Dr Vedapratap Vaidik
Since the abrogation of Article 370 Jammu and Kashmir did not witness any serious political commotion or terrorist attack. In fact, the Valley was relatively calm and was almost back to normal. But unfortunately during the past few weeks incidents relating to terrorism have again started making headlines in J&K. The coldblooded murder of a lady teacher in the Gopalpora area of Kulgam has created massive resentment among the public . 36-year-old Rajni Bala, a resident of Samba in the Jammu region was shot dead by terrorist in broad daylight while on duty at a High School where she was posted as a teacher.
Shaken by the killing of thousands of minority Hindu workers from Kashmir came out to the streets in protest demanding the Lieutenant Governor to shift them out of the Valley, or else they will be compelled for mass migration to safer locations, away from the Valley.
Their fury is justifiable, but there are many practical difficulties in meeting their demand. My question is whether the terrorists are killing only Hindu Pandits? It is true; comparatively more Hindu Pandits lost their life in terrorist attacks. But Rajnibala was not a Pandit. She belonged to Dalit community.
According to available information this year so far 13 people have been killed in terrorist attacks. Among those killed four were police personnel, three were Hindus and six were Muslims. Apart from the policemen among these Muslims, there were also panch, sarpanch and also a female TV artist. Terrorists are not selective in killing. They are trigger-happy monsters. They are the enemy of humanity. They consider it is their right to kill all those opposed to them.
Do they not realize that these crimes are committed in the name of Islam and because their inhuman actions Islam is being denigrated across the globe. Due to the brutal and sadistic actions of such fanatics, today Pakistan and Afghanistan are on the brink of disaster It is clear these terrorists are rupturing normalcy in Kashmir by initiating violent attacks with ulterior motive to create hurdle in any effort to improving Indo-Pak relations.
Since Shahbaz Sharif came to power the attitude of the political leadership of both Pakistan and India showing positive signs to improve bilateral relations. Both the countries are adhering to the ceasefire agreement on the border and recently the meeting of officials of both the neighbours was held in New Delhi to settle the Indus-Water dispute. Traders of Pakistan are also eager to commence cross border trade.
All these positive signs are disturbing the terrorists. That’s why they butcher innocents in the Valley. Their violence has been strongly condemned by all Kashmiri leaders and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Singha has promised to punish the killers at the earliest.
The terrorists engaged in slaughtering innocent people in the Valley need to know understand that even if they continue the bloodshed for another thousand years, they will not succeed to achieve their dubious goal. The godfather of these butchers sitting pretty in Pakistan may also realize that their efforts to balkanize neighbouring India will soon boomerang so violently that they will not have any room to hide.
*Dr. Vaidik is a widely travelled scholar-journalist. He has visited more than 80 countries on diplomatic and educationalmissions. Dr. Vaidik has won more than a dozen National and International awards for academic and journalistic excellence. He has been a member of several Advisory Committees of Government of India.
