Jammu-Kashmir

Jammu-Kashmir Now o”kZ % 2 vxLr] Hkkx&2] 2014 i`”B % 16 laikndh; Jammu-Kashmir Now yqcuk ds cgkus foHkktd 'kfä;ka] os pkgs xktk esa gksa] Jhuxj esa vFkok narsokM+k esa] vius [kwuh [ksy dks pyk;s j[kus ds fy;s mUgsa mu fujhg&funksZ"k yksxksa dh t:jr cuh jgrh gS tks muds ukjksa ds ihNs ds earO; dks le>us dh dksf'k'k djus ds ctk; muds b'kkjksa ij tku nsus dks rS;kj jgsaA

&vk'kqrks"k HkVukxj foHkktd 'kfä;ka] os pkgs xktk esa gksa] btjk;y dks pkfg;s fd og Hkkjr ds Jhuxj esa vFkok narsokM+k esa] vius [kwuh [ksy dks vuqHko ls lh[ksA dk'ehj esa igys yxHkx ogh pyk;s j[kus ds fy;s mUgsa mu fujhg&funksZ"k yksxksa fLFkfr Fkh tks vkt xktk esa gSA ogka dh fLFkfr dh t:jr cuh jgrh gS tks muds ukjksa ds ihNs Hkh ,slh gh Hk;kog Fkh fdUrq Hkkjr ljdkj us ds earO; dks le>us dh dksf'k'k djus ds ctk; f'k{kk esa fuos'k ds tfj;s fLFkfr esa ldkjkRed muds b'kkjksa ij tku nsus dks rS;kj jgsaA gekl gks] cnyko ykus esa lQyrk çkIr dhA vkbZ,l gks] vydk;nk gks] y'djs rS;ck gks vFkok ;g ekuuk gS fQfyLrhu ds jk"Vªh; lqj{kk ekvksoknh] ekuo jä dh budh I;kl dHkh cq>rh foHkkx ds varxZr fQyhLrhu us'kuy vFk‚jVh esa ughaA buds ukjksa ds fy;s tku nsus okys yksx dk;Zjr lqJh yqcuk dkA yqcuk dh ckr dk otu budh utj esa euq"; ugha cfYd la[;k gksrs gSaA blfy;s c<+ tkrk gS D;ksafd nksuksa {ks=ksa dk vuqHko ;g la[;k tc v[kckj esa Nirh gS rks mldk muds ikl gSA mudk cpiu dk'ehj esa chrk gS vlj gksrk gSA tgka mudk ifjokj vkt Hkh jgrk gSA vkrad ds ;g lkSnkxj tkurs gSa fd bl yqcuk dgrh gSa] Hkkjr ljdkj us i<+us ds [kwuh [ksy dks yxkrkj pyk;s j[kus ds fy;s tks fy;s jkT; ls ckgj Hkstuk 'kq: fd;kA blh ;kstuk ekuo cy bUgsa pkfg;s og rHkh rd fey ldrk ds varxZr mPp f'k{kk ds fy;s yqcuk dk HkkbZ gS tc rd fd f'k{kk vkSj fodkl ls mudh nwjh ef.kiky fo'ofo|ky; vkSj os Lo;a cuh gqbZ gSA blfy;s buds fu'kkus ij f'k{kk ds vyhx<+ eqfLye fo'ofo|ky; x;haA ogka laLFkku gksrs gSa] lwpuk ds ek/;e gksrs gSa vkSj mUgksaus ck;ks&dsfeLVªh esa mPp f'k{kk gkfly dhA mu fodkl ds ladsrd gksrs gSaA os tkurs gSa fd ;fn fnuksa dks ;kn djrs gq, yqcuk crkrh gSa & muds f'k{kk vkSj fodkl ds fy;s jkLrs [kqy x;s rks ckth tSls cgqr ls gemez ukStokuksa us Hkkjr ljdkj dh muds gkFk ls fudy ldrh gSA bl ;kstuk ls ykHk mBk;k vkSj fgalk ds nq"pØ ls ;gka ,d ç'u iwNuk çklafxd gksxkA yqcuk] ckgj fudyus esa lQy jgsA tks viuh ;ksX;rk ds cy ij fQfyLrhu esa viuh vyhx<+ eqfLye fo'ofo|ky; esa i<+rs txg cukrh gS] ogka ds ,d jk"Vªh; laLFkku esa le; gh yqcuk dh vius ,d fQfyLrhuh lgikBh viuh lsok ns jgh gS] D;k tEew&dk'ehj ds ;qokvksa ls fe=rk gqbZ tks ckn esa fookg esa cny x;hA dh jksy e‚My gks ldrh gSA D;k mlds cPps] tks fiNys 17 o"kksaZ ls os fQfyLrhu esa gSaA muds nks ;wjksi ds vusd ns'kksa esa laxhr çfr;ksfxrkvksa esa csfV;ka vkSj ,d csVk gSA xktk esa tUe gksus ds iqjLdkj gkfly dj pqds gSa] d'ehj dh okfn;ksa esa ckotwn muds cPps /kkjkçokg fgUnh cksyrs gSaA rhuksa viuk laxhr lquk ldsaxsA 'kk;n ughaA ;gka rd gh cPpksa dh laxhr esa xgjh #fp gS vkSj cM+h csVh fd os viuh eka ds ?kj esa vkdj cl Hkh ugha djhek ;wjksi esa vk;ksftr vusd laxhr çfr;ks- ldsaxsA bldh btktr u ogka dk dkuwu nsxk vkSj fxrkvksa esa Hkkx ys pqdh gSA u gh ogka dk dêjoknh usr`RoA viuh /kjrh ls Hkkjr ds lanHkZ esa blds nks vFkZ fudkys tk ges'kk ds fy;s dV x;h gS yqcukA vkSj mlds cPps ldrs gSaA igyk] Hkkjr ljdkj ds lg;ksx ls tks HkhA dkj.k vkSj nokc dqN Hkh gksa] dksbZ lekt tc ;qok mPp f'k{kk çkIr dj viuk dSfj;j cukus esa vkxs c<+us ls budkj dj nsrk gS rks dêjiafFk;ksa lQy gq,] os u flQZ vius thou ls larq"V gSa dh cu vkrh gSA xktk ds cgkus dk'ehj dks cfYd fgalk ds tky ls ckgj vkdj fodkl dh le>us dh ;g dksf'k'k vthc yx ldrh gS ij eq[;/kkjk esa ;ksxnku Hkh dj jgs gSaA nwljk] yqcuk ds cgkus ;g le>us esa dqN Hkh vthc ugha dk'ehj gks ;k fQfyLrhu] fodkl dh eq[;/kkjk esa gS fd f'k{kk vkSj fodkl ds jkLrs gh u;h ih<+h ykdj gh ogka ds yksxksa dks fgalk ds jkLrs ls nwj dks fgalk dh nyny ls ckgj fudky ikuk laHko fd;k tk ldrk gSA gSA g

3 vkoj.k dFkk Jammu-Kashmir Now

vkjS njs lojs jkt'kkgh 'kklu ç.kkyh dks tkuk gh gksxkA mUgksaus rks Lo;a tEew d'ehj dks bl ubZ 'kklu O;oLFkk esa 'kkfey djus ds fy;s igy dj nh Fkh A ns'k Hkj dh ckdh fj;klrksa esa ls Hkh jkt'kkgh lekIr gks jgh Fkh vkSj cM+h fj;kl - rksa ds 'kkldksa dks ubZ lkafo/kkfud O;oLFkk ds vUrxZr viuh fj;klrksa dk ]ftUgsa ubZ lkafo/kkfud O;oLFkk esa ch Js.kh ds jkT; dgk x;k Fkk ]jk - tçeq[k fu;qä dj fn;k x;k Fkk A egkjktk gfj flag Hkh blh O;oLFkk ds rgr tEew d'ehj jkT; ds jk - tçe[q k cu s Fk s A yfs du 'k[s k ekgs Een vCnqYyk dk mís'; rks egkjktk gfj flag dks viekfur djuk Fkk ] mu egkjktk gfj flga dk s ] ftUgkuas s ugs # ds vkxzg ij fcuk dksbZ pquko djok;s 'ks[k dks fj;klr dk ç/kkuea=h cuk fn;k Fkk ]og Hkh mu esgjpUn egktu dks gVk dj ftudh ;ksX;rk dh /kkd lkjs ns'k esa Fkh A ysfdu 'ks[k vCnqYyk vkSj usg# dh egkjktk gfj flag ds vieku tksM+h dks egkjktk ds brus vieku Hkj l s lra k"s k ugh a gvq k A mUgkuas s jkT; dk flyflyk tkjh gS ds jktçeq[k dks gh jkT; ls fu"dkflr dj nsus dk "kMîa= jpuk 'kq# dj fn;k A ;g egkjktk gfj flag ds fy;s vieku dh &Mkå dqynhi pUn vfXugks=h ijkdk"Bk Fkh A ysfdu 'ks[k vCnqYyk bl ds fy;s oftn Fks vkSj usg# bl xse esa mlds lkFkh FksA ysfdu blesa ,d gh ck/kk FkhA ml ck/kk dks nwj fd;s fcuk egkjktk gfj flag dks fj;klr ls egkjktk gfj flag tEew d'ehj ds vafre 'kkld Fks A mu dk uke fu"dkflr djuk laHko ugha Fkk Atc rd egkjktk dh xSjgkftjh jkT; ds mu 'kkldks a es a vkrk gS ftUgksua s vius çxfr'khy –f"Vdks.k esa mudk dksbZ jhtSaV ;kfu çfrfuf/k u fey tk;s rc rd mudks ds dkj.k jkT; esa vusd lq/kkj fd;s vkSj f'k{kk ds çpkj çlkj ds fj;klr ls ckgj ugha fudkyk tk ldrk Fkk A ;g jhtSaV ;k çfr - fy;s vusd dk;Z fd;s A os vk;Zlekth Fks blfy;s mUgksaus jkT; esa fuf/k mudk csVk gh gks ldrk Fkk A egkjktk gfj flag dk dsoy nfyr lekt ds fy;s eafnjksa ds njokts ml le; [kksy fn;s Fks ] ,d gh csVk Fkk ftldk uke d.kZ flag Fkk ] vkSj mlds firk mls tc vU; fj;klrksa esa bldh dksbZ dYiuk Hkh ugha dj ldrk FkkA Vkbxj dgk djrs Fks A ç'kklu ds yksdra=hdj.k ds fy;s mUgksaus fj;klr esa çtk lHkk ds thou esa vk;s bl lcls cM+s ladV esa egkjktk gfj flag dh iwjh uke ls fo/kku lHkk dh LFkkiuk dj nh Fkh A Vsd vc vius csVs d.kZ flag ij gh fVdh gqbZ Fkh A ;fn d.kZ flag ysfdu 'kklu ds vafre fnuksa esa ftu ls os lokZf/kd nq[kh o ukjkt jhtSVa cuus ls bUdkj nsrk gS rks 'ks[k vCnqYyk vkSj usg# dh tksMh+ Fks os nks yksx Fks A igys 'ks[k eksgEen vCnqYyk vkSj nwljs muds pkg dj Hkh egkjktk gfj flag dks tEew d'ehj ls fu"dkflr ugha vius lqiq= Mkå d.kZ flag A 'ks[k eksgEen vCnqYyk us iafMr usg# dj ik;xs hA 'k[s k vCnYq yk vkSj ugs # Hkh tkur s Fk s fd rjq i dk iÙkk dks ]tks ewy #i ls d'ehjh Fks] vius lkFk feyk dj egkjktk gfj bl le; d.kZ flag gh gS A d.kZ flag ;fn vius firk egkjktk flag dks viekfur djus esa dksbZ dlj ugha NksM+h A vCnqYyk us gfj flag ds lkFk [kM+k gks tkrk gS rks thr egkjktk dh gksxh vkSj viuh ikVhZ uS'kuy dkUÝsal ds ek/;e ls fj;klr esa ls jkt'kkgh d.kZ flag ;fn 'ks[k eksgEen vCnqYyk ds lkFk pyk tkrk gS rks dks lekIr djus dk vkUnksyu NsM+ j[kk Fkk ] ;g egkjktk ds fy;s thr usg# vkSj 'ks[k vCnqYyk dh tksM+h dh gksxh A lkjk tEew dksbZ cgqr cM+k nq[k dk dkj.k ugha Fkk A bruk rks os le> gh d'ehj ] [kkl dj tEew vkSj yík[k ds yksx d.kZ flag dh vksj ] pqds Fks fd vaxzstksa ds pys tkus ds ckn iwjs ns'k esa ,d leku lk¡l jksds VdVdh yxk dj ns[k jgs Fks A ysfdu ladV dh ml lkafo/kkfud 'kklu O;oLFkk ykxw djus dh ek¡x tksj idM+ jgh gS ?kM+h esa d.kZ flag us vius firk ds lkFk [kM+k gksus dh ctk; usg# 4 Article vkSj 'ks[k ds lkFk pys tkus dk QSlyk fd;k A mUgksaus jhtSaV cuus ?kkVh dks ysdj viuk fpUru cny fy;k gksrk ] rc mlesa vtkr ds usg# ds çLrko dks Lohdkj dj fy;k A egkjktk gfj flag ds 'k=q 'kkfey gksus ij fdlh dks D;k ,rjkt gks ldrk Fkk \ uS'kuy vius Vkbxj us mUgsa ftanxh dk lcls xgjk ?kko fn;k A ;g dkUÝlas ogh a [kMh+ Fkh ] tgk¡ og egkjktk gfj flga d s tEe w d'ehj 'kk;n egkjktk gfj flag ds thou dh lcls cM+h gkj Fkh tks mls NksM+rs od~r [kM+h Fkh A vc Hkh 'ks[k vCnqYyk ds csVs Qk:d fdlh vkSj ls ugha cfYd vius gh lqiq= ls feyh Fkh A mlds ckn vCnqYyk jkT; dh fo/kku lHkk esa vk¡[kksa esa vk¡lw Hkj dj dgrs Fks egkjktk gfj flga eqEcbZ py s x; s vkSj thou Hkj dHkh tEe w d'ehj fd Hkkjr vkSj ikfdLrku dh yM+kbZ esa d'ehj fil jgk gS A os vc esa okfil ugha vk;s A dgk tkrk gS fd mUgksaus dg fn;k Fkk fd Hkh vius cki dh rt़Z ij d'ehj dks Hkkjr ls vyx rhljk i{k mudh e`r nsg dks Hkh d.kZ flag gkFk u yxk;s A 'kk;n Hkxoku gh eku jgs Fks A us gh muds bl ç.k dh j{kk dh A tc mudh e`R;q gqbZ rks d.kZ vtkr 'k=q dk uS'kuy dkUÝsal esa 'kkfey gksuk jktuSfrd flag fons'k esa Fks vkSj mudh xSjgkftjh esa gh egkjktk gfj flag voljokfnrk dh ijkdk"Bk Fkh ;k fQj oSpkfjd iyk;uokfnrk dk dk nkg laLdkj gqvk A fu—"Vre mnkgj.k ] bldk QSlyk rks bfrgkl gh djsxk ysfdu /;ku j[kuk gksxk fd egkjkt gfj flag dk 'ks[k eksgEen vCnqYyk fnaoxr egkjktk gfj flag dh vkRek ij ;g mUgha ds ikS= }kjk ls dksbZ O;fäxr fojks/k ugha Fkk A ;fn O;fäxr fojks/k gksrk rks fd;k x;k nwljk çgkj Fkk A 'kk;n mldk ifj.kke dqN vkSj fudyrk A ftu fnuksa gfj flag d'ehj ?kkVh esa ls uS'kuy dkUÝsal dks vinLFk djus ds fy;s jkT; ds 'kkld Fks ] mu fnuksa fdlh us lq>ko fn;k fd 'ks[k eq¶rh eksgEen lS;n us ?kkVh esa ihiqYl MSeksØsfVd ikVhZ ;k ih Mh vCnqYyk vkidk bl ih dk xBu dj fy;k çdkj fojks/k dj jgk A vc d'ehj ?kkVh esa gS ] mldk [kkRek D;ksa dgk tkrk gS fd egkjktk gfj flag us dg fn;k lÙkk ds nks nkosnkj gks ugha djok nsrs \ Fkk fd mudh e`r nsg dks Hkh d.kZ flag gkFk u x;s gS a A igyh uS'kuy jkt'kkgh e as ] mu fnukas dkUÝsal vkSj nwljh ih- fj;klrksa esa ;g vke yxk;s A 'kk;n Hkxoku us gh muds bl ç.k dh Mh- ih A tkfgj g S ;fn ckr gksrh Fkh A gfj uS'kuy dkUÝsal dks flag us mÙkj fn;k Fkk j{kk dh A tc mudh e`R;q gqbZ rks d.kZ flag vinLFk djuk gksxk ] ;g eqíksa dh yM+kbZ gS fons'k esa Fks vkSj mudh xSjgkftjh esa gh egkjktk rks ih-Mh-ih dks mlls vkSj bls blh /kjkry Hkh m¡pk ukjk nsuk ij yM+uk pkfg;s A gfj flag dk nkg laLdkj gqvk A iM+sxk A ,d lk¡iukFk 'ks[k vCnqYyk Hkkjr nwljk ukxukFk A ,u- dks [kafMr djus ds lh vkSj ih-Mh-ih esa ç;klk as e as tVq s g;q s Fk s A oSpkfjd vk/kkj ij mudk fpUru iaFk fujis{k u gksdj ] d'ehj ?kkVh dks eqlyekuksa 'kk;n gh dksbZ vUrj gks A igyk Lok;Ùkrk ds uke ij vkSj nwljk dk jkT; cukus ij vk/kkfjr Fkk A os pkgrs Fks fd jkT; dh lqj{kk lsYQ #y ds uke ij ] egkjktk xqykc flag }kjk Hkkjr dh ,drk dh ftEesnkjh Hkkjr mBk;s vkSj ?kkVh O;ogkfjd #i esa bLykeh vkSj v[kaMrk cuk;s j[kus ds fy;s fd;s x;s ifj.kkeksa dks iyhrk jkT; cus A blds foijhr egkjktk gfj flag orZeku ifjfLFk;ksa esa yxkus ds "kMîa=ksa esa yxs jgrs gSa A usg# oa'k dh —ik ls tEew Hkkjr esa leku 'kklu O;oLFkk ds i{k/kj Fks vkSj bl vfHk;ku esa d'ehj esa lÙkk ,d ckj uS'kuy dkUÝsal vkSj nwljh ckj ihiqYl tEew d'ehj dks Hkh 'kkfey dj pqds Fks A MeS kØs fs Vd ikVh Z d s ikl py s tku s dh lHa kkouk cuh jgrh g S A bUgha bl çdkj 1947 esa egkjktk gfj flag ,d i{k Fkk ] ftls ljnkj laHkkoukvksa esa vius lÙkk lq[k dh laHkkoukvksa dks ryk'krs gq;s ] iVsy dk leFkZu çkIr Fkk vkSj 'ks[k vCnqYyk o usg# dk nwljk vc d.kZ flag dk nwljk csVk ] foØekfnR; dqN fnu igys eq¶rh i{k Fkk A tSlk fd mij fy[kk tk pqdk gS tc fu.kZ; dh ?kM+h eksgEen lS;n dh ih-Mh-ih esa 'kkfey gks x;k A egkjktk gfj flag vkbZ rks d.kZ flag ] vius firk dk lkFk NksM+ dj usg#&'ks[k [kses dks viekfur djus dk mUgha ds oa'ktksa }kjk ;g rhljk ç;kl gS esa 'kkfey gks x;s A D;ksafd d.kZ flag ds vuqlkj vc egkjktk gfj A flag Hkwrdky Fks vkSj usg# Hkfo";dky A djs A flag dks vc vius egkjktk xqykc flag us fons'kh 'kfä;ksa dks m[kkM+ dj jktuSfrd thou ds Hkfo";dky dks lqjf{kr djuk Fkk A ;g vQxkfuLrku d s njokt s rd Hkkjr dk /ot Qgjk fn;k Fkk A mlh egkjktk gfj flag ij igyk ?kkrd çgkj Fkk tks muds thou xqykc flag ds oa'kt egkjktk gfj flag us yanu dh xksyest dky esa mUgha ds lqiq= }kjk fd;k x;k Fkk A dkUÝsal esa tkdj vaxzsth lÙkk dks yydkj fn;k Fkk A mldk yfs du egkjktk gfj flga d s vieku dh ;g xkFkk ;gh a lekIr ugha cnyk ysus ds fy;s ykMZ ekÅaVcsVu us usg# vkSj 'ks[k vCnqYyk gqbZ A dk s lkFk yds j egkjktk gfj flga dk s viekfur dju s dk flyflyk ;g muds ejus ds ckn Hkh tkjh gS A 2008 esa egkjktk gfj flag 1947 esa 'kq# fd;k A vius lÙkk lq[k vkSj HkkSfrd lEifÙk dh j{kk ds ikS= vkSj d.kZ flag ds lqiq= vtkr 'k=q ] vCnqYyk ifjokj dh ds eksg esa d.kZ flag Hkh mlh xqV esa 'kkfey gks x;s tks gfj flag ikVhZ uS'kuy dkUÝsal esa gh 'kkfey gks x;s A ml uS'kuy dkUÝsal dks viekfur djus esa gh vkuUn dh vuqHkwfr ys jgs Fks A vkSj vkt esa ] ftl dh vyxkooknh uhfr;ksa ds [kyhQk egkjktk gfj flag muds csVs Hkh lÙkk lq[k dh [kkst esa mlh ijEijk dks vkxs c<+k u s ekps k Z lHa kkyk Fkk A ,ls k ugh a fd u'S kuy dkUÝlas bru s yEc s vjls jgs gSa A egkjktk gfj flag dh vkRek vius gh ifjokj }kjk fd;s e as cny xbZ Fkh vkSj mldh bu cnyh gqbZ uhfr;k as d s dkj.k vtkr tk jgs bl fo'okl?kkr ls fu'p; gh NViVk jgh gksxhA g 'k=q uS'kuy dkUÝsal esa 'kkfey gq;s Fks A ;fn dkUÝsal us d'ehj

5 Article Jammu-Kashmir Now

achinery aratist m miri sep ertaking he Kash from und does t persons What nting 40 by preve achieve age? nt pilgrim an ancie

out them. If you ever happen to drive towards Srina- Kashmir is incomplete with But besides his false avowal, Mr. Geelani, in irport in Kashmir Valley, and if you gar a practice, is opposed to the idea of sharing a little time to spare, take a little de- have Kashmir with non-Muslims, especially the towards your left. Go to the posh Hy- tour Pandits. A few days ago, owing to his ora colony off the airport road, and derp strong opposition, the State government any passer-by for directions to the ask withdrew permission to a small group of e of the pro-Pakistan separatist leader, hous Pandits to undertake the historical Konsar Ali Geelani. Syed Nag yatra in south Kashmir. The group ces are that he will meet you. He is Chan comprising 40 people, including women, xtremely polite person — he never an e had to halt its journey midway after Mr. s his voice and the expression on his raise Geelani’s supporters resorted to stone pelt- hardly changes. If he likes you, he face ing and blocked the road leading to the pil- after instructing his staff to get you will, grim site. The pilgrims took shelter in a hold your hand and ask you to be the tea, temple and were then forced to return to ssador of Kashmir in “Hindustan.” As amba Srinagar. eave, he will gift you a few books on you l A journalist friend in Kashmir calls Mr. Gee- and tell you that it is not a religion Islam lani’s strategy to thwart Hindu pilgrimages “way of life” of which politics is an es- but a such as Konsar Nag as a “multistage al part. senti rocket.” The first stage involves terming ill love him. You w such yatras as a “threat to [the] environ- eelani often visits Delhi, mostly to Mr. G ment.” Then, very systematically, they are medical treatment from some of seek termed as “conspiracies to change Kash- ’s best doctors, including a Kashmiri India mir’s demography.” Then, as it happened it. When he speaks to journalists, he Pand in the case of Konsar Nag, Mr. Geelani fires s to exiled Kashmiri Pandits as “broth- refer his last salvo by denying the Valley’s Hindu ers.” Without batting an eyelid, he says 6 Article Jammu-Kashmir Now past. “The Hindus had no stake over Kon - The fact is that Mr. Geelani uses “environ - sar Nag,” he claimed. ment” as a metonym for “you are not wel - come here.” The historical past Reality check on environment In Nilmat Puran, the 6th century text on Kashmir, Konsar Nag is referred to as Kra - In the last two-and-a-half decades of in - masara (Kram: footstep, Sar: lake), and surgency, environmental laws have been has been worshipped asVishnupad rampantly violated in Kashmir, often with (Vishnu’s footstep). According to the the connivance of the State administration. renowned Kashmir scholar, Shashi Shekhar Unauthorised construction and illegal en - Toshkhani, the Puran refers to it as a “sa - croachments have pushed lakes such as cred place” where “even evil-minded peo - the Dal, the Anchar, the Nigeen, and the ple are freed from their sins.” In Wular to the brink of extinction. Hyder - Kathasaritsagara, a well-known 11th cen - pora, from where Mr. Geelani issues his tury collection of stories in Sanskrit by diktats, is in Badgam district where at least Kashmiri Brahmin scholar, Somadeva, Kon - 200 unauthorised brick kilns operate in sar Nag is referred to as the spot where brazen violation of over 12 environmental Lord Vishnu put one of his three steps as and other laws of the land. These kilns Vaaman avatar. In a paper written by an - have wreaked havoc with the land and other Kashmir scholar, Ramesh Tamiri, local water bodies, causing major ruin of Konsar Nag is identified as the site of the agriculture. A friend who owns an orchard Naubandhana tirtha where, according to in Badgam says it is no longer possible to Kashmiri religious tradition, Goddess Par - grow anything there. “Some fruit trees still vati converted herself into a nauka (boat) survive, but the fruit has been rendered to save the human seed from the deluge of tasteless,” he says. destruction. The waterfall at Aharbal, As The Hindu has reported in the past, over whose traditional source is placed in the a dozen cement plants of big business lake, has been described by Abul Fazl in houses are operating close to the the 16th century Ain-e-Akbari as the spot Dachigam National Park, which is home to, from where “Hindu devotees throw them - among other animal species, the endan - selves down... and with utmost fortitude gered Kashmir stag, Hangul. Some of sacrifice their lives in the belief that it is a these plants are owned by a prominent means of securing their spiritual welfare.” business family from north Kashmir’s So - From time immemorial, Kashmiri Pandits pore — Geelani’s home town. used to visit the lake in small groups, till An investigative report in a local daily, this chain was broken in 1989 due to mili - Kashmir Monitor, on August 4 pointed out tancy. the “unabated timber smuggling” in sev - But what Mr. Geelani and his supporters eral parts of south Kashmir. The report are trying to achieve in Kashmir should not says “felling of green Deodar and Pine come as a surprise to anyone. In the last trees goes on unabated in Compartment few years, Kashmir’s Hindu and Buddhist no. 66-67 of Gudhar forest range of Kach - past have been subjected to large-scale ef - war area of Kulgam and picturesque Kali - facement at the hands of radical elements har of Daksum, (Compartment no. 27-28) in the Valley. Even Sufi dargahs have not as well.” Konsar Nag, ironically, falls in Kul - been spared. One would think that Mr. gam district. While the district’s deputy Geelani is really concerned about environ - commissioner was quick to withdraw per - mental degradation in Kashmir. But how is mission to the yatra, one wonders what it possible that a small group of 40 pilgrims steps he has taken so far to check reckless could cause more pollution than tourists tree felling that has led to man-animal con - and local residents who are free to visit the flicts in south Kashmir. Last year alone, lake, or than large groups of school chil - 150 people were attacked by wild animals, dren who are taken there for excursion? out of which 16 lost their lives.

7 To add to the controversy, a few local jour - other flag bearers of secularism and reli - nalists wrongly reported that 4,000 Pandits gious freedom has prevented them as well wanted to undertake the yatra, whereas from raising this issue. only 40 of them had applied for permis - It is 25 years since Kashmiri Pandits were sion. As expected, Chief Minister Omar Ab - forced into exile. In what the political the - dullah has not uttered a word on why oretician Hannah Arendt called “the infi - Kashmiri Pandits were not allowed to un - nitely complex red-tape existence of dertake the yatra. stateless persons,” their last hope is to Both the Bharatiya Janata Party and the keep intact their connection with their Jammu and Kashmir’s People’s Democratic Gods and their ancient rituals and tradi - Party, who are cosying up to each other in tion. By denying them their right to pray at the wake of the coming Assembly elec - Konsar Nag, the Indian state is only push - tions, have also kept mum. The condi - ing them further into ontological despair. tioned stimulus of India’s intellectuals and [email protected] g

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A Kashmiri Pandit explains why the state gov - cated in Shopian district in south Kashmir. But ernment's decision to cancel the Kousar Nag pil - even before it could begin, the yatra faced fierce grimage was ill-founded. opposition from separatists, members of main - Last month, a Kashmiri Pandit organisation called stream parties like the National Conference, and the All Parties Migrants Coordination Committee large number of social-media users. planned to revive a pilgrimage called the Kousar Nag yatra or the Vishnu padyatra. The six-day pil - On August 2, the NC-Congress state government grimage was set to begin on July 29. Kausar Nag gave into the pressure and decided to cancel the is a glacial spring in the Pir Panjal range. It is lo - pilgrimage. The people opposing the pilgrimage cited two 9 Article Jammu-Kashmir Now ernment had the will, vision and intention to change the demography of the region, it could N a g K o u s a r have resettled the people who had left much ear - lier, long before the tensions that began in the early 1990s. In fact, the case could be made that the mass ex - odus of Kashmiri Pandits in 1990, after the onset of separatist insurgency in the region, was the event that distorted the state's demography. Kashmiri Muslims blame this exodus on Jagmo - han, the governor at the time, claiming that he urged Pandits to leave for fear of their lives. As a capable administrator, Jagmohan would have un - derstood the perils of displacing an entire com - munity. In reality, the exodus was the result of intimidating slogans against Kashmiri Pandits reasons: the fear of environmental degradation blaring out of mosques across the valley on Jan - and a conspiracy to change the state’s demogra - uary 19, 1990, and the mayhem it generated on phy. the streets. There is no merit to the arguement that the pil - It is no secret that if there were any demographic grims would harm the environment because local changes, they occurred in the Jammu region. For people don't seem to care much about their en - example, Poonch district has witnessed a decline vironment to begin with. That is clear to anyone in the proportion of Hindus from double digits to who has visited the Dal Lake in Srinagar, a stinky a mere 5% since the early 1990s. In area after water body filled with filth, which has shrunk due area, from Poonch in the west to Kishtwar in the to encroachment. Every year, crores of rupees East, the population of Hindus has dwindled. No are spent annually to revive it. The results have Muslims seem to have protested against this. been shoddy at best, mainly due to massive cor - ruption in the exercise. Syed Ali Shah Geelani, a Muslim separatist Besides the Dal, other lakes in Kashmir, such as leader from the Valley, has often said that once Wular, Nageen and Aanchar have either shrunk Kashmir secedes from India, Pandits will have all or are polluted. Other water bodies in Kashmir minority rights, as per Islamic jurisprudence. If a have disappeared altogether. They include the fa - Pandit cannot undertake a pilgrimage in India, mous Nadeir Sar situated in Bijebehra in north that too with a right-wing government at the cen - Kashmir. Besides, homes being built on forest tre, what can our community really expect in an land receive barely any condemnation. independent Islamic state? This opposition is not Under such circumstances, it is clear that 40-odd merely against the pilgrimage. It reflects, by and people on a pilgrimage would not have caused large, the attitude of the majority community to great harm to the environment. The same objec - the Pnadits. The reaction to the pilgrimage is a tion greets the annual pilgrimage to the Amar - fitting reply to all those who keep on asking as to nath temple, a popular Hindu pilgrimage centre why Kashmiri Pandits haven’t returned. in the Anantnag district. Yet, no one seemed to protest with the same vehemence when the re - There are also those who claim that the Kousar vival of the old Mughal Road between Jammu Nag yatra was never a part of set of pilgrimages and Kashmir left behind a huge trail of environ - undertaken by Kashmiri Pandits. That is a distor - mental destruction. tion of history. In addition to this yatra, there were Baseless arguement many other pilgrimages that I have personally un - This arguement over that the pilgrimage was a dertaken as a child. My eyes become moist as I conspiracy to change the demography of Kash - think of these shrines, be it Chotta Amartnath in mir is quite bizarre. From even before the state’s Bandipore, Gow Padar near Baramulla and Roop accession to the Indian union in 1947, Kashmiri Bhawani in Vaskur. They form an important inte - Pandits have been leaving the Valley, albeit grad - gral part of my childhood memories. But efforts ually, for a variety of reasons. If the Indian gov - are being made to pretend that they don’t exist. g

10 News Jammu-Kashmir Now Chinese troops salute Indian flag Young rifleman Prem Bahadur at I-Day celebrations in Ladakh scripts an astonishing saga of courage & fearlessness A ceremonial meet - confidence and de - ing of border secu - sire of establishing Nation salutes his rity personnel was tranquility along the grit held between India borders," an official Jammu, August 15, statement said. (Scoop News)-In the wee hours of last Sunday, a young 23 year old soldier from the elite Gurkha Regt of the Indian Army, scripted an almost Completely belying unbelievingly aston - his young years and ishing saga of raw displaying nerves of courage and fearless - steel with scant re - ness, resulting in the gard for his own elimination of two safety, the coura - hardcore Pakistan geous Gurkha en - and China in eastern "Participation of Chi - trained terrorists in gaged in a fierce Ladakh on Friday to nese delegation in the Poonch Sector. physical duel with the mark the 68th Inde - India's Independ - Deployed in a group terrorist while simulta - pendence Day of ence Day celebra - of multiple ambushes, neously avoiding his India, an official tions is a gesture based on hard intelli - AK 47 by holding statement said. which will further gence, suggesting in - down the barrel which The delegations from foster the friendly filtration by militants was spewing a hail of the two countries relations between from the Baghiald - fire. had Indian Army and India and China and hara Nallah on the The two grappled and Indo-Tibetan Border build up mutual trust Line of Control, rolled down the hill - Police representa - and confidence," it Magar and his am - side, finally disengag - tives on the Indian said. bush party spotted a ing with a fall in side and members of Both sides reiterated group of terrorists and another Nallah. the People's Libera - their commitment to eliminated one with The militant, now tion Army on the uphold the protocols precise and con - clearly unnerved by Chinese side. and agreements trolled fire of auto - the boldness of the The celebrations signed between the matic weapons, after brave-heart, tried to opened with both In - two countries and tracking them with make good his es - dian and Chinese acknowledged that night vision devices cape. Magar though delegations saluting the peace and tran - for some time. was undeterred and the Indian tricolour. quility which prevails What followed though bereft of his personal "The ceremony along the Line of Ac - was the stuff of leg - weapon, whipped out which lasted for ap - tual Control should ends when Magar, in a hand grenade and proximately four be further strength - darkness,initially mis - hurled it at the fleeing hours included cul - ened and stabilized, taking another armed terrorist killing him in - tural and entertain - the statement militant to be one of stantly, bringing to ment shows and added. his colleagues, conclusion another sports events. The A similar ceremony moved to within hand heroic chapter that event was attended was held on the Chi - shaking distance of epitomizes the char - by ladies from both nese side on the him, was almost shot acter and ethos of the sides which symbol - People's Liberation down and in the Indian Army and its ises growing peace, Army (PLA) Day on melee also dropped matchless soldiers. August 1. his own weapon.

11 News Jammu-Kashmir Now y c n e rg e u th ! s g ts In n n o ge am r su in

Geelani, Shah join hands to counter moderates Early Times Report Srinagar, Aug 11: As the violence levels are re - ceding in Jammu and Kashmir, separatists are finding it hard to keep themselves relevant, es - sage to Mirwaiz that he is out to counter him," pecially the hardliners. opined an analyst. Sources told Early Times that division among the He said, "separatists somehow want to remain ranks of separatists has become a cause of con - relevant as the infighting among them and the dif - cern for the people orchestrating protests and ferences within their rank and file have exposed stone pelting. them before the masses, who are fed up of un - In a significant development, Hurriyat Conference wanted shutdown calls and disturbances which led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani, and another fac - are caused due to stone pelting and clashes." tion of Hurriyat Conference led by Shabir Ahmed A top police officer while talking to Early Times Shah today organized a joint prayer meeting at said that there are many reasons for separatists Eidgah here in old city, considered to be the becoming "irrelevant." citadel of another separatist, Mirwaiz Umar Fa - "Most of the people who used to act as conduits rooq, who heads one more faction of Hurriyat for separatists and were instrumental in organiz - Conference. Many top leaders of both the fac - ing street protests and stone pelting are behind tions were present on the occasion. the bars. Another factor which police and other It is in place to mention here that Hurriyat Con - security agencies have worked on is that we have ference (JK) led by Shah was formed a few choked the Hawala channels and have ensured months ago after differences between the Mir - that money from outside countries fails to reach waiz led group and Shah became public. Later, them." Shah faced expulsion from Hurriyat (M). Hurriyat The official claimed that people who used to work (JK), includes Nayeem Ahmad Khan, Mushtaq- for separatists "for money" have deserted them. Ul-Islam and others. "Situation has changed drastically since 2010 as Sources said that both the Hurriyat factions held people have lost interests in unwanted hartals a joint prayer meeting in old city today to send a and protests. Another factor which has made the message to Mirwaiz that they are not "afraid" of separatists ineffective is that they don't have venturing into his area. Shah and other Hurriyat money to hire people," the official said, adding, (JK) leaders had to face a difficult situation in the "Masses have lost interest in the activities of sep - old city in June 2012 when the shrine of Dastgeer aratists as they have realized that they have been Sahib (RA) at Khanyar was gutted in a mysteri - misled by a handful of people for all these years." ous fire incident. Shabir Shah and Nayeem Khan Commenting upon Shabir Shah joining hands were beaten by the angry mob when they arrived with Geelani, the official said, "It is an insignifi - there to express solidarity with the people of the cant development for the security agencies as we old city. know that both of them have lost the capability to Soon after the incident Shah and Khan blamed mobilize people. By joining hands they want to the Mirwaiz led group for the attack. "Shah vis - send a message to Mirwaiz Umar Farooq that ited old city after a long time today. By joining they too are in the race." hands with Geelani, Shah wants to send a mes -

12 Article Jammu-Kashmir Now Kausar Nag History equally important ecological aspects of Kashmir. and the controversy The fact however has a different story to tell: Courtesy by:www.wordpress.com Fact is that 10,000 trees were cut and 30,000 wild lives destroyed to construct Mughal Road. Is that The Protest headed by the separatists of Kash - not destruction of ecology! Why didn’t the sepa - mir against Kausar nag yatra was not an im - ratists raised their voice against that road! Or was promptu agitation. It was rather deliberated upon it that, the road was connecting them to another astutely by the Separatists.And a leading Kash - Muslim dominated area, hence they remained mir-based-English-newspaper was roped in . For silent! Why haven’t The so called Islamic zealots- example, This leading newspaper of Kashmir, turned- environmentalists ever raised their voice few weeks back had published deliberately that against the molestation of water bodies of Kash - instead of some 40 odd KP’s, 4000 Kashmiri hin - mir viz Dal Lake, Nagin Lake, Wullar Lake, Man - dus(more than 99% of hindus in Kashmir are asbal Lake and now extinct Anchaar lake. Pandits) are going for the yatra. This was enough What about the environmental hazards which for the separatists to convey the majority popula - other tourist places like Gulmarg, tangmarg and tion, that this yatra is a precursor for the return of many other such tourist destinations have to face KP’s into the valley.And thus an era of Hindu- due to the influx of tourists both Indian and for - Hegemony has started .( 4000 Hindus are/were eign. Has these bigot leaders guts to raise their going for the yatra, that too from the Reasi side of voices against the influx of tourists to these Jammu according to newspaper reports.) places? The answer is a big No!!! Fact remains that tourism is the single largest segment which 30-40 odd Kashmiri Pandits(KP’s) wanted to un - gives livelihood to lakhs of Kashmiris. Every year dertake the Kausarnag yatra from Kulgam, as did lakhs of Kashmiris pray to Almighty that more and their predecessors till 1989.But to their dismay, more tourists should come to Kashmir. Tourists they were stopped by the local administration, who come to Kashmir spend money like wastrels even though they had taken the permission to un - and don’t mind to loosen their wallets. dertake this yatra many days back. It is an irony that the DC of Kulgam backtracked from his orig - The tourists unlike the KP’s don’t call Kashmir inal stand and feigned that he had not given any their Homeland. But KP’s do. Since, many Kash - such order. miri Muslims have illegally occupied the houses The main and only reason for the cancellation of and properties of Kashmir, They fear that if KP’s the yatra, was the appeasement policy of pak- will come back, they may have to handover those sponsored-separatists and their cahoots. They al - properties back to the Hindus. They are the ones leged that KP’s never undertook this yatra and who protest stridently against the coming of KP’s opined that the yatra will disturb the fragile ecol - back into the valley. And they are the biggest sup - ogy of the Mountain lake-Kausrnag. But porters of the separatists. strangely, they have turned a blind eye on other

13 Tourism Jammu-Kashmir Now Kailash yatra in “Bhadarwah” starts every year in the month of August or early days of September.

iiii i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i iii i i i i i i i i i i.e. in Bhadu on Dewadshi Thethi in Krishna Pakash

The Yatries take the same path, which was In the middle of the mountain starts a plain taken by Shri Vasuki Nag to reach Kailash path which yatries cover to reach Kund at the time when Garoodhji had chal - Hanyieha. Hanyieha is just above the lenged him to fight, as Garoodhji wanted Nalthi village in the middle of the deodar to kill Shri Vasuki Nag Ji. Instead of fight - forests. It is charming small plain spot

ing Garoodh, Shri Vasuki Nag Ji ran away to avoid the fight to keep Garoodhâ€™s which was having a temple in the past. promise which he had made to his mother There is an old spring as well. Here yatries Vaneeta. Both Garoodhji and Vasuk Nag Ji take rest in the night. were the sons of great Saint Maharishi Kashyap. The people of adjoining villages throw langer here in which yatries are served the From Kalinag yatries start climbing the meals.At about noon yatra reaches at mountain which is full of lush green grass, â€œJiggar Gudhâ€ a small stream in the forests of old and young deodar trees, forest at the base of an other mountain. bushes and wild flowers on either side of Yatries rest there for a short spain, take their path. their lunch etc. then start their trekking to reach their destination.

12 Tourism Jammu-Kashmir Now where one can see the whole valley of Bhadarwah as well as snow claded moun - tain tops of Padder hills which people call â€œDharmi & Papi hillsâ€.

On the way yatra comes across two big stones and a small stone each attached to them as perthe story the were two â€œDev Kanyasâ€ (daughters of Gods) who had come to collect flowers and herbs, but they made fun of Shri Vasuki Nag Ji when he was running and deadly tired. Shri Vasuki Nag Ji got annoyed and cursed them to become stones and they are still in the form of stones which were named as â€œShagereeneâ€ (herbs collectors).Raja Jeemuth Vahun met Shri Vasuk Nag Ji and promised him save him till his soul is there is his body. Shri Vasuki Nag Ji reached Shankh Padhar and threw his shunkh to Some people keep temporary tea stalls get water out of the land for quenching his where yatries can get tea and biscuits after thrust that is why the spot is named as usual payments. Shankh Padhar. Yatra proceeds further by climbing another Soon after quinching his thrust, Shri Vasuki mountain which is straight rocky strip Nag Ji went to Kailash Kund, near kund he called â€œGow Paedaâ€ named as such became hungry and took green grass because Shri Vasuki Nag Ji had climbed which became sweet and it is taken as par - this strip after becoming cow (called Gow shad by yatries at present. Then after in Bhadarwah).From here yatra passes in reaches at Kund Shri Vasuki Nag Ji prayed groups through the wild flowers of differ - Lord Shiva who was residing there at Kund ent colours growing over a slope called with his family. Lord Shiva became happy â€œRam tundâ€ which they climb to reach by the prayers of Shri Vasuki Nag Ji and the peak of this hill. There is a green val - said â€œyou can enter in this lake and live ley over the hill top, having some Gujjar here safely. Garoodji cannot attack you huts. here in this lake. I will protect you and a happy and do not be afraid of Garoodhji as Some yatries pitch their tents in this val - I am here with you and after some time I ley. Some proceed ahead alongwith the will leave for Mani Mahesh in Himachal holy â€œmaceâ€.Now yatra reaches at Pradesh, but whenever you will remember â€œGan Thuckâ€ a beautiful spot from me, you will find me on your sideâ€. where one can not hold his eyes off the scenic beauty of â€œSeojdharâ€ and other As mentioned in 9th part of â€œVasuki Pu - adjoining areas. It is a spot where Shri Va - ranâ€ Kailash Kund is the holy place where suki Nag Ji has changed his form to a hon - Shri Vasuki Nag Jee lives.Lord Shiva and eybee called â€œGanâ€ in Bhaderwahi his family also visit the spot, seven dialect. streams flow out of this place. It is the biggest pilgrimage of northern India as Yatra takes rest here for sometime takes stated by Lord Shiva to Mata Parvati in tea etc. which is served by the langer party â€œVasuki Puranâ€. of nagar Bhadarwah free of cost. There are no trees onwards, only green grasses and Taking bath and donating something to shrubs.After â€œGan Thuckâ€ yatra poor at this place is sacred and noblest job reaches near slope of green grasses, from 15 Tourism Jammu-Kashmir Now ferent colours from â€œShankh-Padharâ€.

Some yatries pitch their tents at Kailash, some pitch their tents at â€œSeojdharâ€ and stay there for 2-3 days enjoying beauty of the nature.The holy â€œmaceâ€ comes back after taking dip in cold water of Kailash Kund after one night stay there to Gatha. It is three days pilgrimage start - ing from Gatha to Kailash Kund and back.

which is repaid in manifold way to the donor after death.

This place has its own scenic beauty be - sides its religious importance.

Yatries take their bath in cold water of lake and feel fresh. They worship the lake, Lord Shiva and Shri Vasuki Nag Ji.

There are many such kunds, some are large like Kailash, Rishi dals and Kal dal (Dal means lake) some are small kunds among the surrounding hillocks and rocks. Yatries are requested to take warm clothes, blankets, umbrellas or rainy coats Every spot in the route is attractive beau - and some eatables with them. Some ya - tiful unique with its scenic view. tries can also collect medicinal herbs if they are interested as the route and hillocks are One can see Seojdhar another lush green full of such plants. valley full of world scented flowers of dif - R KE EA SN T Our i-CM CM