Page 63 - 15OCT2018E

INTERVIEW

‘Urgent need to explore human of the most volatile lines of division in Kashmir. The refugees I have focused on
ANAM ZAKARIA official narrative on Kashmir. Do
AUTHOR the world. It goes on to show what is at in my book mostly crossed the LoC in some sections of people have a more
the 1990s. Figures vary but in 2017 Prime nuanced view of Kashmir settlement?
stake each time the LoC is activated due
dimension of Kashmir conflict’ to India-Pakistan politics and growing Minister of Azad Kashmir, Farooq Haider All states around the world tend to have
antagonism. The demands for political
claimed that as many as 40,000 refugees metanarratives that are meant to explain
autonomy, greater emancipation and
the transfer of power from Islamabad have crossed over from Indian-admin- the ground reality. However, people’s
istered Kashmir since 1989 whereas be-
experiences are often at variance with
to Muzaffarabad are also critical to hear. tween 1947 to 1989 ‘2.2 million refugees or far more nuanced than what these
PAKISTAN-ADMINISTERED Kashmir has been Kashmir. And are there any parallel They are disillusioned with the cause and In essence, the book moves away from came to seek refuge in Azad Kashmir.’ state level narratives can fully encom-
largely ignored or forgotten in the larger discourses too? resigned to the notion that the status quo statist narratives on Kashmir to explore While some of these refugees were able pass. For instance, while the ‘tribal raid’
discussions on Jammu and Kashmir. The new When I began my research, the most is unlikely to change. They thus demand the human dimensions of the conflict to move in with relatives or build houses, is often glorified in mainstream Paki-
book Between The Great Divide moves away common discourse I would hear was of an end to fighting and for some semblance from Pakistan-administered Kashmir’s others had to resort to living in camps stani discourse, for many people that
from statist narratives on Kashmir to explore the desire for azadi — which is predomi- of stability. lens. While the Kashmir issue has been set up by the Pakistani government. The I interviewed, the impact of the raids
the human dimensions of the conflict, its nately understood as freeing Kashmir There are also Kashmiris in Pakistan- reduced to a bi-lateral affair in many refugees are given a monthly stipend was severe and uprooting and the per-
author ANAM ZAKARIA tells riyaz wani from Indian rule. Many Kashmiris favour administered Kashmir who are strug - ways, these voices show how important and there are quotas reserved for them spective far more critical. Similarly, as
Kashmir’s merger with Pakistan and be- gling for a united independent Kashmir it is so listen to Kashmiris. Their experi- in public sector jobs. However, the con- I mentioned earlier, the official narra-
EDITED EXCERPTS FROM AN INTERVIEW • lieve that the struggle for liberation must and are critical of hegemonic policies in ences often vary from those of the states ditions they reside in are heartbreaking. tive on ceasefire violations tends to only
continue. With the recent rise in tensions the region. For them azadi has a different that administer them. The camp I visited revealed small shacks, focus on statistics whereas the everyday
All books so far written on Kashmir in Indian-administered Kashmir and with meaning. some made of mud, some with corrugat- lived experiences of these violations are
have largely focused on the Valley and news pouring in of pellet injuries and You have met the former militants ed iron and others with brick. Basic facili- far more complex and grave and can-
the ongoing turmoil there. Great Divide violence, the desire for this azadi has only Your book claims to unearth in from this side of Kashmir. What was ties were missing with the stipend simply not be expressed in numbers alone. The
is, in a sense, the first book which intensified. Pakistan Administered Kashmir the drift of your conversation with not enough to meet essential require- demands for greater accountability, au-
dwells on the fallout of the conflict in However, as I delved deeper into my something that will surprise Pakistanis them like? One former militant you tonomy and political emancipation also
the part of Kashmir under Pakistan’s research, I also began to come across and Indians alike. What is that? have talked to recounts more or less often do not come forward in the offi-
control. other narratives. For instance, a signifi- Unfortunately, voices from Pakistan-ad- a familiar narrative on the state. cial narratives on this region. It is these
Given the turmoil and endless cycles cant section in my book includes narra- ministered Kashmir have often not been While these interviews recounted the BETWEEN THE grievances and aspirations of the people
of violence across the LoC, it is of course tives of women living by the LoC. Since heard in many circles in India, Pakistan socio-political climate, which gave birth GREAT DIVIDE of Pakistan-administered Kashmir that
understandable that most literature has the 1990s they have been facing the brunt and even the larger J&K territory. The book to the armed struggle in Kashmir (and BY: ANAM ZAKARIA are discussed in this book, allowing for a
HarperCollins India
focused on Indian-administered Kashmir. of mortar shelling. For them peace and brings forth certain oral histories, which thereby is a familiar narrative), I also 320 PP; 1,195 deeper and more human-focused explo-
Pakistan-administered Kashmir has been normalcy is far more important than azadi. offer a fresh perspective on the region. wanted to explore what it means for peo- ration of the conflict and its implications.
largely ignored or forgotten in For instance, in the book ple to pick up arms in terms of their per-
the larger discussions on J&K. It readers will find detailed in- sonal life. What does it mean to live in a In your conversations with senior
was my visits and interactions terviews with refugees from constant state of vulnerability, especially government functionaries, did you
with Kashmiris from Pakistan- Indian-administered Kash- at such young ages? What does it mean see any changes in the thought
administered Kashmir that re- mir. As a Pakistani, I only to cross the LoC, not knowing if you process in Pakistan regarding the
vealed narratives of conflict that learnt about the refugees would survive, not knowing if you would ments. The refugees are also divided policy in Kashmir?
I felt were essential to explore. and the camps when I start- ever see your family again? What does it from their families, with many of them The 2003 ceasefire has resulted in a sig-
The Kashmir conflict has had se- ed my research. The fact that mean to live away from your loved ones facing serious psychological difficulties nificant shift in how the conflict and its
vere implications for the people they have been living here for decades, not even being able to speak too. One of the young boys I interviewed resolution are imagined. For instance,
living in this region — mortar since the early 1990s and to them for years? What does it mean to — who was born and raised as a refugee periodic studies conducted by Gallup
shelling, refugee camps, a con- ache to connect with their leave school or college and give up on said, “There is no sewerage system, no Pakistan reveal that whereas in 1991, 23
stant state of uncertainty and families across the divide is your dreams and ambitions to fight for dispensary, no proper water supply. At per cent of Pakistanis felt that war with
vulnerability, political and ad- an essential narrative. Simi- a cause you believe in? These interviews the end of the day this is a ghair ilaaka. India was the best way to resolve the
ministrative issues to name just larly, while stories of mor- reveal intimate and personal experienc- It can never be home. I want to go back Kashmir issue, by 2015 the number had
a few. I wanted to understand tar shelling are reported in es, often lost in state level understand- to my house, to my village, even though fallen to 5 per cent. In contrast, the option
how Kashmiris on this side of India and Pakistan, the hu- ings of militancy. I have never seen it.” This longing to reu- of resolving the conflict through negotia-
the LoC experience the con- man impact has often been nite with their families, homes and land tions had increased from 24 per cent in
flict. After all, any resolution on ignored. Moreover, India How many Kashmiri refugees are is only growing with time. For many of 1991 to 37 per cent in 2015. As Pakistan
Kashmir must also engage these and Pakistan tend to often there in PaK, what is there situation them it is essential to continue the strug- grapples with internal security concerns
Kashmiris for they are critical only report on casualties like and what do they say? gle for azadi for they say that it only when and Pakistanis fall victim to terrorist
stakeholders in the region. on the sides administered Refugees have poured in from Indian- Kashmir is free will they be able to return attacks, there is a growing recognition
by them. The narratives of administered Kashmir at different time to their ‘azad Kashmir.’ that we need to move beyond violence as
How would you describe women and children from periods since Partition. For instance, after a solution.
the dominant discourse on the LoC show what it actu- the 1965 and 1971 wars several Kashmiris What is it in the oral narrative of
Kashmir in Pakistan Occupied ally means to live on one crossed over into Pakistan-administered PaK that conflicts with Pakistan’s LETTERS@TEHELKA.COM

TEHELKA / 15 OCTOBER 2018 62 WWW.TEHELKA.COM TEHELKA / 15 OCTOBER 2018 63 WWW.TEHELKA.COM

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