Why burn schools in Kashmir?

Vinod Adhikari

IT was October 2012, when Malala Yousafzai, the Nobel Peace Prize-winner was targeted by the Taliban and shot in the head, while returning from school on a bus. The target was her passion for education of girls. During the two-year Taliban rule in Swat,  hundreds of schools, especially girls' schools, were destroyed. By law, education is compulsory in Pakistan for children up to 16. Despite this, how did the writ of Taliban continue for so long? Why were the controllers of law and order blind towards the situation?  This brutal act of terrorists might have created hostility in local villagers against schools, thereby leading to loss of development of education and of society.

We all have an immense respect for Malala's sacrifice. The reason behind this comparison is to find a correlation of the situation in Pakistan with the ongoing tussle in Kashmir. Social unrest is not new in the Valley. Protests and vandalism are the daily soaps, the residents of state are seeing day in and day out. The tipping point of atrocities was crossed when news was flashed on television of more than 35 schools in Srinagar and parts of Kashmir being attacked by separatists —the so-called citizens of the state. Many schools were reduced to cinders. The government of Jammu and Kashmir had forcibly shut the remaining schools for four months as a safety measure.

With schools being shut, many little dreams were also charred. We cannot even imagine the loss of children’s aspirations. Those who dare to go to school are being attacked by stone- pelters. Here is a repeat of the Talibani act.

We are in the race for becoming a developed nation. We praise our achievements and take pride in the progress of metros or smart cities. We miss the crucial part of the body, that is the head. And let us not forget that Jammu and Kashmir is the head of the nation. By this state remaining shut, consequently its huge young population has lagged behind the rest of the country. There is no doubt in the fact that education is the tonic for the healthy future. As aptly put by the author Victor Hugo: “He, who opens a school, closes a prison”.

This act of separatists, that of burning the schools, has created an anxiety in the minds of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. It is leading to destruction, failure in education delivery, encouraging unemployment, intensifying hunger and unrest. Because of these problems, a common man is being engulfed as a “sympathiser of terrorist groups”. Remember, a pain in one part of the body makes the whole body uncomfortable.

Now to come to the root cause of this tension in Jammu and Kashmir. It all started after the death of Burhan Wani (the separatist militant leader) on July 8, this year. Kashmiris mourned the death of Wani In spite of coming from a well-educated family, how did Wani turn into a militant is a pertinent question that everyone should ponder over. After his death, the Kashmiri people came out in huge numbers and hurled the Pakistani flag on the road as a part of mass protest. Against whom were they protesting? What had actually happened with the Kashmiri people? Was Wani a role model for the youth of Jammu and Kashmir? Was there any influence from the the north-western part of the state? Are people fed up with military rule? Let us try to understand.

There was a problem with Wani and his supporters. According to street talk, one day, Wani with his brother Khalid and other friends were out with a new bike, in Tral (Pulwama district). They were intercepted on their way by a group of Army personnel, who ordered the teenagers to buy some cigarettes. In spite of following the order, they were tortured and Khalid's bike was damaged. Somehow, they managed to flee from the spot. This incident left a deep mark in Wani's heart. Six months after this incident, Wani fled and joined the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen to take revenge. It was easy for Wani to gather local public because many had already gone through similar experiences. All they wanted was a Kashmir free from the Army. 

According to reports, Muzaffer Ahmed Wani, Burhan's father, had explained why his son could not be held back. “Almost everyone here has been beaten up by the Army. But everyone didn't become a militant. It depends on how much one can take. It depends on your self-respect. Someone's self-respect got challenged time and again. So he decided to answer back”. After the death of Burhan, separatists came together and decided to protest against the Army. They believed that holding the exams and burning the schools could meet their purpose and may have an impact on the government. The agitation gained momentum. Vandalising and stalling the system are easy ways to attract the attention of the government in India. According to police records, attacks on schools were by unknown people. Over a dozen youths have been arrested so far. Local police are taking adequate action to arrest all agitators and pulling out all stops to make the process normal. Classes, for the new session began on November 8. Mass students will be promoted to the next level this year with an exam covering 50 per cent of the syllabus, except Class X and XII students. But promoting mass students is merely a temporary solution. The government of Jammu and Kashmir has to think smartly and in a proactive manner to tackle the issue.

One thing is clear that people are annoyed with the administration of the state. The government is blaming the separatists, including Syed Ali Geelani. The separatists have their own take on the disruption but innocent children and schools cannot be the target of demotivated people. Strict action is required to be taken against suspects. The Army has to have a strong hold in educational institutions and make them safe.  Political parties are capable of encouraging the locals, understanding the gaps in demands and fulfilling the hopes of unemployed citizens. A majority of acts of violence and vandalism are being carried out by the unemployed. And as per the economic survey for the financial year 2011-12, the rate of unemployment has surged up to 6 lakh. This a matter of concern that the administration has to address. We cannot afford a Taliban-like situation. If there is no timely intervention, disruptive forces unleashed by a dissatisfied and illiterate public will become uncontrolled. Today schools are the target, tomorrow rapes and murders will be encouraged. 

As per figures, there are around 6 lakh jobless youths in the state. Article 370 (which was implemented in 1957) gave special status to the state and has restricted development in the state. There are less job opportunities in the state as compared to the neighbouring states.  We need to educate the youths and make them understand that government is concerned about their welfare. This can only happen by exemplary governance. 

Some youth have lost their families in the bomb attacks, others lacking education and skills, while the self respect of some has been challenged, while quite a few are jobless. There is so much dissatisfaction among people that  the anger is being vented by acts vandalism.  The state needs skilled jobs, eradication of hatred and promoting “aman ki asha”. This way we can salvage the broken dreams of a child. Only an organised society can yield a promising future.

The writer is a Mentor with the Gyaanaagneeh Foundation.