The chat room: Amid pellets and curfews, a Kashmiri pleads Let's talk it out
Mysuru: In the many shops across the city that cater to the tourists, the Kashmiri businessman is ubiquitous, a fixture. He hawks his baubles, the carpets that feature the tree of life, the intricately carved silverware and colourful papier mache that is unique to the art and craft of the Valley, once described by the Mughal rulers as 'jannat' , heaven on earth. But as in the Bollywood movies that have returned to Kashmir - except there are no cinemas where the movies can be screened - violence and anger against the establishment, needs a mere spark to inflame the anger and passion that now stalks the land. As a new generation of the young take up the gun and face down the Indian authorities - and this time, lose their sight in more ways than one - Aasif Illahi, a businessman in Bengaluru tells Deccan Chronicle of how the Kashmiri is torn, trying to live a normal life with one wary eye on the army and the other on the militant.
""I am from Kashmir, but moved to Bengaluru a few years ago. Kashmir thrives on handicrafts and the tourists who buy them, but due to the conflict there, curfews are imposed, forcing early closure of shops and most stay home after 6 pm. They do sometimes allow people to step out for one or two hours even after the curfew, but no one can think of opening their shops at this time because the militants and separatists want them closed.
Having grown up in Kashmir, I've seen some people asking for a merger with Pakistan, some opting to remain with India and others demanding an Azad Kashmir or independence, but Kashmir has very few resources. Its main income is from the arts and it can flourish only if it remains with India where tourism is strong. The situation will change drastically if it becomes part of Pakistan and it will struggle to survive if it becomes independent.
The army does help to some extent in protecting civilians from terrorism. But if someone disobeys the curfew, the army and police are helpless and have no option but to follow the shoot at sight orders. If the curfew is lifted, the atmosphere could change, but shopkeepers will still not be allowed to go about their business, as militants want everything closed as a sign of protest. Even if the public wants normalcy, it will not happen. It is better they stay at home and follow the curfew. Once the government notices that the people are calmer, it might become lenient. It could reduce the curfew by a few hours every day, and eventually things could get back to normal. Usually, people are allowed to move around, especially for the Amarnath Yatra, in the uptown areas, where there is not as much trouble. It is downtown areas like Tral in Pulwama that are conflicted and remain shut. As of now there is no consensus because everybody wants different things and in the process, we, the civilians suffer.
Children can't sit for their exams. They can't attend school due to the ongoing conflict. I had to give up my engineering course for this very reason in 2008. In 2016 things have become more critical. I haven't spoken to my family back home for a month as they have cut off the phone lines.
There are no opportunities there for us anymore, despite the high demand for Kashmiri handicrafts.
If tourists don't come, what will we earn? All Kashmiris want is peace so we can make a living. There needs to be a dialogue between the civilians and militant groups about their demands, as well as between Pakistan and the Indian government. Let's talk. Maybe, there's a way to find peace all around. "
