Uncounted Daughters of India

Uncounted Daughters of India

Home is the only place where an individual would feel wanted, loved and protected. A person’s journey begins at home and it is where one’s true identity lies. It occupies a significant part in defining one’s personality in which he/she takes immense pride on. Is it possible for someone to let go of this identity? How will you feel when you are denied, deprived by your own countrymen? Here starts the never ending struggle of the kahmiris who lacks acknowledgment in their own motherland. This interview is not about the war between India and Pakistan nor does it record the terrorist attacks on Indo-Pakistan border rather it covers the real life struggle of Tasneem, a Kashmiri woman .She is one among the few who has raised their head and voice against the atrocities faced by Kashmiris, especially women due to militarization. She made an appearance recently for an International seminar titled women against war at Mount Carmel College. 

1 How is Kashmir different from the Kashmir portrayed in the media?

So much, so different. The Kashmir you tend to see on your Television and on the leaf of your newspapers is a mere projection. I am sure that none of you would expect to hear this but let me talk you his; Kashmiri is a secular state where the people are peace-loving and own beautiful hearts. We celebrate all religious festival with the same enthusiasm. The so called political turmoil and terrorist scenario is mainly put there by the media players and other powers of the government who seek for false attention and something to talk about. In our state people who seek for freedom and questions injustice are labelled as ‘terrorist’. Media fails to cover the larger issues faced by kashmiris like custodial rapes, immigrant issues and so on. Our Women have been subjugated to violence in Kashmir for the past two decades from Indian Security forces as well as rebel group. These issues are not treated with significance rather the prime focus of the media is to project Kashmir as a state which lacks religious tolerance.

2 What are the problems faced by Kashmiri women due to the political turmoil that exists in the land?

The most common threat faced by Kashmiri women is broken families. Many women have become a direct victim to this situation. Violence and inhuman treatment are exercised on them either in the form of death, loss of loved ones, torture and harassment.   Many of the families are left broken due to the struggle which is forced on us by the powers. And as the vulnerable element of a family, women and children are affected the most. Conflict in Kashmir has left behind a large number of widows whose husbands have been killed either by security force or militants. These women are left with the burden of raising their children alone but most often they turn out to be illiterate and lack awareness about the rights they hold as a citizen of this nation. And most importantly children also become a victim to the armed conflict. Therefore lot of women started migrating out of this land to ensure peaceful and decent life to their children.  Take for my instance; I migrated to south as I don’t want my son to witness the atrocities and violence happening in our own land.

3 Speaking about women, how does the militarization in Kashmir affects them as a whole?

An army man is often perceived as a saviour by his/her countrymen. But for most of the Kashmiri’s they are most often seen as a big threat, especially to their women. Militant rapes and murdering of innocent people by labeling them as rebels have become quite common to us. We have been experiencing the presence of military for almost years together. Due to this tourism industry is extremely affected which in turn has a serious impact on the economic status of the Kashmiris.

4 What is your opinion regarding the common assumptions imposed on all Kashmiris?

All of us are categorized as the traitors against our own land. People think that our heart lies in Pakistan and we are forced to stay back in this land. I can’t understand how can someone fail to love their own land? India is my country and it is the land where my true happiness lies. I would like to repeat my point that Kashmir is one of the secular states in India which is extensively misused by power play. It is almost heart-breaking to realize how a Kashmiri identity is viewed as something far removed from the identity of an Indian without realizing that we too are citizens of this land. Take for my instance; I have traveled to countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh. But those were just neighboring countries to me. I never found sense of belonging in those countries as I feel in my motherland. India belongs to all Indians and it is a land known for its diversity.

5 As a Kashmiri women, what would you like say as a response to the violence imposed on women in our country?

 No religion teaches hatred. I am sure that not a single religion in the world teaches us how to hate or kill our fellowmen. It seems almost senseless to fight in the name of religion. So let’s strive to establish peace and harmony in our land. I feel one should live and let others live in this land. And most importantly women should never be consider only as a sexual being .India being a motherland, I feel it is equally important to respect the daughters of this land. I feel extremely hurt to witness the frequent rapes happening in our country and with the special mention to the unrecorded custodial rapes in Kashmir. I feel all these happen mainly due to the lack of respect for fellow human beings. So I feel it’s important for each one of us to respect and accept every individual irrespective of gender and various other religious and socio-cultural backgrounds.