Reclaiming Radicalized Youth in India

Since 8^th July killing of a Hizbul Mujahidin’s commander, which triggered the current wave of serious agitation in Kashmir has so far left 98 protesters dead, 15000 civilians injured, more than a hundred blinded by the use of pellet guns by the security forces, many more semi-blinded and 1000 security forces men injured in what is being envisaged as the gory phase in the turmoil of Kashmir conflict. Curfews, and complete shut-downs calls by the saperatist leadership continued for 134 days, with now partial shutdowns from morning till 4 pm, with week-ends free, creating immense tress and hardship. Swaraj peeth has been since striving to salvage the middle ground of peace constituency obliterated at present at least, for the constituency of peace in Kashmir, working despite diverse opinions represents the inner aspirations of basically peace loving people of the region, sanity and hope, power to mediate peace with justice and hope for freedom from violence.

Thus this update is different from the rest as we have entered into a very sensitive mode of our engagement at a time when things are, as a highly senior leader in Kashmir told us “dangerously fluid.” But that exactly is the challenge and peace-and-dialogue-constituency needs therefore to be salvaged at any cost. It is said that about 6 to 8 hundred new militants have taken to the gun. Forces of violence and terror are fuelling the fire of radicalization to harvest the anger.  

Throughout these most difficult days of extreme tensions and violent agitation, we have been not at rest even for a day. A number of important people and our own team mates have been in communication on daily basis, which has kept us more well-informed than many in Delhi and that has been of an immense help in our talks, consultations and in one-to-one meetings with important people, journalists and decision makers.  

1. It is mentioned  by important people in Kashmir that  Swaraj Peeth  has earned credibilty and trust by bringing into dialogue on nonviolence and rappraaochement radicalized youth, important youth leaders with  reputable profile; ideologues and leaders of radical youths; writers and journalists, including owners/editors  of some raddical online and print media .  Following Delhi conference in April 2016, first of its kind on Kashmir in past more than 20 years, there was much demand from various quarters in Kashmir including  activist youth leaders, youth organizations and some  former high profile leaders of  militancy who have  following among the youth  even today,  for meeting and associating with the initiative. Therefore the Chairman of Swaraj Peeth visited Kashmir, 22 -26 May, met several of them.
2. With regard to the heated debate going on concerning return of Kashmiri Pandits, en mass displaced out of the Kashmir Valley at the height of militancy and threats in 1990, he discussed with some the separatist leaders who invited him for one-to-one meeting what a dialogue must be like with those of the estranged and wronged community.   
3. He had in two months two one-to-one meeting with the Home Minister of India. What we  said later in the Swaraj Peeth statement on Kashmir agitation (see URLs), circulated to the  media, was conveyed to the Home Minister of India, including things that can arrest further radicalization. He was candidly positive, appreciative and receptive.
4. At the height of the turmoil and its heat when in Kashmir there was strong feeling that there was no impartial and comprehensive perspective in Delhi on the making of the present upheaval, we called three senior activist writers –journalists from Srinagar to hold series of meetings with editors, TV personalities, senior political leaders, public intellectuals between 1^st to the 9^th of September. Most of them  came to know of our work in Kashmir only then and were greatly surprised and thought that this was most unique silent work. It must be noted that this was the time when anyone with a public profile in Kashmir visiting Delhi was fraught with danger of facing public ire. But with us, only because of the trust people have in our nonpartisanship that these three known activists-journalists could come to Delhi for proper briefing to media, politicians and public intellectuals and it was much appreciated. These meetings made some impact; for example, the political editor of Hindustan Times mentioned our analysis and our work in two of his articles. Swaraj Peeth Chairman was called thrice in one month by the official TV channel Door Darshan;  once alone, once with two well known experts; and, once with an Indian Army Gen., a  former  Corps Comm. in Kashmir.   
5. These briefings were useful to some political leaders who were later part of the  All Party meeting on Kashmir called by the Prime Minister, and to one president of a Party who visited Kashmir as a senior member of All Party Parliamentary Delegation to Kashmir.  
6. Chairman of Swaraj Peeth visited Kashmir for a week in November-December, had meetings with senior resistance leaders.
7. The Swaraj Peeth Kashmir Chapter prepared a comprehensive 11 point statement/report on Kashmir Agitation 2016, suggesting peace evenues It was released to the Press on international Human Right Day, carried out by a number of print and online media both in English and Urdu.(some URL given here).

 Swaraj Peeth Statement in the Media: 10-11 Dec 2016

1) Published by : Hindustan Times Syndication, 10 Dec 2016

Title: Gandhian call for resolving Kashmir crisis through dialogue, understanding ... bonanza," Vora, chairman of Swaraj Peeth Trust, said in a statement here.

 URL: http://www.htsyndication.com/htsportal/article/Gandhian-call-for-resolving-Kashmir-crisis-through-dialogue,-understanding/17703228

2)  Pubkished By : UNI (United New of India) ,Delhi 10 Dec 2016

Title:Gandhian call for resolving Kashmir crisis through dialogue ...Gandhian call for resolving Kashmir crisis through dialogue, understanding ... for militants in terms of recruitment bonanza," Vora, chairman of Swaraj Peeth Trust, said in a statement here. ... Tweet10 Dec 2016 | 4:55 PM ...

URL: http://www.uniindia.com/gandhian-call-for-resolving-kashmir-crisis-through-dialogue-understanding/india/news/713670.html

3) UNI  Urdu service translated the statement and released to Urdu language Indian media

4) Pubkished By ONLY KASHMIR, Srinagar 10 Dec 2016

Title Swaraj Peeth Trust released report on 2016 Kashmir uprising 

URL http://onlykashmir.in/swaraj-peeth-trust-released-report-on-2016-kashmir-uprising/

5) Political Editor of Hindustan Times, on 31 August in his “Beyond News” and  6 Sept 2016 ( quotes Swaraj Peeth Chairman and mentions Swaraj Peeth):

http://www.hindustantimes.com/analysis/kashmir-unrest-need-to-engage-with-the-evil-that-s-necessary/story-LSKfa5wqn3s2LPYZXIkNlL.html

6)  India Samvad, 13 Dec 2016,

http://www.indiasamvad.co.in/special-stories/dialogue-with-those-voicing-anger-of-kashmir-is-needed-18565#.WE_0tTg3xN0.faceboo

7) SuchNews Jammu Kashmir:

Swaraj Peeth Trust released report on...

https://www.facebook.com/sachnews.jammukashmir/posts/1221080477977313

8) Catchnews, 10 Dec 2016  

http://www.catchnews.com/national-news/swaraj-peeth-government-of-india-remembers-kashmir-only-when-it-is-engulfed-in-violence-1481281558.html

9) Kashmir Media Watch:

http://kashmirmediawatch.com/jammu/swarajpeeth-statement-kashmir-uprising-2016/22233

10) Buland Kashmir (Urdu Daily, and Online)

 11) Wilayat times : Mohurram 12 Oct 2016, Srinagar. Rajiv Vora's article:

http://wilayattimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/moharrafoct2016.pdf

Links:

• Gandhian call for resolving Kashmir crisis through dialogue, und
• Rajiv interviewed :3 Dec Urdu Daily, Srinagar, bottom spread
• Swaraj Peeth Trust Jammu & Kashmir Team on YouTube