AR Bhat
The “Islamic State of Afghanistan” emerged after post withdrawal of ISAF led by the USA and the euphoria of Islamic government under Taliban 2.0, soon caught attention of the whole World by the disturbed landscape of the Afghanistan. Although, the Muslim World order has been continuously evolving post World War II, which saw series of events including Iranian revolution, Ba’ath revolution, Arab Spring, ISIS and Taliban, naming few of them. These champions of Muslim World always tried to exert their influence by exploiting the religious sentiments of the Muslim community. Pakistan, a notorious neighbour has always sailed its boat in unchartered waters of neighbouring nations. The direct support to CIA in creating a new league of Mujahedeen’s fighting Russians in Afghanistan was a social experiment, which succeeded in a great manner. The Taliban 1.0, ruled Afghanistan with reigns of terror and annihilated the cultural values of Afghanistan. The social fabric was destroyed, which led to a hardliner totalitarian Islamic regime, which believed in medieval lifestyle and teachings of Shariya.
The Kashmir region of India has been an obsession of Pakistan since inception and nefarious design to de-stabilise this part has always been on the prime list of any Pakistani government. The sponsored social engineering in 90s created turbulence and led to mass exodus of Hindus from the Valley. Thereafter sponsoring terrorism with active support of state machinery though created some disturbance in the region with sizeable population indoctrinated by vicious propaganda. The model of Taliban1.0 to be replicated in Kashmir gained momentum by support of Islamic world with liberal donations and fighters being inducted in this region but ended up with humiliating defeat in Kargil. However, a common Kashmiri is now more disturbed and worried with the sequence of events constantly unfurling in Afghanistan.
The radicalisation of Kashmiris has been partially succeeded on the lines Afghanistan. The concept of Mujahedeen’s and foreign influence on ideology is closely following the footsteps of the model of Taliban. The atrocities in terms of beheading, restriction of women, rigid education system and public executions are part of Taliban style of governance. Traditionally, Kashmiris are considered to be socially vibrant and cosmopolitan in their lifestyle. Just an example, it is difficult to distinguish Hindu and Muslim in Kashmir, as they bear common surnames Shah, Bhatt, Pundit and so on. This diverse community has already suffered a great loss in the same time period when events in Afghanistan were creating repulses in the valley. The craftsman of both the problems, being singular i.e., Pakistan unleashed similar strategy in Kashmir with active involvement and huge money laundering cartel. The fear in Kashmir is evident on two accounts, firstly the society has been considerably radicalised by the sponsored religious propaganda and secondly the dark net of militancy.
The fallout of terror factories of Pakistan and unemployed Mujahedeen’s of Pakistan Madrasa’s now again may find their way to serene valleys of Kashmir. The cycle of violence in the name of Islam is totally un- acceptable in the name of religion and Kashmir being projected as a Muslim totalitarian society. The common people of Kashmir would be soon the target of Muslim fanatics, triumphed with establishment of Islamic government in Afghanistan under Taliban 2.0 and mute world order. The political landscape of Kashmir has been blurred due to the abrogation of Article 370, is finding solace in supporting the Taliban 2.0. These statements show the desperation of political parties to grab the power by any means, in order to sustain their existence.
The ultimate suffering of this experimentation would be experienced by people of Kashmir. The violence and atrocities being committed in Afghanistan are alarm sign for every Kashmiris, observing the situation on day to day basis. The threat to humanity and “Kashmiriyat” is omnipresent. The credibility of puppet government sponsored by Pakistan army would be judged by its involvement in Kashmir. The Afghanistan has a direct implication on Kashmir, as it acts as a leverage to keep Pakistan at bay. However, with a sponsored regime in Afghanistan, the Pakistani efforts wold be more focussed and channelized towards Kashmir in upcoming days. The terror model is a worrisome model for every Kashmiri and the creation of Islamic order in Afghanistan is an existential threat to “Kashmiriyat”.