Insight on Conflict » Kashmir

An update from Press for Peace

Zahid Shahab Ahmed — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 10:46:50 +0000

Kashmiri women from both sides of Line of Control (LoC) have established a joint forum for promoting peace in the region.

The two-day Intra-Kashmir Women’s conference which concluded in famous tourist resort in Gulmarg sought an end to protracted conflict in Jammu and Kashmir region and also decided to set up a joint forum for peace comprising women from all three units of Jammu and Kashmir, including Pakistani AJK and Gilgit Baltistan(GB)

At the end of Intra-Kashmir Conference a statement was issued which said that the women of entire Jammu and Kashmir, from both sides of the Line of Control(LoC) desire peace, security, and economic stability to prevail throughout the region and an immediate end to the protracted conflict.

“We demand the inclusion of women in all peace-building and peace negotiations and dialogue on Kashmir,” it said.

Over fifty five women from all parts of Jammu and Kashmir, including Pakistani Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan attend the Intra-Kashmir Conference which was organized by Delhi based The Centre for Dialogue and Reconciliation (CDR) in collaboration with Women for Peace.

Mrs.Tanveer Latif , the chief pattern of Press For Peace(PFP) represented the women of Azad Kashmir.

The participants of Intra-Kashmir Women Conference said that the resolution of the Kashmir issue must reflect the aspirations of all regions and communities of all parts of undivided Jammu and Kashmir, including Gilgit Baltistan.

They urged India and Pakistan to simplify procedures in trade, communication and travel across the LoC and open other trade and travel routes, like Kargil-Skardu, Chamb-Bhimbar, and Leh-Khaplu; respect the ceasefire with immediate halt to violations and address land mine issues; immediately release stray crossers; initiate phased de-militarisation in all civilian areas, and repeal ‘draconian’ Acts such as the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) and the Public Safety Act (PSA).

The Conference said that the human rights abuses and violations of all kinds – arbitrary arrests and detentions, enforced disappearances, sexual violence, crackdowns, searches, displacement of all kinds, rehabilitation of displaced communities without segregation – by all sides should be ended.

They also demanded 33 per cent quota for women in the Assemblies, Councils, and local bodies on both sides of the LoC; adequate women’s representation in departments dealing with gender issues; representation of women in and the strengthening of autonomous and independent State institutions to monitor and report gender-based issues, such as the State Commission for Women, State Human Rights Commission, Information Commission, and the establishment of similar Commissions in other regions.

They wanted establishment of legal aid committees and village helpline by the State to immediately address issues of half-widows and sexual assault; State compensations to be brought under civil law; initiation of immediate people-friendly police reforms and gender sensitisation of all the law enforcement agencies; greater access to education; and student and faculty exchange programme across the LoC.

They also demanded implementation of gender budgeting and allocation of resources across sectors; increase in women’s access to micro-financing schemes; imparting of vocational and skills training for women and provision of marketing facilities for small entrepreneurs; effective implementation of wage policy for women; and attention to women’s health issues, especially maternal and infant mortality and mental health.

The participants of the conference also resolved to establish a network through Internet and other means for inter-regional, inter-community, cross-Line of Control (LoC) coordination of women’s groups and individuals for peace building; and form a joint forum of women’s organisations working for peace from both sides of the LoC for inclusion in all peace negotiations and discussions.

Press for Peace

Press for Peace (PFP) is a media and advocacy organisation based in Azad Kashmir that strives to promote peace, tolerance, interfaith harmony and the protection of human rights in Kashmir and more broadly in South Asia.

Peace in Kashmir: the work of PFP in AJ&K Press for Peace (PFP), a non-governmental humanitarian organisation is the...
Peace Conference asks India and Pakistan to resolve Kashmir Conflict according to wishes of Kashmiris Press Release from Press For Peace Kashmir Peace Conference (KPC)...
Peace Conference asks India and Pakistan to resolve Kashmir Conflict according to wishes of Kashmiris Press Release from Press For Peace Kotli, AJK, Sunday, 3...

WISCOMP: Disaster and dialogue in Kashmir

Ashima Kaul — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 14:28:30 +0000

On August 6, 2010 the Himalayan town of Leh in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir on the Indian side was struck by torrential rains which completely destroyed some of its roads, bridges, hospitals and communication lines. Hundred of people were killed and many are still missing. The tragedy shocked the nation and the Jammu and Kashmir and Central governments ensured that relief and rehabilitation, including the evacuation of international and domestic tourists, was immediately enacted.

Women in Security, Conflict Management and Peace (Wiscomp; a Delhi based initiative of the Foundation for Universal Responsibility) had an inter-community dialogue planned when the tragedy struck. With civil society and the administration focused on the completion of relief and rehabilitation work before the onset of winter (when the temperature in Ladakh can drop to -30 degrees), it was extremely challenging to go ahead with the proposed dialogue. Many however welcomed the decision to continue with the event as planned: “We are so glad that you have decided to come and hold this workshop. This is the time when all communities should come together for rehabilitation and peace in Ladakh” said Professor Jamyiang from Central Institute for Buddhist Studies.

Ladakh, which lies to the north east of Kashmir Valley, from where it is administratively controlled. There are two districts in Leh; one predominantly Buddhist, and one predominantly Shiite Muslim. There is also a very small Christian community in Leh. Ethnically and culturally different from other parts of Kashmir, many in Ladakh wish to separate and form a Union Territory directly administered by the Union of India. This is not, however, the simple solution it would seem, and there are many disagreements within Ladakh over political power and representation. These tensions add to the internal religious conflicts in Ladakh, which are in turn linked to the resolution of the Kashmir conflict.

The Shiite Muslims from Kargil do not advocate separation from Kashmiri Sunni Muslim population as the Zojila Pass, their life line that links them to the Kashmir Valley. They wish to include the Gilgit-Balistant people from Pakistan-administered Kashmir and aspire for a Greater Ladakh region, although it is not clear under whose control. They are not keen on the Union Territory status that is being demanded by Buddhists in the region as they fear Buddhist domination in political, administrative and economic sectors.

Kargili’s complain that while the Muzafarabad–Srinagar Road and the plight of divided Kashmiri families have captured the media headlines and the attention of the international community, the largest number of divided families live across Kargil and Gilgit. Those in Kargil have therefore been demanding the Kargil-Skardu road to be reopened so that the divided families can meet. The Kashmir and Central union is however, yet to respond to this demand.

These complexities and the recent history of communal violence in Ladakh demonstrate that the terrain of peacebuilding in Jammu and Kashmir needs to be extended to Ladakh and the Jammu Division which also have a critical stake in the Kashmir conflict and its resolution.

Inter-community Dialogue

Since 2000 WISCOMP has been engaging with the civil society in Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh to build constituencies of peace. A major focus in their peacebuilding efforts has been the use of dialogue as a tool for bringing key stakeholders together to share their perspectives, aspirations and political goals so as to create a common ground identifying possibilities, and issues which connect people so as to design a collective future.

The initiative in Leh, Ladakh was also designed with the purpose of bringing together Buddhist and Muslim communities from different parts of Ladakh to discuss inter-community relations for peacebuilding in the region. The flashfloods provided a new context for the existing and past inter-community relations and future courses of action. Does disaster open new opportunities for interdependence and co-existence? This is a question which needs also to be addressed in the larger context of India and Pakistan, particularly given that the latter is witnessing the worst natural disaster in their history.

The two day dialogue ‘Symbol and Substance: Exploring Inter-community Relations in Ladakh’ brought together community, religious, and youth leaders; women groups; the media; teachers and professors; advocates; civil servants; development practitioners; and business associates. The purpose was both to understand the dynamics of Buddhist –Muslim relations, and to rekindle the spirit of co-existence. As Ashraf Ali Barchapa, President of Anjuman–e-Imamia, a Shia religious body, remarked “We wish the same future for rest of the people in Jammu and Kashmir as we would wish for ourselves.”

The dialogue covered a number of important issues including the political future of Ladakh, sustainable development, and disaster management. It also generated an interactive discourse on the significance of cultural identity and the way religion is being used in Ladakh for the achievement of political goals. “In fact religious groups sponsor political parties and political parties rake up communal action of an individual to politicize communities along religious lines”- Nasir Shabani, a government school teacher from Kargil.

The participants acknowledged the role of His Holiness Dalai Lama in influencing Buddhists in showing compassion and tolerance towards Muslims. The Buddhists however felt that reconciliation with Muslims would only happen when the Muslims of Kargil allowed the construction of Buddhist Gompa in Kargil. Local Muslims are resisting this, claiming that there are no Buddhist residents in the city of Kargil. Whilst the Buddhists argue that many Buddhists work in Kargil offices and live as tenets.

Overall there were many trust issues between the Buddhists and Muslim parties to this discussion which it will take some time to overcome.

Conclusion

With every sub-region in Kashmir struggling with their own regional aspirations and political goals, and community relations affected by social, political, and religious tensions, peacebuilding initiatives in Kashmir need to work at several levels to open spaces for an inclusive dialogue. WISCOMP’s intervention, at a time when communities in Ladakh are fragmented along religious and political lines, brought to focus the way disaster can be linked to inter-community relationships. While disaster brings together people and communities for relief and rehabilitation, it can also divide the same people and communities if relief is not distributed in a transparent and impartial manner. In such times deep prejudices can surface to exacerbate conflicts. Efforts such as this to bring all key stakeholders across regions, sub regions, communities and political spectrum in a dialogue is perhaps the only way forward for peace in the region.

Women in Security, Conflict Management and Peace (WISCOMP)

Based in Delhi but operating through South Asia, including Kashmir, WISCOMP's aim is to promote women to positions of leadership in all aspects of peace, security and international affairs.

WISCOMP: Disaster and Dialogue in Kashmir On August 6, 2010 the Himalayan town of Leh in...
Inter-religious Dialogue in Kashmir Shrines of mystic saints and Sufis in Kashmir continue to...
An update from Press for Peace Kashmiri women from both sides of Line of Control (LoC)...

Interview with Ashima Kaul

Joel Gabri — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 13:45:21 +0000

The Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs at Georgetown University has a discussion with Ashima Kaul, local peacebuilder and local correspondent for Kashmir, in which she talks about her work, and what motivated to dedicate her life to peacebuilding.

http://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/interviews/a-discussion-with-ashima-kaul-independent-peace-practitioner-and-journalist

Visit of Melanne Verveer Along with other women journalists in New Delhi today, I...
Why I work for peace in Kashmir What motivates an individual to work for peace? And how...
Why I work for Peace in Kashmir What motivates an individual to work for peace? And how...

Peace in Kashmir: the work of PFP in AJ&K

Zahid Shahab Ahmed — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 14:35:47 +0000

Press for Peace (PFP), a non-governmental humanitarian organisation is the brainchild of Zafar Iqbal. This organisation was established in 1999 in Muzaffarabad-the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, commonly known as Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K). The protection and promotion of human rights, conflict resolution, peace and security, interfaith harmony, community cohesion, gender empowerment and sustainable development have been major areas of focus of this organisation.

Interestingly, over the years, Press for Peace has become a single entity which has been actively engaged in peace related activities in the Pakistani part of the conflict zone and it is for this reason that I communicated with Zafar Iqbal, Chief Executive of Press for Peace, to discuss the peacebuilding story of this organisation for Insight on Conflict.

Zafar shared the ambitious start of Press for Peace by saying that in the beginning, the PFP aimed to utilize the mass media for social change, particularly in the fields of conflict resolution, peacebuilding and harmony in the region through small scale media campaigns at local level in Kashmir. However, more recently, it has expanded its mandate to cater to other sections of society and spread messages of love, tolerance and humanity across the world.

Although the founding members of the PFP were journalists and media professionals, over the time the organisation has attracted the attention of other working groups, especially youth, women, minorities and social activists working on different spheres of human interest.

In peacebuilding PFP has focused on people-to-people contacts through seminars, conferences and walks, with training sessions for youth and community leaders. The most influential and significant PFP campaign was against the reorganization of militants in Neelum Valley and other border areas of the divided state.

“The outcome of our peace-related activities is visible in those areas. Now, you can notice an increased public motivation for peace and conflict resolution. PFP’s work has shown people that hawkish elements can be challenged through peaceful means. Not only, PFP has given them the courage to do so but has been actively supporting them at different levels.”

Based in Kashmir, the PFP strives for the promotion of peace and harmony in the conflict and volatile states of Jammu and Kashmir.

“We have also extended our network to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan, the Indian-administered Kashmir, the UK, Austria, and the Middle East,” Zafar says.

“PFP works in collaboration with other local and regional civil society groups. It has established a strong network in all parts of Kashmir, including Gilgit Baltistan and has therefore been able to be aware of and constantly condemn human rights violations all over the country. ”

“There is a strong network of professionals, activists and campaigners working at grassroots level to emphasize the importance of peace and harmony in local communities,” Zafar says.

Press for Peace is also member of Liberal Forum Pakistan, which is a conglomerate of humanist, secular and democratic political parties and civil rights groups.

Zafar Iqbal told that the PFP is also concentrating on the establishment of culture of mutual respect in South Asia. He is convinced to the core of his heart that most of the animosity and hostility that has engulfed numerous lives and vast resources of the region has been caused by long-standing disputes. He also shared that at the PFP they believe that the resolution of Kashmir conflict could be a gateway for enduring peace and prosperity not only in South Asia but at global level. “In other words, a nonviolent settlement of the conflict would pave the way for positive change in the lives of millions of people, who have paid heavily the price of the policies and wars of the governments of India and Pakistan.”

Iqbal said that their partnerships with Shirkat Gah, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, ASR Women Resource Centre, Action Aid and the United Religions Initiative in Pakistan had allowed PFP to make strong inroads into achieving their aims of the protection of human rights, gender development and the advancement of democratic and humanist norms.

Youth, women, and other marginalized groups who are often the victims of the state and non-state actors, are the target groups for PFP’s peace and human rights projects at domestic level. Zafar Iqbal stated that “due to their formidable exclusion in policy formation and implementation, women are the most deprived element of society. However, their emancipation and empowerment can bring enormous transformations in the whole social system. So PFP especially concentrates on women’s development”.

The organization is aware that young people can be a driving force for nation-building, but that due to many factors they have not been able to play this role. According to Iqbal, because of poverty and other reasons, the youth community is extremely vulnerable to brainwashing by the extremist groups. PFP has therefore tried to engage and mobilize the youth community for positive and constructive activities like conflict prevention and peacebuilding.

Towards the end of this interview Iqbal shared his vision for peace in the Kashmir region. In his words “Press for Peace (PFP) advocates a democratic, liberal and secular state of Kashmir where all of its citizens could live peacefully without any discrimination on the basis of religion, region, class or creed. It envisions a pro-people approach in terms of resolution of Kashmir conflict. It believes that there should be no dictation enforced by India and Pakistan. People of the state should be given the right to decide their future. We believe that human rights violations should be stopped in all parts of Kashmir. Pakistan and India have failed to improve the livelihood of Kashmiris in the areas under their control. Human dignity and humanity is our preference and priority in all of our ideology and actions.”

Currently PFP is working on an “Assessment of Line of Control (LoC) Trade as a model for CBM” between India and Pakistan, and has also implemented projects to enhance people to people contacts at the grassroots levels.

Zafar Iqbal says “Our future plans include an All Kashmir Civil Society Conference” and “Intra-Kashmir Women Conference”. It is hoped that such cross border initiatives will contribute towards better relations between India and Pakistan, especially with reference to the Kashmir dispute.

Biographical Note on Zafar Iqbal

Zafar Iqbal is a freelance journalist, human rights activist and media educator. He holds MA (Media & Globalization) from Nottingham Trent University, UK. He has many other academic distinctions from some of the renowned centres of excellence in Europe and Pakistan. He is also a Chevening Scholar.

After earning his first Masters degree in mass communication from Pakistan, he started his career as a journalist from Muzffarabad, the capital of the Pakistani part of the divided state of Kashmir.

For years, Zafar has been highlighting the miseries of marginalized and voiceless elements of the society in his country. Promoting peace and supporting various issues including press freedom, globalization, interfaith harmony and environmental issues have been the major areas of his contributions while working for a number of national and international dailies and media organisations. As a journalist, he is specifically interested in peace and security with special perspective on South Asia.

Press for Peace

Peace in Kashmir: the work of PFP in AJ&K Press for Peace (PFP), a non-governmental humanitarian organisation is the...
An update from Press for Peace Kashmiri women from both sides of Line of Control (LoC)...
Institute of Peace and Development (INSPAD) The Institute of Peace and Development (INSPAD) formed in 1995...

Mourn and condemn death of young people in Kashmir

Ruairi Nolan — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 10:00:12 +0000

Yakjah Reconciliation and Development Network is deeply saddened by the death of young people in Kashmir. Every life is precious and every life should be protected. Citizens need to feel secure and that should be the ultimate purpose and intent of security forces, including the Jammu and Kashmir police. Maximum restraint should be shown even in the face of deepest provocation and the young people taken into confidence. An immediate dialogue has to be initiated between angry youth and the administration. People in Kashmir want to live their lives normally; hence all sections of the society should ensure that day to day existence of an average Kashmiri is one that of dignity and honor.

We specially ask the Central Reserve Police Force and Jammu and Kashmir Police to ensure safety of every human life. A life gone can never be recovered. We live in a civilized world any violation from men in uniform is not acceptable. While we appreciate those who perform their duties as people’s protectors, we strongly condemn the action of those who step out and violate. They should be punished.

We also appeal to all those who provoke and influence young minds to come on the streets and use violent ways to express their anger not to mislead the youth. Every Kashmiri youth living in Valley has great potential to achieve excellence, it should not be wasted. We all have to come together to find ways for our grievances and sense of injustice. Let’s bring our energies together for brining peace to our troubled motherland. Silent protests and dialogue should be used as ways to resolve issues.

We join in mourning the families of those who have lost their loved ones.

Ashima Kaul, Founder, Yakjah Reconciliation and Development Network

WISCOMP: Disaster and dialogue in Kashmir On August 6, 2010 the Himalayan town of Leh in...
An update from Press for Peace Kashmiri women from both sides of Line of Control (LoC)...
WISCOMP: Disaster and Dialogue in Kashmir On August 6, 2010 the Himalayan town of Leh in...

Citizen Power in Kashmir

Ashima Kaul — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 14:44:30 +0000

Ashima Kaul of Insight on Conflict travels with activists of the Right to Information Movement in Jammu and Kashmir as they visit a village to campaign.

Citizen Power in Kashmir from Insight on Conflict on Vimeo.

Citizen Power in Kashmir Ashima Kaul of Insight on Conflict travels with activists of...
Stories Citizen Power in Kashmir (June 2010) Ashima Kaul of Insight...
Life in a border village In October 2009, Ashima Kaul, Local Correspondent for Kashmir and...

How Kashmiris can contribute to their own cause

Amit Srivastava — Wed, 12 May 2010 14:40:45 +0000

The dispute between India and Pakistan over Kashmir may appear to be intractable. India reiterates that Kashmir is an integral part of its territory, while Pakistan asks for justice for Kashmiri people by holding referendum on its status. If a referendum did take place however, the results would depend on the options given to the people. India is unlikely to agree to a referendum that might result in it losing all claim to Kashmir, so may refuse a referendum that presents the options of merging with India, Pakistan or Independence for Kashmir. Furthermore, the current strength of India may allow it to block all Pakistani demands for a referendum. The status of both countries as nuclear powers denies the possibility of a military solution to the conflict.

In this context, I would argue that the best option for Kashmiris to do is to push for referendum calling for a peaceful, democratic and secular ‘Special Administered Territory’, that would include an increased stake for Kashmiri residents. This territory could be governed by a principle of political dualism and proportional representation, with a diluted military presence from both countries. It might be possible to make some arrangement for independent but correlated treasuries.

A peaceful mass movement might help create a shared Kashmir identity – cultural, economic and political. Goods and capital should then be able to be freely exchanged across both Pakistani- and Indian-administered Kashmir. Such cooperation might help the case for a referendum on a peaceful autonomous region or independent state. One practical step that could help towards improved relations is a push to allow the return of Kashmiri Pundits, which would lesson Hindu-Muslim tensions.

Given the importance of the Kashmir dispute, a specially administered territory might pave the way for a peaceful and integrated South Asia, curbing missile and nuclear ambitions.

Amit Srivastava, May 2010. Amit is an independent journalist who writes on South Asian affairs. He has previously published articles on Kashmir in ‘Kashmir Affairs’ and ‘World Affairs’, and in Autumn will be writing in the ‘Indian Journal’ on constitutional ammendments in India. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Insight on Conflict.

How Kashmiris can Contribute to their Own Cause The dispute between India and Pakistan over Kashmir may appear...
Kashmir The conflict in Kashmir dates to the partition of India...
India-Pakistan relations and SAARC It is an ‘unusual’ occasion in the history of the South...

Sufis and Yogis rediscover traditions for peace

Ashima Kaul — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 14:31:43 +0000

Sufi-Yogi Dialogue from Insight on Conflict on Vimeo.

“If you listen to truth, curb the five; (five senses), Otherwise, you bend the body and call it namaaz (Muslim prayer). If you unite Siva (inner Being) and shunya (non-Being). That is the inner namaaz, indeed”, Professor M. H. Zafar, a Muslim Shaivaite scholar captivated the gathering of Muslim Sufis, Hindu Yogis, Buddhist Monks, Humanitarians and Peace practitioners at Sufi –Yogi Dialogue from 8th -12 April 2010 organized by Global Peace Initiative of Women (GPIW) at Kathmandu as he recited the sholaks ( verse ) of Nund Rishi, Kashmir’s patron saint.

Indeed the path shown by Kashmiri mystics for co-existence for people from different faith traditions is the guidance the world needs when religious extremism, intolerance and violence is becoming a norm. The spiritual culture of Kashmir holds within it the essence of indigenous Reshi, Hindu Shaviate, Buddhist and Islamic Sufi ethos, thereby learning from the wisdom of great masters from different traditions. This makes possible the development of a contemporary framework for evolving a collective consciousness that is locally rooted but has a global identity and appeal.

Contemplating and reflecting on how to bring to fore the deeper wisdoms of all religions, a group of 30 Sufis and Vedantic practitioners from Kashmir Valley, Pakistan, India, Cambodia, Qatar USA and Nepal spent three days sharing their faith traditions, doctrines and direct experiences. As Sister Maureen of Brahma Kumaris said, ‘We have to find ways for the humanity to make a shift to finding a pathway to creating a society based on the principles of love, co-operation and peace’.

Dena Merriam is a founder GPIW. Sitting next to Taimoor Khan Mumtaz, of Shadhili Sufi Order and from Lahore, Pakistan, said in her soft voice said that one of the ways of bringing about such a shift, besides individual meditation, was to collectively go deeper into the levels of their work and help what is happening at the subtle level to manifest at the physical level.

“Walk”, said Bob Maat simply. Dressed in a plain white t-shirt, blue trousers and nylon bathroom slippers, Bob, a humanitarian and teacher, narrated how in 1992 Venerable Maha Ghosananda conceived the idea of Dhammayietra (Peace Walks) when annual month-long peace walk comprised of monks and lay people traveled through politically unstable regions of Cambodia to begin healing and promote peace.

As Bob continued to share his experiences of the many walks he has undertaken he recollected that the first Dhammayietra began in the refugee camps on the Thai border, traveled through Khmer Rouge territory and highly contested land, and ended in Phnom Phen. “We were few walkers initially, almost 100 refugee Cambodians, but hundreds of local supporters joined as we proceeded through the countryside”. He believes that the peace walk was a testament to the eagerness for peace. Both poor villagers and soldiers joined the march or received blessings from the monks. Soldiers laid down their arms and explained to the walkers that they did not want to kill anymore. Villagers gathered spontaneously in the early mornings to receive a water blessing from the monks as a means of psychological purification. And unexpectedly, walkers began to meet relatives they had not seen for decades.

With deep reverence etched on his face Bob continued to add that for Ghosananda, consciousness was the starting point for social ethics because one’s mental state generates all verbal and physical activity. All involved are personally responsible for the health of society. “When he crossed the landmined areas, he asserted that to remove landmines one has to first remove the landmines within ones heart – anger, greed and delusion.”

Swami Atmarupananda, Spiritual Teacher from the Ramakrishna Mission in USA, however said the greatest service to the world is to help “awaken the spiritual heart” and that can be attained through the path of prapati (total surrender to the grace of God) and Truth. Sharing with the participants the various ways to get to the path of prapatti and Truth Atmapurananda added, “An inclusive idea is more powerful than an exclusive one”. Sitting crossed legged in a yogic posture, wearing saffron robes he looked at the participants and mused, “My Self existence extends only upto me only so why shouldn’t I identity with the whole Universe, which is larger, more inclusive, and therefore more powerful”. This is indeed a powerful message to the world, when people want to shrink identities, exclude each other and at times even eliminate each other in the search for achieving power. “I see it as an accumulation of the negative Karma and self-destructive behavior”, said Dena thoughtfully. She asked pointedly, “How can we, a group of mystics, Sufis, yogis, practitioners rebuild or alter energy structures?”

Responding to the challenges Dr. Shezad Qaiser, author and poet from Pakistan said that spirituality cannot be sustained in a vacuum without cultural forms. “Sufi traditions have been a vital link between common man and heaven through the native language and oral traditions. When people are denied native language and oral traditions die, spirituality also dies”. Often breaking into his own native Saraiki language spoken in south eastern areas of Pakistan, Dr. Qaiser expressed poetically that the basic message of Sufis is of Unity and Diversity. “While the principle of Unity is hidden, the phenomenon of Diversity is understood by people because it is their immediate experience. When we hold dialogue, the purpose of the principle becomes unseen and unhidden”. To which Ahmed Jawaid, Deputy Director Iqbal Academy, Lahore, Pakistan eloquently added “Diversity in perceptions is not conflicting for Sufis and Yogis. However, we have to search and arrive at a workable unity, perhaps the only way to overcome the crisis in the world today.”

Ashima Kaul, Insight on Conflict, 30 April 2010

Sufis and Yogis Rediscover Dialogical Traditions for Global Peace Sufi-Yogi Dialogue from Insight on Conflict on Vimeo. “If you...
Inter-religious Dialogue in Kashmir Shrines of mystic saints and Sufis in Kashmir continue to...
Sharing Stories of Building Peace Our Kashmir Local Correspondent Ashima Kaul this week attended a...

Kashmir: Building democracy, building peace

Ashima Kaul — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 14:33:46 +0000

Right to Information Movement in Jammu & Kashmir from Insight on Conflict on Vimeo.

“In the last 20 years both, the state government of Jammu and Kashmir and India have given priority only to the political and security aspect of this region, whereas governance, social issues and accountability have take a back seat”, Dr. Raja Muzaffar said with an upset tone. A dentist by profession, Dr. Muzaffar is spearheading the Right to Information Movement in Jammu and Kashmir which he thinks is a potential tool for peace building in the region. “It is because of this weapon that we can bring real democracy, justice for all and ensure that rights of the people are protected”, he reiterates.

Dr. Muzaffar’s fellow activists, almost 20 of them from different villages, sitting with him in a circle in Citizen Council’s room in Chadoora, District Badgam almost an hour’s drive from the capital city Srinagar, agree with him. “When the oppressed and poor will get their rights, militancy will automatically go away”, they opine, which may not be accepted by all but clearly for the people who have joined the movement, they are convinced that RTI is the answer for social justice , good governance, accountability and transparency which in turn will bring peace. “Yahi hatiyar yahan aman layega (this weapon alone will bring peace here)”, they raise their hands and shout in unison.

The journey of these brave hearts started when Dr. Sheikh Gulam Rasool, a mobile medical officer working in far flung border villages under Border Development Program run by the state government, met the local villagers. “I noticed that in the far flung areas, a common person had to struggle even for a ration card [a government subsidy card]. There was diktat of local politicians, contractor mafia and oppression by landowners”, he shares. His friend, Dr. Muzaffar, who used to visit him often, started interacting with the villagers Dr. Rasool attended to his patients. Dr. Muzaffar inquired from people about their problems. “Today this has taken the shape of a RTI movement as common people are joining us”, says Dr. Muzaffar.

However the crusade for justice and peace is not without its challenges and dangers. In Branwar, a border village when the local Awami Insanf Committee ( People’s Justice Committee), which is now the local RTI watchdog, exposed irregularities in a government scheme, the local politicians and timber contractors influenced the police to arrest the activists on baseless charges of theft and even sent their goons with axes to attack them. “We had to hide in the jungles and some of our activists were put behind bars with criminals” says Dr. Muzaffar.

Visibly charged and agitated Mushtaq Ahmed Mir, Nazeer Ahmed, Mohd Iqbal Nadem and many other members of the Awami Insaaf Committee sitting in the room however seemed undeterred in their pursuit. “This has given an entry point to the oppressed to seek justice and we are not going to give up” says Dr. Muzaffar. Letters to Chief Minster of the state and other RTI activists across India as also ensuring editorials in local newspapers highlighted the need and urgency to reach justice to the common people in Jammu and Kashmir, a region laden with conflict and violence. For it the common people whose aspirations are exploited by the separatists to help form their constituencies for extremist and divisive politics. An effort towards weaning the common people away from separatist constituencies through participatory governance may build secular structures and politics.

The success stories wherein villagers have been able to get drinking water to their villages or shelter sheds for Below Poverty Line people have emboldened the spirit of the villagers. “ I am seeking answer as to how many illegal rice mills are operating in our residential area as one of the mills adjacent to my house has made it impossible for us to live there”, says Hilal Ahmed Bhat. With a bundle of documents under his arm, indicating the long battle he has been engaging with the different authorities, Hilal is confident to get justice. So is Shakeela, headmistress of Government Girls High School, Raipora, District Badgam is planning to file an RTI on behalf of her school. “The entire building is almost collapsing and it is unsafe for 130 children and 13 staff members to be here”, she said pointing to cracked walls, flooring and caved in roof. “We have no option but to fight for our children’s safety and schools infrastructure through RTI”.

The RTI team is slowly spreading awareness about the Act to the public through workshops and seminars through out the state and its heartening to see when people from Jammu region call up RTI Movement activists for advise on how to seek justice, clearly an issue which is connecting people divided otherwise through politics, identity, ethnicity and religion.

Ashima Kaul, Insight on Conflict Local Correspondent, Kashmir. April 2010.

Right to Information Movement

A peoples movement working on the implementation of the right to information in Jammu and Kashmir

Right To Information Movement: Building Democracy, Building Peace in Kashmir Right to Information Movement in Jammu & Kashmir from Insight...
Kashmir The conflict in Kashmir dates to the partition of India...
Citizen Power in Kashmir Ashima Kaul of Insight on Conflict travels with activists of...

Why I work for peace in Kashmir

Ashima Kaul — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:30:19 +0000

What motivates an individual to work for peace? And how do they get started?

Ashima Kaul, our Kashmir Local Correspondent, is herself a peacebuilder with the Athwaas organisation. In this interview, she takes about her involvement in peacebuilding in Kashmir.

Why I work for Peace in Kashmir What motivates an individual to work for peace? And how...
Interview with Ashima Kaul The Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs at...
Life in a border village In October 2009, Ashima Kaul, Local Correspondent for Kashmir and...