Victims of Massacre with 'Labbaik Ya Hussain' Written in Urdu on their Coffins.
Dr.Mazhar Naqvi
All Imamis and followers of
Sufism should welcome the latest stand taken by the Indian government over the
issue of Pak Occupied Kashmir (PoK).Apart from praising the strong message
given by the Home ministry, the admirers of Panjatan should also now strive to
develop a global forum that could effectively seek liberation of PoK from extremism
and exploitation of its natural resources by outsiders. This is essential or
else Imamis and followers of Sufism will be on the verge of extinction in few
years. PoK, once part of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, has been
witnessing mass killings of Imamis and followers of Sufism for the past three
decades. Occasionally, these massacres attract the media attention and after a
short-lived hue and cry, a strange lull follows to indicate as if nothing
happened. PoK, comprising two very picturesque areas namely Gilgit and
Baltistan, has abundance of natural resources but about 60 per cent of its
population lives below poverty line. Adding to their woes is the growing influence
of china in the region that uses the Gilgit –Baltistan as a lynchpin to connect
with Pakistan, Middle east and Africa. Another problem of the region is the ongoing
efforts of fanatics to marginalize the natives who mostly profess Imami and Sufi
faiths. These elements have been repeatedly resorting to raid Imamis, Sufi
shrines, Imambaras and other pockets of communal harmony to compel pro-Imami
and people inclines towards Sufism to leave their traditional faith, culture
and customs, especially rituals associated with muharram and Urs ceremonies. The
victims of extremism deserve salute for braving such attempts by keeping their faith
intact even at the loss of their lives, property and chastity of women.
By raking up the issue of PoK,
the Indian government has brought before the world not only Pakistani
possession on the territory of Jammu and Kashmir but also the gross violation
of human rights in the region. Over the years, Pakistan has been able to successfully
conceal the barbaric treatment being meted out to innocent followers of Imami
and Sufi faiths since the days of general zia-Ul-Haque.it was he who at the
behest of America began patronizing what was earlier known as Talibanization
and is called IS at present. It was again Zia who allowed the use of Madarsas in
Pakistan to churn out gun crazy Jihadis to capture initially Afghanistan and
then infiltrate into Gilgit -Baltistan for its Talibanization by damaging its centuries
old social fabric through mass killings, rape, violence and arson. The natives
of PoK continued to suffer as successive Indian governments preferred to remain
silent instead of taking initiatives to reclaim PoK. As Pakistan enjoyed the
confidence of both America and China, India could never become vocal on the
issue even after passing a resolution in the parliament and repeatedly
describing PoK as its integral part. Hence, Indian government has surely
exhibited the courage to portray PoK as the only issue worth consideration between
the two countries. India’s stand would surely provide succor to persecuted practitioners
of Imami and Sufi faiths, for Pakistan is now bound to suppress the violent
activities of fanatics to show before the world as a nation with zero tolerance
policy towards terrorism. Such gesture would offer temporary solution to the
shattered natives at least and they would be able to observe Muharram peacefully
in October 2015.This will be a great relief to Imamis who have been observing Muharram
under the shadow of violence and terror for the past several years. May Allah
let it happen, for a long term solution to the plight of natives is still a
distant dream and critically depends on the sustainability of India’s stand over
the issue.Indian government should remember that more than 62 years have passed since Tribal Infiltrators occupied a major part of Jammu and Kashmir with the help of newly created Pakistan.Since then,Pakistan has been using the territory the way it wants and India has been either been a mute spectator or restricting itself to statements .There has been no persistence in the policy adopted over PoK issue.Let's pray for the sake of Panjatan's admirers that India remains firm in the saddle.
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