Kashmir | News & Discussions.

[Jackdaws]

What exactly you need on Aksai Chin?

Virgin ski slopes.

 

[Abu Zolfiqar]

Kashmiri Youngsters Wage Online Struggle
​

SRINAGAR (IPS) - Rasik Rasheed’s (not his real name) hefty Internet bills hardly bother his family. Cooped up at home due to curfews and strikes here for over three months now, youngsters like him have been busy not just with their studies but with waging what they call the Kashmir struggle on the Internet.

They spend hours uploading and watching videos on YouTube that depict life and the situation under the Indian government’s security regime, and sharing their views and slogans on social networking sites like Facebook.

"I want to contribute to the freedom struggle in my own humble way. How does it matter if I don’t go out and engage Indian security forces in the streets?" he said in an interview with IPS. "I cause them more damage by these videos which depict how ruthlessly they treat Kashmir."

As for his parents who pay for his Internet fees, "they are happy that I am contributing to the freedom struggle in a different way", he explained.

The Internet’s reach is pushing young people like Rasik to vary the styles of their resistance against Indian rule in Kashmir.

From an armed rebellion in 1989, the opposition to India’s rule in this restive state is morphing into an ‘ammunition-free’ struggle, one where youth make use of both traditional and more sophisticated, technology-friendly methods of protest such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

In the online world, many operate under names like ‘Dodmut Kashur’ (which means Scalded Kashmiri), ‘Aam Nafar’ (Common Man), ‘Bleeding Paradise’, ‘Quit Kashmir’, and ‘Exiled Stranger’. "Independence Day! Not for us," read one of the posts on Facebook on India’s Independence Day on Aug. 15.

"It (Internet) is emerging as an alternative media in Kashmir because these youth most often upload videos which depict the suffering of the people, which at times is ignored by the mainstream media, wittingly or unwittingly," said Sheikh Showkat, who teaches human rights in Kashmir University.

Broadband Internet services were allowed in Kashmir in 2005. "Within no time, these techno-savvy youth figured out how its use can outstrip the traditional media," Showkat added.

"I think it does help in how people visualise and relate to the information they get about Kashmir," said Angana Chatterji, a U.S.-based anthropologist who advocates independence for Kashmir at international forums. "I show these videos to participants at international forums, telling them this is what I have seen in Kashmir. It encourages debate and enables discussion."

Rasik said, "The web teaches you how it can override barriers. The authorities may do gatekeeping to mainstream media, but not here. Such is the power of the web which we are seeking to use effectively."

Kashmir’s troubles date back to 1947, when Britain granted India independence and the Muslim-dominated areas became part of Pakistan. A U.N. resolution, meantime, gave Kashmiris the option to join either Hindu-dominated India or Pakistan or to become independent. But Kashmiris had no chance to make a choice as their homeland is claimed by both India and Pakistan.

Roughly a third of modern-day Kashmir is administered by Pakistan while the rest is under India. But it is an arrangement that has not been accepted by many Kashmiris, and some youths living on the Indian side rose up in arms in 1989 in an insurgency that simmers to this day.

In more recent years, many Kashmiri youth have been using other forms or protest given that the use of violence has been falling out of favour. In the last two years too, protests here have shifted to street protests and pelting of Indian security officers, rather than the violent acts of earlier years.

"Kashmiris have realised the changing dynamics at the global level, with violent means of protest not getting entertained by the global policy institutions. That is why they are fashioning their struggle accordingly," said Prof Gul Mohammad Wani, a political commentator who teaches in Kashmir University.

While Rasik is content with what he is doing at home, others combine both protests on the streets and in cyberspace. A youth from uptown Srinagar, who requested anonymity, says he juggles graffiti protests, cyber protests and pelting stones at Indian security forces stationed here.

"I take time for all these activities. The only thing you need is your commitment," he explained. "We want to convey to the world that it is not only the gun which draws attention."

Thus far, there have been no arrests for using cyberspace for political activity in Kashmir and no video-sharing or social networking website has been blocked. [Edit: now they have been --including Facebook Utility] More than 50,000 Internet connections are said to be working in Kashmir.

Still, Kashmiris ‘e-protesters’ say they cannot risks. "These security agencies do not know about respecting intellectual freedom or freedom of expression. They can pick you up any time if they come to know about your involvement in e-protests," said one young person who asked to be called Burhan.

But rights activists do not hesitate to use their real names. "Seventy-five days, 64 lives, 57 strike calls, 52 curfews, 200 injured, 1,500 arrests, unarmed Kashmiris versus Indian Armed forces," wrote Khurrum Parvez, convenor of the Srinagar-based Coalition of Civil Society on his Facebook page on Aug. 29.

INDIA: Kashmiri Youngsters Wage Online Struggle - IPS ipsnews.net

 

[Hawkish]

Virgin ski slopes.

There ain't anyone skiing in India. This area is uninhabitable. What is the use?

 

[Jackdaws]

There ain't anyone skiing in India. This area is uninhabitable. What is the use?

I am. I go to Auli to ski in Uttranchal. Even snowboard. Will go to Gulmarg someday too - hear it is some of the best powder on the planet. So - can build some more ski resorts in Aksai Chin.

 

[Trichy]

My personal thing is that, PAKISTAN want Kashmir People or Water???

Any one can answer in single word is enough for me,

People or Water

Note: IF YOU HAVE GUTS...

 

[muse]

It would be better to say that the captive Kashmiri want to be free of India and ideally want to be independent but failing that, they want to be with Pakistan - recall Bhoka nanga Hindustan, Jan se Pyraya, Pakistan - now that is not a Pakistani slogan, that is slogan the captive kashmiri use.

 

[Hawkish]

Fair enough. Here is my take

This area is grabbed by Chinese, right? If you try to kick Chinese as* they are ruthless and they will likely toast your as* and serve as roast beef. Neither the Gandhian country has the political will to wage a war; You are no Americans to do. So rule out military action.

Diplomacy is difficult at this moment as there are enough boundary conflicts already in the world, so no one would like to support a new conflict. Plus you want a UN seat, better to keep the conflicts low.

I assume Indians are not good Jihadi strategy, so ruling out. (Looking at the history, the miserable job you guys are doing in Tibet- may be you could take a leaf from Taliban's/ISI book).

So the only way left is negotiations and and the lesson 101 on negotiations: I took negotiation as a minor in by business school and the first thing they teach you is:

If you want something, you have got to offer something that the other party wants. Better option is to offer something that the other party is disparate about. So what can you offer to China, that china disparately wants?

Anything that rings the bell?

I am. I go to Auli to ski in Uttranchal. Even snowboard. Will go to Gulmarg someday too - hear it is some of the best powder on the planet. So - can build some more ski resorts in Aksai Chin.

 

[Hawkish]

Your relations are so bitter, either party would prefer independent solution rather than giving their piece it to the other, assuming there are only two options

It would be better to say that the captive Kashmiri want to be free of India and ideally want to be independent but failing that, they want to be with Pakistan - recall Bhoka nanga Hindustan, Jan se Pyraya, Pakistan - now that is not a Pakistani slogan, that is slogan the captive kashmiri use.

 

[Jackdaws]

Fair enough. Here is my take

This area is grabbed by Chinese, right? If you try to kick Chinese as* they are ruthless and they will likely toast your as* and serve as roast beef. Neither the Gandhian country has the political will to wage a war; You are no Americans to do. So rule out military action.

Diplomacy is difficult at this moment as there are enough boundary conflicts already in the world, so no one would like to support a new conflict. Plus you want a UN seat, better to keep the conflicts low.

I assume Indians are not good Jihadi strategy, so ruling out. (Looking at the history, the miserable job you guys are doing in Tibet- may be you could take a leaf from Taliban's/ISI book).

So the only way left is negotiations and and the lesson 101 on negotiations: I took negotiation as a minor in by business school and the first thing they teach you is:

If you want something, you have got to offer something that the other party wants. Better option is to offer something that the other party is disparate about. So what can you offer China, that china is disparately wants?

Anything that rings the bell?

You think the Taliban and ISI are actually doing a good job?

 

[Hawkish]

You think the Taliban and ISI are actually doing a good job?

I wouldn't term it as good. Taliban is our enemy. Let me put it this way; China will feel the heat in Tibet if you guys are effective. I would think Tibet has the world support, except India sucking up to China

 

[Trichy]

I wouldn't term it as good. Taliban is our enemy. Let me put it this way; China will feel the heat in Tibet if you guys are effective. I would think Tibet has the world support, except India sucking up to China

then wat u do? u suckup with china???

its my opinion that fakers always do fake statement...

 

[jayron]

I wouldn't term it as good. Taliban is our enemy. Let me put it this way; China will feel the heat in Tibet if you guys are effective. I would think Tibet has the world support, except India sucking up to China

Tibetians are no Talibans. Dailai Lama is no Mulla Omar. The sole reason the world has concern for the Tibetains is because they are peaceful people. I think Xinjiang is a more volatile Chinese area then Tibet.

Indians are good at instigating separatist movements in other countries. Mukthi Bahini in BD and LTTE(during its inception) to some extent were supported by Indians. But in this case, there isn't much support for Tibet among common Indians unlike the Bengalis and Tamils in India who supported MB and LTTE respectively.

Additionally, if India starts supporting insurgency in Tibet, China might support militancy in Indian North East.

 

[Hawkish]

I am not advocating violence.

Why did India hastily said Tibet is part of China, when China is claiming Kashmir, and other parts of India and many in the world supports Tibet?

Do India support Tibetan freedom movement? Are Tibetans closer to India culturally than China ?

Tibetians are no Talibans. Dailai Lama is no Mulla Omar. The sole reason the world has concern for the Tibetains is because they are peaceful people. I think Xinjiang is a more volatile Chinese area then Tibet.

Indians are good at instigating separatist movements in other countries. Mukthi Bahini in BD and LTTE(during its inception) to some extent were supported by Indians. But in this case, there isn't much support for Tibet among common Indians unlike the Bengalis and Tamils in India who supported MB and LTTE respectively.

Additionally, if India starts supporting insurgency in Tibet, China might support militancy in Indian North East.

 

[S_O_C_O_M]

'Pakistani troops kill Indian soldier in Kashmir'​

(AFP) – 15 hours ago

SRINAGAR, India — An Indian soldier was killed when Pakistani troops opened fire across the de facto border dividing Kashmir, the military said Monday, accusing Islamabad of a "major ceasefire violation".

"Pakistani troops opened machine gunfire and even fired rockets towards Indian forward posts in the southern Poonch sector, killing a soldier," army spokesman Biplab Nath told AFP by telephone from state winter capital Jammu.

Indian soldiers did not return fire, the spokesman said, describing the shooting late Sunday as "unprovoked".

"It was a major ceasefire violation by Pakistani troops," Nath said, adding that authorities would take up the incident with their Pakistani counterparts.

India in the past has accused the Pakistani army of providing covering fire for militants seeking to infiltrate Indian-administered Kashmir. Islamabad denies the charge.

India and Pakistan have fought two of their three wars over mainly Muslim Kashmir, held in part by each country but claimed in full by both.

They agreed to a ceasefire along the Line of Control (LOC) in 2003 and launched a peace process in 2004. Since then, there have been sporadic small clashes with both sides accusing the other of violating the LOC ceasefire.

This year India has accused Pakistani troops of shooting dead an Indian border guard and two civilian porters working for the army while Pakistan has accused India of killing two of its soldiers.

India has long accused Pakistan of fomenting a 21-year Islamic insurgency against New Delhi's rule in the region.

Militant violence has declined sharply since the start of the peace process but popular desire for an independent Kashmir remains strong and the state has been roiled by massive anti-India civilian protests.

Pakistan says recent street protests, in which 111 people have died, prove that resentment is local.

AFP: 'Pakistani troops kill Indian soldier in Kashmir'

 

[jayron]

I am not advocating violence.

Why did India hastily said Tibet is part of China, when China is claiming Kashmir, and other parts of India and many in the world supports Tibet?

Do India support Tibetan freedom movement? Are Tibetans closer to India culturally than China ?

Each county acts in its own selfish interest. China accepted India's sovereignty in Sikkim(which was contentious earlier) and India accepted China's Tibet. China has strategic interest in Kashmir and wants to support its ally Pakistan in this issue. Apart from a few instances where the Chinese irritated Indian officials in visa issues, they mostly are not vocal about Kashmir.

Dalai Lama himself does not advocate freedom of Tibet but for more autonomy. So the Indians do not really have a case to raise this issue.

About the culture, Tibet has more Indian influence than Chinese. But again, The Indian culture that influenced Tibetians is no longer followed by Indians themselves, apart from pockets of Buddhist population in Ladakh, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh . But they do not have much of a political say.