The Kashmir Question

Updated on: Sunday, September 12, 2010

Fourth dimension, a research and study circle comprising students across colleges in the city, came together on September 11 at the Academy of Fine Arts to mobilise public opinion on the problems plaguing Kashmir through constructive dialogue and criticism.

Also present on the occasion were Malini Bhattacharya, chairperson State Women’s Commission, Satyabrata Chakroborty, professor of Political Science, Calcutta University, OP Shah, former professor, St Xavier’s College, Kolkata and Rantideb Sengupta, associate editor Bartaman.

Malini Bhattacharya set the keynote with her inaugural speech. Critiquing the Armed Forces Special Powers Act and calling them ‘paid encounters’ she said, “Without addressing the grievances of the people, you cannot talk about National Integration.” This was followed by a paper-reading session. Students from Presidency, Loreto, Calcutta University, National University of Juridical Sciences, Shantiniketan and Ashutosh college presented diverse perspectives, offering solutions at the same time.

While some like Taniya Bharadwaj, a political science student of Presidency College spoke about the inadequacy of the Shrine Board to curb the pelting of stones, there were others who complained of there being no cognizance of the real situation.

Others dismissed the idea of nationhood based on religion. A student of Loreto College, sounding the wake-up call for a pathologically callous generation urged, “Let us not look away any more. Kashmir is burning and Left, Right, Centre et al is against granting more autonomy to the state.”

A parallel between the Kashmiri movement in India and the Palestinian movement within the Israeli state was also drawn. The identity of the Kashmiri women too was deliberated upon. There was no missing the harrowing consequences of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act in the course of the discourse. The students were unanimous in their critique of some of its laws.

Soumya Thakurta, a student of Economics from Presidency again, had an interesting point to make, “Ramzan, a Muslim festival bears the name of a Hindu God ‘Ram’ and Diwali, a Hindu festival has ‘Ali’, so why can’t they co-exist in peace and prosperity?” So while there were thought-provoking insights into the Kashmiri problem, it is yet to be seen whether such movements gather momentum or fizzle out midway.

To engage them in active participation, there was a poster-designing competition and screening of documentaries on Kashmir later in the day.

Called on to share a few words, OP Shah, also chairman of Centre for Peace and Progress said, “I never realized the youth of my city was so well-informed and interested in the complexities looming large over Kashmir. This is truly commendable.” Talking about his experiences in the valley and sharing interesting vignettes, he expressed hope of reaching a viable solution through such forums.

The Kashmir Question

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