The world that was divided along the fault-lines of social, religious, economic, historical, geographical or ideological supremacy, is now speaking in one voice on the need to save humanity.

Around one-third of the world population is estimated to be under lockdown as humanity comes to terms with the pandemic <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/refugees-could-become-the-worst-victims-of-coronavirus-pandemic-288393">Covid-19 </a>after initial denial.

With over seven&nbsp;lakh cases globally, people are restricted to their homes. The streets bear a deserted look, and the world has come to a standstill. Yet the world is in flux.

The crises of seclusion, isolation and social distancing is not only changing our perception for life, but has also forced us to ponder over the existing way of life itself.&nbsp;

Mystery Surrounding the Deadly Virus

Besides the worldwide criticism of WHO in the handling of the Covid-19 crises, the virus itself has been referred to as the ‘Chinese Virus’ and it is widely believed that this virus originated in Wuhan, China.&nbsp;

In addition to this, there are also inputs on how this virus was predicted by a writer in her book written in the early 1980s. Daily, we keep on hearing new theories and information rendering the situation ambiguous. 
&nbsp; 
Global Politics

With many world leaders and personalities testing positive, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/coronavirus-outbreak-lockdown-and-beyond-a-looming-crisis-288430">the Coronavirus</a>, being christened as the ‘Chinese virus’ by world leaders like Donald Trump, is shaking up the global politics. It is set to change and possibly weaken the role of China in the modern world. 
 
The US response has enraged many and China has gone on a propaganda offensive. One set of information says, in the year 2019, there were about 40 lakh Chinese tourists in Italy and these are said to have played a role in the propagation of the virus on such a large scale. There seems to have set in, a certain incredibility being attributed to China’s role in the genesis and spread of this virus, thus throwing up questions on China’s aspirations to be known as a world leader. Though we do not have much information on the source and genesis of this virus, what is very evident at this point of time, is that the whole world is in the grip of fear psychosis, and it is hell-bent on stopping this virus in its path of destruction and fury.&nbsp;

The Other Side

What is unique about this predicament, is that never before in modern history, have governmental and non-governmental organisations and individuals across the world, prioritised an issue and pledged their complete support to each other to see its resolution. The world before COVID-19 was immensely competitive, with countries competing with each other to establish their supremacy in world history and politics. From being the first to set up an asylum for humans on Mars, to spreading their ideology across the world, the priorities were always cantered on competition as opposed to the stress on cooperation in this post-COVID-19 world. The world that was divided along the fault-lines of social, religious, economic, historical, geographical or ideological supremacy, is now speaking in one voice on the need to save humanity.

Obsolete Vs Relevant 
 
Another post-COVID 19 scenario that we are witnessing, is the increasing obsolescence and growing irrelevance of global organisations like the UN, which was established solely to eradicate poverty and war from the world.&nbsp;

Other than giving out statements on the progress of the virus across the world and updating the casualties and results, not much has been under the control of the UN or the WHO, in terms of battling and mitigating this pandemic. It seems WHO took too long to act and gave China a long pass. Both organisations need recasting. In fact, much more has been done by individual governments and the civil society, notably by the Indian government which has been taking strong positive and assertive steps to contain the spread of the Coronavirus and keep it in check. In fact, the WHO, lauding India’s past missives against small-pox and polio, has stressed upon the country’s fight against the virus as the crucial part of the battle.

Can India Show the Way?

For ages together, India has been propagating the idea of 'One-world family' or 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam', and which was not really comprehended in its truest sense, by the western world. This pandemic has not only taught the essence of 'one-world family' to the entire world but also demonstrated its practical implementation for all to appreciate. All man-made divisions have been thrown out of the window by an unseen and unknown virus, reasserting the superiority of Nature, and its ability to blow all our plans to smithereens.&nbsp;

Additionally, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was one of the first leaders to establish a fund for the battle against the COVID-19, in coordination with its neighbouring countries. While other countries were busy battling the virus in their individual capacities, the head of the world’s largest democracy was reaching out to other nations to help them in this war against the pandemic. This has assertively pushed India into the league of a global leader, despite its conspicuous absence from the UN Security Council, not just politically but also culturally, as is evident from the endorsement of the Indian way of greeting, the Namaste, as being the safest way to greet in the present scenario.

The Indian Way of Life!

The way Italy’s health care system is groaning under Covid-19, it is a warning to the world. The west today values ancient Indian wisdom and its ayurvedic home remedies for an enhanced immune system,

Studies have shown that people with a stronger immune system have a higher chance of being cured of this virus. This explains the estimated whopping 300 per cent increase in the export of turmeric to Europeans who are looking for Indian spices to increase their immunity. Giloy, an ayurvedic herb, known to cure fever and flu in a matter of days, works wonders in the prevention of the Coronavirus. It is widely consumed in India for the treatment of viral cold and cough, and fever, and is known as the root of immortality, since it enhances the immune system like no other medication, in addition to its utility in the treatment of diabetes and gastrointestinal disorders.

Copper and Brass have been an inseparable part of the Indian civilisation, and were, perhaps, the only materials to be used as utensils in India. The practice of drinking water from brass is inherent to all Indians, that we have forgotten the same, is another matter.

Meanwhile, it is believed that virus strains degenerate when brought in contact with copper surfaces and cannot survive on it, unlike other surfaces where it can survive for days together. Bill Keevil, Professor of Environmental healthcare at the University of Southampton, says that viruses land on copper and it just degrades them.&nbsp;

And finally, the practice of Namaste, being incorporated as the norm in the Coronavirus –infested atmosphere, shows the relevance of the practice of avoiding physical contact, which, according to Indian tradition implies the accumulation of memories by physical contact, something which was to be avoided at all costs.&nbsp;

The Final War&nbsp;

This current pandemic should cause us to revisit our civilizational values and rethink our plan of development. Information technology and mass urbanisation must be guided by higher consciousness to nature and the earth, because, without the right foundation, no civilisation can endure.

Given its contribution to the war against the COVID-19, India is bound to be catapulted to the role of a global leader, also on account of its dauntless war against the pandemic, devoid of fear psychosis, and armed with fearless and practical solutions of lockdown and precautionary measures implemented by the government and executed to perfection by its dedicated medical, surveillance and security personnel, and the citizenry, as opposed to the ground realities in places like China or Italy or even the US, where the virus has wreaked havoc beyond one’s imagination.&nbsp;

The world, in the wake of this disease, is turning to spirituality, which by my definition, means questioning one’s origin, one’s relation with Nature and fellow human beings, one’s longevity and one’s legacy for the future generation. All of a sudden, we have been introspecting into the kind of world we are going to bequeath to our children, questioning the way of life we have been leading.

Another example of this is the inadvertent focus on family life and family bonding as advocated in the Indian culture, during the long durations of forced isolation during the lockdown. Though the Western world had,&nbsp; 
all along, smirked at the emotional family orientation of the Indians, and were proud of their capitalist culture of independence, this lockdown has unveiled to them the joy of family bonding and its importance in the larger scheme of things. They are realising that the frantic race for economic sustenance had never been capable of giving them the psychological security and reassurance that the family, in these difficult times, has brought to them.&nbsp;

This Pandemic has further highlighted the fact that the excessively exalted notion of independence of individuals has fallen apart in favour of stress on interdependence, without which people cannot survive in this Post- COVID 19 world. In countries with a high per capita income and independence also, people have realised that one’s survival is dependent on others. Money may not save your life but someone’s help may.&nbsp;

Also, even if one person chooses to throw caution to the wind, hundreds of others are affected. Hence, this virus has made us realise that no man is an island and that the world is an archipelago.&nbsp;

Crumbling Fault-lines

This brings me to the next observation that the faultlines of religion, region, language, race, nationality, ideology and culture, which had barricaded the world into small units, have finally begun to give away, with the greater identity of humanism overshadowing all other identities. This bringing together of the world on the basis of a common human identity and experience by this virus, in a way that even the UN was not able to do in all these years, augurs well for the coming future. This experience has fostered a culture of sharing and caring beyond an established identity, novel to the western world, enabling us to think uniformly of mitigating poverty, starvation, sickness and war.&nbsp;

The Last Lesson

Richard Louv, in his 1995 book, ‘The last child in the woods,’ strives to tell us how exposure to Nature is essential to childhood development, and the emotional and physical health of children and adults and how we have gone so far away from nature in our thought and habit, that we have started to consume anything and everything, disregarding the thought of when, and what to eat. He talks of Nature- deficit disorder which is the cause of this degradation in our culture and behaviour where we have not spared even a creature from our gluttony. This is where India has a role to play. Maria Wirth talks of how India may need to send a yogi like Bodhidharma to China and teach them what to eat and what not to eat. There have also been talks of how no deadly viruses have emanated from Indian vegetarian foods. &nbsp; 
 
While Indian civilisation has been mocked for the longest time, for the world to now acknowledge it as the most scientific, and beneficial one, is a validation of the age-old practices of this dharmic land. The Indian civilisation has been one, which has its fundamentals deeply rooted in science, medicine and something that modern civilisations lacked- common sense, all along misconstrued as superstition. The world&nbsp;is actively switching to a healthier, and the more sensitive, Indian way of life, absorbing everything from turmeric latte to Sanskrit to yoga. To summarise, India seems to be the last child in the woods, we need to protect and promote it. For a better world, for a better future. 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp;

The world that was divided along the fault-lines of social, religious, economic, historical, geographical or ideological supremacy, is now speaking in one voice on the need to save humanity.

The world that was divided along the fault-lines of social, religious, economic, historical, geographical or ideological supremacy, is now speaking in one voice on the need to save humanity. Around one-third of the world population is estimated to be under lockdown as humanity comes to terms with the pandemic Covid-19 after initial denial. With over seven lakh cases globally, people are restricted to their homes. The streets bear a deserted look, and the world has come to a standstill. Yet the world is in flux. The crises of seclusion, isolation and social distancing is not only changing our perception for life, but has also forced us to ponder over the existing way of life itself. Mystery Surrounding the Deadly Virus Besides the worldwide criticism of WHO in the handling of the Covid-19 crises, the virus itself has been referred to as the ‘Chinese Virus’ and it is widely believed that this virus originated in Wuhan, China. In addition to this, there are also inputs on how this virus was predicted by a writer in her book written in the early 1980s. Daily, we keep on hearing new theories and information rendering the situation ambiguous. Global Politics With many world leaders and personalities testing positive, the Coronavirus, being christened as the ‘Chinese virus’ by world leaders like Donald Trump, is shaking up the global politics. It is set to change and possibly weaken the role of China in the modern world. The US response has enraged many and China has gone on a propaganda offensive. One set of information says, in the year 2019, there were about 40 lakh Chinese tourists in Italy and these are said to have played a role in the propagation of the virus on such a large scale. There seems to have set in, a certain incredibility being attributed to China’s role in the genesis and spread of this virus, thus throwing up questions on China’s aspirations to be known as a world leader. Though we do not have much information on the source and genesis of this virus, what is very evident at this point of time, is that the whole world is in the grip of fear psychosis, and it is hell-bent on stopping this virus in its path of destruction and fury. The Other Side What is unique about this predicament, is that never before in modern history, have governmental and non-governmental organisations and individuals across the world, prioritised an issue and pledged their complete support to each other to see its resolution. The world before COVID-19 was immensely competitive, with countries competing with each other to establish their supremacy in world history and politics. From being the first to set up an asylum for humans on Mars, to spreading their ideology across the world, the priorities were always cantered on competition as opposed to the stress on cooperation in this post-COVID-19 world. The world that was divided along the fault-lines of social, religious, economic, historical, geographical or ideological supremacy, is now speaking in one voice on the need to save humanity. Obsolete Vs Relevant Another post-COVID 19 scenario that we are witnessing, is the increasing obsolescence and growing irrelevance of global organisations like the UN, which was established solely to eradicate poverty and war from the world. Other than giving out statements on the progress of the virus across the world and updating the casualties and results, not much has been under the control of the UN or the WHO, in terms of battling and mitigating this pandemic. It seems WHO took too long to act and gave China a long pass. Both organisations need recasting. In fact, much more has been done by individual governments and the civil society, notably by the Indian government which has been taking strong positive and assertive steps to contain the spread of the Coronavirus and keep it in check. In fact, the WHO, lauding India’s past missives against small-pox and polio, has stressed upon the country’s fight against the virus as the crucial part of the battle. Can India Show the Way? For ages together, India has been propagating the idea of 'One-world family' or 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam', and which was not really comprehended in its truest sense, by the western world. This pandemic has not only taught the essence of 'one-world family' to the entire world but also demonstrated its practical implementation for all to appreciate. All man-made divisions have been thrown out of the window by an unseen and unknown virus, reasserting the superiority of Nature, and its ability to blow all our plans to smithereens. Additionally, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was one of the first leaders to establish a fund for the battle against the COVID-19, in coordination with its neighbouring countries. While other countries were busy battling the virus in their individual capacities, the head of the world’s largest democracy was reaching out to other nations to help them in this war against the pandemic. This has assertively pushed India into the league of a global leader, despite its conspicuous absence from the UN Security Council, not just politically but also culturally, as is evident from the endorsement of the Indian way of greeting, the Namaste, as being the safest way to greet in the present scenario. The Indian Way of Life! The way Italy’s health care system is groaning under Covid-19, it is a warning to the world. The west today values ancient Indian wisdom and its ayurvedic home remedies for an enhanced immune system, Studies have shown that people with a stronger immune system have a higher chance of being cured of this virus. This explains the estimated whopping 300 per cent increase in the export of turmeric to Europeans who are looking for Indian spices to increase their immunity. Giloy, an ayurvedic herb, known to cure fever and flu in a matter of days, works wonders in the prevention of the Coronavirus. It is widely consumed in India for the treatment of viral cold and cough, and fever, and is known as the root of immortality, since it enhances the immune system like no other medication, in addition to its utility in the treatment of diabetes and gastrointestinal disorders. Copper and Brass have been an inseparable part of the Indian civilisation, and were, perhaps, the only materials to be used as utensils in India. The practice of drinking water from brass is inherent to all Indians, that we have forgotten the same, is another matter. Meanwhile, it is believed that virus strains degenerate when brought in contact with copper surfaces and cannot survive on it, unlike other surfaces where it can survive for days together. Bill Keevil, Professor of Environmental healthcare at the University of Southampton, says that viruses land on copper and it just degrades them. And finally, the practice of Namaste, being incorporated as the norm in the Coronavirus –infested atmosphere, shows the relevance of the practice of avoiding physical contact, which, according to Indian tradition implies the accumulation of memories by physical contact, something which was to be avoided at all costs. The Final War This current pandemic should cause us to revisit our civilizational values and rethink our plan of development. Information technology and mass urbanisation must be guided by higher consciousness to nature and the earth, because, without the right foundation, no civilisation can endure. Given its contribution to the war against the COVID-19, India is bound to be catapulted to the role of a global leader, also on account of its dauntless war against the pandemic, devoid of fear psychosis, and armed with fearless and practical solutions of lockdown and precautionary measures implemented by the government and executed to perfection by its dedicated medical, surveillance and security personnel, and the citizenry, as opposed to the ground realities in places like China or Italy or even the US, where the virus has wreaked havoc beyond one’s imagination. The world, in the wake of this disease, is turning to spirituality, which by my definition, means questioning one’s origin, one’s relation with Nature and fellow human beings, one’s longevity and one’s legacy for the future generation. All of a sudden, we have been introspecting into the kind of world we are going to bequeath to our children, questioning the way of life we have been leading. Another example of this is the inadvertent focus on family life and family bonding as advocated in the Indian culture, during the long durations of forced isolation during the lockdown. Though the Western world had, all along, smirked at the emotional family orientation of the Indians, and were proud of their capitalist culture of independence, this lockdown has unveiled to them the joy of family bonding and its importance in the larger scheme of things. They are realising that the frantic race for economic sustenance had never been capable of giving them the psychological security and reassurance that the family, in these difficult times, has brought to them. This Pandemic has further highlighted the fact that the excessively exalted notion of independence of individuals has fallen apart in favour of stress on interdependence, without which people cannot survive in this Post- COVID 19 world. In countries with a high per capita income and independence also, people have realised that one’s survival is dependent on others. Money may not save your life but someone’s help may. Also, even if one person chooses to throw caution to the wind, hundreds of others are affected. Hence, this virus has made us realise that no man is an island and that the world is an archipelago. Crumbling Fault-lines This brings me to the next observation that the faultlines of religion, region, language, race, nationality, ideology and culture, which had barricaded the world into small units, have finally begun to give away, with the greater identity of humanism overshadowing all other identities. This bringing together of the world on the basis of a common human identity and experience by this virus, in a way that even the UN was not able to do in all these years, augurs well for the coming future. This experience has fostered a culture of sharing and caring beyond an established identity, novel to the western world, enabling us to think uniformly of mitigating poverty, starvation, sickness and war. The Last Lesson Richard Louv, in his 1995 book, ‘The last child in the woods,’ strives to tell us how exposure to Nature is essential to childhood development, and the emotional and physical health of children and adults and how we have gone so far away from nature in our thought and habit, that we have started to consume anything and everything, disregarding the thought of when, and what to eat. He talks of Nature- deficit disorder which is the cause of this degradation in our culture and behaviour where we have not spared even a creature from our gluttony. This is where India has a role to play. Maria Wirth talks of how India may need to send a yogi like Bodhidharma to China and teach them what to eat and what not to eat. There have also been talks of how no deadly viruses have emanated from Indian vegetarian foods. While Indian civilisation has been mocked for the longest time, for the world to now acknowledge it as the most scientific, and beneficial one, is a validation of the age-old practices of this dharmic land. The Indian civilisation has been one, which has its fundamentals deeply rooted in science, medicine and something that modern civilisations lacked- common sense, all along misconstrued as superstition. The world is actively switching to a healthier, and the more sensitive, Indian way of life, absorbing everything from turmeric latte to Sanskrit to yoga. To summarise, India seems to be the last child in the woods, we need to protect and promote it. For a better world, for a better future. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

India has played a vital role in the fight against coronavirus

Even as the death toll due to the Delhi riots has reached over 40 with close to 200 injured, my heart goes out for the innocents who have been killed in a dastardly way. Such riots in the national capital which had been hosting US President Donald Trump has unfortunately attracted negative media attention&nbsp;for the country. This is opposed to the massive goodwill India had hoped to generate during Trump’s visit with respect to an array of deals and the blossoming Indo-US relationship.

Even as a section of the intelligentsia has blamed the BJP leaders and Hindu right-wing groups for spreading violence, it is hard to fathom as to why a government which had worked so hard for the visit of US President Donald Trump, would orchestrate such violence in the national capital. Hence, it becomes significant to examine the various factors which could have contributed to the Delhi violence.

The role of demographics in orchestrating structural violence in the country can no more be overlooked. French sociologist and philosopher Auguste Comte had once coined the famous phrase ‘Demography is Destiny’. In this aphorism, he had laid emphasis as to why we should study growth and expansion of the human race, so that we will be able to predict the future progress of society based upon population trends. His teachings hold so much relevance in today’s times when the societal fabric is deteriorating.

If we look at India’s demographics before partition, there were about 33 per cent Muslims. When it emerged during the Freedom Struggle that Hindus and Muslims won’t be able to live peacefully together and a demand for a separate nation Pakistan was made. While many Muslims who had staunchly advocated for the creation of Pakistan migrated there, still 15 per cent of them couldn’t go and lived in India. Despite being here, many couldn’t separate themselves from jihadist agenda and fundamentalism. The vote bank and appeasement politics practised by so-called secular parties further kept their ideology and agenda alive.&nbsp;

There are ample instances to indicate as to how people can be seen celebrating at Pakistan’s victory during India vs Pakistan cricket matches, or the slogan of ‘Pakistan Zindabad’, from political podiums. Whenever a country’s culture, history and tradition are divided along religious lines, the people of that country are no longer able to identify themselves with that nation’s history and rich legacy. The heroes and leaders they once eulogised become enemies for them. Thanks to anti-national mindset, their own country becomes ‘Darul Harab’ for them. They continue to perceive themselves as ‘others’ and claim alienation and excesses at the hands of the majority. The violence panning out in Delhi is no exception. It is high time that we need to guard against such hate-mongers who can go to any extent to establish their supremacy over non-Islamists, as seen in a spate of attacks in the US (9/11), London bombings, and terror incidents in other parts of the world such as New Zealand, Australia, France, Spain and India (26/11), among others.

There is no middle-path in nationalism. If one is not a nationalist, there is no doubt that the person isn’t devoted to the welfare of the nation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s emphatic victory for his second term sent shock-waves across the ‘tukde-tukde’ gang. The country’s people including many Muslim women rejected their attempts of projecting Modi as corrupt or anti-minorities. These camps also know that the Modi government won’t hesitate to take action against groups propounding Islamic radicalism and division of the nation. The present violence as seen in Uttar Pradesh in December, and now in Delhi is nothing but the outburst of frustration prevalent among those who don’t want India to give shelter to persecuted minorities in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. They want to conveniently turn a blind eye to the daily hardships and humiliation the Hindu minorities have to undergo in these countries, including the forceful conversion and marriage of Hindu girls to Muslims.

Hindus who in the truest sense are in minority globally, never seem to battle an eyelid, even if their population falls, in their own country like India. While Pope, missionaries and other Catholic leaders can be seen openly propounding ways of converting people to Christianity and talk about measures of increasing population, they are never criticized. 
 
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had rightly stated that protests at Shaheen Bagh were nothing but a social experiment by protestors and that he won’t budge on his stand with respect to the Citizenship Amendment Act and safeguarding the interests of persecuted minorities.

The Delhi violence looks to be a well-planned strategy of protesters, to make it coincide with the visit of US President and project India’s image negatively abroad. Only Modi and India haters are expected to benefit from such acts of arson and violence. Sources in the Ministry of Home Affairs have also pointed out that the violence had been planned in advance. It also points to the lack of tolerance among anti-CAA protestors who couldn’t allow pro-CAA supporters to march peacefully in North East Delhi. The death of Police constable Ratan Lal and the likes of DCP Shahdara Amit Sharma suffering massive injuries at the hands of anti-CAA rioters is an indication of how the protestors are opposed to maintaining law and order. Stone-pelting has been a common feature among protesters in J&amp;K, Uttar Pradesh districts, and now North East Delhi.

It is hoped that better sense prevails and the law and order situation is swiftly brought under control. The sense of brotherhood shown by Hindu-Muslims in certain riot-hit localities needs to be lauded and should serve as an example for other areas of Delhi to emulate. The source of funding in these riots also needs to be investigated, and the perpetrators of this are punished. 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;

Even as the death toll due to the Delhi riots has reached over 40 with close to 200 injured, my heart goes out for the innocents who have been killed in a dastardly way.

Even as the death toll due to the Delhi riots has reached over 40 with close to 200 injured, my heart goes out for the innocents who have been killed in a dastardly way. Such riots in the national capital which had been hosting US President Donald Trump has unfortunately attracted negative media attention for the country. This is opposed to the massive goodwill India had hoped to generate during Trump’s visit with respect to an array of deals and the blossoming Indo-US relationship. Even as a section of the intelligentsia has blamed the BJP leaders and Hindu right-wing groups for spreading violence, it is hard to fathom as to why a government which had worked so hard for the visit of US President Donald Trump, would orchestrate such violence in the national capital. Hence, it becomes significant to examine the various factors which could have contributed to the Delhi violence. The role of demographics in orchestrating structural violence in the country can no more be overlooked. French sociologist and philosopher Auguste Comte had once coined the famous phrase ‘Demography is Destiny’. In this aphorism, he had laid emphasis as to why we should study growth and expansion of the human race, so that we will be able to predict the future progress of society based upon population trends. His teachings hold so much relevance in today’s times when the societal fabric is deteriorating. If we look at India’s demographics before partition, there were about 33 per cent Muslims. When it emerged during the Freedom Struggle that Hindus and Muslims won’t be able to live peacefully together and a demand for a separate nation Pakistan was made. While many Muslims who had staunchly advocated for the creation of Pakistan migrated there, still 15 per cent of them couldn’t go and lived in India. Despite being here, many couldn’t separate themselves from jihadist agenda and fundamentalism. The vote bank and appeasement politics practised by so-called secular parties further kept their ideology and agenda alive. There are ample instances to indicate as to how people can be seen celebrating at Pakistan’s victory during India vs Pakistan cricket matches, or the slogan of ‘Pakistan Zindabad’, from political podiums. Whenever a country’s culture, history and tradition are divided along religious lines, the people of that country are no longer able to identify themselves with that nation’s history and rich legacy. The heroes and leaders they once eulogised become enemies for them. Thanks to anti-national mindset, their own country becomes ‘Darul Harab’ for them. They continue to perceive themselves as ‘others’ and claim alienation and excesses at the hands of the majority. The violence panning out in Delhi is no exception. It is high time that we need to guard against such hate-mongers who can go to any extent to establish their supremacy over non-Islamists, as seen in a spate of attacks in the US (9/11), London bombings, and terror incidents in other parts of the world such as New Zealand, Australia, France, Spain and India (26/11), among others. There is no middle-path in nationalism. If one is not a nationalist, there is no doubt that the person isn’t devoted to the welfare of the nation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s emphatic victory for his second term sent shock-waves across the ‘tukde-tukde’ gang. The country’s people including many Muslim women rejected their attempts of projecting Modi as corrupt or anti-minorities. These camps also know that the Modi government won’t hesitate to take action against groups propounding Islamic radicalism and division of the nation. The present violence as seen in Uttar Pradesh in December, and now in Delhi is nothing but the outburst of frustration prevalent among those who don’t want India to give shelter to persecuted minorities in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. They want to conveniently turn a blind eye to the daily hardships and humiliation the Hindu minorities have to undergo in these countries, including the forceful conversion and marriage of Hindu girls to Muslims. Hindus who in the truest sense are in minority globally, never seem to battle an eyelid, even if their population falls, in their own country like India. While Pope, missionaries and other Catholic leaders can be seen openly propounding ways of converting people to Christianity and talk about measures of increasing population, they are never criticized. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had rightly stated that protests at Shaheen Bagh were nothing but a social experiment by protestors and that he won’t budge on his stand with respect to the Citizenship Amendment Act and safeguarding the interests of persecuted minorities. The Delhi violence looks to be a well-planned strategy of protesters, to make it coincide with the visit of US President and project India’s image negatively abroad. Only Modi and India haters are expected to benefit from such acts of arson and violence. Sources in the Ministry of Home Affairs have also pointed out that the violence had been planned in advance. It also points to the lack of tolerance among anti-CAA protestors who couldn’t allow pro-CAA supporters to march peacefully in North East Delhi. The death of Police constable Ratan Lal and the likes of DCP Shahdara Amit Sharma suffering massive injuries at the hands of anti-CAA rioters is an indication of how the protestors are opposed to maintaining law and order. Stone-pelting has been a common feature among protesters in J&K, Uttar Pradesh districts, and now North East Delhi. It is hoped that better sense prevails and the law and order situation is swiftly brought under control. The sense of brotherhood shown by Hindu-Muslims in certain riot-hit localities needs to be lauded and should serve as an example for other areas of Delhi to emulate. The source of funding in these riots also needs to be investigated, and the perpetrators of this are punished. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

What role do demographics play in orchestrating structural violence?

General Bipin Rawat might have raised quite a few eyebrows among his critics by calling for de-radicalisation camps for the youth and children of Kashmir. In his first-ever address after taking over as the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Rawat at the Raisina dialogues in New Delhi argued that there has been a significant increase in radicalisation among young people in Kashmir. General Rawat has raised a pertinent issue which needs to be tackled. The idea mooted by him has received backing by yet another influential voice J&amp;K Police Chief Dilbagh Singh. Singh said it would be a 'good sign' if such camps came up in J&amp;K and claimed that Pakistan had been spreading radicalisation here. He added that Kashmiri youth did not seem to be 'talking much sense' during their conversations with officials and often used radical language.&nbsp;

The Kashmir valley has been bearing the brunt of radicalisation for quite some time now. It is nothing short of a ticking time bomb and if not addressed in time, it has the potential to destroy the future generation of Kashmir. While I am not saying that every child is radicalised in Kashmir, radicalisation does exist there and we can’t turn a blind eye towards it. The recent remarks by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh assume significance, wherein he said that children in J&amp;K are 'nationalists' but they are sometimes motivated in the wrong direction. His view that handlers of such children must be punished holds true.&nbsp;

Radicalisation in J&amp;K has increased in the past decade or so. Radical Islamist outfits are spreading their ideology through vitriolic speeches, a network of Mosques, taking the control of Madrasas while expanding their influence across various colleges and universities. The gradual erosion of shrine worshipping or Sufism is an indicator of the growing radicalisation. Sufism is facing stiff competition from the Wahhabi brand of Islam as preached in Saudi Arabia and other parts of the world.&nbsp;

Extent of Radicalisation in J&amp;K&nbsp;

Even though the extent of radicalisation can’t be quantified, its spread on a large scale is evident in Kashmir. While a section of the society might disagree that children aren’t radicalised, the videos of children as small as 10 years pelting stones and hurling anti-India slogans isn’t a new development.&nbsp;

Kashmiri youth can be increasingly seen taking refuge in religious functions and discussions more than ever before. Sufi shrines are being burnt and there has hardly been any public outcry regarding the same. Some are even taking to social media to post incendiary messages terming the destruction of these shrines as a 'divine act of God.' This indicates the waning influence of the Hanafis. With the abundance of Saudi money, Wahhabi followers are gradually taking over Hanafi masjids in the valley. Kashmir is one among the most orthodox union territories in India. It has no functional cinema hall, thus underscoring locals losing out to the hardliners.&nbsp;

Xenophobia is also on the rise in the state. An incident pertaining to the rape and murder of a teenage girl Tabinda Gani was used by separatist Syed Ali Shah Geelani to initiate a xenophobic campaign against the presence of non-ethnic Kashmiri workers in the state. Terrorists have repeatedly targetted migrant workers, including the bombing of a bus of migrant workers by the Lashkar-e-Taiba. Geelani has time and again raised the issue of a large presence of migrant workers from Bihar in Kashmir.&nbsp;

Sense of Pride Associated with Jihad

Radicalisation owes its resurgence to the concept of ‘death with dignity’ which has long been propounded by jihadist elements. There are scores of families in J&amp;K who take pride in the fact that their sons died for the cause of ‘Azadi’ (freedom). It is astounding to see huge voter turnout in villages of Kashmir where there is hardly any development project or infrastructure. On the contrary, developed regions in the valley continue to be mired either under militancy or curfew. Even the religious shrines continue to be under the protection of security forces. Armed forces fear that anti-social elements may burn these holy places if security is removed even for a few hours. The world is witness to the dastardly attacks at the holy shrine of Charar-e-Sharief in Kashmir’s Budgam and the Hazratbal Dargah in Srinagar. These attacks, once again, reinforce the belief that these trouble peddlers are loyal to none. They only value their ideology and like to foment hate. Many a time, they even end up earning the sympathy of the locals, if caught in a gunfight with the Police or the Armed Forces. If killed or injured, they are projected as victims by their families. This fuels further anger towards the forces. When militants die in gunfights, their congregation is taken out across the streets with fervour. Celebratory gunshots are fired by terrorists in the air to pay obeisance to the departed. This sort of honour accorded to militants has often acted as a major source of inspiration to youths in becoming jihadis and terrorists.

This reminds me of an incident in Kulgam district of South Kashmir. A young militant found himself caught in the middle of a gunfight with the security forces. Sensing an opportunity, he called his father about what he should do next. His father advised him to not surrender and rather sacrifice his life. He thanked the almighty for giving his son the chance to do jihad. He proudly told his son that his effort would not go in vain. Rather, his sacrifice would ensure a place in heaven for the next seven generations of his family. One can only feel pity over such state of affairs and the dangerous magnitude radicalisation has assumed in Kashmir. Only a massive outreach and efforts aimed at de-radicalisation can bring the much-needed respite to the people of Kashmir, who seem to have lost their way and have been brainwashed by extremists, many from across the border, who are on the lookout to fulfil their notorious agenda.&nbsp;

Easy Availability of Radical Material

A sense of disgust and anguish seems to have crept into the minds of the youth in Kashmir. They seem directionless. It is hard to decipher as to what is making even schoolgirls resort to stone-pelting on the security forces. With the youth participating in large numbers, the new war in Kashmir is not only being fought on the streets, but through smartphones as well. Readily available material and literature on the streets and internet, along with clips on YouTube has been contributing to radicalisation. What is even more alarming is the sort of glorification and respect being commanded by the militants. They are no less than demi-gods in their respective locales. This needs to end. If not nipped in the bud, we will have a generation of Kashmiris growing up with militants and separatists as their role model.&nbsp;

The Problem is rooted to&nbsp;New Delhi

The prevailing problem in Kashmir has its roots linked to New Delhi as well. The Centre tends to take notice only when the violence in Kashmir gets out of hand. There were a lot of nationalists in Kashmir in 1947. However, those sitting in Delhi chose to give preference only to a few families and separatists. This created a feeling of alienation among the nationalists who felt unwanted. Some even had to leave Kashmir in the 1990s, or were forced out by the mujahids.&nbsp;

Radicalisation Not Linked to Unemployment

It is always being made out that unemployment is driving the Kashmiri youth to militancy and radicalisation. It is nothing but propaganda. Fact is that it is the misinterpretation of the Holy Quran and the call of jihad which is influencing them to take up arms. Furthermore, Muslim youth in Kashmir is being called to wage a war for “Ghazwa-e-Hind” (Battle of India) by terror outfits and handlers in Pakistan. The ideological differences and anti-India leaning are making people more prone to radicalisation and to indulge in violence.&nbsp;

Students right from their childhood have been taught that Kashmir is not a part of India, and that it has illegally been occupied by India. General Rawat had also stressed for a relook at the school curriculum that leads students into believing that they are not part of this country. The textbooks in Kashmiri schools have two maps - one of India and the other of J&amp;K, thus giving rise to a sense of separate identity.

Rich and Educated Youth Being Brainwashed to Take Up Arms

The participation of two Kashmiri boys in a fidayeen attack seems to have lifted the spirit of families of many militants. When the brother of one of the militants was asked by the Army to persuade his brother to shun militancy and return, he refused and told the officer that his brother had dropped out of engineering college to pursue his goal of jihad. He said that while his aim was to become a doctor, his brother had an entirely different purpose. This is one of the many instances as to how educated and rich Kashmiri youth are opting for militancy and posing further problems for policy-makers.&nbsp;

Radicalisation Has Taken a Religious Overtone&nbsp;

The trouble fomenting in Kashmir has now taken a completely religious form. The religious problem fueled by Jamaat-e-Islami, pro-Pakistan lobby, so-called Indian secularists, and a biased media behave as if they are the stakeholders of a company called Kashmir, and only they have a right on the whole of J&amp;K. The repeated pleas for softening of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and anti-sedition law are a few instances. &nbsp;

Mosques and Madrasas Becoming Epicenter of Radicalisation

We all are aware - how Mosques in Kashmir valley have become congregation points for discussion on the threat to Islam and Kashmiriyat. Many of these Mosques are air-conditioned where radicals can be seen holding a discussion on the 'oppression' of Kashmiris. It is these Mosques which during gunfights appeal to locals to indulge in stone-pelting on Security Forces so that militants get a safe cover and are able to escape.&nbsp;

Madrasas have also emerged as the centers from where students are being radicalised. It is from such places that children first learn the concept of believers and non-believers (kaafirs) of Islam. They are the root cause of many ills.&nbsp;

Deradicalisation Camps Are Also Being Run in Pakistan&nbsp;

Not many are aware that even Pakistani General Qamar Bajwa has been a vocal supporter of de-radicalisation. De-radicalisation camps are also being run in Pakistan. General Bajwa is of the view that those studying in madrasas will either become Maulvis (clerics) or terrorists. Mohammad Ali Jinnah had once warned Mahatma Gandhi that bringing Maulvis into politics could have disastrous implications for India’s future, and this is what has happened. Even though Narendra Modi Government advocated the modernisation of Madrasas, it was faced with stiff resistance.&nbsp;

We Have Treated Only Symptoms, Not The Disease

In the past seven decades, we have only dealt with symptoms and not the disease. Article 370/ 35A was a sort of a disease giving rise to alienation and separate identity to Kashmiris which the Narendra Modi Government has removed. The likes of Jamaat-e-Islami, Hurriyat, and separatists – all owe their growth to Article 370. At least someone tried to address this issue, which had long been relegated to the backseat in the garb of vote-bank and appeasement politics. There used to be a time when the presence of para-military forces was dreaded by the locals. Protesters used to maintain a distance with the Police. However, thanks to outreach and confidence-building measures, this distance and fear regarding the forces have reduced.&nbsp;

Way Forward

We have long been busy in treating symptoms, and not the cancer of radicalisation. It is high time that we address the root cause; else radicalisation will continue to be a bleeding scar. Even as 'all-out' security operations have targetted militants, no comprehensive programme for addressing radicalisation has been formulated. Kashmir may be territorially secure now, but we have lost our grip on the valley emotionally and psychologically. We need to foster strong bonds with Kashmiri people and propagate the spirit of Kashmiriyat.&nbsp;

It was keeping this in mind that I organised the ‘Paigaam-e-Mohabbat’ event in November 2017. It was a reconciliation programme aimed at the family members of martyred soldiers, victims of militant attacks and families of slain militants. About 200 families that had lost their loved ones to violence in the Valley came on one platform to heal their hearts, forgive and promote peace and brotherhood.&nbsp;

Spirituality can play a major role in guiding the youth. Teachings of the Quran have often been misinterpreted. Kashmiris can be won by spiritual merit, and not by force. We need to work on changing their thinking pattern. Elders and influential moderate clerics must be reached out to clear the misconceptions of youth regarding jihad. Several local clericshave helped with the de-radicalisation measures in the past. The same had been done previously with respect to clearing the misconceptions among the Muslim community regarding Poliodrops and the effort was successful.&nbsp;

The glorification and worship of militants need to be tackled urgently or else we will have a generation of Kashmiris growing up with militants or separatists as their heroes. Firing of gunshots or vitriolic speeches during such processions also needs to be curbed.&nbsp;

After Burhan Wani’s death in July 2016, more and more childrenhave become radicalised. Children have impressionable minds and are most vulnerable. Hence, children should be taught theright path of Islam and efforts should be made to de-radicalise their minds. General Rawat has done well by raising this issue.&nbsp;

However, at the same time, efforts must be made to clear the air regarding such de-radicalization camps. A section of the mediaand intelligentsia has already started drawing parallels of these camps with NRC camps for refuges in Assam, which is incorrect.&nbsp;

On the other hand, the bravery of local youth such as Rifleman Aurangzeb who was abducted by terrorists in 2018 when he was at his home in Pulwama to celebrate Eid needs to be propagated. His two brothers have also joined the Army in 2019 to avenge his killing and take part in 'operation all out' against the terrorists. A firm message &nbsp; that the country needs more Aurangzebs and not more Burhan Wanis needs to be communicated staunchly.&nbsp;

It is in this context that we would need to distinguish between the elements which are fighting for India from those who are waging jihad against India.&nbsp;

Upgrading the school curriculum assumes significance too, as advocated by General Rawat. De-radicalisation can be best achieved through effective teaching and incorporation of civic studies in the syllabus for children. Students should be empowered with pen and computers, in place of stones and guns.&nbsp;

India already has informal de-radicalisation centers being run by various state police forces in coordination with central agencies. Family members of the youth play a crucial role in the de-radicalisation of their children at such centers.&nbsp;

The long-term solution is through a movement that genuinely seeks to propagate the culture of Sufi Islam that promotes peace and tolerance for all and helps promote the spirit of Kashmiriyat. The approach that gives precedence to non-violence and dialogue can be the best insurance against intolerance and violence.

Even though the problem of radicalisation isn’t directly linked with employment, the creation of jobs and stepping up recruitment drives for positions in the security forces can provide a productive avenue to the youth in channelising their efforts. The abrogation of Article 370 is expected to generate more jobs for the local youth.&nbsp;

An administrative outreach to the citizenry not to give in to the radical demands and the rhetoric of extremists can go a long way in fostering peace in the region.

If a region continues to be under the grip of structural violence for long, a certain proportion of people tend to become dependent, either directly or indirectly, on this ecosystem of violence. Thus, we would need to fight against the jihadi ecosystem in J&amp;K, check the root cause of violence and provide a healing touch to the people of Kashmir.&nbsp; 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;

General Bipin Rawat might have raised quite a few eyebrows among his critics by calling for de-radicalisation camps for the youth and children of Kashmir. In his first-ever address after taking over as the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Rawat at the Raisina dialogues in New Delhi argued that there has been a significant increase in radicalisation among young people in Kashmir.

General Bipin Rawat might have raised quite a few eyebrows among his critics by calling for de-radicalisation camps for the youth and children of Kashmir. In his first-ever address after taking over as the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Rawat at the Raisina dialogues in New Delhi argued that there has been a significant increase in radicalisation among young people in Kashmir. General Rawat has raised a pertinent issue which needs to be tackled. The idea mooted by him has received backing by yet another influential voice J&K Police Chief Dilbagh Singh. Singh said it would be a 'good sign' if such camps came up in J&K and claimed that Pakistan had been spreading radicalisation here. He added that Kashmiri youth did not seem to be 'talking much sense' during their conversations with officials and often used radical language. The Kashmir valley has been bearing the brunt of radicalisation for quite some time now. It is nothing short of a ticking time bomb and if not addressed in time, it has the potential to destroy the future generation of Kashmir. While I am not saying that every child is radicalised in Kashmir, radicalisation does exist there and we can’t turn a blind eye towards it. The recent remarks by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh assume significance, wherein he said that children in J&K are 'nationalists' but they are sometimes motivated in the wrong direction. His view that handlers of such children must be punished holds true. Radicalisation in J&K has increased in the past decade or so. Radical Islamist outfits are spreading their ideology through vitriolic speeches, a network of Mosques, taking the control of Madrasas while expanding their influence across various colleges and universities. The gradual erosion of shrine worshipping or Sufism is an indicator of the growing radicalisation. Sufism is facing stiff competition from the Wahhabi brand of Islam as preached in Saudi Arabia and other parts of the world. Extent of Radicalisation in J&K Even though the extent of radicalisation can’t be quantified, its spread on a large scale is evident in Kashmir. While a section of the society might disagree that children aren’t radicalised, the videos of children as small as 10 years pelting stones and hurling anti-India slogans isn’t a new development. Kashmiri youth can be increasingly seen taking refuge in religious functions and discussions more than ever before. Sufi shrines are being burnt and there has hardly been any public outcry regarding the same. Some are even taking to social media to post incendiary messages terming the destruction of these shrines as a 'divine act of God.' This indicates the waning influence of the Hanafis. With the abundance of Saudi money, Wahhabi followers are gradually taking over Hanafi masjids in the valley. Kashmir is one among the most orthodox union territories in India. It has no functional cinema hall, thus underscoring locals losing out to the hardliners. Xenophobia is also on the rise in the state. An incident pertaining to the rape and murder of a teenage girl Tabinda Gani was used by separatist Syed Ali Shah Geelani to initiate a xenophobic campaign against the presence of non-ethnic Kashmiri workers in the state. Terrorists have repeatedly targetted migrant workers, including the bombing of a bus of migrant workers by the Lashkar-e-Taiba. Geelani has time and again raised the issue of a large presence of migrant workers from Bihar in Kashmir. Sense of Pride Associated with Jihad Radicalisation owes its resurgence to the concept of ‘death with dignity’ which has long been propounded by jihadist elements. There are scores of families in J&K who take pride in the fact that their sons died for the cause of ‘Azadi’ (freedom). It is astounding to see huge voter turnout in villages of Kashmir where there is hardly any development project or infrastructure. On the contrary, developed regions in the valley continue to be mired either under militancy or curfew. Even the religious shrines continue to be under the protection of security forces. Armed forces fear that anti-social elements may burn these holy places if security is removed even for a few hours. The world is witness to the dastardly attacks at the holy shrine of Charar-e-Sharief in Kashmir’s Budgam and the Hazratbal Dargah in Srinagar. These attacks, once again, reinforce the belief that these trouble peddlers are loyal to none. They only value their ideology and like to foment hate. Many a time, they even end up earning the sympathy of the locals, if caught in a gunfight with the Police or the Armed Forces. If killed or injured, they are projected as victims by their families. This fuels further anger towards the forces. When militants die in gunfights, their congregation is taken out across the streets with fervour. Celebratory gunshots are fired by terrorists in the air to pay obeisance to the departed. This sort of honour accorded to militants has often acted as a major source of inspiration to youths in becoming jihadis and terrorists. This reminds me of an incident in Kulgam district of South Kashmir. A young militant found himself caught in the middle of a gunfight with the security forces. Sensing an opportunity, he called his father about what he should do next. His father advised him to not surrender and rather sacrifice his life. He thanked the almighty for giving his son the chance to do jihad. He proudly told his son that his effort would not go in vain. Rather, his sacrifice would ensure a place in heaven for the next seven generations of his family. One can only feel pity over such state of affairs and the dangerous magnitude radicalisation has assumed in Kashmir. Only a massive outreach and efforts aimed at de-radicalisation can bring the much-needed respite to the people of Kashmir, who seem to have lost their way and have been brainwashed by extremists, many from across the border, who are on the lookout to fulfil their notorious agenda. Easy Availability of Radical Material A sense of disgust and anguish seems to have crept into the minds of the youth in Kashmir. They seem directionless. It is hard to decipher as to what is making even schoolgirls resort to stone-pelting on the security forces. With the youth participating in large numbers, the new war in Kashmir is not only being fought on the streets, but through smartphones as well. Readily available material and literature on the streets and internet, along with clips on YouTube has been contributing to radicalisation. What is even more alarming is the sort of glorification and respect being commanded by the militants. They are no less than demi-gods in their respective locales. This needs to end. If not nipped in the bud, we will have a generation of Kashmiris growing up with militants and separatists as their role model. The Problem is rooted to New Delhi The prevailing problem in Kashmir has its roots linked to New Delhi as well. The Centre tends to take notice only when the violence in Kashmir gets out of hand. There were a lot of nationalists in Kashmir in 1947. However, those sitting in Delhi chose to give preference only to a few families and separatists. This created a feeling of alienation among the nationalists who felt unwanted. Some even had to leave Kashmir in the 1990s, or were forced out by the mujahids. Radicalisation Not Linked to Unemployment It is always being made out that unemployment is driving the Kashmiri youth to militancy and radicalisation. It is nothing but propaganda. Fact is that it is the misinterpretation of the Holy Quran and the call of jihad which is influencing them to take up arms. Furthermore, Muslim youth in Kashmir is being called to wage a war for “Ghazwa-e-Hind” (Battle of India) by terror outfits and handlers in Pakistan. The ideological differences and anti-India leaning are making people more prone to radicalisation and to indulge in violence. Students right from their childhood have been taught that Kashmir is not a part of India, and that it has illegally been occupied by India. General Rawat had also stressed for a relook at the school curriculum that leads students into believing that they are not part of this country. The textbooks in Kashmiri schools have two maps - one of India and the other of J&K, thus giving rise to a sense of separate identity. Rich and Educated Youth Being Brainwashed to Take Up Arms The participation of two Kashmiri boys in a fidayeen attack seems to have lifted the spirit of families of many militants. When the brother of one of the militants was asked by the Army to persuade his brother to shun militancy and return, he refused and told the officer that his brother had dropped out of engineering college to pursue his goal of jihad. He said that while his aim was to become a doctor, his brother had an entirely different purpose. This is one of the many instances as to how educated and rich Kashmiri youth are opting for militancy and posing further problems for policy-makers. Radicalisation Has Taken a Religious Overtone The trouble fomenting in Kashmir has now taken a completely religious form. The religious problem fueled by Jamaat-e-Islami, pro-Pakistan lobby, so-called Indian secularists, and a biased media behave as if they are the stakeholders of a company called Kashmir, and only they have a right on the whole of J&K. The repeated pleas for softening of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and anti-sedition law are a few instances. Mosques and Madrasas Becoming Epicenter of Radicalisation We all are aware - how Mosques in Kashmir valley have become congregation points for discussion on the threat to Islam and Kashmiriyat. Many of these Mosques are air-conditioned where radicals can be seen holding a discussion on the 'oppression' of Kashmiris. It is these Mosques which during gunfights appeal to locals to indulge in stone-pelting on Security Forces so that militants get a safe cover and are able to escape. Madrasas have also emerged as the centers from where students are being radicalised. It is from such places that children first learn the concept of believers and non-believers (kaafirs) of Islam. They are the root cause of many ills. Deradicalisation Camps Are Also Being Run in Pakistan Not many are aware that even Pakistani General Qamar Bajwa has been a vocal supporter of de-radicalisation. De-radicalisation camps are also being run in Pakistan. General Bajwa is of the view that those studying in madrasas will either become Maulvis (clerics) or terrorists. Mohammad Ali Jinnah had once warned Mahatma Gandhi that bringing Maulvis into politics could have disastrous implications for India’s future, and this is what has happened. Even though Narendra Modi Government advocated the modernisation of Madrasas, it was faced with stiff resistance. We Have Treated Only Symptoms, Not The Disease In the past seven decades, we have only dealt with symptoms and not the disease. Article 370/ 35A was a sort of a disease giving rise to alienation and separate identity to Kashmiris which the Narendra Modi Government has removed. The likes of Jamaat-e-Islami, Hurriyat, and separatists – all owe their growth to Article 370. At least someone tried to address this issue, which had long been relegated to the backseat in the garb of vote-bank and appeasement politics. There used to be a time when the presence of para-military forces was dreaded by the locals. Protesters used to maintain a distance with the Police. However, thanks to outreach and confidence-building measures, this distance and fear regarding the forces have reduced. Way Forward We have long been busy in treating symptoms, and not the cancer of radicalisation. It is high time that we address the root cause; else radicalisation will continue to be a bleeding scar. Even as 'all-out' security operations have targetted militants, no comprehensive programme for addressing radicalisation has been formulated. Kashmir may be territorially secure now, but we have lost our grip on the valley emotionally and psychologically. We need to foster strong bonds with Kashmiri people and propagate the spirit of Kashmiriyat. It was keeping this in mind that I organised the ‘Paigaam-e-Mohabbat’ event in November 2017. It was a reconciliation programme aimed at the family members of martyred soldiers, victims of militant attacks and families of slain militants. About 200 families that had lost their loved ones to violence in the Valley came on one platform to heal their hearts, forgive and promote peace and brotherhood. Spirituality can play a major role in guiding the youth. Teachings of the Quran have often been misinterpreted. Kashmiris can be won by spiritual merit, and not by force. We need to work on changing their thinking pattern. Elders and influential moderate clerics must be reached out to clear the misconceptions of youth regarding jihad. Several local clericshave helped with the de-radicalisation measures in the past. The same had been done previously with respect to clearing the misconceptions among the Muslim community regarding Poliodrops and the effort was successful. The glorification and worship of militants need to be tackled urgently or else we will have a generation of Kashmiris growing up with militants or separatists as their heroes. Firing of gunshots or vitriolic speeches during such processions also needs to be curbed. After Burhan Wani’s death in July 2016, more and more childrenhave become radicalised. Children have impressionable minds and are most vulnerable. Hence, children should be taught theright path of Islam and efforts should be made to de-radicalise their minds. General Rawat has done well by raising this issue. However, at the same time, efforts must be made to clear the air regarding such de-radicalization camps. A section of the mediaand intelligentsia has already started drawing parallels of these camps with NRC camps for refuges in Assam, which is incorrect. On the other hand, the bravery of local youth such as Rifleman Aurangzeb who was abducted by terrorists in 2018 when he was at his home in Pulwama to celebrate Eid needs to be propagated. His two brothers have also joined the Army in 2019 to avenge his killing and take part in 'operation all out' against the terrorists. A firm message that the country needs more Aurangzebs and not more Burhan Wanis needs to be communicated staunchly. It is in this context that we would need to distinguish between the elements which are fighting for India from those who are waging jihad against India. Upgrading the school curriculum assumes significance too, as advocated by General Rawat. De-radicalisation can be best achieved through effective teaching and incorporation of civic studies in the syllabus for children. Students should be empowered with pen and computers, in place of stones and guns. India already has informal de-radicalisation centers being run by various state police forces in coordination with central agencies. Family members of the youth play a crucial role in the de-radicalisation of their children at such centers. The long-term solution is through a movement that genuinely seeks to propagate the culture of Sufi Islam that promotes peace and tolerance for all and helps promote the spirit of Kashmiriyat. The approach that gives precedence to non-violence and dialogue can be the best insurance against intolerance and violence. Even though the problem of radicalisation isn’t directly linked with employment, the creation of jobs and stepping up recruitment drives for positions in the security forces can provide a productive avenue to the youth in channelising their efforts. The abrogation of Article 370 is expected to generate more jobs for the local youth. An administrative outreach to the citizenry not to give in to the radical demands and the rhetoric of extremists can go a long way in fostering peace in the region. If a region continues to be under the grip of structural violence for long, a certain proportion of people tend to become dependent, either directly or indirectly, on this ecosystem of violence. Thus, we would need to fight against the jihadi ecosystem in J&K, check the root cause of violence and provide a healing touch to the people of Kashmir. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Deradicalisation of youth in Jammu and Kashmir need of the hour

The world is faced with pressing issues – climate change, economic growth, inequality, anti-establishment protests and violence. Even as the other issues are receiving some attention, not much is being done with respect to addressing the wave of violence sweeping across the world. It is in this context that it becomes critical to delve into the root cause of violence and strive for a peaceful world. &nbsp;

Violence is not only killing people, but it is also undermining the progress of nations and humane values. What prompts an individual to resort to harming others? &nbsp;As we say this, let us recount, more than 71 soldiers in Nigeria have been killed by 100 militants in the deadliest attack against Niger military, India recently saw some worst crime against women while London and Amsterdam, witnessed multiple stabbing incidents and so on. Amidst this vicious circle of suffering and ferocity is it wishful thinking to strive for a world free of violence? A world without violence might sound utopian or a line straight from the script of a feel-good feature film. But we need to understand that a world without violence is surely attainable, provided we all work towards it. Violence is an attitude, an approach that needs to be dealt skillfully. Crushing protests and dissenting views is not the solution. Violence and aggression as a tendency need to be addressed at an individual, structural and societal level.&nbsp;

If we delve deeper and try to analyse the reasons for violence, we would find that we all are stakeholders in this large-scale violence. Let us analyse the factors contributing to this violence. &nbsp;

Lack of belongingness and trust&nbsp;

It is the lack of belongingness and trust towards our fellow brethren which is giving rise to this cycle of hate and aloofness. The feeling of somebodies or the lack of belongingness has long been driving a wedge between us and others, be it during the era of capitalism, colonialism, or apartheid, where the weak were subjugated at the hands of the powerful. Unless we address the lack of belonging, violence will continue to spread as a wildfire and would be hard to curtail. &nbsp;

The violence could be as small as a quarrel or fight between a husband and wife or can take the form of large-scale violence. As we are growing into a so-called “better off society”, we are trusting each other less. The magnitude of violence being experienced in the 21st century is indeed heartening. Violence is not the nature of man. However, man is the only animal who kills his fellow beings. Other animals rarely kill animals of their fraternity, rather they stand for their protection. &nbsp;

Lack of trust is preventing nations from enjoying the fruits of development. This mistrust between nations is making them allocate billions of dollars in defence budget alone. This amount could very well have gone for nation-building or for providing a social safety net to people. While people living below the poverty line in India have fallen from 70 per cent in 1947 to 22 per cent in 2016, still the fruits of development are still to fully trickle down to all the sections of the society.&nbsp;

Several polls conducted worldwide demonstrate that millennials have far lesser inclination to trust the society, the Government, the judiciary than they used to earlier. Today’s policies, laws and social habits showcase a falling sense of interpersonal trust. Security checks are becoming more rigorous than before given the uncertain times we live in. This didn’t use to be the case earlier. One core reason behind the growing incidence of depression is the feeling of alienation and lack of confidence in our fellow beings. We seldom find an avenue to vent out our feelings or have someone to hear to us impartially while at the same time maintain our confidentiality. If not addressed at the individual level, this takes the form of fear psychosis and becomes social aggression at the societal level. Many of the culprits behind gun-shooting incidents or terror attacks have often been found to be anti-social in character. &nbsp;

Ideologies alienate us&nbsp;

Ideology is the root cause of all violence. Thousands of wars have been fought, still fighting not for any real thing, but just for mere ideologies. The rigid notion that only our ideology is supreme or ours is the only truth have left numerous scars the world over which are hard to heal. The violence during the World War II, the nuclear bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the Cold War era of the 1990s, the 9/11 attacks in the US and 26/11 in India are still fresh in the minds of the people. Sanatan tradition in its unadulterated form is not an ideology but the art of living. The Sanskrit aphorism Ahaṁ Brahmāsmi, meaning “I am the Infinite” has long been propounded by our holy Upanishads. The aphorism signifies that Brahman is the infinite reality, the all-encompassing existence in itself, and only when the ego (somebodies) dies can it be realised. Unless we see the same atman or soul in each of us as the basis of our being, irrespective of caste, creed, race and religion, we won’t be at peace. Our holy scriptures have also advocated that one should see one (God) in many while many in one. The moment one drops ideologies and refuses to be blinded by it, suddenly one becomes aware. And that heightened awareness is the source of peace in and around the world.&nbsp;

Freedom to ask questions&nbsp;

While many may not agree, but we need to encourage people to ask questions. All the greatest inventions of our times and mass political movements, all owe their success to raising pertinent questions. Not providing people an outlet to ask questions and seek a response often gives rise to frustration, pent-up emotions, a feeling of subjugation which then take the shape of violence. &nbsp;

The Indian civilisation right from its inception has encouraged people to ask questions. At a time when asking questions was forbidden in other religions and parts of the world, all major holy scriptures in India - be it the Narada Bhakti Sutra or the Bhagawad Gita have started with a question. India is also the land which gave rise to the Guru-Shishya parampara (Guru-Disciple tradition) where asking questions was encouraged. The prevailing chaos globally could be blamed in part to curbing the dissenting voices and forbidding people from asking relevant questions. Notwithstanding, India has a history of respect for all religions, which is unparalleled in the rest of the world. &nbsp;

Role of language in violence&nbsp;

Not many know, but language too has a role in exacerbating violence. A physical wound may heal sooner, but it may take ages for a verbal scar to heal. Violence is almost always accompanied by language. Anthropologists are right when they say that aggression is biological while violence is social. More than often the accompanying language gives violence its social character. There have been several instances in India where influential public figures have been booked for hate speech and for instigating violence. One can’t also turn a blind eye to language-related violence as seen in Bangladesh, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Maharashtra. Many political parties owe their successes to the linguistic card played by them.&nbsp;

Technology: A boon or a bane&nbsp;

The increased usage of technology and gadgets is subtly contributing to violence. While technology has made it easier to communicate seamlessly, at the same time it has increased levels of alienation. Youth playing games on mobile which involve killing and maiming the enemy often induces a sense of aggression among the teens. The easy access of pornographic material on gadgets is unfortunate too. It has emerged that several pedophiles and sexual predators have been influenced by such material online in committing sexual crimes. The advent of messaging apps such as Whatsapp and Telegram has made it easier for militant outfits to radicalise the youth or recruit them. Many of the ISIS recruits claim to have got influenced by groups created by the outfit on Telegram.&nbsp;

Often, fake and unsubstantiated content is shared on such Messaging Apps, be it the alleged human rights violations in Kashmir or misconceptions regarding the intended purpose of policies as framed by the Government. India has been witnessing widespread protests pertaining to the objective of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the National Register of Citizens exercise. Unless the policy formulators proactively educate the public correctly about the exact significance of their policies and check rumour-mongering, such chaos is bound to occur as the reality is far from what is projected in these viral posts. Any violence emanating out of the lack of trust for the government’s policies often gives rise to mob-mentality and ends in massive destruction of public property, while claiming lives too. The misuse of the internet by anti-social elements has been one of the key considerations making the Indian government tread with caution in fully restarting internet services in Kashmir post the revocation of Article 370 in August.&nbsp;

Gadgets in a way have become our companion. People tend to spend 14-16 hours with them, even keeping them besides them when sleeping. We get a high when we see our gadgets instantly obeying our commands. However, we become restless and aggressive when our friends and family refuse to respond or interact in the same vein. This needs to be addressed. Gadgets should be used for constructive purposes – learning a new skill, course, meditating, exploring new places or reading something positive.&nbsp;

Way forward 
 
Great things have been accomplished through non-violence. J. Krishnamurti, the enlightened author of Beyond Violence, once wrote: “Violence is like a stone dropped in a lake: the waves spread and spread; at the centre is the ‘me’. As long as the ‘me’ survives in any form, very subtly or grossly, there must be violence.”&nbsp;

There is a mystical incident -- Towards the end of the British Rule in India, when the independence movement was at its peak, some British soldiers captured a Hindu saint on the suspicion that he was a spy. This saint was passing through a military cantonment area, and he had been in silence – observing a Maun Vrat – for 30 years. The soldiers interrogated him, but he chose not to break his “Maun Vrat” (silence). This unusual behaviour strengthened their suspicion and the soldiers became so furious, they stuck a bayonet in his chest. In his last moment, the saint uttered one Sanskrit word: 'Tattvamasi', meaning ‘That Art Thou’. It implies that even the killer is divine even though he is not aware of his divinity.&nbsp;

Non-violence simply means you should be so powerful that nobody can undermine you by being violent towards you. It should not be out of weakness but out of power. Being powerful, you shouldn’t hurt or kill the latter, but rather protect them. You could even empower the other by educating him to shun the path of ignorance, of violence and come back into the mainstream. So, my idea of nonviolence is different from Mahavir, Buddha and Gandhi.&nbsp;

My idea is non-violence should be out of an abundance of power. Don’t use that power to kill, to destroy; but use that power to create, enlighten and protect. And if anybody tries to harm you or anybody else, do everything to prevent that harm.&nbsp;

Violence has to be completely removed from the world, but it can happen only if nonviolent people are powerful; otherwise, how can you manage? If violent people are powerful and non-violent people are powerless, then the violent people will overrule the non-violent. That has been our experience of two thousand years. I don’t support weakness. I support power; but power with compassion, love and creativity. &nbsp;

Given my more than two decades of experience of working in Kashmir, North-east, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Nepal, it is clear that people could be transformed and be made to shun violence by educating them about the constructive power of non-violence and by hearing to them non-judgmentally with compassion. &nbsp;

Furthermore, I feel that all the pressing issues in the world can only be solved through dialogue, and not war or bullets. Be it the decades of civil strife in Columbia or the centuries-long dispute pertaining to the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, both of which witnessed widespread bloodshed in the past, all have been resolved amicably through discussion and dialogue, thus setting a new precedence for our future generations. &nbsp;

Role of spirituality &nbsp;

In the prevailing times, the role of spirituality in addressing violence can’t be under-emphasized. Turning to holy scriptures irrespective of religion, their correct interpretation and education, yoga and meditation can go a long way in creating a society filled with tolerance and compassion. The United Nations recognising the significance of Yoga and declaring 21 June as the International Day of Yoga is laudable in this context. Yoga and meditation is also being taught across prisons the world over and has found a large number of takers. Many convicts feel their life would have been different had they been introduced to it earlier. &nbsp;

It needs to start from our families&nbsp;

Addressing the growing incidents of violence and preventing the societal fabric from deteriorating has become our moral responsibility. Spreading peace and compassion needs to start from our homes. By treating our loved ones with compassion, we can surely encourage them to do the same with others and hope this to have a spiral effect. At the same time, it becomes important to turn to our scriptures. The tenets of non-violence have been extensively propagated for long by them. The mention of non-violence comes before truth in the highly revered Patanjali Yoga Sutra. &nbsp;

Feeling of belongingness and treating others with respect has been one of the key pillars of India’s tradition. It was among the first countries in the world to propagate the message of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, a Sanskrit phrase found in the Maha Upanishad, meaning "the world is one family". It is these ideals which made India to welcome thinkers, scholars and visitors from all over the world. &nbsp;

India never attacked any country on its own in the known history and never tried to colonise any part of the world. It neither advocated that our truth is the only truth nor projected others as non-believers and sinners. India was and will continue to remain a melting pot of the peaceful co-existence of several religions, languages, dialects and cultures. Even as greed, materialism and religious dogma dominate the world, India, despite its shortcomings, still holds the torch that can light a new flame of awakening. The country is well-equipped to deal with any differences of opinion in a peaceful manner&nbsp;

If we all – individuals, society, governments, world leaders, NGOs, civil society, spiritual organisations work in unison for fostering brotherhood and peace, a world without violence is surely attainable.&nbsp; 
 
(Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The world is faced with pressing issues – climate change, economic growth, inequality, anti-establishment protests and violence. Even as the other issues are receiving some attention, not much is being done with respect to addressing the wave of violence sweeping across the world.

The world is faced with pressing issues – climate change, economic growth, inequality, anti-establishment protests and violence. Even as the other issues are receiving some attention, not much is being done with respect to addressing the wave of violence sweeping across the world. It is in this context that it becomes critical to delve into the root cause of violence and strive for a peaceful world. Violence is not only killing people, but it is also undermining the progress of nations and humane values. What prompts an individual to resort to harming others? As we say this, let us recount, more than 71 soldiers in Nigeria have been killed by 100 militants in the deadliest attack against Niger military, India recently saw some worst crime against women while London and Amsterdam, witnessed multiple stabbing incidents and so on. Amidst this vicious circle of suffering and ferocity is it wishful thinking to strive for a world free of violence? A world without violence might sound utopian or a line straight from the script of a feel-good feature film. But we need to understand that a world without violence is surely attainable, provided we all work towards it. Violence is an attitude, an approach that needs to be dealt skillfully. Crushing protests and dissenting views is not the solution. Violence and aggression as a tendency need to be addressed at an individual, structural and societal level. If we delve deeper and try to analyse the reasons for violence, we would find that we all are stakeholders in this large-scale violence. Let us analyse the factors contributing to this violence. Lack of belongingness and trust It is the lack of belongingness and trust towards our fellow brethren which is giving rise to this cycle of hate and aloofness. The feeling of somebodies or the lack of belongingness has long been driving a wedge between us and others, be it during the era of capitalism, colonialism, or apartheid, where the weak were subjugated at the hands of the powerful. Unless we address the lack of belonging, violence will continue to spread as a wildfire and would be hard to curtail. The violence could be as small as a quarrel or fight between a husband and wife or can take the form of large-scale violence. As we are growing into a so-called “better off society”, we are trusting each other less. The magnitude of violence being experienced in the 21st century is indeed heartening. Violence is not the nature of man. However, man is the only animal who kills his fellow beings. Other animals rarely kill animals of their fraternity, rather they stand for their protection. Lack of trust is preventing nations from enjoying the fruits of development. This mistrust between nations is making them allocate billions of dollars in defence budget alone. This amount could very well have gone for nation-building or for providing a social safety net to people. While people living below the poverty line in India have fallen from 70 per cent in 1947 to 22 per cent in 2016, still the fruits of development are still to fully trickle down to all the sections of the society. Several polls conducted worldwide demonstrate that millennials have far lesser inclination to trust the society, the Government, the judiciary than they used to earlier. Today’s policies, laws and social habits showcase a falling sense of interpersonal trust. Security checks are becoming more rigorous than before given the uncertain times we live in. This didn’t use to be the case earlier. One core reason behind the growing incidence of depression is the feeling of alienation and lack of confidence in our fellow beings. We seldom find an avenue to vent out our feelings or have someone to hear to us impartially while at the same time maintain our confidentiality. If not addressed at the individual level, this takes the form of fear psychosis and becomes social aggression at the societal level. Many of the culprits behind gun-shooting incidents or terror attacks have often been found to be anti-social in character. Ideologies alienate us Ideology is the root cause of all violence. Thousands of wars have been fought, still fighting not for any real thing, but just for mere ideologies. The rigid notion that only our ideology is supreme or ours is the only truth have left numerous scars the world over which are hard to heal. The violence during the World War II, the nuclear bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the Cold War era of the 1990s, the 9/11 attacks in the US and 26/11 in India are still fresh in the minds of the people. Sanatan tradition in its unadulterated form is not an ideology but the art of living. The Sanskrit aphorism Ahaṁ Brahmāsmi, meaning “I am the Infinite” has long been propounded by our holy Upanishads. The aphorism signifies that Brahman is the infinite reality, the all-encompassing existence in itself, and only when the ego (somebodies) dies can it be realised. Unless we see the same atman or soul in each of us as the basis of our being, irrespective of caste, creed, race and religion, we won’t be at peace. Our holy scriptures have also advocated that one should see one (God) in many while many in one. The moment one drops ideologies and refuses to be blinded by it, suddenly one becomes aware. And that heightened awareness is the source of peace in and around the world. Freedom to ask questions While many may not agree, but we need to encourage people to ask questions. All the greatest inventions of our times and mass political movements, all owe their success to raising pertinent questions. Not providing people an outlet to ask questions and seek a response often gives rise to frustration, pent-up emotions, a feeling of subjugation which then take the shape of violence. The Indian civilisation right from its inception has encouraged people to ask questions. At a time when asking questions was forbidden in other religions and parts of the world, all major holy scriptures in India - be it the Narada Bhakti Sutra or the Bhagawad Gita have started with a question. India is also the land which gave rise to the Guru-Shishya parampara (Guru-Disciple tradition) where asking questions was encouraged. The prevailing chaos globally could be blamed in part to curbing the dissenting voices and forbidding people from asking relevant questions. Notwithstanding, India has a history of respect for all religions, which is unparalleled in the rest of the world. Role of language in violence Not many know, but language too has a role in exacerbating violence. A physical wound may heal sooner, but it may take ages for a verbal scar to heal. Violence is almost always accompanied by language. Anthropologists are right when they say that aggression is biological while violence is social. More than often the accompanying language gives violence its social character. There have been several instances in India where influential public figures have been booked for hate speech and for instigating violence. One can’t also turn a blind eye to language-related violence as seen in Bangladesh, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Maharashtra. Many political parties owe their successes to the linguistic card played by them. Technology: A boon or a bane The increased usage of technology and gadgets is subtly contributing to violence. While technology has made it easier to communicate seamlessly, at the same time it has increased levels of alienation. Youth playing games on mobile which involve killing and maiming the enemy often induces a sense of aggression among the teens. The easy access of pornographic material on gadgets is unfortunate too. It has emerged that several pedophiles and sexual predators have been influenced by such material online in committing sexual crimes. The advent of messaging apps such as Whatsapp and Telegram has made it easier for militant outfits to radicalise the youth or recruit them. Many of the ISIS recruits claim to have got influenced by groups created by the outfit on Telegram. Often, fake and unsubstantiated content is shared on such Messaging Apps, be it the alleged human rights violations in Kashmir or misconceptions regarding the intended purpose of policies as framed by the Government. India has been witnessing widespread protests pertaining to the objective of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the National Register of Citizens exercise. Unless the policy formulators proactively educate the public correctly about the exact significance of their policies and check rumour-mongering, such chaos is bound to occur as the reality is far from what is projected in these viral posts. Any violence emanating out of the lack of trust for the government’s policies often gives rise to mob-mentality and ends in massive destruction of public property, while claiming lives too. The misuse of the internet by anti-social elements has been one of the key considerations making the Indian government tread with caution in fully restarting internet services in Kashmir post the revocation of Article 370 in August. Gadgets in a way have become our companion. People tend to spend 14-16 hours with them, even keeping them besides them when sleeping. We get a high when we see our gadgets instantly obeying our commands. However, we become restless and aggressive when our friends and family refuse to respond or interact in the same vein. This needs to be addressed. Gadgets should be used for constructive purposes – learning a new skill, course, meditating, exploring new places or reading something positive. Way forward Great things have been accomplished through non-violence. J. Krishnamurti, the enlightened author of Beyond Violence, once wrote: “Violence is like a stone dropped in a lake: the waves spread and spread; at the centre is the ‘me’. As long as the ‘me’ survives in any form, very subtly or grossly, there must be violence.” There is a mystical incident -- Towards the end of the British Rule in India, when the independence movement was at its peak, some British soldiers captured a Hindu saint on the suspicion that he was a spy. This saint was passing through a military cantonment area, and he had been in silence – observing a Maun Vrat – for 30 years. The soldiers interrogated him, but he chose not to break his “Maun Vrat” (silence). This unusual behaviour strengthened their suspicion and the soldiers became so furious, they stuck a bayonet in his chest. In his last moment, the saint uttered one Sanskrit word: 'Tattvamasi', meaning ‘That Art Thou’. It implies that even the killer is divine even though he is not aware of his divinity. Non-violence simply means you should be so powerful that nobody can undermine you by being violent towards you. It should not be out of weakness but out of power. Being powerful, you shouldn’t hurt or kill the latter, but rather protect them. You could even empower the other by educating him to shun the path of ignorance, of violence and come back into the mainstream. So, my idea of nonviolence is different from Mahavir, Buddha and Gandhi. My idea is non-violence should be out of an abundance of power. Don’t use that power to kill, to destroy; but use that power to create, enlighten and protect. And if anybody tries to harm you or anybody else, do everything to prevent that harm. Violence has to be completely removed from the world, but it can happen only if nonviolent people are powerful; otherwise, how can you manage? If violent people are powerful and non-violent people are powerless, then the violent people will overrule the non-violent. That has been our experience of two thousand years. I don’t support weakness. I support power; but power with compassion, love and creativity. Given my more than two decades of experience of working in Kashmir, North-east, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Nepal, it is clear that people could be transformed and be made to shun violence by educating them about the constructive power of non-violence and by hearing to them non-judgmentally with compassion. Furthermore, I feel that all the pressing issues in the world can only be solved through dialogue, and not war or bullets. Be it the decades of civil strife in Columbia or the centuries-long dispute pertaining to the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, both of which witnessed widespread bloodshed in the past, all have been resolved amicably through discussion and dialogue, thus setting a new precedence for our future generations. Role of spirituality In the prevailing times, the role of spirituality in addressing violence can’t be under-emphasized. Turning to holy scriptures irrespective of religion, their correct interpretation and education, yoga and meditation can go a long way in creating a society filled with tolerance and compassion. The United Nations recognising the significance of Yoga and declaring 21 June as the International Day of Yoga is laudable in this context. Yoga and meditation is also being taught across prisons the world over and has found a large number of takers. Many convicts feel their life would have been different had they been introduced to it earlier. It needs to start from our families Addressing the growing incidents of violence and preventing the societal fabric from deteriorating has become our moral responsibility. Spreading peace and compassion needs to start from our homes. By treating our loved ones with compassion, we can surely encourage them to do the same with others and hope this to have a spiral effect. At the same time, it becomes important to turn to our scriptures. The tenets of non-violence have been extensively propagated for long by them. The mention of non-violence comes before truth in the highly revered Patanjali Yoga Sutra. Feeling of belongingness and treating others with respect has been one of the key pillars of India’s tradition. It was among the first countries in the world to propagate the message of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, a Sanskrit phrase found in the Maha Upanishad, meaning "the world is one family". It is these ideals which made India to welcome thinkers, scholars and visitors from all over the world. India never attacked any country on its own in the known history and never tried to colonise any part of the world. It neither advocated that our truth is the only truth nor projected others as non-believers and sinners. India was and will continue to remain a melting pot of the peaceful co-existence of several religions, languages, dialects and cultures. Even as greed, materialism and religious dogma dominate the world, India, despite its shortcomings, still holds the torch that can light a new flame of awakening. The country is well-equipped to deal with any differences of opinion in a peaceful manner If we all – individuals, society, governments, world leaders, NGOs, civil society, spiritual organisations work in unison for fostering brotherhood and peace, a world without violence is surely attainable. (Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Power of non-violence: Issues must be resolved through dialogue, and not violence

When the voice of Humanity is silenced, the voice of Violence is heard for ages.

Violence plagues the world and has plagued the world through all history. Structural Violence may last for a specific period. Experience has established that the after-effects of Structural Violence linger on for generations. It destroys the very fabric of society.

The ghastly atomic attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki produced huge numbers of casualties. There is no doubt that the physical and psychological impacts of the atomic attacks continued for generations long after the actual attack. Similarly, the disruption caused in society continues for generations long after the active phase of the structural violence.

From the United Nations to the leading think tanks, as well as several nations, are struggling to deal with the violence at the physical violence, and in many cases, the physical violence has been controlled. However, the aftermath of the Violence has not been extensively studied. The present writer portrays the aftermath of Structural Violence.

By the term ‘Structural Violence’, I refer to the following:

<ul>
	<li>Militancy</li>
	<li>Terrorism</li>
	<li>Insurgency</li>
	<li>Maoism</li>
</ul>

When I speak about Structural Violence, I include the Economics and Sociology of the violence.

Will the dark clouds of Structural Violence ever be dispelled by the golden rays of Peace? This is a question we all need to seriously think about.

The Cycle of Violence

Unfortunately, India is perhaps unique in the world today in that it faces all four types of Structural Violence. There is Militancy in Jammu &amp; Kashmir, insurgency in Northeast, Maoist violence in many parts of the country, and until recently there was terrorism in Punjab,

History shows us that violence follows a vicious cycle. It is commonly said that ‘violence breeds violence’. The perpetrators are very easy to manipulate into violence – they mostly fall into three categories:

1. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Socially deprived

2. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Economically deprived

3. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Sexually deprived

There is a period of intense violence – which maybe for days or months or years. Yet, when this intense period ends, the cycle of violence is not over. Experience from Ground Zero has revealed that 15 years of violence result in around 150 years of disruption for Humanity. Violence is a phenomenon which lingers on far longer than when peace has supposedly dawned.

I have spent more than two decades in many of the strife-torn regions of India and its neighbourhood. While working for peace, I have interacted with many people, both perpetrators and the affected. On the basis of this, I wish to share my observations.

The collapse of values &amp; the trust-deficit syndrome

The moral fabric of society has been disrupted. People who are economically and sexually deprived are obsessed with material gains and indulgence in sensual pleasures. This, in turn, leads to a disregard for human life and dignity, which in turn leads to violence.

Violence leads to a culture of despondency, of helplessness, and resignation. When citizens lose their self-esteem and confidence to change society for the better, evil elements dominate society. No one is there to oppose them.

The first indication of a violence-prone area is the Trust-Deficit Syndrome among the people. Every society has citizens who appreciate the futility of violence and wish to work for peace. Their voices are stifled. They are branded as informers and government agents and even attacked.

Wherever Structural Violence begins, a significant percentage of the people extend moral and material support. However, these same supporters get victimised by the perpetrators.

Research shows that while we have progressed greatly materially, educationally, and infrastructure-wise, but psychologically we are not able to reap the fruits of this progress. &nbsp;Research also shows only 25% of millennials have trust in others. This results in fear and mental constraints in the minds of people. This leads to violence, that is invisible but endemic.

An environment of fear

Structural Violence results in long-lasting Physical, Mental, and Emotional Trauma in the general population of the affected region. Psychomatic illnesses and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are widespread.

This is revealed by something as simple as how day-to-day greetings have changed in Kashmir. People now greet each other by expressing concern about health and well-being. If a family member leaves the house for daily chores, and more than an hour elapses without his or her return, the family is greatly worried!

This environment of fear results in widespread health issues in the general population. Pregnant women are particularly affected, with resultant complications.

In this scenario, economic and social revival becomes difficult, even with extensive Government funding.

The epidemic of drugs

It has been observed that it is this endemic fear and mental constraints that leads to the epidemic of drugs. It has been said that a drug is a substitute for love. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has also observed where the institution of the family has declined and the trust-deficit in society has risen, drug addiction takes root.

Structural Violence has an international dimension, which provides infrastructural support. Sponsors of Violence provide support initially.

These international agencies supply the perpetrators with drugs, to enable them to generate their own resources. After a passage of time, they often withdraw their support. Instead, they encourage the perpetrators to take up drug cultivation and distribution.

It is no secret that drugs are a potent cause of violence, in all its manifestations. Drug addictions result in sociopathic tendencies and apathy amongst the general public. The families of drug addicts are severely affected. The inability to bear stress results in a significant percentage of society turning to drugs for solace, with catastrophic results. Once drug addiction gets embedded in a region, its impact lasts long. I have sadly observed this in Kashmir, Northeast India, and Nepal. Middle and lower-middle&nbsp;classes have become trapped in drug addiction, and these see no way to escape from this disastrous situation.

The drug trade results in huge profits for the kingpins, and in turn profits from the drug trade are poured into the purchase of armaments, sponsoring terror camps, and disseminating malicious propaganda.

The status of women

Mahatma Gandhi said that the value of a society is shown by how it treats its women. He also said – ‘Educate a man, and you educate a person. Educate a woman, and you educate a family’

Experience has conclusively established that where violence rules, the status of women is low. This results in widespread trafficking in and crimes against women and girls. Prostitution and trafficking of young women and girls have become accepted as a normal activity by society.

Structural Violence has robbed society of its soul.

My experience shows that perpetrators of Structural Violence seek shelter in the homes of people. They have been known to exploit the womenfolk in these homes. When the same people come to realise the actual character of these perpetrators, they plead with security forces to protect their homes and families from terrorists – this is unacceptably not highlighted in media. Amongst these people, they also take up arms themselves to protect their family’s honour and property.

Now, in one of the regions, I have observed a different tragedy unfolding. Militancy developed in the 1990s. Many male students dropped out of colleges to become terrorists. The female students largely continued with their education, and several obtained higher degrees. These educated women were unwilling to marry men less educated and indulging in terrorism. They chose to remain single, despite family pressure and social condemnation. These ladies are now holding teaching or clerical jobs at a mere pittance. I asked some of them, as why they worked long hours for such low pay. They replied that at work, they secured a few hours of solace from family pressures.

The result of the above phenomena is that the self-esteem of both individuals and the whole of society become low. When self-esteem is low, entrepreneurship and innovation diminishes. All the development and infrastructure work of the Government has no effect.

Violence as an industry

Structural violence functions like a corporation. There are many national and international stakeholders who do not wish see the depreciation of the share value!

Further, a small but significant percentage of those involved in violence create a livelihood from Extortion, Protection Rackets, the Rigging of Contracts, as Informers, etc. These individuals have a vested interest in continuing the cycle of violence in perpetuity!

Also, the destruction of the economy is most obvious after-effect of Structural Violence. A violence-ravaged region or country is not one where investments and jobs flow. And idle youth are the seeds of repeated violence.

Holistic solutions are needed

A violence-ravaged region is like a human with a deep wound. Mere ointments applied will not work, intense treatment will be needed. Similarly, the opening of hospitals and schools, the release of monetary compensation, etc. are superficial measures. &nbsp;Rebuilding Physical Infrastructure and Economic Infrastructure are of course vital. However, these will have superficial results, unless the Social Infrastructure is not rebuilt too.

What is absolutely essential is that we study the long-term consequences of Structural Violence. And devise innovative solutions to address these consequences. This is the need of the hour for India and the world in general.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) &nbsp;

When the voice of Humanity is silenced, the voice of Violence is heard for ages. Violence plagues the world and has plagued the world through all history. Structural Violence may last for a specific period.

When the voice of Humanity is silenced, the voice of Violence is heard for ages. Violence plagues the world and has plagued the world through all history. Structural Violence may last for a specific period. Experience has established that the after-effects of Structural Violence linger on for generations. It destroys the very fabric of society. The ghastly atomic attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki produced huge numbers of casualties. There is no doubt that the physical and psychological impacts of the atomic attacks continued for generations long after the actual attack. Similarly, the disruption caused in society continues for generations long after the active phase of the structural violence. From the United Nations to the leading think tanks, as well as several nations, are struggling to deal with the violence at the physical violence, and in many cases, the physical violence has been controlled. However, the aftermath of the Violence has not been extensively studied. The present writer portrays the aftermath of Structural Violence. By the term ‘Structural Violence’, I refer to the following: Militancy Terrorism Insurgency Maoism When I speak about Structural Violence, I include the Economics and Sociology of the violence. Will the dark clouds of Structural Violence ever be dispelled by the golden rays of Peace? This is a question we all need to seriously think about. The Cycle of Violence Unfortunately, India is perhaps unique in the world today in that it faces all four types of Structural Violence. There is Militancy in Jammu & Kashmir, insurgency in Northeast, Maoist violence in many parts of the country, and until recently there was terrorism in Punjab, History shows us that violence follows a vicious cycle. It is commonly said that ‘violence breeds violence’. The perpetrators are very easy to manipulate into violence – they mostly fall into three categories: 1. Socially deprived 2. Economically deprived 3. Sexually deprived There is a period of intense violence – which maybe for days or months or years. Yet, when this intense period ends, the cycle of violence is not over. Experience from Ground Zero has revealed that 15 years of violence result in around 150 years of disruption for Humanity. Violence is a phenomenon which lingers on far longer than when peace has supposedly dawned. I have spent more than two decades in many of the strife-torn regions of India and its neighbourhood. While working for peace, I have interacted with many people, both perpetrators and the affected. On the basis of this, I wish to share my observations. The collapse of values & the trust-deficit syndrome The moral fabric of society has been disrupted. People who are economically and sexually deprived are obsessed with material gains and indulgence in sensual pleasures. This, in turn, leads to a disregard for human life and dignity, which in turn leads to violence. Violence leads to a culture of despondency, of helplessness, and resignation. When citizens lose their self-esteem and confidence to change society for the better, evil elements dominate society. No one is there to oppose them. The first indication of a violence-prone area is the Trust-Deficit Syndrome among the people. Every society has citizens who appreciate the futility of violence and wish to work for peace. Their voices are stifled. They are branded as informers and government agents and even attacked. Wherever Structural Violence begins, a significant percentage of the people extend moral and material support. However, these same supporters get victimised by the perpetrators. Research shows that while we have progressed greatly materially, educationally, and infrastructure-wise, but psychologically we are not able to reap the fruits of this progress. Research also shows only 25% of millennials have trust in others. This results in fear and mental constraints in the minds of people. This leads to violence, that is invisible but endemic. An environment of fear Structural Violence results in long-lasting Physical, Mental, and Emotional Trauma in the general population of the affected region. Psychomatic illnesses and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are widespread. This is revealed by something as simple as how day-to-day greetings have changed in Kashmir. People now greet each other by expressing concern about health and well-being. If a family member leaves the house for daily chores, and more than an hour elapses without his or her return, the family is greatly worried! This environment of fear results in widespread health issues in the general population. Pregnant women are particularly affected, with resultant complications. In this scenario, economic and social revival becomes difficult, even with extensive Government funding. The epidemic of drugs It has been observed that it is this endemic fear and mental constraints that leads to the epidemic of drugs. It has been said that a drug is a substitute for love. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has also observed where the institution of the family has declined and the trust-deficit in society has risen, drug addiction takes root. Structural Violence has an international dimension, which provides infrastructural support. Sponsors of Violence provide support initially. These international agencies supply the perpetrators with drugs, to enable them to generate their own resources. After a passage of time, they often withdraw their support. Instead, they encourage the perpetrators to take up drug cultivation and distribution. It is no secret that drugs are a potent cause of violence, in all its manifestations. Drug addictions result in sociopathic tendencies and apathy amongst the general public. The families of drug addicts are severely affected. The inability to bear stress results in a significant percentage of society turning to drugs for solace, with catastrophic results. Once drug addiction gets embedded in a region, its impact lasts long. I have sadly observed this in Kashmir, Northeast India, and Nepal. Middle and lower-middle classes have become trapped in drug addiction, and these see no way to escape from this disastrous situation. The drug trade results in huge profits for the kingpins, and in turn profits from the drug trade are poured into the purchase of armaments, sponsoring terror camps, and disseminating malicious propaganda. The status of women Mahatma Gandhi said that the value of a society is shown by how it treats its women. He also said – ‘Educate a man, and you educate a person. Educate a woman, and you educate a family’ Experience has conclusively established that where violence rules, the status of women is low. This results in widespread trafficking in and crimes against women and girls. Prostitution and trafficking of young women and girls have become accepted as a normal activity by society. Structural Violence has robbed society of its soul. My experience shows that perpetrators of Structural Violence seek shelter in the homes of people. They have been known to exploit the womenfolk in these homes. When the same people come to realise the actual character of these perpetrators, they plead with security forces to protect their homes and families from terrorists – this is unacceptably not highlighted in media. Amongst these people, they also take up arms themselves to protect their family’s honour and property. Now, in one of the regions, I have observed a different tragedy unfolding. Militancy developed in the 1990s. Many male students dropped out of colleges to become terrorists. The female students largely continued with their education, and several obtained higher degrees. These educated women were unwilling to marry men less educated and indulging in terrorism. They chose to remain single, despite family pressure and social condemnation. These ladies are now holding teaching or clerical jobs at a mere pittance. I asked some of them, as why they worked long hours for such low pay. They replied that at work, they secured a few hours of solace from family pressures. The result of the above phenomena is that the self-esteem of both individuals and the whole of society become low. When self-esteem is low, entrepreneurship and innovation diminishes. All the development and infrastructure work of the Government has no effect. Violence as an industry Structural violence functions like a corporation. There are many national and international stakeholders who do not wish see the depreciation of the share value! Further, a small but significant percentage of those involved in violence create a livelihood from Extortion, Protection Rackets, the Rigging of Contracts, as Informers, etc. These individuals have a vested interest in continuing the cycle of violence in perpetuity! Also, the destruction of the economy is most obvious after-effect of Structural Violence. A violence-ravaged region or country is not one where investments and jobs flow. And idle youth are the seeds of repeated violence. Holistic solutions are needed A violence-ravaged region is like a human with a deep wound. Mere ointments applied will not work, intense treatment will be needed. Similarly, the opening of hospitals and schools, the release of monetary compensation, etc. are superficial measures. Rebuilding Physical Infrastructure and Economic Infrastructure are of course vital. However, these will have superficial results, unless the Social Infrastructure is not rebuilt too. What is absolutely essential is that we study the long-term consequences of Structural Violence. And devise innovative solutions to address these consequences. This is the need of the hour for India and the world in general. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Violence never abates – it resounds for ages

Author

Zee News Rajasthan

Editor

Sanjay Kumar

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