The land of discontent

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For travellers on the road, a drive through the Jawahar Tunnel on the National Highway IA could well describe the divide between Jammu and Kashmir- at least geographically. The political,and the emotional differences run much deeper. The moment the 3kms dark tunnel enters into light, the breeze is cooler. The treacherous mountain road ends and drive down to the Valley of greens and yellows begins. But this time, tunnels and landscapes donot express the divide, instead a frenzy of voices on both sides do. Jammu and Kashmir pulled apart to the edge, with 800 kanals in between them. But as the agitations over Amaranth Land cross 40 day mark, the land row is left far behind. The fight now is for much more.

For marchers on the streets of Jammu, the agitation is now about an identity. Their best chance to break free from the shadow of the Valley, and get noticed. The violent protests are about a lingering sense of Kashmir's domination. They are about a political discontent, with the region getting less representation in both assembly and Parliamentary seats. The stir is about a long awaited victory against Kashmir's leadership. In 1966, Jammu fought for an agriculture college, when Kashmir was granted a University. In 1979, it was about Jammu getting fewer jobs in the education sector. The present agitation is about making up for the past failures-even the political ones. The rallies on streets are about fewer jobs and wanting more say. They are about not wanting autonomy and wanting more affiliation with the Indian state. The entire row is now about Jammu's hidden grievances against Kashmir's articulate anger. It's about not being heard by the Centre till they turned violent.

In Kashmir, though, the protests are about the loss of the last 19 years. The anger on the streets is about a complete disregard for human life. It is not only about 18 killed in two days in Kashmir, but about the 50,000 lives lost in the last two decades. Kashmir's protests are about every missing youth, and young lives under the fear of gun shots. It's Kashmir's sense of isolation and about depending on a single road link. Kashmir's anger is against missed opportunities for reconciliation. It is about waiting for too long, with too little coming their way. Kashmir is protesting for a fair referendum promised over 55 years back-the frustrations of a struggle which has not led to a solution yet. The agitation is about being heard all over again- and finding a relevant space in India's and Pakistan's priority list.

And for the Kashmir Pandits, who form a major part of agitations in Jammu, the protests are about completing 20 years in exile. It's not only about 800 kanals, but it's is about every inch they left behind in Kashmir in 1989. It is about being forced out of their homes, to never return. It is about losing an identity, and struggling to carve out a new one. Perhaps the anger they could not vent in 1989, is out on the streets now.

And the land row? Well, that was an issue which perhaps could have been resolved till date had it just been the land row!