Which "Resh-Var"?

Ramesh Manvati  

Watching 'Resh-Var' in Kamanı Auditorium on 18th February, 1995, was quite a disgusting  

& disappointing experience. One had sincerely hoped to have a true glimpse of a new and pure 'Resh- Var' rather than its deliberately politicized version. It is true that Kashmiri Pandits & Muslims have coexisted in the valley. But who are these Muslims? True-one cannot dispute that most of them are the progeny of Pandits converted forcibly by Islamic Kashmiri Pandits must not forget the great and historical sacrifice of 9th Guru of Sikhs Guru Tegh Bahadur & his family in saving the K.P. community from extinction at the hands of Aurangzeb and his chosen zealots in the 16th Century.

One cannot forget that Kashmiri Pandits have been the worst victims of Islamic fundamentalism over the years in the valley and because of suppression and persecution, had to run-away from the valley, much against their wishes, from time to time to save their lives Many of them chose to return but only to be thrown out again and again. The present fifth forced exodus is a testimony to that fact.

Though it is very difficult to predict, but one strongly feels that had our forefathers not made certain compromises earlier-the way 'Resh-Var’ tried to "justify" (under the influence of a definite game-plan) the position of Kashmiri Pandits would have definitely been different and much better than the present one. Today our very existence is at stake.

It is true that Kashmiri Muslims have also suffered in the process but who is responsible for that? If one is fighting for something. let him bear its consequences. Why bother ourselves when we are not a party to that? Let us concentrate on our own problems instead. Charity always begins at home.

It is also true that KP's have never asserted themselves in the past because of continued suppression and also of their somewhat 'easy-going' nature which needs to be shunned now-and persecutions Wise and learned say that every cloud has a silver lining in it. We must realise that-that silver lining, in the present crisis, is 'Panun Kashmir' which has sown the seeds of a new dawn/hope for the otherwise diminishing community 'Panun Kashmir' has really acted as a beacon-light for the community over the last couple of years now. What is the advice of AIKS, the sponsor of "Resh Var", to the parents and kith and kin of:

1) Mrs. Sarla Bhat and other Kashmiri Pandit women-who were tortured, raped and butchered (cut into pieces by hacksaws)?.

2) Mr. Satish Tiku and Mr. Ganjoo (Telecom Engg) who were ruthlessly murdered in broad-

day-light? and 3) hundreds of other Kashmiri Pandits who were gunned down for being 'Indian spies/Indian dogs' and the like?

Does AIKS expect the community to:

1) Forget these wounds-which are quite deep not only in our hearts but have taken deep roots in our psyche as well?

2) Embrace once again those who are responsible for our present conditions?

3) Be slaves to a situation-that has been created by others?

4) Be slaves to the dictums of Islamic fundamentalists & their patrons including the Central Government?

Does not AIKS expect the community to:

1) stand-up and fight for their basic human rights and human values?

2) stand-up and carve out their own destiny as a distinct-ethnic community (socially, culturally & spiritually rich).

In the end, I would like to mention that a broken mirror never reflects the same/true image (as before its breaking) even though it is put in position by using strongest of the strong adhesives.

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Courtesy:- Ramesh Manvati (Noida) and June 1995, Kosher Samachar