Kashmir: Depriving Education is Well Planned Conspiracy !
Raman Sharma
In a humane society and in a
democratic set up like ours in India, everyone have the right to demand
everything, even the Sun, forget the Moon and the Stars but only with a caveat
that your demand should not infringe the rights of others. It must be hypocrisy when you beat your chest
and shout from the roof top and accuse others for not allowing you to exercise
your rights, but on the same time not ignorantly but with a well planned
conspiracy you ignore and deprive others of their due rights.
Let’s for the sake of arguments for
a moment assume that demands of separatists and brigade of stone-pelters in Kashmir are justifiable, but even then
their reluctance and blockade of flow of education in Kashmir society is
unacceptable. The Champions of so called Kashmir movement should explain to the
innocent people there that what good can be achieved with strangulation of
knowledge and education ?.
Now it’s almost 3 months that
schools and other educational institutions are closed in Valley but the wheel
of clock running fast, so does the world. How long will you keep these
educational institutions closed ? if education is not more important than your
so called ‘K’ cause then what had compelled
prominent separatist leader Moulvi Umar Farooq or must say Dr. Umar
Farooq to attain doctorate (though appreciable), he is an alumni of one of the
premier school of Kashmir, the Burn Hall School and posses graduation degree in
Political Science and Literature. Why did he not wait to complete his studies
till the resolution of Kashmir Cause. Because he is a shrewd man like all other
separatist leaders who repeatedly keep shouting the bogy of right to self
determination but never miss a good opportunity for themselves.
Without interfering in the personal
lives of these leaders of secessionist- ideology and militancy supporters of Kashmir, it is humble request that they must
at least reveal before their followers about their own educational qualifications
besides kitty of wealth they hold in India and abroad, let’s forget their kith and kin.
Perhaps this a well planned
conspiracy to deprive the innocent children of their fundamental right to
education, should the people of Kashmir need to remind what religion says “ Seek
knowledge even if you have to go as far as China, seeking knowledge is your duty ,”.
It is not only the right but also a
duty to seek knowledge then why these people are trying to create a knowledge
vacuum in the state, especially Kashmir.
It appears to be a conspiracy not
to allow the revolution of education there in Valley, because education brings
peace and these leaders don’t want the dust to settle and wish to keep the pot
boiling.
An educated generation would call
all their bluffs and would decide their fate with open mind. An educated youth
would surely ask too many questions before deciding to get self involved in
this hate propaganda and violence but it does not suit the self acclaimed
leaders of resistance (new terminology used by few Journalists for
secessionists and anti-India leaders ) and militancy supporters.
Despite difficult terrain and given
demographic and other unpleasant factors in the region, the Himalyan State of
ours have surpassed rest of India in flaming the light of literacy, The Census data 2011 reveals that state
witnessed a jump of over 12 percent literacy rate (in comparison to 2001) standing at 67.17 whereas
in the year 2001 it was 55.12 %, a jump of over 12 percent itself reveals that
appetite for learning is increasing in the state. The overall increase in literacy rate of the
country from 2001 to 2011 is 8.66 percent, which is now 74.04 % whereas it was
65.38 percent.
The more enthusiastic and positive development
of J & K that is to be noted in comparison to male literacy ratio is that
there is growth of over 13 percent of female literacy ratio, it stood 56.43 %
in 2011 census whereas it was 43 % in 2001. The male literacy rate increase was
slightly above 10 %, in the year 2001 figures it was 66.60 percent and in 2011
it stood 76.75 percent.
In the recent past, the youth of
the state have shown keen interest in the civil services exams not only at the state level but some
have even brought laurels with their outstanding rankings at the Union Public
Services Exams. These successful youth leaders have emerged as iconic and
inspirational figures for candidates of the other states as well, this is matter
of contentment and immense pride to be cherished by the people of the state.
But it is pitiful that under a deep conspiracy a vicious and hate campaign is
initiated in Kashmir to malign those who with their competence, dedication and
hard work crack the civil services and Join IAS or KAS. They are being called
as ‘Agents’ of the State, brutally denying the fact that their selection is not
a charity by the government or the agencies, but they are selected because they
deserve, to disparage their personality, even questions are raised on their love for their own people and these hate
mongers even don’t hesitate to tag them
as ‘traitors’ .
Unfortunately, a section of media
in Kashmir have also felicitated these self acclaimed champions of Kashmir
Cause to engulf an atmosphere of disrespect for the civil servants and repulsive attitude for Civil Services
Exams. Justifying the glorification of radicalization and militant ideology
amongst the youth in Kashmir, some journalists have inked long and tedious
editorials one after another. These journalists and editors who are not raising
their voice again educational blockade are abettors in the heinous act of
spoiling the futures of generations of Kashmir.
Those who opposing opening of educational
institutions in the Valley till resolution of the Kashmir issue are enemies of
their own people, even to wage a war against one’s enemy, one need competency,
infrastructure, skilled manpower and knowledge. Only ‘Hatred’ is not a sufficient element to win a battle. About
Raman: he is an RTI activist having email: jkrtiact@gmail.com
