Valley revolted against killings, criminal act seen as act against Kashmir and Kashmiris

By Bharat Dogra

On April 22 there was a most horrible attack on entirely innocent tourists from various parts of India in Kashmir in which 26 persons were killed. Pakistan’s instigation of this is widely believed, on the basis of the past record as well as recent indications.

While this attack has been widely condemned not just in India but in various parts of the world, two kinds of responses can be distinguished—good as well as bad, encouraging as well as discouraging. Coming to the good part first, some determined tourists have stated that we are not going away in a hurry and those who want to use terror to create a gulf between us and the people of Kashmir will not succeed.

At the same time, at a very wide level, the Kashmiri people have held meetings to express their grief and condolence and also to condemn those who have used indiscriminate violence and cruelty in the name of religion and Kashmir to kill innocent persons.

Haseeb A. Drabu, former finance minister of Jammu and Kashmir, has captured the feelings of the Kashmiri people in the following words (see The Tribune dated April 26, article titled ‘As the Valley unites, the nation must listen), “It has been very encouraging to see that not just politicians, business associations, professional bodies but also apolitical motely groups of men and women come onto the streets to sympathize with the victims and stand firmly against the crime committed against humanity. Indeed it has been seen as a criminal act against Kashmir and Kashmiris…The entire Valley has revolted against the killings and how. Right across the Valley, from Kulgam to Kupwara, and from Shopian to Sopore, people have been unequivocal in their condemnation of the killings of the 26 tourists…The solidarity with the people in the country has been exceptional.”

At the same time, several people in various parts of the country have been expressing their appreciation of such a response in Kashmir.

Now let us come to the bad or unfortunate part of the response. Some people due to their pre-existing narrow and prejudiced views have started criticizing the Muslim community in general for this, despite the fact that members and leaders of this community have come forward in many parts of the country to strongly condemn this and other such attacks, now and in the past. In some places Kashmiri students have been harassed after this attack.

The Times of India reported on 26 April that in a village of Rohtak district (Haryana) some influential villagers reportedly issued a diktat ordering Muslim residents to leave. Whenever any such incident comes to their notice, local authorities must be under instructions to intervene quickly and decisively to stop such victimization and harassment of innocent persons.

It is also important to ensure that even as political and other leaders re-emphasize their determination to deal very firmly with terrorism, something that is really needed to protect innocent people from such attacks, whatever they say, plan and do should be within the framework of what would be also accepted at world level to be within a broad framework of peace and inter-faith harmony.

By acting in such a responsible way, India would further strengthen its international position and would be able to better consolidate a harmony-based integration of Kashmir with the rest of the country within a wider framework of peace, inter-faith harmony, justice and democracy.

Towards this end, whatever the well-justified demands of the people and political leaders of Kashmir are pending, and which are in harmony with this framework of peace and justice based better and deeper integration with the entire country, should be accepted as early as possible. This will further strengthen a common strong response of the people and government against terrorism instigated by Pakistan.

In the article quoted above, Haseeb Drabu has made another significant observation, “The spontaneous response of the people and the efforts of the local political class (in Kashmir) represent the green shoots of a people’s movement for peace…The public expression of rejection of violence this time around is being done in the belief that it is blatantly violating the values and norms, indeed the value system of Kashmiris.

If persisted with and nurtured carefully, it will, over time, build a network of social connectedness between the civil society institutions, transcending the boundaries of the Valley.” At the same time, this article cautions that “the harassment of Kashmiris, especially the younger generation--the students— in many states will nip the emerging people’s peace initiative even before it gains any traction. This cannot be the way forward for anyone.”

---

The writer is Honorary Convener, Campaign to Save Earth Now. His recent books include Protecting Earth for Children, Planet in Peril, A Day in 2071, and Man over Machine-A Path to Peace

Comments

Wave of disappearances sparks human rights fears for activists in Delhi

By Harsh Thakor* A philosophy student from Zakir Hussain College, Delhi University, and an activist associated with Nazariya magazine, Rudra, has been reported missing since the morning of July 19, 2025. This disappearance adds to a growing concern among human rights advocates regarding the escalating number of detentions and disappearances of activists in Delhi.

How community leaders overcome obstacles to protect forests and pastures in remote villages

By Bharat Dogra Dheera Ram Kapaya grew up in such poverty that, unable to attend school himself, he would carry another boy’s heavy school bag for five kilometers just to get a scoop of daliya (porridge). When he was finally able to attend school, he had to leave after class five to join other adolescent workers. However, as soon as opportunities arose, he involved himself in community efforts—promoting forest protection, adult literacy, and other constructive initiatives. His hidden talent for writing emerged during this time, and he became known for the songs and street play scripts he created to promote forest conservation, discourage child marriages, and support other social reforms.

‘Act of war on agriculture’: Aruna Rodrigues slams GM crop expansion and regulatory apathy

By Rosamma Thomas* Expressing appreciation to the Union Agriculture Minister for inviting suggestions from farmers and concerned citizens on the sharp decline in cotton crop productivity, Aruna Rodrigues—lead petitioner in the Supreme Court case ongoing since 2005 that seeks a moratorium on genetically modified (GM) crops—wrote to Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on July 14, 2025, stating that conflicts of interest have infiltrated India’s regulatory system like a spreading cancer, including within the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR).

The GMO illusion: Three decades of hype, harm, and false hope

By Sridhar Radhakrishnan Three decades of hype, billions of dollars spent, and still no miracle crop. It's time to abandon the GMO biotech fairy tale and return to the soil, the seed, and the farmer. “Trust us,” they said. “GMOs will feed the world.” Picture a world where there is plenty of food, no hunger, fields grow without chemical pesticides, children are saved from malnutrition, and people live healthily.

Sandra Gonzalez Sanabria: An inspiring life from Colombia’s Amazonian valley

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat* In the village of Héctor Ramírez, known as Agua Bonita, in La Montañita, Caquetá, Colombia, a vision of peace and renewal is unfolding. In the pre-2016 period, this would have been nearly impossible for outsiders to visit, as it was the epicenter of violent resistance against state oppression. However, after the Peace Accord was signed between the Colombian government and former revolutionaries—marking the end of a 70-year insurgency that claimed over 400,000 lives until 2025, including civilians, rebel fighters, and security personnel—things began to change. Visiting Agua Bonita during the Global Land Forum in Bogotá revealed a village of hope and resilience. Former FARC revolutionaries have settled here and transformed the village into a center of peace and aspiration.

Indigenous Karen activist calls for global solidarity amid continued struggles in Burma

By A Representative At the International Festival for People’s Rights and Struggles (IFPRS), Naw Paw Pree, an Indigenous Karen activist from the Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG), shared her experiences of oppression, resilience, and hope. Organized with the support of the International Indigenous Peoples Movement for Self-Determination and Liberation (IPMSDL), the event brought together Indigenous and marginalized communities from across the globe, offering a rare safe space for shared learning, solidarity, and expression.

Activists allege abduction and torture by Delhi Police Special Cell in missing person probe

By A Representative A press statement released today by the Campaign Against State Repression (CASR) alleges that several student and social activists have been abducted, illegally detained, and subjected to torture by the Delhi Police Special Cell. The CASR claims these actions are linked to an investigation into the disappearance of Vallika Varshri, an editorial team member of 'Nazariya' magazine.

India’s zero-emission, eco-friendly energy strategies have a long way to go, despite impressive progress

By N.S. Venkataraman* The recent report released by OPEC’s World Oil Outlook 2025 has predicted that by the year 2050, crude oil would replace coal as India’s key energy source. Clearly, OPEC expects that India’s dependence on fossil fuels for energy will continue to remain high in one form or another.

Gender violence defies stringent laws: The need for robust social capital

By Dr. Manoj Kumar Mishra* The tragic death of Miss Soumyashree Bisi, a 20-year-old student from Fakir Mohan College, Balasore, who reportedly self-immolated due to harassment, shocked the conscience of Odisha. Even before the public could process this horrifying event, another harrowing case emerged—a 15-year-old girl from Balanga, Puri, was allegedly set ablaze by miscreants. These incidents are not isolated; they highlight a disturbing pattern of rising gender-based violence across the state and the country.

Search This Blog