THREAT TO KASHMIRIYAT : BULLYING BY TANZEEMS
Hi, I am Nusrat Jan from Gen-X (21yrs). I belong to a humble Kashmiri family, my father is a carpet merchant and we live in Anantnag. I was raised with lot of love and affection. Since childhood, I have been motivated by Mrs Mehbooba Mufti, the grand political icon of Jammu and Kashmir. She has set an example to simple girls like us on how to be a successful mother as well as a great leader without compromising on the first priority. I studied in Senior Secondary School in Jammu and then went for graduation in political science at Jammu University. Since my higher secondary days, I have been holding important appointments such as class monitor and as a School Girl which continued even during my College, wherein, I was an active member of Student’s Union. I finished my graduation and reached hometown in Apr 2021. Recent changes in the status of Jammu and Kashmir’s political status provided ample opportunities in all walks of life, may it be business where we can collaborate with other companies, business throughout India or politics where now the grass root level political leadership has been given more importance so as simple people like me can make a difference to the societies we live in. However, some selfish tyrants in the name of Islam and Jihad aim to retain us in their clutches and not allow us to grow. During June and July 2021, I received various posters and messages issued by self-styled jihadis issuing threats. The notice warned against modernisation, westernisation in terms of culture, clothes, lifestyle, listening music, movies, use of social media platforms and other enjoyment means. Failing to adhere will lead to death by bullets ……Really!! …. Is this the world we are living in. That you will be shot if you want to live the life of your choice? Is wearing clothes or interacting with people on social media destroy our great religion Islam? No I don’t think my Islam or Kashmiriyat is so weak. The cyclone of such thoughts raged through my soul. “Does being Muslim or living in Kashmir means surrendering my human rights? Being dictated what to wear, how to live? Is this the free society that we dream of !!” I was literally shocked. Since childhood, I have heard stories of Mehbooba Mufti, Indira Gandhi, the grand political icons. I was always fascinated by their aura and strong personality. I wanted to become like them but can I do so in the given circumstances!! In a place, where I am forced to wear burkha and not even able to wear apparels of my choice. Is this the freedom given by Allah tala or these hypocritic tanzeems. If I am not allowed to wear cloths of my choice, how can I be confident, how will I mingle with other people. There are so many great women leaders like Mahbooba Mufti, Indira Gandhi, Golda Meir, Angela Merkel, Benazir Bhutto, Kalpana Chawla, Medona, Mother Teresa, Anne Frank, the list goes on and on. How many of them wear burkha?…. I think none. How many of them are connected on social media ?…. I think all. How many of them were bounded by their bigoted society … none. Then why there is restriction on a common girl like me. Is it because I am a girl … or a muslim girl … or a Kashmiri mulsim girl … or a poor Kashmiri muslim girl who is not being allowed equal right of living!!! If I am expected to stay hidden behind burkha, how will I grow and lead my friends, mohallas and village. Am I believed to be just a baby making machine or am I a born leader who will lead her children, her progeny who will shape destiny of the family and the society at large. Even in Saudi Arabia and other Muslim nations who hold the beacon of Islam are getting liberal with every passing day. Muslim communities across the world are growing due to their adaptive nature to changing times. Princess Ameerah bint Aidan bin Nayef Al-Taweel Al-Otaibi (Saudi Arabia), Muna AbuSulayman (Saudi Arabia), Shaikha Mahra (UAE), Fahriye Evcen (Turkey), Rawan bin Hussain (Kuwait), Sheikh Hasina (PM of Bangladesh)…….the list is endless. These fine ladies and their respectable Islamic society have embraced modernisation which facilitated them to achieve fame. Why should a Kashmiri girl be left behind !! Why are the restrictions only for women. Does Allah treat their children differently or these are the rules of so called jihadis. Mehvish Zarger (an entrepreneur from Srinagar), Nadiya Nighat (a football coach from Rambagh), Iqra Rasool (a cricketer from Baramulla), Sabbah Haji (Director of a School from Doda), Nusrta Jahan (flower business in Pulwama) are some of the leading women of our Kashmir. If they can pave a path for themselves … why am I not allowed!! What’s happening? Is this the Kashmiriyat that we dreamt of? These tanzeems, the so called saviours of Islam.… are they really our protectors or baking their own bread on our lives…. need to think….Having seen the change in political status of Jammu and Kashmir, the life before and after the change, the tyranny of tanzeems, I have finally started to think…. Where does my real freedom actually lie !!!Is it under so called bigoted Islamic freedom fighters or democratic country India which provides freedom to grow, space to become who you are, take care of your family and loved ones and contribute to the growth of your village and community? I strongly oppose such threats by Islamic Army Jammu and Kashmir and other such tanzeems who restrict my fundamental rights of living.
