REC,Srinagar (now NIT) was established in 1960. Kashmir was still Dar-ul-Harb then .The period between 1985 and 19995 saw Kashmir being cleansed of the ‘infidel’  presence by targeted killings and forced migrations. More than two lakh Kashmiri Pandits (99 percent of the then Hindu population) were forced into mass exodus with the connivance of the local politicians , administration and the vocal support of the majority community .

The then Dilli Sarkars were  seized with ‘mandal-kamandal’ matters . They looked away helplessly even  as ‘Dar-ul-Islam’ was established under their very noses. The political liberation of the Valley ,the red herring of Azaadi, was never a pragmatic option to begin with, and neither is it now .It has just been a ploy to let India feel it is in control of the situation ,and maybe feed our arrogance by boasting that Kashmir remains our inalienable part.The real objective was to purge  Kashmir of non-Muslims, which has been achieved.

Beginning from the day when protests rocked the Sher-e-Kashmir Stadium in 1983 to the Pampore encounter in early 2016 when the locals raised slogans in favour of Pakistan and Azadi, and against India ,and even tried to help the entrapped militants escape, situation has become progressively hostile . Burials of terrorists are attended by thousands, while a dead CM’s funeral cortege manages to attract just a few hundred.

It is in this context that the events of the NIT should be understood.Its neither about celebrating the loss of BCCI XI nor even wishing death to all Indians.This is far more serious. At a time when there are only 35000 Hindus (out of total 55 lakh population) left in the valley ,one can imagine the kind of pressure these thousand or so ‘outsider’ NIT students would be facing at all times. Most of these students from outside the state must be Hindus by demographic logic . It is one thing to go abroad to study in a Muslim country governed by Shariat, like in Saudi Arabia, where laws are strict and the writ of the state runs, but quite different to live in Kashmir that carries a lot of historical burden of unresolved conflicts. In Kashmir,anti-Hindu violence dates back  to 15^th century.The past three decades of ethnic cleansing,terrorism and insurgency and the recent events of Pampore don’t help matters much .Srinagar does not seem like a wise choice of a place to live in and get educated.

Aspiring engineers studying in NIT took admission in the college on the basis of their JEE scores.They are not in Srinagar by choice,but by virtue of the fact that an NIT exists at that place. It is easy to attribute motives to these students now ,and question the intent behind their demands.A section of the media has hinted that all  this is a ploy to get NIT shifted out of Srinagar,or maybe secure admissions in their respective state NITs. So what is unreasonable about it ?

This is where the Centre should step in.The matter is too delicate to be left in the hands of the likes of Nirmal Singh and Mehbooba Mufti. NIT has now become a sitting duck , a prized trophy for the jihadis .It is a proud state institution and represents Indian higher education in its full glory. But relations between the outsiders and local students,faculty and canteen staff have been irreparably damaged.The situation might not become normal enough for a long time for the students to venture out of their campus. It is fair to assume that their lives are in danger. No one can study in such an environment .Given their recent history , neither local politicians ,nor the police can be trusted beyond a certain point . Gilani has talked about offering Kashmiri hospitality in a very sweet voice.This raises my hackles ,as it should be considered as a veiled threat – a signal to jihadis,or even the locals who do his bidding.

The PM should keep in mind that these students are not soldiers.They have not signed up for any war.Their parents have not sent them away to give their lives. They represent all classes and regions.Their lives are more precious than the hollow rhetoric of ‘secularism’ or  Kashmir being an ‘inalienable part’ of India. Even the armed forces were caught napping in Pathankot and Pampore.  BJP might get hurt badly if something untoward happens in the NIT campus. The risk is not worth it. Keep the NIT in Srinagar,if you don’t want to be seen as weak, but transfer these students for heaven’s sake .There is no other way.The state can afford to step back right now without losing face.It should not wait for another disaster to strike.

(Inshallah,all will be fine.It harms no one,though,to be prepared for the worst.)

===================================================================

#kashmir #NIT #NITSRINAGAR #Pampore #darulharb #darulislam #jihad #azaadi #exit

#article370 #indiapakistan #pampore #pathankot #engineering #shift #humantouch