Friday, Apr 22, 2005
Friday, Apr 22, 2005 |
| New Delhi | ||||
|
News:
Front Page |
National |
Tamil Nadu |
Andhra Pradesh |
Karnataka |
Kerala |
New Delhi |
Other States |
International |
Opinion |
Business |
Sport |
Miscellaneous |
Engagements |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | New Delhi
Staff Reporter
NEW DELHI: It was a meeting being held far away in the Kashmir Valley that found an echo in the Capital. While the nature of debate might have been different in the Valley and the Capital, concerned people came together in the Capital on Wednesday in support of people who had gone missing or been killed over the years in Jammu and Kashmir. An opportunity to reflect over the role of civil society in the past, it was a platform to debate the complexities that surround the Kashmir issue. Being observed as "Kashmir Solidarity Day" in the Valley by the Jammu & Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS) -- to remember Aasia Jeelani, a young activist who got killed in a landmine blast during Parliament elections last year -- civil society groups all over the country held solidarity meetings to emphasise the need for peace in the area. "I think it is important that we question the whole concept of a martyr as the JKCCS is planning to observe Thursday as Martyr's Day. Aasia was a regular girl who was there on election duty as an observer. Would she want to be known as a martyr,'' asked an activist, Sonia Jabbar. Condemning the violence perpetrated by the non-State actors as well as the Indian security personnel, Ms. Jabbar stated: "People in the Valley can't speak their mind. If they criticise India and Pakistan in the same breath it is okay. But if they support any other, then they are in danger of losing their lives." What does that do to the democratic process if you are not allowed to think?'' The issue of violence was not only limited to the Kashmir Valley, pointed out Kamal Mitra Chenoy from Jawaharlal Nehru University. "It is important not only to mention the Jammu and Kashmir Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, but also the Public Safety Act which are being used for violence. There are practically no democratic institutions in the Valley, it is almost martial law. It is not a territorial issue, but it is real problem for the democracy of India,'' he added.
Printer friendly
page
News:
Front Page |
National |
Tamil Nadu |
Andhra Pradesh |
Karnataka |
Kerala |
New Delhi |
Other States |
International |
Opinion |
Business |
Sport |
Miscellaneous |
Engagements |
|
|
|
The Hindu Group: Home | About Us | Copyright | Archives | Contacts | Subscription Group Sites: The Hindu | Business Line | The Sportstar | Frontline | The Hindu eBooks | The Hindu Images | Home |
Copyright © 2005, The
Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of
this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of
The Hindu
|
