Iftekhar's Blog

Following is the collection of my write ups which appeared in Greater Kashmir (leading English Daily from srinagar kashmir) from time to time in print as well as in online issue.

(1)

This article of mine appeared in (25-Sep-2006) Greater Kashmir issue

Come Kashmir and objectivity bids a good bye:

I appreciate Indian Media both electronic as well as print for their unbiased reporting and fair analysis. We see a lot of sting operations and a lot of Paparazzi style Journalism also in India . Politicians have been shown taking bribe and caught red handed by Indian Journalists, lot of scandals have been unearthed by the smart Indian journalists. In south Asia if any country has a free press that is India. Be it ruling party of India or opposition party, media spares none. Recent years have witnessed a tremendous spurt of private channels. There is a cut throat competition amongst channels to get a story first and report it first. Every minute we see breaking news and news alert. TV journalists have become big celebrities in India. TV journalists like Barkha Dutt, Pranay Roy, Rajdeep Sardesai Rajat Sharma etc are house hold names in India.Unfortunately all these reporters and all these channels have maintained a criminal silence when it comes to reporting Kashmir. I can think of three reasons for this cold approach of Indian Media towards Kashmir. Either conscience of Indian journalists has died or it must be written in the curriculum of Indian Journalism that Kashmir falls beyond and is not to be reported anymore. The third reason could be that Government of India has wooed them to the extent that they reciprocate their friendship by being biased about Kashmir.Even pro establishment people who have been installed and commissioned by Indian establishment themselves are not given any coverage on Indian channels. Now let us see when Indian Media is reporting on Kashmir. They report only when they find any news item in which they can show that normalcy has returned the valley, when they find stories which suit them. They find a handful of people here with statements which fall in line with their scheme of things. They feel happy in showing people praising Indian Army here. From wherever they get it, but they are very selective about the material regarding Kashmir. A man smoking on the banks of Dal means all is well with Kashmiris no matter what happens here.We never see those investigative or Sherlock Holmes style journalists coming from India to investigate why army killed teenagers in a marriage party, why they killed a handicapped shopkeeper, how Navy is responsible for the drowning of 22 kids in Wullar lake. Even when they are to discuss Kashmir, they invite they invite any non Kashmiri pseudo intellectual or some one from the establishment and whatever they say is acceptable to them.This way they can’t be objective. If they want to maintain their credibility they must step out of their bias and report very objectively on Kashmir.
iftekhar email :
iwani@indsci.com

(2)

Published in GK 8th sep 2006

It’s good to see intellectuals discussing issues regarding Kashmir :

This refers to a three-day conference titled “Indian Federalism at Work” at SKICC in Srinagar organized by The Institute of Social Science New Delhi. It is very sad that the eminent intellectual, and columnist of Dawn Ayaz Amir was denied the visa to attend the conference. India has no problems with the famous human rights activist Asma Jehangir as she is always welcome in India. This lady always spews fire against Pak establishment and military rule of Musharaf. All Pak bashing by Asma is well taken by India and hence she is favorite guest of India from Pakistan. It is good that these Indian intellectuals are coming to attend the seminars in Kashmir. This will give them an opportunity to see the situation of Kashmir themselves. It is a culture amongst Indian intellectuals to write books and papers on Kashmir without visiting the place and feeling the situation on ground. It is also highly fashionable for drawing room intellectuals to sound experts on Kashmir situation and all their analysis is based on the propaganda news of Dordarshan or news material published in Indian news papers. These sources are infamous for their prejudice against Kashmir. As a result of it, we see half-baked concocted and fabricated stories regarding Kashmir. The titles of these conferences like “Indian Federalism at work” or “Peace and Conflict Resolution” sound too wishful. More interesting titles are there to be deliberated over. We must have seminars about the mental state of children in Kashmir who have been intimidated by Indian Army. The plight of women and the misery they have faced due to occupation can also become a topic for discussion. Human Rights violations by state sponsored armed men, the issue of disappearance, presence of one million Indian troops and Kashmir - all these titles must be debated over so that the real picture comes on the fore. I appreciate Dr. Hameeda Nayeem, Dr. Syed Fazlullah, Z G Muhammad speaking in the five-day workshop on “Peace and Conflict Resolution” organized by the Center for Study of Society and Secularism, Mumbai in collaboration with an NGO, “Eves Welfare Association. They proved quick enough to see the games being played with Kashmiris in the name of `Kashmiriyat’. All this is meant to divert the attention from the real issue and to put the whole freedom struggle in a completely distorted perspective.
Iftekhar Ahmad
iwani@indsci.com

(3)

Published in GK dated 5 august 2006 (this was written when Israel attacked Lebanon) .

............and he could just manage to save his life

This is a story as narrated to me by my Lebanese friend Muhammad Chehab who with his family reached from Tyre to Syria and then to Jordan and from Jordan flew to Saudi Arabia. Muhammad Chehab was confined to his house during the first week of indiscriminate bombing by Israel on Lebanon. Chehab lives in Tyre which is south of Lebanon. Tyre is 70 kms from Beirut. He was with his family like other thousands of families without food, water, electricity. All roads and bridges of his region were bombed by Israel. After the first week was over Chehab decided to take risk and hired a car. He took fuel from it and filled his own car, “fuel is very scare in Lebanon”. As all the roads and bridges have been destroyed Chehab took a rough and dangerous road and his first destination was Sidon. Sidon is a mountainous region and is very dangerous as Israeli shells were also falling from all sides. On the way to Sidon he saw many bombs falling, two of bombs he saw falling in sea. Usually time taken to reach Sidon by road is half and hour but it took him 6 hours to reach Sidon. His next stop was Hamana another mountainous region. He stayed in Hamana for 3 days, when he decided to leave Hamana by that time Israeli troops had gathered at the border of Lebanon called Maroun Al Ras. Chehab thought that now after gathering of troops at border now they will attack by ground and he decided to leave Hamana despite heavy shelling of Israeli bombs. Next day he left from Hammara amid a rain of shells and reached safely to Syria. It takes one hour by road to reach Syria from Hamana, all roads from Hammara to Syria were deserted as no soul was seen. Syria border was very crowded by people as told by Chehab. He also saw trucks loaded with aid waiting on the Syrian border as they were scared to go to Lebanon. On the way from Hamana Muhammad Chehab saw two trucks loaded with food stuff for Lebanese people. Humans for humans, these trucks too were hit by Israeli bombs. He also saw a diary factory hit by Israeli bombs burning. From Syria Muhammad Chehab reached safely to Jordon and could barely manage to save his life. Iftekhar iwani@indsci.com

(4)

Following letter was in 10 July issue of GK

Nothing expecte till India and Pakistan show seriousness :

This refers to Indo Pak relations which are being discussed and written about. We have seen during the last two years a lot of enthusiasm on both sides of the border. Lot of delegations are moving across the border to exchange views and develop a people to people contact. Actors, painters, singers , journalists, intellectuals are playing their role in this regard. Lot of CBM’s, lot of Track II diplomacy. But we didn’t see an iota of progress on even small outstanding issues between two countries like Wular Barrage, Sir creek, Siachin. I am not talking about the progress on the biggest dispute Kashmir. Now if they can’t make any progress on the smaller issue how can they move ahead on an issue that is pending for six decades now. India rejected any reference to Jammu and Kashmir in OIC saying it is the integral part of India so we don’t like any reference to it. Mr. Duggal accused Pakistan of exporting terrorism. On the other hand a noted Bollywood writer and poet was denied VISA by Pakistan. Indian is deceiving both Kashmiris as well as Pakistanis, they are giving an impression to the world that relations are growing better between two countries. They are projecting Bus Services as one of the landmarks achieved. The reality is reverse. These buses (Karwane Aman) go empty to Muzzafarabad and almost come empty from the Muzzafarbad. This bus service is a big drama and it has achieved nothing as both the sides have made this bus visit more complicated than seeking a regular visa . The only solution to this vexed problem is that Kashmiris start mass demonstrations against illegal Indian occupation . People from all walks of life should come on roads to protest against human rights violations and against this illegal occupation which Kashmiris have been facing for so long. Iftekhar Ahmad iwani@indsci.co

(5)

Following lette was in GK 26 June issue.

Mere drama :

DEAR EDITOR,

This refers to the recent protest by Omar Abdullah near Civil Secretariat against human rights violations by Indian army . The act is a big drama. During NC reign we saw the worst kind of human rights violations, but then we did not see any protests. Omar Abdullah should have carried this protest in Delhi Jantar Mantar or other place in Delhi where Indian government would have heard him better. Actually Omar Abdullah is going on the lines of Mehbooba Mufti who also used these antics to woo people. Omar is applying the same method with the same aim. Iftekhar
iwani@indsci.com

(6)

Roundtable Conference.

DEAR EDITOR,

This refers to the recent round table conference in Delhi and KP’s Demand for UT status and safe zone. In your editorial you have very well put the whole affair as damp squib. First India called Sajad Lone and then Yaseen Malik and immediately after that there was a Round table conference. Hope all these talks were noticed by the Bush administration which they were aimed at. The new advisors of India on Kashmir issue did a great Job in arranging this stage show of round table conference. All the parties who mattered did not attend it, even Kashmiri Pandits also didn’t attend it except the extremist Panun Kashmir. Timing was all important. This time the rejection of all major parties in this round table conference was a good idea as India wanted to show Bush that India is talking to Kashmiris. Postponing talks by Kashmiri leaders till Bush leaves back would have been a good idea. Manmohan had no interest except to stagemanage a show which he successfully did. I hope KP’s Demand for Union Territory status and safe zone is not supported by all Kashmiri Pandits. By these illogical demands they are only distancing Kashmiri Pandits from Kashmir. This speaks that they don’t want to return. If they want to be in Kashmir and have separate zones in the valley, then what is the fun of returning home. They must be realistic in their demands if they are serious.
Iftekhar
iwani@indsci.com

(7)

This appeared in 4th may 2006 issue regarding kashmir elections

No expectations :

This refers to the recent by-election results in Pattan, Rafiabad, Sangrama in which people voted enthusiastically. They should not think that their problems are solved, they should not have the notion that now they will get pani, sadak and bijili or tehsil status. The reason is that India is not in Kashmir to give us Roti Kapda aur makan, they are here to subjugate us. Do these people who voted think that Human rights violations which Indian troops commit in Kashmir will stop because they voted, the answer is a big 'No' as the state run government is directly under the ministry of defense. They witnessed one such act in Pattan when a policeman himself threw a grenade at polling both. Kashmir didn't sacrifice 80 ,0000 people for roads and electricity. They sacrificed their lives for our better future so that we live in a peaceful independent Kashmir where there are no killings, no violations of human rights.
Iftekhar
iwani@indsci.com

(8)

Distorting history:

DEAR EDITOR, Apropos the news item “Kashmir history being distorted”. I agree with Ghulam Nabi Khayal that Kashmiri Pandits have distorted Kashmir History. You visit any Kashmiri Pandith web site and you will not find even mention of Kashmiri Muslim poets like Habba Khaton, Rasul Mir, Muhammad Gami. Even in the religious places of Kashmir you will not find mention of the religious places of Muslims like Baba Rishi, Baba Shukrdin. On browsing these sites one gets the impression that only Hindus have lived in Kashmir. The problem with Kashmiri Pandiths is that they write what ever Government of India wants them to write. By writing these fabricated and concocted things they are doing no good to Kashmir. By this way they are themselves hampering their return to the valley. I appeal to Pandith community to desist from doing anything that widens the gulf. I suggest them to do some constructive work for Kashmir as this country is their country also. They are always welcome in the valley and we are eagerly looking forward for their return.
Iftekhar
iwani@indsci.com

(9)

Maligning Kashmir:

DEAR EDITOR

I don’t understand why a few Jammu based prominent news papers are referring to the sex scandal as ”Srinagar Sex Scandal “. They use bold font to report this sex scandal. Why is it Srinagar sex scandal, why Jammu Kashmir Sex scandal. The first people who were caught in this scandal were from Jammu namely Anil Sethi and Raman Matto. I would personally like to call it a sex scandal involving politicians, security agencies and bureaucrats. This is not fair to confine it to Srinagar as that maligns a particular place only. Even Muzaffar Beig tried to give Kashmir a bad name by saying that Kashmir is being sold as a sex destination in European countries. I don’t know how this so called learned lawyer uttered this statement as this is a very baseless comment. How can they sell Kashmir as sex destination when travel advisories of most of the countries have not even cleared Kashmir for their tourists? This is a clear act to malign Kashmir and that can’t be tolerated. Now let us take a look at Indian Private news channels, all of them did a very enthusiastic reporting on this sex scandal as this was a spicy story for them but when a disabled young man is shot dead by Indian troops, we don’t see any report about it. This speaks of the biased attitude of Indian media which is nothing new.
Iftekhar Ahmad
iwani@indsci.com

(10)

Article admirable:

DEAR EDITOR

This refers to the article by Shahnaz Bashir The subject of identity (GK 22 July issue). This was a very brilliantly written article which deserves a big admiration. Author has rightly pointed towards the usage of the word Kashmiriyat by pseudo scholars and pseudo intellectuals just to undermine the freedom struggle of Jammu and Kashmir. The word Kashmiriyat has been used by pro establishment people and it gained currency since 1989. The very word must be condemned as it’s being used against us so deceptively. To me Kashmiriyat means Kashmir’s secession from India. I also support Shanaz Bashir’s suggestion that history should be taught in schools. Until that happens I urge all the pro Kashmir historians to write in newspapers especially in GK as it is widely read throughout world by all Kashmiris. Our historians have to work hard to let the world know about the history of Kashmir.
Iftekhar
iwani@indsci.com

(11)

Anyone who dares to talk against Jews is gone:

Apropos Minhaj Qidwai’s article regarding Anti Semitic laws. It was a very well written article and I admire him for going in detail while explaining the origin and meaning of the word “ Semitic”. Actually Arabs are more Semitic than Jews. Presently West and Israel are killing Arabs in Palestine and Iraq so they themselves are anti Semitic. Muslims unfortunately are at a receiving end everywhere in the world. Muslims should tightly hold fast to Islam and be united as western powers are bent to crush Muslims. We should learn from Jews how united this miniscule community is. In this contemporary world if some dares to speak against Jews, be sure that he is gone. We have hundreds of incidents in which some writers in the West who have one way or the other wrote against Jews and lost their jobs. The recent example is of Mayor of London who was removed from his post on making some anti Jewish remarks. If some body in the West says less number of Jews died in Holocaust that person is jailed. Holocaust denial has a sever punishment in many European countries. See how alive this Holocaust issue has been kept by Jews. In Kashmir more than 80 thousand civilians have been killed, does any body know. During Maharaja Hari Sing’s time more than 2 lac Muslims were massacred in Jammu in an organized way by Indian forces and Praja Parishad, does anybody know or does outside world talk about this.
Iftekhar
iwani@indsci.com

(12)

This appeared in the greater kashmir 13 jan 2007 issue

Biased Media

DEAR EDITOR,

Indian and American Media have two things in common i.e. hiding facts from their respective public and throwing a blanket of secrecy on vital issues. In USA it is a crime to talk against the Jews or Israel. It is as if you are saying something against God. Even one cannot make a mention, direct or indirect, about the fate of the Palestinians. American media, be it electronic or print, discuss any topic under the sky earth and investigate any issue except the Arab-Israel conflict. They don’t tell their public that USA destroyed Iraq just to tap out its oil, the naïve USA public feels that US attacked Iraq to unearth WMD (weapons of mass destruction) and to catch the Iraqi dictator Saddam. Jews control all newspapers and TV channels. In India also, writing in favor of Kashmir is considered a big crime. All the TV channels and print media of India are hawkish about Kashmir. They never report the human rights violations committed by the Indian Army in Kashmir. Doordarshan reports Gulmarg winter sports or coming of migratory birds from Siberia with great enthusiasm. But the Beharampora (Pattan) destruction by 1500 Indian troops and killing of a mentally challenged person finds no place in the news.
Iftekhar
,iwani@indsci.com

This write up appeared on 28th march 2007 in Greater kashmir (leading english daily of Kashmir)

(13)

Freedom struggle

DEAR EDITOR,This in reference to the much-hyped demilitarization of disputed Kashmir. Demilitarization balloon was punctured by Indian Prime Minister when he said that there would be no demilitarization. God knows why PDP and Hurriyat (Mirwaiz faction) were so much optimistic about the demilitarization. Recent Indo-Pak talks also failed as India didn’t show an iota of flexibility. We Kashmiris should not loose heart. We should tightly hold the rope of Islam and keep our determination alive in fighting the illegal occupation of India.Freedom struggles take time. Freedom does not come on a platter. India itself got its freedom after the fighting for more than hundred years. Chechens are fighting for their freedom. What is important in freedom struggle is the mental toughness of the occupied. No matter how powerful the occupier is, one should not change his ideology and should not budge or compromise. Recently we saw how gallantly Hizbollah fought the mighty Israel and the superpower USA and gave both a bloody nose. They didn’t have the smart bombsand patriotic missiles. They only had determination, will power and belief in what they were doing.Same thing is happening in Afghanistan as America destroyed it and reduced it to the stone-age but nowadays we hear that almost 80% of the Afghanistan is again in the control of Taliban. Vietnam made US to retreat disgracefully from their land by their determination. We Kashmiris should not listen to India with half-baked roadmaps and solutions. We should stick to the basics that is India should vacate from our country, release our youth from its jails.
Iftekhar

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

BiasedMedia

Monday, June 18, 2007

Freedom Struggle

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Iftekhar,s write ups

Tuesday, December 5, 2006

Iftekhar's write ups

Come Kashmir and objectivity bids a good bye:

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