Mubashir Naik
Chenab Valley, a mountainous region of Jammu Kashmir, although separated from Kashmir by Geography the heart of Chenab valley will always beat for Kashmir. When in the early ’90s, the wave of insurgency began in Kashmir, It affected Chenab valley equally. The flame of militancy engulfed Chenab valley the same as it did Kashmir.
Like Kashmir, the twin District of Chenab Valley ‘Doda’ and ‘Kishtwar’ have seen massive causalities, pain, and suffering caused by the conflict between the insurgents and the state forces.
There is a minute difference between the people of Chenab valley and Kashmir. People of both regions share the same culture, tradition, and an emotional connection between the people is obvious.
In Kashmir, young artists for the last few years are trying to show their resentment against the attrocities through their art. Young people from Chenab valley have also started showering their unconditional love and support for their brethren.
Amir Sohail, a young student from Chenab valley has chosen poetry as a tool to show his emotions for the people of Kashmir. The Kashmiriyat spoke to Amir and he said, “From my childhood, I have listened to the stories of pain and suffering of Kashmir. During my initial stage of life, I wasn’t able to write or utter a single line of poetry in which I could narrate the suffering of my people. I used to write verses on love and politics, but in my heart, there was a strong feeling of expressing my love and affection for Kashmir” said Amir.
Salaam se Aagaz e Mohabbat karunga
Main Mehfil main teri aesi ibadat karunga
Mai Paigaam Hai Chenab Ka Tere Naam Ae Kashmir Ado Se Tere Umar bhar Adavat karunga
Main Ho Zulm ki YoRish Ya Masayib Ka Ho SaiLaab Tere Liye NamRood se bagawat karunga
Main MehMaan Banke aa tunkissi Roz Mere Ghar Khoon e jigar se teri Zayafat karunga
“As I grew up, the bloodshed in Kashmir started trembling inside me and that there’s a dire need to put the pain in words,” Amir said.
Agar Jeetna Hai Toh Rok lo Khoon Banahane Se Ki Zulm Kabhi mit ta Nahi khud ko Chupane se
Sochta Hoon Raat din Par Samjh nahi Aata
Kya milta hai inhe Gareeboon Ka Ghar Jalane se.
The troubles of people are unbearable and for last few years, I have been writing my poetry on Kashmir and also have presented my work in national and local programs but I have got no opportunity to present my work on our Kashmir from a suitable platform only until a few days back I received a call from a Kashmir based organization “Lost leaf” to present in work in Kashmir.
He said, “Maana Ki hai Qoum Alag Hain Riwaytain Alag – Magar Jahan Ke Tum Ho Hain hum bhi ussi thikane se. When I entered the valley, the barbed wires and men in uniform welcomed me. It was a strange experience. I personally think that Kashmir is going through the roughest patch of time”.
“The pain and suffering is beyond the toleration of human capacity,” Amir said.
Ab Rakhte hain Cheroon pe naqaab Pardoon Pe Parde Magar Haqiqat kahan Chupti hai chera chupane se –
“I have pledged, until the oppression ends in the valley, I will continue to narrate it in my poetry”.
‘Is Zubaan Se kaise Aafreen Kahunga Main Kashmir Ko Abse Falasten Kahunga Main’
Another young student who has recently completed his post graduation from Jamia Mila Delhi said, “Kashmir has always remained close to my heart, situation back home (in the state now UT) is quite disturbing and devastating. Generations have fallen prey to this consistent conflict. The circumstances are leaving destructive wounds on the psychology of the youth. I’m trying to portray my feelings and want them to flow through my words”.
“Oh my land, I never sang your sovereignty, Neither the beingness of my beloved flag. I’m ashamed of my history Of my existence & of freedom. That I never had nor do now, What sort of punishment has this been ?
Always we lived, as a part of war.
The silence of gun & the violence of pebbles.
The threat of life and the bed of death.
This is the story of a beautiful hell Whom you all claim heaven on the earth”.
Students of The Valley are the worst among the victims of conflict, few have even gone to the extremes to defend their perspective of the dispute. Since the Abrogation of 370, situations have turned hostile and many young students were arrested, detained for many months including photojournalists and freelance researchers.
“Those buds are forced to stifle
With the pellet shots and the 47 rifle
No matter how worse their wounds are Every dawn are seedlings prepared for war!”.
A report published by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in year 2019 found that children in Kashmir (mostly adolescents) were being detained, abused, and manhandled for several days in lockup & slapping PSA’s (Public Safety Act: PSA).
Children in Kashmir grow up abused and under the shadow of fear. Kashmir has witnessed Custodial killings, Torture, Interrogation & detention and disappearance since 1987 when militancy surfaced in Kashmir for the first time.
“Space-Time is the witness of this all to the pheran and the Kshur shawl, I will return with the same threshold In my youth or maybe, me the old The promise I made never will rive This is a dream they can’t deprive. To my beloved, I’ll return Come what may I’ll return, I’ll return !”