Advisory Council of 'PK' and incidentally was involved in the exercise of drafting 'Marg Darshan-91' resolution by the distinguished members of National Advisory Council. After the split, I know that how hard and sincere efforts were put in at various levels to bring the split factions of 'PK' together but all in vain. I don't want to belittle any organisation or person and it is with anguish that I have tried to rationalise the facts. We can't afford misnomers. Not to be overtaken by our subjective judgements and it I venture to say personal preferences and biassed viewpoints.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,

S. Krishan Kaul  

September 22, 1996

DISCLAIMER:

The views expressed in the Article above are Author’s personal views and kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the     above article.                                                                  

Courtesy:   Koshur Samachar, November, 1996