Alka Lahori Handoo

In a freak accident involving a for­eign airline in India last decade, the valour of local villagers who came to the rescue of some lucky pas­sengers, was acknowledged world wide. The plane had plunged and bro­ken into pieces in the field adjoining the village, But not everyone turned out to be a good Samaritan, decried a few newspapers in their astounding asides. A few freaks came and did the next best thing; they stripped the dead and injured of their gold and diamond jewellery, rummaged their baggage and made off with huge amounts of valuables and currency notes. And they called it Trade on Misery.

For some unknown reason the inci­dent has remained etched in my mind, often reminding e of our flight from home in that ominous and dark night when owls hooted in conso­nance of rapid fire of militant's guns, and we crash landed at various places included Jammu and Delhi. Good Samaritans were there, waiting to lend a helping hand, soothe the nerves and nurse the wounds. They have left an indelible imprint on the sands of time and I am sure History will record in golden letters their serv­ices to their brethren in distress. Using their position, influence, mar­ket goodwill and other resources, they helped community build institutions and recreate cultural symbols in exile. Alas! when you enjoy the bountifulness of Godlike men, the villainous

 

ways of Satan become an unpardon­able offence.

Yes, like at the site of the crash, the self-seekers are their aplenty, waiting in wings to cash in on the adversity. They are their of all makes and atti­tudes with too evident leanings and enthusiasm to hide their overriding political ambitions. Some of them with ostentatious and flashy lifestyle; um... don't mind spending an extra penny or two if that ensures a berth in parliament or state legislature,... even a councillor post would do, for the time being. Some are yet to acquire the riches and craft of maneuvering needed for a political enterprise. They have not given up though.... a la Lage Raho Munnabai. Ludicrously ironical it may sound, but there are some without even basic paraphernalia in place who are selling dreams and act­ing as 'guides' to the above category in the big and Byzantine corridors of power.

But, what are they hawking in return for realizing their cherished dreams, you might ask? I say—You, Me and Our Miseries! Strange but true. Yes, these spineless brokers have been hawking us around trying to strike an impressive political deal, often turn­ing it into an one- up- man-ship game. The compulsions of the game often necessitates them to make a certain public posturing even if it runs contrary to the stated and collective positioning of the community, make moral and ethical volte face and com­promise on issues vital to communi­ty's future. What else can explain the public utterances of these people who empathize openly with our tormentors; who, before visiting a shrine in Srinagar first wear a skull cap and offer namaz in Dargah Hazratbal. More loyal than the king syndrome, they say.

However, the even bizarre state of affairs is that community is at loss for means to put on leash such elements, Their ambition driven outpourings are not only damaging but very embarrassing at a time when we are trying to establish a fact that we have been constantly at the receiving end of political apathy in the state and vic­tims of an indiscreet ethnic cleansing operation. But, enough now. They must know that a politically correct statement or stance is often not a fac­tually and ethically correct position, especially when the fate of the com­munity is at stake. We must tell them in no uncertain terms that for small political gains they cannot hold at ransom the future of seven Lac Kashmiri Pandits. Time now to stand up and declare a war on them. But how? By lending support to polit­ical party and using it as an antidote against their virulent ways. Political party has the people's mandate as it ahs come as a result of AIKS resolu­tion at Calcutta. The proposal for the party received an overwhelming response in Delhi and Jamrnu when AIKS appointed convener, Shri R.K.Mattoo, carried out water testing exercise. People, contrary to predic­tions of dooms- sayers, came in open support of the party, they want to see these Charlatans out of currency and business.

So far as I have come to understand, the Party will function within the broad parameters drafted and agreed upon by the community. The consti­tution, emblem, flag and other nitty-gritty about it is at the drafting stage and once ready will be placed before the people through designated organ­izations and community journals. The public views/opinions and sug­gestions, once approved by common vote will be carried through in the final document. It has to be a people's movement, in every sense o the word. otherwise also, people are free to express views/opinions and sugges­tions regarding the how the party should look and function. But a note of caution here—no typical 'glas half-full' and pessimistic views will be entertained, only constructive and positive views will do. Broad contours of the political party are thus- the soon to be constituted

 

committee based on nominated members including the convener of the party will be an ad-hoc body. To put it more precisely they will only act as facilitators to put the party in place, carry out enrolment drive and hold elections to its executive body. After the proper elections are held, under an Election Commission approved name and emblem, the interim body will automatically stand disbanded. The new executive will elect its President and a new legiti­mate body.

In view of the fact that politics is going through a convulsive phase in country as borne out by Mayawati experiment in Uttar Pradesh, we stand a good chance of making our political presence felt at national and state level. Lest anyone remains in doubt, the KP political party will not

act as an appendix to any national or state political outfit. Party will field its candidates where there are strong chances of winning and go inot alliance where it can tilt the balance to get a vantage point of bargaining.

The last two elections in Kashmir have thrown up many startling data and facts regarding the KP relevance in state politics. One of it is that Pandit votes are a clinching factor in many constituencies across the valley and that we can actually win three Assembly seats in the valley and at least one Parliamentary seat. Similarly in jammu we can win a cou­ple of Assembly seats and a myriad Corporation election seats. With coalition politics here to stay, who knows we may be tomorrow's king makers at national level? Touch Wood.  

DISCLAIMER:

The views expressed in the Article above are Alka Lahori Handoo’s personal views and kashmiribhatta.in is not responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article.

Courtesy: Aalav June 2007 - An Official Publication of Kashmiri Hindu Cultural Welfare Trust, Bengaluru, and  Alka Lahori Handoo