A Journey in Jammu Kashmir & Allied areas (JKA)............................
from Subject to Citizen
.........autocracy to democracy
.........Dogra Raaj to Awaami Raaj
.........1947 CE to...........................
#WhiteFlags
#Neutrality
#WaterManagement #MirpurtoLondonviaCentralAsia
We did try very hard to capture the remaining opinion (52 of 60 done) of the political workers from the 6 most prominent tribes in district Kotli, before the end of Ramadhan.
However, it wasn't possible.
We will now resume after Eid, which could be as soon as the day after tomorrow.
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This blaze has been ongoing for the past couple of days and is clearly visible from my home. Despite a fine burst of rain a couple of nights ago, the fire is yet to abate. This is yet another example (among thousands) of the absence of governance in AJK. One fire engine in the shape of a helicopter for the district would suffice to avert such tragedies. Alas, our people's priorities are either elsewhere or non existent:
Brakes are on and timing of the day corresponds to the year, once again I think.
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I haven't really commented on the film 'The Kashmir Files' to date. However, the following Facebook post by Nitasha Kaul (I'm providing the link here as the post cannot be embedded) prompted me to respond to the divergent range of views posted there. Here's my comment:
I have read the comments and feel that we have to build bridges irrespective of what happened in the past. This does not mean wrongs must not be put right but for that we need 360 degree empathy.
I think we can learn a lot from Budhshah's rule (1420-1470), not least because that era navigated out of something much harsher.
We all (inhabitants of JKA) have an opportunity to provide solutions for the diverse regions, civilisations and power centres that intersect at this territory.
I am thinking water management technology in particular.
I also think cross LOC cultural activism over the past few years to revive Sharda - not only as a religious place of worship for Hindus - but as a pre-eminent centre of learning for the whole of humanity, provides us inspiration.
The following footage in Mandi Kotli was taken a couple of hours before iftaar on the 19th of April:
This used to be a highly energetic water spring (chashma) in #Mandi#Kotli#AJK
When you take knowledge and empathy of the environment away from the people, while forcing them to thrive on lies and deceit in the name of Allah, this is the response nature gives you. pic.twitter.com/n8XIoT6aoP
This is our 3rd break since the tour began on 27 March 2022
The 2nd break (lasting 3 days) was after 9 days on 12 April 2022
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The following theme is always going to provoke a debate and of course the ball goes back into the British court, as you can assess from some of the comments that I extracted from YouTube, after watching the video:
Some extracted comments from YouTube on the video:
Nihal R
6 months ago
1. Don’t reject Austrian and German students at art school
2. Don’t let the king of France attend parties
3. Don’t let the British make borders
..
Chinmay Chiplunkar
7 months ago (edited)
When humans try to divide what Nature never intended, this happens.
The leaders of both India and Pakistan in 1947 were so hungry for power that they simply lost their vision of how bad the repercussions of this partition will be, and they simply went with what the British wanted and had planned.
What I feel bad about is that even after 75 years we still cannot completely fill the black hole that has been dug deep in our hearts by the then British Bureaucracy. 🙁
..
Khun Htet
1 year ago
British Empire: Let the others pay compensation for wars
Also them: Never pay compensation for war
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Zaurayz Shah
1 year ago
"its all the fault of the British"
Britain: we dont talk about that here
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Forstaken
10 months ago
Britain is like that guy who farts just before he leaves the elevator
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Sairfan
9 months ago
@morty james Jinnah was just a front man for Britain to implement their plans which was played later on, in fact Pakistan still has army that was left by Britain, yes that means whatever Pakistan is doing, is based on script written by USA/UK. Its quite complex game hard to understand for general readers.
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Literal MacGuffin
1 year ago
India : Named after the Indus River
Indus River : Is in Pakistan
British: “Don’t question it, it makes sense.”
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Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger Ausf. E
1 year ago
RLL: It was the British as always...
Everybody: You goddamn right.
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R GODASE
1 year ago
That's what happens when countries are created unnaturally by someone having no idea of local complications, without spending any time before drawing borders. Lets not even talk about how the partition happened.
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Vishal p
1 year ago
British : ok... I have prepared the line... just check it...
Expert : its weird.... it will create lot of problem to peace...
British : ok.... thank you. Approved.
..
zeffery
1 year ago
@KARTIKEYA007 tbf, it was the British that created animosity between Muslim and Hindus in the first place. They divided and conquered and pitted hate towards each other. The british basically gaslighted them to make them believe it was their idea to separate and then turned around and said, "they wanted to create a border, we didn't have any part"
..
Football Pakistan
1 year ago
Brittain draw those lines for two reasons..
1=Leaving opportunities for WW3
2=They were thinking beating India as whole would be problem so they devided it in 4 parts just like a piece of cake.
..
Sròn - Adharcach
1 year ago
Do a video on what if the Celtic Countries (Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Isle of Man, Cornwall and Brittany) United because I am interested in the idea.
Day 24 - District (Kotli) wide tour as part of Internal Political Process - AJK
Updated stats of completed interviews of tribal politicians/political workers: 52 of 60
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We are almost where we want to be.
Marking out a journey from thousands of years of tribalism/feudalism to one of the most advanced direct democracies in the world isn't exactly easy but it isn't as hard as most of us imagine.
It's almost always good to be ahead of the game....
Day 22 - District (Kotli) wide tour as part of Internal Political Process - AJK
Updated stats of completed interviews of tribal politicians/political workers: 50 of 60
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This is almost a bolt from the blue in AJK:
US Congresswoman Visits Pakistani Part of Disputed Kashmir, Draws India's Ire https://t.co/Hagl0A30be A thought-provoking development. You can read my thoughts in today's diary @ https://t.co/DMXMKPMIkB
That's encouraging and insightful to read. Her assessment about India is factual and JKA is not a matter of sovereignty for India, rather the inhabitants of JKA hold that title which India, Pakistan, China, the UK and her own adopted country are preventing them from exercising since 1947.
She should also understand that she visited the capital of AJK, a lawless territory whose administration denies fundamental rights to its aspiring citizens; to the extent that exercising sovereignty despite being dubbed 'Azad' (Free) is considered treason.
Day 21 - District (Kotli) wide tour as part of Internal Political Process - AJK
Updated stats of completed interviews of tribal politicians/political workers: 50 of 60
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Some sound advice for #Pakistan in reference to #AJK though I don't think they have the intelligence to heed. Sardar Sultan Mahmood of #Panjera n #Kotli simply wants them to accept our right to 'shakhsi azaadi', our individual freedoms or freedom of conscience to be more precise. pic.twitter.com/Ol6jcL3bRw
Day 17 - District (Kotli) wide tour as part of Internal Political Process - AJK
Updated stats of completed interviews of tribal politicians/political workers: 43 of 60
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As we are into the 'home run' of this district wide tour, careful measurement is required to ensure the representative status of political workers throughout the district is reflected, in our choices of who to interview.
Our discussion with Quayyum Raja in Pahaari on Babu Singh, former minister in Indian-controlled J & K Assembly and modern revolutionary of Kathua in Jammu division, the southernmost district in JKA:
Any wrong doing by any power on earth must be condemned and made accountable. It is human nature that if we make holy cows out of human beings or make institutions made up of human beings unimpeachable, we will fail humanity.
We will also fail the creator who created us all.
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Water powered flour mills have been an important feature of our culture for centuries. Here's an example:
Later in the evening we ventured out to Kajrullah on the outskirts of Khuiratta to meet veteran freedom fighter Quayyum Raja:
Subjects discussed in this detailed conversation were:
1) An internal political process in AJK
2) Babu Singh of Kathua, Jammu and his mysterious disappearance amidst an apparent Indian sting operation and a demand for him to be given an opportunity to present his version of developments in public.
3) The role of Britain and its colonial legacy.
4) Remedies and our role as the public of JKA as sovereign entity, both at home and in the diaspora (particularly the UK).
Day 12 - District (Kotli) wide tour as part of Internal Political Process - AJK
Updated stats of completed interviews of tribal politicians/political workers: 29 of 60
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Who is the most quoted prophet in the Holy Qur'an?
Musa (Moses)
The most quoted nation?
Bani Isra'il (The Children of Israel)
Over-riding theme/lesson(s)?
Unaccountable State power aggression, speaking truth to power, self-perpetuating slave mentality and the bounties of freedom; the condition in which God created man/woman and hence the rationale of heaven and hell.
If a human being is not free to do good or bad, to make decisions independently for themselves then how can there be reward and punishment? Then what would be the point of heaven and hell?
Freedom is a birth right, a default natural human condition. It cannot be denied for colonial compulsions, for resource extraction and it certainly cannot be denied in the name of God.
Read Pakistan's role in AJK and GB. Also read the role of victims of State aggression.
Day 11 - District (Kotli) wide tour as part of Internal Political Process - AJK
Updated stats of completed interviews of tribal politicians/political workers: 27 of 60
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As I arrived here (in my motherland) in April 2005 and we have reached the 17th April since then - without a break - this is inevitably a month of milestones.
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In Dabsi, reference my public will. Sprightly 92 year old politician Molvi Laal Muhammad Baaniya made my day. Ventured into Mendhar momentarily too, albeit in spirit only.
Day 9 - District (Kotli) wide tour as part of Internal Political Process - AJK
Updated stats of completed interviews of tribal politicians/political workers: 22 of 60
Remains static despite much manoeuvres.
Encouraging most of all is that we are now a 4 member team comprising of 4 different tribes. We even have scope to include the other 2 (Sayed and Malik) too but our mode of transport will not be able to accommodate us all. It will also be difficult for our forthcoming hosts to accommodate us all too.
We do need to develop that capacity though, so that representation in activism is evenly balanced.
Day 8 - District (Kotli) wide tour as part of Internal Political Process - AJK
Updated stats of completed interviews of tribal politicians/political workers: 22 of 60
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It appears that there will be a lot of commotion in Mirpur today. After this last night:
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The following extremely disturbing case of sexual harassment by a Pakistani army employee - of a woman - who happens to be the wife of a dear friend of mine. The latter and family have been victimised before - on account of association with me - reference my ordeal in Leepa in 2015:
Day 6 - District (Kotli) wide tour as part of Internal Political Process - AJK
Updated stats of completed interviews of tribal politicians/political workers: 17 of 60
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It is also the first day of Ramadhan today in AJK.
We continue our struggle for an internal political process in this territory - which God has bestowed his bounties on - yet the people feel compelled to earn a living or socially interact on the basis of deceit and falsehood.
There cannot possibly be a higher level of contradiction in the words and actions of a God fearing society, that feels compelled to be corrupt.
What is it that less God fearing countries have that we don't?
