Egypt and Kashmir
To draw a comparison between the two would be a fallacy
Burhan Majid
After Tunisia, Egypt is the buzzword. Indeed Egyptian people deserve
applause. They have shown the world that how dedication and collective
endeavour can bring a revolution. Even as the Egypt’s future remains to
be precarious, a thirty year old dictatorship had fallen, reports Burhan Majid.
Though this major political development has its impact on the world
politics, unfortunately, a section of people has surfaced, both within
and outside, which drew parallels between Egypt and Kashmir, a Himalayan
valley. Infact their argument is that Kashmiris should learn from the
Egyptians.
To me it is a flawed argument, sufficient enough to add insult to the
injury. The courage shown by Egyptian is worth inspiring, however, in no
possible way can we draw a similarity between the recent protests in
Egypt which toppled a regime and the struggle Kashmir is involved. If we
do so, we delude our people.
At the first instance, Kashmir is fighting for Right to Self
Determination; the Egyptian people want the change of regime that has
been governing them for past thirty years. There is a world of
difference between the two. In Egypt protests are related to governance
and economy. In Kashmir the case is entirely different. Kashmir is a
geopolitical issue. The world saw a sea of people at Tahrir Square
(Egypt) for consecutive eighteen days. Can we think of same gathering
for the same duration at Red Square (Lal Chowk) in Kashmir where at
times people are not allowed to assemble for a peaceful demonstration?
Where, last year alone, 112 youth fell to bullets while protesting
against the atrocities committed by Indian forces and local police;
where children as young as eight are killed mercilessly.
Another significant difference is that the protests in Egypt were given
a widespread coverage by international media. Major media houses of the
world ran the news about Egypt minute after minute. Live updates,
videos photographs, debates, analysis and opinions were broadcasted. On
the other hand, Kashmir is seldom talked or debated in the international
media circles.
Though Indian media reported the events in Kashmir however the
intention was only to malign the cause of Kashmiris and to label the
genuine protestors as terrorists, paid agents and what have you. It was
after so many killings that Kashmir was discussed and debated in Indian
media circles.
The protests in Egypt were gaining momentum, the coverage by the
media across the length and breadth of the world also intensified. The
BBC, CNN, New York Times, Guardian and many other international media
outlet continuously reported about the situation unfolding in Egypt. Who
voiced the voice of Kashmiris at the time of unrest?
Leave alone the question of international media as the agitation gained
ground in Kashmir, the local electronic media was gagged and it
continue to be till date.
Moreover, according to the media reports, Egyptian Army exercised
maximum restraint while dealing with the protestors. Look at the way
police and security agencies used power to crush the people and
protestors.
Egyptians acknowledged that social networking websites played an
important role in accomplishing the goal of ousting Hosni Mubarak.
Though social media wasn’t the cause of revolution in Egypt, it hastened
its pace and transferred the voice from one to millions.
In Kashmir, the youth tried to use the facebook in the similar
fashion; tried to highlight the atrocities committed upon hapless
people; but, they were arrested and few were charged under criminal
offences. SMS were banned. The service is yet to be restored for
prepaid customers after ‘normalcy’ returned. The bottom-line is that the two are different and to draw comparison is fallacious.
Author is a researcher in Laws at University of Kashmir, and can be reached at burhan.mjd@gmail.com
