How 26/11 changed us
-Photo by Helen.
“I still recall the unfortunate day. The entire country was revving up for a cricket series between England and India. Nobody could have prepared for how drastically their lives were about to change, forever,”said Aarika Sinha who hails from Mumbai and was visiting her grandparents in India during November of 2008.
The catastrophe which was aptly described as the 9/11 of India by Pakistan’s former minister of foreign affairs, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, altered the lives of many Indians. Many believe that the synchronised audacious attacks — that paralysed the financial hub of India — changed the lifestyles and behavior of many if not all.
“I lost one of my dearest friends in the 2008 Mumbai attacks. He was waiting for the train at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST). The attackers fired a bullet that tore through his neck. If you ask me whether the execution of Kasab has healed all the wounds then I would certainly say no. More than a hundred Indians lost their lives without any reason whatsoever because of fundamentalists who believe that our mere existence is against the principles of their religious and national ideology. They killed indiscriminately without any mercy or empathy towards the inevitable misery faced by the families and friends left behind,” a Mumbaikar recounted his memories of the attacks on condition of anonymity.
The tragic incidents that unfolded on 26/11 claimed the lives of husbands, wives, children and parents. Socially and politically it affected the already tense relationship between many Indians and Pakistanis who were left to bear the repercussions and carry the resentments of the atrocious attacks.
“I have always been an optimist and believe in peaceful coexistence. Since I live in the United States I get the opportunity to meet people from different religious backgrounds, cultures and traditions. I have many friends who are originally from Pakistan, especially Karachi, and a part of me shattered when it was established that many attackers were from Pakistan. A part of me became cynical. I started questioning whether the friendliness of the Pakistanis I know is genuine or are they hiding behind this façade of camaraderie with Indians just because we live outside India and Pakistan. The incident actually estranged my relation with Pakistanis although none of what happened was their fault. In retrospect, if I had to admit whether I blame Pakistanis for the deadly attacks I would have to say no but I do blame the security regime and the state for their involvement and failure to protect innocent Indian lives,” Sinha added.
Although, I know for a fact that a major chunk of Pakistanis do not intend any harm to Indians, I was still appalled to find that Pakistanis were behind the attacks — an attack which paralysed Mumbai for 60 hours. I truly felt ashamed, knowing that a group of my fellow countrymen were responsible for an act of such massive destruction with complete disregard to precious human lives. Never had I felt such emotions of disgust and embarrassment. Primarily because some of the militants hailed from Pakistan, however, I must assure you that they did not represent the sentiments of true Pakistanis who bear no ill-will against Indians, Americans or innocent citizens of any other country.
Although every killing is equally deplorable and heart wrenching, the brutal murder of the Jewish couple that owned the Chabad or Nariman House, was especially painful. The infant son of the couple, two years of age, survived the ordeal but was left an orphan. I will never be able to forget the picture of his tear smeared face on the day of his parents’ funeral — screaming “Ima, Ima” meaning “Mama, Mama” in Hebrew — as long as I live.
Ajmal Kasab — the only surviving attacker — was executed in India last week. For many, his execution brought closure, whereas for some his “speedy” trial and rejection for clemency raised questions about the Indian judiciary.
On the other side of the spectrum, organisations which indoctrinate young minds took his execution as a reason for launching attacks in retaliation. Lashkar-e-Taiba — a banned militant outfit alleged for perpetrating the dastardly attacks — recently issued a statement claiming that Kasab will be remembered as a hero and “will inspire more attacks”. At the same time Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) was shocked at his execution and “vowed to avenge his death” by targeting Indians.
It is a fact that militant factions recruit and brainwash impressionable minds and then use them as pawns to kill innocent people. Most people are shown golden dreams of being granted a palatial mansion in heaven for persecuting Indians, Jews, Christians, Muslim minorities and other non-Muslims. What remains unfathomable is how can manslaughter of innocent men, women and children help anyone to achieve a heights of piety? God created life to be appreciated. Most of us know that such fundamentalist groups only serve one God called “money and power” and I truly feel sorry for the youth that falls for their devious traps as they hail from poor backgrounds and do not have enough awareness.
Today marks the 4th anniversary of the deadly Mumbai attacks and although nothing I say or do would be able to placate the survivors or compensate the loss of innocent blood, I would still like to take this as an opportunity to apologise to the relatives and families of all the Indians, Americans, Canadians, Europeans, Israelis and other victims who lost their lives in this tragic act of terrorism.
I hope that nothing of the sort ever happens again and pray that we all learn to value human lives. I yearn to see a day in which religions are taken as a basis for embracing unity, humanity and treasuring life. Our only chance of survival as a human race lies in living and letting live.
The writer is a Reporter at Dawn.com
To Junaid Hashmat,
I am wasim akram, born & raised in in shrinagar, jammu Kashmir, India & Now in US. I real feel pity on a person like you who comment on Kashmir without knowing the real picture of it.
26/11 or any terrorist attack in any part of the world & killing innocent people is very very bad & god (nature) never forgive for that. I see many pakistanis have wrong concept about kashmir & India. My dear friend let me tell you all the information you have is not all right, because from the begining pak. govt is giving wrong info. on kashmir.
India & Pakistan, both got independence on same day, they both got the same indian people (hindu,muslim,sikh,christians) who jointly fought against British Rule & both got the same British Army, as army of India & Pakistan.
Now see today, where India is standing & where pakistan is standing. Though there are corruption & other similiar issues in both the contries, but Inspite of all that India is shining & Pakitan is failed state.
Because from the begining India was looking towards progress & pakistan was looking only “kashmir & war against India”
If you ask any ordinary kashmiri, whether the Indian occupied kashmir or Pak Occ. Kasmir,, every kashimiri will say they want peace & only peace, it doesn’t matter for a common man to be in india or pakistan or seprate nation as Kasmir. Every common man needs Roti, Kapda & Makan & also a secured life for his family.
Now due to pak. supported terrorism (mujahiddins), there is so much of blood shed from 1989, kashmir economy, tourism, industy every things collapsed. School & colleges are closed for 4-6 months, theaters & masjids are bombed. Now to control the situation india has deployed so much of army persons in kashmir. But again Pak. spreads false news that India has 5,00,000 army in Kashmir (may be true) & killing kashmiri people. Why India is keeping army in kashmir that fact is never revealed by pakistan.
If you see the terrorists like Kasab, they are very innocent, poor & unemployed, they don’t know what is “Jehad” but for the poverty they take arms in hands due to brain washing by Dadhiwalas in Pak.
Pak. should stop spreading false agianst india & should learn from india to walk on the path of progrees & leave the path of hatred, terrorism & blaming others for own unsuccess. Pak. should concentrate on economic growth so, that problem of unemployment get solved & bann those dadhiwalals who split venom/poison in their speech & misguide people.
If things are good. In Kashmir and there is no 500thousand Indian army there then why you don’t allow UN and human rights organization to go to Kashmir.what are you hiding
ummm why dont u allow UN n human rights workers to go to baluchistan gilgit baltistan n lyari in Karachi n SWAT …??? maybe after that then can make a stopover in kashmir …
My naive ahmed Kashmir is a disputed area among two states where as this is not the case of Karachi and Balochistan. If so then why India is not letting UN in gujrat.
Excellent analysis by wasim on the touching article by Faiz Mirza.
@wasim, Lovely. i applaud brother for your reply. you have gone to the root cause… the last para is the real cause for any issues. only economic growth, employment can get solve this kind of issues. i love all the articles by dawn. dont know why??? even i rarely read any indian news paper. lovely news paper. lovely articles. here even i found more indians than pakistanis. may be we like our neighbors brothers. guys, if we go past no use. lets talk good and feel good.. i am sure, after few years every thing will alright. a real human being cant hate another.
a single educated employed person can educate/support a poor kid to get educated in inida or pakistan.. lets make our citizen educated and employed. then there wont be any kasab or may not be hatred article or comments here.
since few days, i am watching a Pakistan program Jalpari. its nice one….
love you guys…
Thanks for feeling pity for me. Brother you are totally getting the wrong picture of the whole comment. Let me make it simple for you Mr.Waseem that it takes two hands to clap. And i havn’t advocated the killing of innocents my dear, whoever they may be. You must read my comment once again.
I must say that i am wonderstruck by your comments and i bow down to your your honesty.I truly believe that publishing this letter in urdu in Pakistan can prevent the innocents being brain washed,expose the terror masterminds and probably solve the civil war like situation there.So far i knew only one Wasim Akram,the great fast bowler but let me tell you are nothing short of that…bravo!!
It would sound futile to argue Kashmir to an audiance that has been fed a line over years that India grabbed Kashmir. Yes india went to UN to seek help in having Pakistan vacate its aggression. The UNSC under influence of the British and the USA came up with reolutions that stipulated Pakistan to vacate its nationals (which by the way includes army) from the areas which they had occupied (read ‘Azad Kashmi’). That has still not happened, and not only that but Pakistan has also ceded 20 % of the territory to China. Now who has violated the terms Mr. Hashmat
Kashmiri Muslims, let me tell you this without any bias. No amount of stone throwing or strikes can convince the Indian government to hold a plebiscite in the valley, and with good reason. The vast majority of Indians strongly believes that Kashmir has to remain as an integral part of India. In their minds, this was their land before the arrival of Islam. They would vehemently oppose any steps taken by the government that could potentially result in full fledged independence for the valley. Any government to take such a step will fall and the party will prove so unpopular with people that they can write off any remote chances of them returning to power for the forseeable future. Even most Muslims residing in other parts of India will not support Kashmir’s demand for independence. Jinnah’s ‘Two nation theory’ has already given good reason for many Hindus to believe that Muslims are incapable of living in peace with another religious community, and that they will demand independence if they are allowed to become majority in an area. Secession of Kashmir will only make this worse and even if major riots are miraculously averted in India on its occurance, the Indian Muslim will still be looked upon with even deeper suspicion as a fledging secessionist. If the Kashmiri Muslims still feel that independence has to achieved at all costs, there is only one way. Start a full fledged armed struggle. Take to the streets en masse. Attack the Army barracks. Fight against the Indian military with tooth and nail. Kashmir will burn, and tens of thousands will be killed. But that is the only way. Only then will the Indian people start to wonder what use it is to hold on to a land whose inhabitants hate them with such passion. Be ready to undergo untold sufferings and sacrifices. You cannot break free from India without shedding a lot of blood. Believe me, Indians do not wish to see their country divided again based on religion. And by the way, I have addressed only Kashmiri Muslims here. Hindus from Jammu or Buddhists from Ladakh will have to be certified lunatics if they wish to secede from India and live under the Muslim majority rule of the valley. Jammu and Ladakh has already demanded separation from Kashmir to a Union territory status. However, the Indian govt has not approved such a trifurcation as it could make the demand the for an independent Kashmir valley even stronger.
The author needs to be congratulated for raising this issue. As one can read the comments, the narrow minded confusion and zeal of religious identity strikes out from those who think they are muslims first. Seriously, this fight and the fights over the last decade between India and Pakistan are not the truly between the countries. These fights are between Pakistanis who want Pakistan first and those Pakistanis who want “Pure Islam” before Pakistan’s well being. The many like this author can be assured that those seek Pakistan’s well being before islam will get unconditional support not just from Indians but the whole world. If my statement is false, see the comments of those who talk of atrocities againts muslims. These folks are least bothered about what matters to Pakistan and they seem to think holding islam flag will make them better Pakistanis. 26/11 is one of the many terrorist acts that has resulted due to this confusion of nationhood versus religion. Faiza belongs to the group who want Pakistan first-no wonder she had guts to write this!!!
And what group do you belong to, “Jack” ?
well unfortunately the main accused are roaming freely in your country –which is known worldwide for only one type of export…u guys should understand that these guys whom u are supporting are killing people in your backyard
I have some advice for the likes of Faiza. Please don’t go overboard in your apologetic attitude to Indians. The average Pakistani had no control over the events that led to 26/11, just like the average Saudi had no control over the events that led to 9/11. Dont forget that all the 9/11 bombers were Saudis. Do you hear any Saudi apologising to the US? Of couse we do not support the terrorists in any form. But your apology implies that somehow you facilitated or condoned these events. Terrorism is a global phenomena. If 166 Indians have died, we are very sad about that. But 35000 Pakistanis have also died apart from thousands of other nationalities. I’m afraid thats the reality of the harsh world we live in.
well now u know wat happens when u rear snakes as pets…
9/11 was not state-controlled. 26/11 was state controlled. Intelligence officers were involved in planning and execution of the plan.
All unproven assumptions
The attack was indeed abhorrent and shameful. But to say that somehow India has changed because of this attack is an overstatement. India has a billion people. It has faced massive earth quakes and floods. More people die there due to hunger and disease than a one of attack that killed 130 people. It is NOT India’s 9/11 On the contrary, Pakistan, with a war next door for last 30 years and the relentless bombing campaign has definitely changed this country for the worst.
Terrorist have no religion…….. out of 166 killed,30% were muslims… Even, in pakistan many innocent muslims were killed by these terrorist groups …. Pakistan need 1000s of Malala… Only proper education can bring peace in the region
But Taliban claim that they are the purest Muslims, and many Muslims agreewith them.
Taliban can claim what they want. That doesn’t mean they are the purest of Muslims.
That implies Purest Muslim kills Innocent people irrespective of their faith including Muslim if they do not agree with their virson of religion.
Who said 30% were Muslims? It is the victims that do not have a religion. The terrorists did have a religion. It is called Islam.
terrorist have a religion only when they are muslims. Timothy McVeah otr the one in Norway wa never called a christian terrorist. The western media was even reluctant in calling them a terrorist. Finally they said they were mental.
If pakistan as a nation needs any respect in the international community of nations then its citizens should stand up against the religious blood thirsty fundamentalist and stop tolerating their hate mongering activities in your local streets. Then the pakistani society can hope to achieve the support and appreciation that the pakistani girl malala enjoys today.
u hate modernity. you want to take the whole world back to the 7th century. indian judiciary is at fault. it took 4 years to hang pakistani muslim terrorist kasab.
Again a thoughtful article by you Faiza. thanks and good luck for future.
I will like to try to explain why many people hate muslims/ islam and pakistan. It is not that they are anti-muslims/ islam/ pakistan for no reason but for the majority, this hate stems from the simple logic. As the saying goes “terrorism has no religion, community, country”, it simply means that any act of terrorism MUST be condemned/ denounced openly and with all its might by the very community/ country to whom the terrorist belongs. otherwise a silent message goes to the world that this community/ country support the terrorist morally, ethically, socially, culturally and may be financially. If you look around the history, the opposition/ condemnation of terrorism/ terrorist attack by muslim/ islamic community/ countries is very very less, covert, ambiguous and almost absent. The continuous involvement of muslims in terrorism indirectly tells the world that there is something wrong with the muslim/ islamic community/ society throughout the world and people logically or illogically relate this problem to islam. that is why when some muslim condemn the terrorism, it is termed as “shedding crocodile tears” as it does not reflect the position/ will of muslim society as a whole on ground level.
Those who are mentioning there comments on kashmir, pelastine etc, i would simply say that this article is not about that and although every act of violence against innocent, women, children is highly condemnable under any circumstance and culprits must be punished but one cannot relate each type of violence with the same yardstick. to those estranged kashmiri people against the so-called killing of about 80000 kashmiris in last 20-30 yrs and so-called atrocities everyday by indian army, i would like to say that the figures are highly inflated, many of them were not innocent and were militants. There had been killing of innocents in this war against terrorism in kashmir by some of the black sheep of indian army but that does not reflect the stance of indian army and indians as a whole. We whole heartedly condemn the killing of innocents and that too by branding them as terrorists and feel shame for that. The cases are on-going and in others, they are yet to be registered and proceeded. the whole process is undoubtly painfully slow. The offenders must be brought to justice as soon as possible.
besides this, i would also like to tell kashmiris that as you yourself have accepted that the violence erupted in 1980s, before that there was no such problem. the problem that started in 80s in the valley was political. In the eye of storm was NC ruled by muslims. why kashmiri pundits were persecuted for that, nobody knows and kashmiri muslims never raised their voice and never stand against the persecution of fellow kashmiri just because they were of different religion. why religion was involved in the political problem and issues, can you (kashmiris) please explain? handling of a protest especially a violent one can be debated but shooting the protesters, leave aside killing them, is never the first option and only the last resort. if one starts blaming killing (although un-intentional) of innocent people during violent protest by security forces in trying to maintain law and order, that would be unfair with security forces.
Till muslim community/ society continue to misuse/ abuse religion in all their problems- political, social, national or otherwise, there problems will never be solved.
Kasab was hanged quickly because the president of India did not show any mercy towards him. Do we need to tell any more?
The article is just frivolous. RAW planted Kassab and his group were employed to create a 9/11 type of scene in India. Indian Hindus wanted to gain international sympathies and an international reaction on the line, as Americans reacted against Afghanistan taking the plea of Trade Tower blast. Further they wanted to cover up the massacre of Kashmiris by Indian Army by implicating Pakistan Army in this drama.
Syed, what planet do you live on. Watch the CNN documentary “Terror in Mumbai” narrated by Fareed Zakaria.
You said it fareed zakaria and CNN and you know how truthful they’re and how much bias they have against pakistan and Islam and muslims
Only Zaid Hamid speaks truth…Right Mr. Beg
Rao,if you are truth searcher and truth lover then you know fareed zakaria and zaid hamid are both liers and hired people to undermine truth
Actually Syed is true. I did my own research and concluded the same. 30% of the victims in Mumbai were Muslims.when India has only 15% muslims how come 30% of the victims were muslims. These Hindus targetted as many muslims as possible. They also killed Hemant Kharkare because he was pro-muslim. Also Taj Hotel is owned by a parsi, Leopold cafe is owned by Non Hindu and also they targetted the Jewish place to create more mis-understanding between israel and Pakistan. As you can see none of these places are Hindu places. Of course i am being cynical. It just took me 2 minutes to come up with this and now we know how conspiracy theory works.
Another Pakistani PhD.
hahahaha.. mate you made my day..
@ Komal …
Hahahah Good one
If I can add to that…the Indian government knew that it was during the time of a muslim festival…so it expected many muslims to be at the railway station so that maximum damage can be done to them!
But what I fail to understand is…what was Osama Bin Laden doing in Pakistan, if he was complicit with the Americans…
WOW Fantastic Komal…..What an imagination and logical thinking….You should be heading Pakistani or indian intelligence agency depending on your nationality
Guy asks his father for new clothes at Eid. Guy gets slapped by his father. Guy runs away from home, finds a labor work in nearby big town. Sees people around him with flashy cars and objects. Decides to rob people to get those flashy things for himself. Decides to get a hand gun in order to do his robbing. Meets a local guy and inquires weapon. Is sent off to this camps and is being given huge monies to spend and use weapons. Now is addicted to the money and is then tasked with killing innocent people next country and happily accepts the offer. I may be an idiot but tell me where is the religion in all this? Capitalism, commercialism, materialism is simply playing havoc with the minds of people. Let’s not equate every senseless act with religion.
Here is where the religion comes in. India has poorer people than Pakistan. So has Africa. But you do not find African and Indian poor roaming around in foreign countries shooting people on the streets in the name of Islam.
Besides, was Osama bin Laden poor? Was David Headley poor? Was the Times Square bomber poor?
Jawwad, the wants may be material but to get a human being to kill for any reason needs heavy motivation. When the motivation is based on the glory of one religion over others it is called indoctrination. Pakistan finds itself in this bottomless pit because every section of the population indulged itself in wonton, violent and criminal acts — using the umbrella of religion to glorify those criminal acts.
On 11 September 1893, Swamy Vivekananda said – “Sectarianism, bigotry, and its horrible descendant, fanaticism, have long possessed this beautiful earth. They have filled the earth with violence, drenched it often and often with human blood, destroyed civilization, and sent whole nations to despair. Had it not been for these horrible demons, human society would be far more advanced than it is now”. When this will change? When we will educate ourselves?
Well said! But nothing is going to change so long as anti-Indian terrorist groups roam freely in Pakistan spreading hatred and spewing venom. I don’t know how long these rabid groups of men will remain ‘assets’ to Pakistan.
Good to see Dawn and Faiza Mirza recognizing the tragedy at the hands of Pakistani terrorists. However, what is not brought out is the complete inaction by the Pakistan Govt in prosecuting terrorists who took part in the Mumbai attacks from the safety of Pakistan. At every step of the way, Pakistanis were goading Kasab and the other 9 terrorists – go ahead and shoot, keep the cell phone on, I want to hear the shot, they would say. The main focus of 26/11 should now be on these terrorists – their arrest and their prosecution. The leader of the LeT, Hafiz Saeed roams free to train more Kasabs and Pakistan acts like he is an asset. These people have only brought shame to Pakistan.
Thank you for your advice.
dont thank but act on it.. will be good for you, your people and your country.
Killing of innocent people is not justified any where in the world, not in any religion. But who will tel about to the everyday 26/11 of Kashmir. If you seek equity, you must come with clean hands. Don’t you know what India is doing in Kashmir ? Don’t you know what RAW is doing in Balochistan ? Don’t you know what RAW did in Srilanka by supporting Jafna tamils ? Don’t you know what India is doing with Indus Treaty ? Don’t you know what damage India is causing to BD by making Farrakha Barage on Ganges river ? Did you forget the unequal trade treaty imposed by India on Nepal ? Pakistan is being blamed for everything in the world but what RAW is doing in the whole region, no one has guts to accept that. It was India who took the matter of kashmir to UN yet she herself repudiates the resolution of UN.The only reason for failure of SAARC is the hegemonic attitude of India in the region.Although this doesn’t prove the killing of Innocents on 26/11 yet no one has answer to the hegemonic attitude of India in the region and barbarities in Kashmir.
I know what India is doing to you. Driving you crazy.
Everyday 26/11 of Kashmir by Pakistan Trained Terrorist you are talking about that???? I accept there is some problem related to administration and over AFSPA, but we can solve our problem you better focus on solving Target killing in Karachi, Baluchistan problem and daily explosion in every part of your country.Terrorism sponsored state is far worse than faulty policy of India that why people of world don’t listen to you.
Every nation has right to use natural resources for betterment of its citizen.You raising this because u also want betterment of your people.
Making a dam or barrage is not a crime, if there is problem to some nation they can go to International Court of justice.
Indian army did in kashmir what pakistan army is doing in balochistan.
A raw mind obsessed with RAW posing raw questions . If a country does have the economic , military or other strengths why should others be green with envy ? May be it is because they are from the land of the green flag!
If India wants to destabilize Pakistan it is only a matter of few days to a week, given the situation and divide in Pakistan.
At the outset India doesnt want a Taliban neighbor !!!
Now since you have justifiably listed so many crimes of Indians , its time for you to get motivated to kill some innocent lives and feel good about it . Go ahead and do it . There is something really wrong with people like you . Always remain troubled over something or the other .
8 up & 63 down – Rating Moral: Indians just hate it when some one talks truth about Kashmir
Hit the nail on the head.
truth…;) as in your version right…
I do not agree with you, Infact Pakistan is after the killing of inocent people in Kashmir, Remeber one thing it is very easy for India to ERASE Pakistan from the world map but India will never do it since we beleive Pakistanis are our own people..
With all your respect. US couldn’t wiped out Afghanistan. You are not US we are not Afghanistan.
Erase Pakistan? Please erase some of your millions of slums first so that your starving people can thank you. Then you can continue with your daydreams.
Imran you have shown mirror to Indians.rising India with rising number of slums,aids patients, corruption etc
All these are very much your problems too.. in addition to terrorism..
Count me out. I don’t consider Pakistanis as “our people”. However, I don’t like the idea of erasing Pakistan from the world map because then we will lose people like Fazia and NFP and DAWN.
take care of karachi, then think kashmir
You surely represent the kind of mindset Jihadis have, always blaming others for their cruel acts.
Your rhetoric will keep you away from knowing the true answers to geo-political issues you raised.
Someday,take a deep breath & revisit the issues. Know your facts. Anyways are they justification for killings of 26/11, if India has issues with neighbours.
Answer me-Why on earth Pakistan is a pariah state for the entire world & India & Indians are welcome across the globe.
What about Pakistani extremists caught in terror attack in London Bus/Train bombings & other parts of Europe & recently again in US(Faisal Shazad).Give me some reasons for that too.You have a fertile mind.
You forgot to mention to mention the target killings of shias and ahmadis on a daily basis. Is RAW also responsible for this? Shall we count the number of Shias killed in the last two years and can you explain the logic behind this? You seem to have an answer for everything.
Has your Govt provided any evidence of RAW’s alleged involvement in terror activities anywhere in Pakistan ? You had gone to International court in case of Baglihar Dam accusing India of violating Indus-Water treaty. Do you know the outcome ? Have you in the last 20 years read any statement from head of state or government from any of India’s neigbhour, except Pakistan, of India being hagemonic ? You should know the difference between being hagemonic and being big. India is only defending itself in Kashmir against a proxywar launched from inside Pakistan and has right to do so. On the other hand all neigbhours of Pakistan have blamed it for being host to terror groups which are targetting their people. Pakistan’s most prominent ally, USA, has repeatedly accused Pakistan of insincerity in war against terror.
So try to understand what the author is trying to say and dont balme others for sake of it.
Kashmir and Indias hegemony had nothing to do with killing the jews in bombay. Or the children of a foreign missionary. Or the murder of a citizen of singapore. Or the Germans.
These wanton killings have nothing to do with anything but religious hate.
Sovereignty of Pakistan is no excuse to threaten others in the name of Jihad. Pakistanis have to clean up their societies.
Arrest Hafeez Syed and his gang of murderers. Or expect more drones and bin-ladin type raids.
India and Pakistan got the indepence at the same time. Pakistan instead of prospering above or equal to India, now it is at the comparative state of Afghanistan. Who is to blame? India?
You guys have been crying over Kashmir, but can not handle your own population. Minority are not safe. Even minorities take pride in being a Pakistan citizen, they always fear Sunni attrocities. Forget about Hindu, Christian and sikhs, sunni’s does not even let Shia’s or Ahmedi’s live peacefully. Why? Introspect in the teaching of islam.
You blame India for everything, still at present the Indian democracy can live in harmony with Hindu’s, Muslim, sikhs, parsis, jews, jains so on and so forth. Islam and pakistan people have to be open minded and stop acting like a 2 year old baby.
Furthur the originators of Islam (Saudi Arabia) does not even give a damn about you. They still treat you all as third class citizen (inspite Islam calls for equaiity).
For every single problem, you blame either India or West. Yorur leaders only started depending upon all the aid from the western countries. Whenever I read the newspapaper, there is atleast one headline about some people got killed in Pakistan because of bomb. Now with Muharam, the tension is so high. Even a person can not go to a mosque and peacefully pray. Come out of this narrow mentality and try to prosper else future does not look good for Pakistani people.
Well said Junaid. But these indians wont agree, they are too much occupied in playing double standards.
Mr. Juniad this is the problem with the Pakistanis, brain washed from your childhood, myopic mentality and never have the guts to face reality, remain fanatic forever and as world progresses you regress.
The dislike tells me the story of Indian mind who don’t think rationally. Just do like to comment to win the debate. You cannot hide the sun with one finger.
Speedy Trail???? It take in total 4 year for justice. If this is speedy one than, according to you, how much it take for normal trial???
The writer should remember How USA did a trial in case of terrorist Laden. After that If you 4 years of trails for a mass murder was a speedy trial , then what can I say ?
buddy she tried to be sarcastic on it.. noticed ‘the double inverted commas” …. try to read between the lines.
Is Pakistan a model Islamic state?If not which are the countries in this world that are model Islamic state?
None, except maybe in Utopia.
heard bot TURKEY..
Turkey as a model Islam State.
Was = Yes
Is = Don’t know
Will be = Definitely not.
Turkey
Turkey
No country based on religion can be a model. Even countries where the majority practices Budhhism (which is probably the most peaceful religion) are not beyond sectarian violence (Sri Lanka, Burma, etc)
Absolutely true. And this is amply proved by history as well.
Buddha preached non-violence, but unfortunately most of the Buddhist majority countries tend to be dictatorships / military ruled
Thailand – democracy now, but ruled for years by military
Cambodia – Dictator Hun Sen
Srilanka – Megalomaniac Mahinda Rajapaksa
Vietnam – Communist ruled
Laos – Dictator ruled
Myanmar – Long ruled by military
China – Communist ruled
North Korea – Dictator
In most of these countries their own nationals were massacred by these dictators.
The pakistanis have committed these horrendous crimes against Indians and there own people till this date and that’s why Pakistan as a nation continues to suffer: the cycle of Karma guys. And shame on the guys who actually are encouraging these murders over Kashmir, get a life!!
We failed to resolve it peacefully.
This is a biased writing against pakistan without any mention to Indian involvement in baluchistan and atrocities against kashmiris. If kassab was the main culprit why so much haste and why pakistani lawyers were not given access to kassab. I think this event was orchestrated same as nine eleven and WMDs for furthering hegemonous designs of us and Indian collaboration
When will you Pakistanis ever learn to accept the truth especially when Kasab himself admitted that he was a Pakistani sent by the Laskar and even identified his parents and home town. Grow up man and learn to face the real world there is much more than only Islam in this world
Pakistan should start handing over PhD in Conspiracy theories & UnImaginable Reasoning. Good muslims destroyed Hilton hotel because Allah ordered its serving wine more than any other place, We killed Hazaras becuase they are not muslims at all as only Sunnat defines mulsims. Kashimiris are good muslims & baloch killed by our army are bad muslims..actually disguised hindus sometimes born as Muslims like Nawab Bugti & that lady raped by Good muslims in PAkistan Army…Grow up “Good Muslims” of IRP
Great idea.
We will soon have the most PhDs in the world.
Absolutely true. All the tenssions in Pakistan are created by the India-Israil-USA lobby and the 9/11s and 26/11s are proved to be created by the respective countries and blamed on innocent Pakistanis to malaign the name of Islam. Islam is the most peaceful regigion in the world and it will rule the world very soon. aameen.
”9/11s and 26/11s are PROVED to be created by the respective countries and blamed on innocent Pakistanis to malaign the name of Islam.”………..Lolzzzzzz
I think the negative voters missed your satire.
Dear abc, I am surprised so many negative voters failed to catch the sarcasm in your comment.
@MalayDeb,
I really appreciate that you have read the complete post. What you have mentioned about the discussions and panelists is TRUE. But Sir, Those are drawing room politicians most of whom have never ever been to kashmir on ground but base their discussions / opinions on media converage which unfortunately in Kashmir’s case is biased. The coverage is 70/30 with 30 being the doctored truth and 70 being ballant lies.
I invite all my indian brothers to come to kashmir and see the ground reality but on the condition that they come with empty and unbiased mindset.
As rightly said by someone,
Its only the empty pot that gets filled with the nectar of knowledge…..
sad to say that urs is still an empty pot ..
166 People Killed, Enraged around 1 Billion Hindus, May have radicalised millions of Hindu youth against pakistan and Islam. Also Image of Pakistan and Islam got tarnished due to the incident.
It did and will in future cause more loss to Pakistan than India.
Pakistan will survive InshALLAH don’t worry about the more loss to Pakistan.
you said Pakistan will survive .. from whom ? who kill each other on every day name of religion
Nobody in this world has to do anything except sit and watch the fun for free. Pakistanis are the ones who will them selfs destroy pakistan one day
Even if it survives Hindus, it will not survive Muslims rage against each other. Goodluck
Yes, we know that Pakistan will survive another Partition, but you might think of re-naming it to “West Punjab”, will be more appropriate I guess
After 26/11 attacks..India waked up.How to handle the terrorists.during 2008-12 not much human loses in India. But in pakistan more than 6,000 were killed by terrorists.So my kind advise to editor is write a story about how pakistan people killed by terrorists day by day
If we do not worry about you , you do not like it. For a change we are worrying about you ! You don’t like that either ?
Well, nice article which shows sympathy with the the victims of 26/11. Well, I agree with the author in every aspect. But, I have some questions to Indian fellows and to the author. Why media is crying so much when a hindu, Jew or Christen dies and when muslims are massacred no one writes such articles. What happened to you so called Liberal Indians when young kids (school going kids) were killed by ruthlessly by Indian army when they protested against Indian occupation. I am asking you Liberal Indians and author, have you ever thought about 80000 Kashmiris who were massacred by Indian troops. have you ever tried Mr. Jagmohan who was involved in these atrocities. I have lost 6 members of my family when army resorted to indiscriminate firing in 1993. You are crying for 160 people died in Mumbai. Have you every cried for other people who face same fate in different form terrorism. Terrorism is terrorism whether it is by Ajmal Qasab in Mumbai or Indian forces under organised manner in Kashmir. I am asking question to author. If she claims to be the champion of human rights why she is did not wrote same article when 155 Palestineans were killed by Israels. Where they not same innocent people like Mumbai people. Don’t not mix terrorist activities with any religion. There are causes of terrorism. Young muslim sees descimination at the hands of world powers as is seen in Palestine , Kashmir and Afganistan, They don’t find justice in the present demcotratic set up. If there would have been any rule of law then issues like Palestine and Kashmir would have solved. You have solve the problems which are root cause of terrorism. You can’t justify killing of Kashmiri generation as they are against Indian nationalism and advocate stern action agaisnt terrorsist when common hindu is being killed . I think you so called liberals should ask yourself why one person killed by muslim terrorsist is being treated as innocent and when subjugated muslim is killed for his just cause is not treated as innocent…………………………………………Just ponder on this……………………. Terrorism will be wiped out…………………
You have to see this in context. The Kashmiris know when they come out on the streets that they face danger, and they take that risk. While any loss of life is indeed saddening, it is worse when humans backed by a largely sympathetic country kills innocent and importantly unsuspecting public.
Pakistan attacked India 4 times militarily, but we Indians never cribbed about it. It was a military confrontation which every army should be prepared for. Mumbai was a very barbaric, animalistic and uncivilized conduct as for the first time you attacked unarmed and unsuspecting civilians, which is also I would say, cowardly.
@Kashmiri,
Unfortunately our liberal and knowledgeable Indians here are suffering from selective deafness and blindness..
They can only feel the emotions and hurt of HINDUS than of all people especially we Kashmiris..
Many Muslims were also victimized four years ago in Mumbai by Kasab et al.
Probably you guys are from a group of people which whipped out Pandits from Kashmir.
Real Kashmirs dont differentiate between life of a Hindu or Muslim.
Please let them live in a peace.
@ Taj, @Kashmiri,
When the center issue of everything becomes religion then a society produces narrow-minded people like you. We may talk about the atrocities in Kashmir, but before that, tell me a singular event in your country where the voice of a Hindu/Christian or any other minority was heard on the forced conversion? Is Pakistan ever headed by a person belonging to Minority ? Has Pakistan ever thought of appointing a person from minority as a head of missile or nuclear program ?
Well, you might cry wolf on Kashmir, but upon introspection you might find the filthy truths about your own !
Do not try to preach something to us which you yourself fail to implement rather lag far behind us !!!! We are a true liberal society with a few problem of our own. you fix your shanty first before pointing towards a broken window in our Villa !!!! Cheers !!
A few os us would and do empathize with your lot and wish we do not have such a repeat ! However , please note that very few of you came out in support of theKashmiri Pandits when they were slaughtered in the dead of the night. And what happened to your reactions when Kashmir was being infiltrated by stooges from across the border hell bent on creating more bloodshed . The major difference between the Mumbai massacre and the Kashmiri deaths is that while one was an outright case of state sponsored terrorism , the other was a case of lateral damage in India’s fight against the infiltrators .
So young Muslims lot is better & happier in Muslim ruled states such as Syria, Egypt, etc, is it?
All Pakistanis like you should be given free psychiatric treatment to keep the world safe
So what are you crying about? That you are a muslim and you want your own land?How many of your Kashmir’s people agree with you? Elections, free of Indian interference are held in your state.Why do the people vote for a government that is India friendly?Your one voice want’s to control the state? If the majority of the people want their view ,who are you to object..NO body is stopping you to leave and find your preferred domicile.Stop the interference from outsiders that create trouble and peace will return to your state.
@raika,
Elections, free of Indian interference are held in your state.Why do the people vote for a government that is India friendly?
Come to Kashmir and see the ground reality…. NC is not the voice of Kashmiris but other way round .. It is the voice of New Delhi to Kashmiris…
@ Shiv,
That Kashmiris know the danger they are facing when coming out on streets… YES WE DO…
But what do you call the acts of Indian forces when they kill 7 year olds ? Chivalry… I GUESS..
No killing more than a million plus bengali muslims is chivalry. No killing Nawab Bugti is chivalry. No killing Ahmedis who are by constitution proclaimed to me non-muslims is chivalry. No wiping more than 15 % of hindu and other religious minorities from the face of Pakistan is chivalry. No killing of Harazas is chivalry. No keeping the flag of polio alive is chivalry. Wakeup dude, smell the coffee, the WORLD dislikes (put mildly) Pakistan.
Kashmiri, What about the Pandits you have kicked them out of Kashmir? Look at history of Pakistan and Bangladesh where 50 yrs back they had a sizable minorities and now they are marginalized. You want the same to happen to Kashmir but a secular nation is responsible for all its citizens. On the positive side people in the valley are fed up of terrorists, IED, killing of innocents with the support of so called liberators. When will it stop. Law and order must be maintained. No muslim is subjugated in India. Look at IT industry, Bollywood and other institutions. Can Pakistan claim at least a tenth of it. Please ponder, yes we too have lost lives due to terrorism by radicals muslims. Can you help prevent it? Please grow up and you seem to be narrow minded when you discrimate people by religion. A human life is the same whether it is hindu, muslim (shia, Ahmaduia, Aga Khani or sunni), jew, sikh, buddist or a christian
What about killing of Kashmiri Pandit’s and driving them out of the valley? Can you mention that please. The Politicians in Kashmir are Kashmiri people, your state is protected by debaring outsider to settle in Kashmir, on other hand you can go and settle in any part of India. To rest of the Indian’s the issue is due to terror attacks started via Proxy war waged by Pakistan – and its fall out because of which the civilians are suffering. As far as the plebiscite, the condition was that Pakistan will withdraw from the captured territory only after which the plebiscite will be conducted. When rest of the muslims are happy with India what makes you Kashmiri’s special that you want independence from India? Can’t you give peace a chance, give the Govt of India to start development process for Kashmir? Its easy to blame India for everything, tell me what you are doing to stop the killings? If you continue the protests and unrest how do you expects any body will be interested to start businesses in the valley and give employment to the youth, which can use their energy in development of the state rather than the destruction?
@P Shailendra . That is what I am saying to you. Whether it is Kashmiri Pundit, Kashmiri muslim, Mumbaiker, Palestinean, Christean , Jew or any other person.. everyones life is importnat. You Indian brother know the importnat of life after 26/11 and there is hue and cry in Media what about Kashmiri muslims who have lost their one generation in 20 years. I am saying you have give reason/ration why one form of killing is justified and another is seen attack against innocents. You have remove this sort double standards in the society. Tell everyone knows Modi is biggest terrorist who killed innocent muslims during Gujrat riots even Sepreme court of India knows. Have you ever tried this barbaric man, but instead you project him as PM of India. Can you imagine such things happen in so civilized societies.
@Kashmiri..
Kis ko keh rahe ho bhai.. Yeh Kabhi ghalat naheen hote. ho hi naheen sakte.
you pakistanis killed thousands of hidus in pakistan till now and u cry for those mere 80000 muslims .same on you.
Really when, do you have any details….
Only In India it is possible that Minority community brunt people alive (Hindu Pilgrims 67) that is why Gujarat massacre happened to TEACH them a lesson. Only in India the % of Muslim than at the time of partition.
When and where the Supreme court of India let you know that it knows Modi killed innocent people? The Supreme Court appointed independent commission did not find Modi guilty of killing anyone. Those who were found guilty by enquiry have been chargesheeted are on jail and several have been convicted and sent to jail. When it comes to Kashmir, it is you who need to do introspection. Why there were no such killings before 1988-89 ? Because there was no violent jehad or proxywar lauched in Kashmir. Casualities occur as collateral damage while state tries to protect itself. Who doesn’t know how Kashmiri youth is brainwashed in mosques and exhorted to rise against India ? In what way Pakistan will offer them a better life than what they have in India ? and Why people like you think that Kashmir belongs to Kashmiri Mulsims only ? If you can not think of Kashmiri Pandits, Budhists and other non-muslim Kashmiris, why should be anyone sympathetic to you ?
Also, Mumbai terror attacks have nothing to do with Kashmir.
your counter comment is full of naive observations and conclusions.. grow up dude.. bottom line – once the cross border institutions, camps and proxy war is stopped, you can expect normalcy to return in kashmir and the indian army to remove its existence from there… and as a citizen you have the fundamental right to protest against these proxy war from across border and help build the government structure.. if you one of those few who support the cross border ‘help’ then be prepared to face the wrath of army and don’t complain… they have every right to protect every inch of their motherland.
Modi is not a terrorist although all the muslims are portaiting him that way. The root cause of the Gujarat riots is killing of 65 Hindus by burning train compartment in Godhra, who were returning from the pilgirimage. This has been done by Muslim fundamentalists. Then consequence followed. Dear Kashmiri…ponder why majority of the problems in the world has involvement of Muslims. Something fundamentally wrong. Read the Subcontinet history of the past 1000 years(freely available in internet – eg: and see how the non muslims were treated, you will understand the reason.
Vijay says:”The root cause of the Gujarat riots is killing of 65 Hindus by burning train compartment in Godhra, who were returning from the pilgirimage. This has been done by Muslim fundamentalists. Then consequence followed.”
“Then consequence followed”. And what exactly was the consequence: Innocent Muslims were killed.
Isn’t the turmoil in Kashmir just that: a ‘consequence’.
My friend, you just fell (actually, voluntary jumped) into a trap
How many Kashmiri Pandits were killed/massacerred/driven out of your so called beautiful kashmir?Any counting,sir?
Most of them are killed or thrown out. But that does not count. Its onlly Kashmiri Muslims that count because. If India even gives Kashmir to India to solve issue ,just like Bengali Muslims did not count Pakistani Kashmiri Muslim will be killed by miilions.
I think you are referring to Kashmiri Muslims and not to Kashmiris. Because Kashmiri Hindus have already been ethnically cleansed from the valley by peace loving Kashmiri Muslims who have the moral and material support of peace loving Pakistanis.
If Pakistan wasn’t such a electricity deficit country I would have recommended electric shock therapy for all you guys as a last effort to get your brains sorted out. But with so little electricity to go around it will be a sheer waste.There is not a single useful contribution that muslims make in the entire world except terrorism qand mindless violence and then trying to cover it up by playing the victim.
Faiza is a Pakistani, and so am I and so are the many, many very sane and normal people around me.
I suugest you have some ice-chilled Thumbs-Up immediately. It will do wonders!
I am an Indian but the life of kashmirees in kashmir is indeed stressful and tensed. They have no freedom and the military indulges in the high handedness and intimidating behavior with the public. I wish the people of kashmir could lead normal lives with freedom to do what ever they liked like the rest of the country. But I do understand the role of the army there as they have a job to do there. But I dont see any future for kashmir with pakistan and I dont think anyone has the appetite for a new country in the subcontinent.
It is same like when Muslim killed by Muslims like syria and other Muslim countries is like just tragedy or routine,but when muslims killed by drone is terrorist act.
Excellent observation.
You did not add the million Pandits driven away from the Kashmir valley under the hatred of religion. If right to form a country because everyone believes it is their religious right, India will be 300 nations and 30000 states!! You do not eradicate the pandits and then ask for freedom as you think it is your birth right? I do not have to remind you that culture is supremely more powerful than religion. Yesterdays west Pakistan is an example to reflect.
Good… I like your spirit… now where was this outpouring when kashmiri pandits were driven out by terrorists??… You sir, are a hypocrite… did the kashmiri muslims do anything to prevent the forced exodus, rapes, murders etc. of their hindu neighbors??..
It is plausible that excesses may have been committed by the army… and it is also plausible that kashmiris assisted and took part in terrorist activities in the valley… whilst i feel sorry for your loss, i feel just as sorry for the many 1000s who had to abandon their homes forever and become refugees in their own country!…
Perhaps I am wrong but I thought people like Arundhati Ray openly SPOKE IN DEFENSE OF KASHMIRIS! I personally think, she is one gutsy person and I am certain many in India do not agree with her at all. However, point is that in a country like India, there is the possibility that an ordinary person can go and speak against the Government – something that is unthinkable in many societies. The plight of Kashmiris (all communities) has been due to this long and unfortunate event of proxy war and collateral damage and I apologize for your personal loss but let us not go beyond that….Muslim young men are treated poorly in most Muslim countries – enough said.
Dear Kashmiri
I am extremely sorry for your loss but couple of things I would like to point out:
1. Among 166 people many were muslims. So hanging Kasab gave them justice too!! Although I know Kasab was just a pawn in this whole “game”.
2. Nobody talks about Kashmiri Hindu Pundits when everybody says how Indian army has killed thousands of muslims in Kashmir. Thousands of pundits are killed or had to leave everything behind and flee. What about them?
Have you pondered about these facts?
By hanging Kassab you cannot justify the killing of Kashmiri or muslims in Gujrat. Otherwise Kassab was also RAW installed terrorist. There are no clan or tribe or cast with the name Kassab, in Pakistan. He was definitely imported from elsewhere.