Juvenile Justice Act
The announcement by chief minister is a welcome step
Sheikh Anjum Husain
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah acknowledged the need to revamp the Juvenile Justice Act and bring it at par with that of India is a welcome move. The announcement will certainly serve as a breather for the young boys of the state as also for their families who often go through a painful ordeal.
They will be spared the agony of embarrassment in the society and the uncertainty of the future of their children. We hope the modified law will be drafted taking into account every aspect of this complex age. It's a layman's analysis that the turmoil over the years has had an indelible impact on every citizen of this state. The young and impressionable minds of the youth have been worst hit. Even the Army has admitted that the unfortunate happenings over the past few decades have rendered J&K a polarized region which needs fresh initiatives to usher in peace and harmony. Compassion, empathy, peace and harmony have no alternatives and to bring these things into currency in our state all the stakeholders of this vexed issue must delve deep into a common man's mind. What goes on in his/her mind when the fate of the state hangs in the balance even after over sixty years of no change on the ground level! Where does a common man see the future of his children in this region? He certainly doesn't want to die a brooding man leaving his kith and kin in the hands of 'uncertainty'.
Author resides at Sofipora, Pahalgam and can be mailed at anjum.valley@gmail.com
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Juvenile Justice Act
The announcement by chief minister is a welcome step
Sheikh Anjum Husain
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah acknowledged the need to revamp the Juvenile Justice Act and bring it at par with that of India is a welcome move. The announcement will certainly serve as a breather for the young boys of the state as also for their families who often go through a painful ordeal.
They will be spared the agony of embarrassment in the society and the uncertainty of the future of their children. We hope the modified law will be drafted taking into account every aspect of this complex age. It's a layman's analysis that the turmoil over the years has had an indelible impact on every citizen of this state. The young and impressionable minds of the youth have been worst hit. Even the Army has admitted that the unfortunate happenings over the past few decades have rendered J&K a polarized region which needs fresh initiatives to usher in peace and harmony. Compassion, empathy, peace and harmony have no alternatives and to bring these things into currency in our state all the stakeholders of this vexed issue must delve deep into a common man's mind. What goes on in his/her mind when the fate of the state hangs in the balance even after over sixty years of no change on the ground level! Where does a common man see the future of his children in this region? He certainly doesn't want to die a brooding man leaving his kith and kin in the hands of 'uncertainty'.
Author resides at Sofipora, Pahalgam and can be mailed at anjum.valley@gmail.com
The announcement by chief minister is a welcome step
Sheikh Anjum Husain
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah acknowledged the need to revamp the Juvenile Justice Act and bring it at par with that of India is a welcome move. The announcement will certainly serve as a breather for the young boys of the state as also for their families who often go through a painful ordeal.
They will be spared the agony of embarrassment in the society and the uncertainty of the future of their children. We hope the modified law will be drafted taking into account every aspect of this complex age. It's a layman's analysis that the turmoil over the years has had an indelible impact on every citizen of this state. The young and impressionable minds of the youth have been worst hit. Even the Army has admitted that the unfortunate happenings over the past few decades have rendered J&K a polarized region which needs fresh initiatives to usher in peace and harmony. Compassion, empathy, peace and harmony have no alternatives and to bring these things into currency in our state all the stakeholders of this vexed issue must delve deep into a common man's mind. What goes on in his/her mind when the fate of the state hangs in the balance even after over sixty years of no change on the ground level! Where does a common man see the future of his children in this region? He certainly doesn't want to die a brooding man leaving his kith and kin in the hands of 'uncertainty'.
Author resides at Sofipora, Pahalgam and can be mailed at anjum.valley@gmail.com
Monday, April 18, 2011
Kashmir's youth and Inclusive development!
At a critical juncture
By: Anjum Husain
The youth of the state continue to be harassed through humiliating laws. Faizan Rafiq Hakeem is a case in point. He and his family had to bear the mental agony viz-a-viz his date of birth. It doesn't behove a mature society to put its younger lot through such a mental torture that could have far reaching consequences.
Owing to pressure from Amnesty International, which has even called on the authorities to modify juvenile justice system, Faizan was released. But the question is whether he is completely free now? Hasn't this incident scarred his psyche for long? His conscience will remained chained in what he had to go through at such a tender age. The incidents of this kind will certainly have impact on the general youth of the Kashmir who often see themselves at the receiving end. It's not always for politicians or bureaucrats to decide upon the laws which would keep our state in order. As the Dogra certificate issue has proved, politicians only look for and think of ways and means to 'divide and rule' people. How come we have an ordinance coming into effect which has not only no constitutional backing but which has created a vast schism between various communities of our state? Besides, the general masses so far have failed to get the crux of the matter. The government has not come clean as to what these certificates are aimed at. Neither has there been welcoming feedback from the very people whom the ordinance is supposed to benefit.
What is happening around the world especially in the Middle East has a lesson for us. At these crucial junctures, it holds no ground to push forth such policies as would alienate the general public. We would rather focus on inclusive development and prosperity of the state with selflessness and doing away with vested interests.
Feedback at anjum.valley@gmail.com
http://www.risingkashmir.com/news/at-a-critical-juncture-8592.aspx?sms_ss=facebook_at_xt%3D4d5412f369437e23%2C0
By: Anjum Husain
The youth of the state continue to be harassed through humiliating laws. Faizan Rafiq Hakeem is a case in point. He and his family had to bear the mental agony viz-a-viz his date of birth. It doesn't behove a mature society to put its younger lot through such a mental torture that could have far reaching consequences.
Owing to pressure from Amnesty International, which has even called on the authorities to modify juvenile justice system, Faizan was released. But the question is whether he is completely free now? Hasn't this incident scarred his psyche for long? His conscience will remained chained in what he had to go through at such a tender age. The incidents of this kind will certainly have impact on the general youth of the Kashmir who often see themselves at the receiving end. It's not always for politicians or bureaucrats to decide upon the laws which would keep our state in order. As the Dogra certificate issue has proved, politicians only look for and think of ways and means to 'divide and rule' people. How come we have an ordinance coming into effect which has not only no constitutional backing but which has created a vast schism between various communities of our state? Besides, the general masses so far have failed to get the crux of the matter. The government has not come clean as to what these certificates are aimed at. Neither has there been welcoming feedback from the very people whom the ordinance is supposed to benefit.
What is happening around the world especially in the Middle East has a lesson for us. At these crucial junctures, it holds no ground to push forth such policies as would alienate the general public. We would rather focus on inclusive development and prosperity of the state with selflessness and doing away with vested interests.
Feedback at anjum.valley@gmail.com
http://www.risingkashmir.com/news/at-a-critical-juncture-8592.aspx?sms_ss=facebook_at_xt%3D4d5412f369437e23%2C0
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Bahrain Unrest and Saudi intervention
While as Saudi troops sneaked into Bahrain through the causeway to this island nation,I wonder what is in store for Bahraini people in general who have taken to streets demanding political reform and it's majority shiite community in particular.It's for sure that the HUMAN RIGHTS in Bahrain will go for a toss. Saudi Arab's military intervention is going to wreak havoc on the poor people whose only fault is that they want to have the essential right of choosing their own leaders who govern their state.It's so dumbfounding that in the 21st century, when the world has come of age, some people still hold on to the archaic, cruel and brutal dictatorships and monarchies. Why should there be a privileged few who decide the fate of the majority of under-served people? Is it a divine right for some family to rule the world? It's a pity that while in case of Libya and Egypt the world did comparatively respond to those revolutions, people did take out solidarity marches and voiced their support for people who wanted/ want democracy to be the system in place. But in case of Bahrain, the world is yet to wake up and take note.
Now that Saudis are in Bahrain, beaming into TV cameras with victory signs. How could suppressing the voice of millions by calling in neighboring military and imposing 'state emergency' be termed as victory.
This is a call to all human rights defenders of the world to look into what people of Bahrain are going through. And they are not resorting to violent forms of protests, they are not armed, they don't pelt stones, they are not anti-king, they are not even (what cynical media would have u believe)entirely shiite protests. They go bare-chested before the king's men to shoot them. They are ready to sacrifice but they want their future generations to live a life of dignity. I have seen heart-wrenching photographs of mothers preparing their young sons for this 'sacrifice'.Have a look at the image attached herewith.
World, please take note!
Monday, February 14, 2011
Adding insult to injury!
Adding insult to injury
Dear Editor,
The Deoband VC's remarks on Gujarat massacre are certainly going to rub salt on the wounds of Muslims not only of that state who had to go through unnerving pain of loosing their loved ones but all those who felt their anguish and cried over the unfortunate event their own way.
The VC's words if not ill-intentioned are purely ill-thought out. He might have expected a healing touch through his remarks but he perhaps forgot that what he opined about were not scribbling on a blackboard which should be dusted off but real wounds on the hearts and minds of all human beings. Human beings I mean. If such a heinous crime is endorsed by such a reputed person and that too from the office of one of the highest seats of religious education in India then God help all the victims of injustice and suppression. Modi was not let in by western countries after learning about his 'credentials' and here we stand ready to forget one of the darkest chapters of modern Indian history. Forgiveness is certainly a divine trait but huge question and exclamation marks hover over the debate that the Deoband VC has stirred. What of the 'gravity' of the crime. Loot, rape, plunder, arson and murder of about 2000 innocents of minority community, weren't these crimes enough for the man in charge of the state to be tried in a court of law? The VC would have done well if he had called for an impartial inquiry into the incident in addition to his advice to Gujarat Muslims. Otherwise, Muslims had moved on themselves and were not crying hoarse over their fate that prompted him to give the uncalled for 'healing touch'.
Sheikh Anjum Husain
Sofipora, Pahalgam
anjum.valley@gmail.com
LINK: http://www.risingkashmir.com/news/adding-insult-to-injury-6130.aspx
Dear Editor,
The Deoband VC's remarks on Gujarat massacre are certainly going to rub salt on the wounds of Muslims not only of that state who had to go through unnerving pain of loosing their loved ones but all those who felt their anguish and cried over the unfortunate event their own way.
The VC's words if not ill-intentioned are purely ill-thought out. He might have expected a healing touch through his remarks but he perhaps forgot that what he opined about were not scribbling on a blackboard which should be dusted off but real wounds on the hearts and minds of all human beings. Human beings I mean. If such a heinous crime is endorsed by such a reputed person and that too from the office of one of the highest seats of religious education in India then God help all the victims of injustice and suppression. Modi was not let in by western countries after learning about his 'credentials' and here we stand ready to forget one of the darkest chapters of modern Indian history. Forgiveness is certainly a divine trait but huge question and exclamation marks hover over the debate that the Deoband VC has stirred. What of the 'gravity' of the crime. Loot, rape, plunder, arson and murder of about 2000 innocents of minority community, weren't these crimes enough for the man in charge of the state to be tried in a court of law? The VC would have done well if he had called for an impartial inquiry into the incident in addition to his advice to Gujarat Muslims. Otherwise, Muslims had moved on themselves and were not crying hoarse over their fate that prompted him to give the uncalled for 'healing touch'.
Sheikh Anjum Husain
Sofipora, Pahalgam
anjum.valley@gmail.com
LINK: http://www.risingkashmir.com/news/adding-insult-to-injury-6130.aspx
Unrest in Egypt!
Unrest in Egypt
Sheikh Anjum Husain
The popular uprising against the dictatorial and suppressive rule of embattled President Hosni Mubarak in Egypt is a good sign of people having come of age with regard to their political rights. The shout has found echo in other regional parts like Sudan, Tunisia, Ivory Coast etc.
The revolt must be taken as 'writing on the wall' by other kings, dictators and neo-imperialist governments which have thrust themselves on people against their will. According to the reports, people in Egypt have not been provoked by unemployment, inflation or other socioeconomic problems but it's primarily the lack of human dignity and rights that made them take to streets and call for removal of Mubarak. People can live on a meal a day instead of two but a life without basic human values is not acceptable to them. People of Kashmir too have been living sans any respect for their life. They have been fighting for their rights not 'jobs and economic packages' for over 60 years. Yet, even after so long with lives of thousands of innocents having been lost, peace still eludes this part of the globe due to sheer apathy of the governments that were and are in power today. The fate of a people can't be hung in the balance forever. PEACE is without any alternative or replacement. It must have its way and that too not tomorrow or the day after but NOW. The authorities must wake to the realities that are being witnessed around the world today. Let not myth, force, rigidity and suppression but truth, cooperation, harmony and friendship be the way to lasting peace in our part of the globe. May peace prevail in Egypt and people of the country have the government of their choice.
Author resides at Sofipora, Pahalgam and can be mailed at anjum.valley@gmail.com
LINK: http://www.risingkashmir.com/news/unrest-in-egypt-5918.aspx
Sheikh Anjum Husain
The popular uprising against the dictatorial and suppressive rule of embattled President Hosni Mubarak in Egypt is a good sign of people having come of age with regard to their political rights. The shout has found echo in other regional parts like Sudan, Tunisia, Ivory Coast etc.
The revolt must be taken as 'writing on the wall' by other kings, dictators and neo-imperialist governments which have thrust themselves on people against their will. According to the reports, people in Egypt have not been provoked by unemployment, inflation or other socioeconomic problems but it's primarily the lack of human dignity and rights that made them take to streets and call for removal of Mubarak. People can live on a meal a day instead of two but a life without basic human values is not acceptable to them. People of Kashmir too have been living sans any respect for their life. They have been fighting for their rights not 'jobs and economic packages' for over 60 years. Yet, even after so long with lives of thousands of innocents having been lost, peace still eludes this part of the globe due to sheer apathy of the governments that were and are in power today. The fate of a people can't be hung in the balance forever. PEACE is without any alternative or replacement. It must have its way and that too not tomorrow or the day after but NOW. The authorities must wake to the realities that are being witnessed around the world today. Let not myth, force, rigidity and suppression but truth, cooperation, harmony and friendship be the way to lasting peace in our part of the globe. May peace prevail in Egypt and people of the country have the government of their choice.
Author resides at Sofipora, Pahalgam and can be mailed at anjum.valley@gmail.com
LINK: http://www.risingkashmir.com/news/unrest-in-egypt-5918.aspx
Unrest in Egypt!
Unrest in Egypt
Sheikh Anjum Husain
The popular uprising against the dictatorial and suppressive rule of embattled President Hosni Mubarak in Egypt is a good sign of people having come of age with regard to their political rights. The shout has found echo in other regional parts like Sudan, Tunisia, Ivory Coast etc.
The revolt must be taken as 'writing on the wall' by other kings, dictators and neo-imperialist governments which have thrust themselves on people against their will. According to the reports, people in Egypt have not been provoked by unemployment, inflation or other socioeconomic problems but it's primarily the lack of human dignity and rights that made them take to streets and call for removal of Mubarak. People can live on a meal a day instead of two but a life without basic human values is not acceptable to them. People of Kashmir too have been living sans any respect for their life. They have been fighting for their rights not 'jobs and economic packages' for over 60 years. Yet, even after so long with lives of thousands of innocents having been lost, peace still eludes this part of the globe due to sheer apathy of the governments that were and are in power today. The fate of a people can't be hung in the balance forever. PEACE is without any alternative or replacement. It must have its way and that too not tomorrow or the day after but NOW. The authorities must wake to the realities that are being witnessed around the world today. Let not myth, force, rigidity and suppression but truth, cooperation, harmony and friendship be the way to lasting peace in our part of the globe. May peace prevail in Egypt and people of the country have the government of their choice.
Author resides at Sofipora, Pahalgam and can be mailed at anjum.valley@gmail.com
LINK: http://www.risingkashmir.com/news/unrest-in-egypt-5918.aspx
Sheikh Anjum Husain
The popular uprising against the dictatorial and suppressive rule of embattled President Hosni Mubarak in Egypt is a good sign of people having come of age with regard to their political rights. The shout has found echo in other regional parts like Sudan, Tunisia, Ivory Coast etc.
The revolt must be taken as 'writing on the wall' by other kings, dictators and neo-imperialist governments which have thrust themselves on people against their will. According to the reports, people in Egypt have not been provoked by unemployment, inflation or other socioeconomic problems but it's primarily the lack of human dignity and rights that made them take to streets and call for removal of Mubarak. People can live on a meal a day instead of two but a life without basic human values is not acceptable to them. People of Kashmir too have been living sans any respect for their life. They have been fighting for their rights not 'jobs and economic packages' for over 60 years. Yet, even after so long with lives of thousands of innocents having been lost, peace still eludes this part of the globe due to sheer apathy of the governments that were and are in power today. The fate of a people can't be hung in the balance forever. PEACE is without any alternative or replacement. It must have its way and that too not tomorrow or the day after but NOW. The authorities must wake to the realities that are being witnessed around the world today. Let not myth, force, rigidity and suppression but truth, cooperation, harmony and friendship be the way to lasting peace in our part of the globe. May peace prevail in Egypt and people of the country have the government of their choice.
Author resides at Sofipora, Pahalgam and can be mailed at anjum.valley@gmail.com
LINK: http://www.risingkashmir.com/news/unrest-in-egypt-5918.aspx
Iceberg that is melting in River Nile!
Ice berg that is melting in the Nile
SmallerDefaultLarger
The popular revolt in Egypt against the authoritarian president Hosni Mubarak is exemplary in many ways. One can't help saluting the unity, courage, steadfastness and forbearance of Egyptian people. I wonder if the uprising is so intense against an Egyptian who ruled them for 30 years, what would be the case had it been a question of foreign occupation. Mubarak is presently being widely and frequently described in the world media, social and political circles as a rubber-stamp and puppet president who during the course of his dictatorial rule, cared more for the US and Israel than for his own countrymen. Most of the western countries especially the US and its allies who invaded Iraq and Afghanistan on the pretext of democracy have ironically but not surprisingly maintained silence over the happenings in Egypt. This clearly speaks volumes about their double-standards. The entire Egypt taking to streets against Mubarak is in a way a democratic election or referendum whereby people wanted him out of power. Why doesn't the West support this democratic movement? What one gathers by the embattled president's holding on to power for many days after the protests broke out is the fear of 'where to go?'. Would his mentors (read the US and Israel), whose foreign policy has always been 'use and throw, be able to provide him a safe haven? Why the US and Israel wanted him to stay is that the ice-berg they built over the decades in the East and that's feeding the rivers of their interests is in danger. And Egypt could be just the tip of this ice-berg that seems to be melting in Nile.
Sheikh Anjum Husain
Sofipora Pahalgam
anjum.valley@gmail.com
LINK:http://greaterkashmir.com/news/2011/Feb/15/ice-berg-that-is-melting-in-the-nile-16.asp
SmallerDefaultLarger
The popular revolt in Egypt against the authoritarian president Hosni Mubarak is exemplary in many ways. One can't help saluting the unity, courage, steadfastness and forbearance of Egyptian people. I wonder if the uprising is so intense against an Egyptian who ruled them for 30 years, what would be the case had it been a question of foreign occupation. Mubarak is presently being widely and frequently described in the world media, social and political circles as a rubber-stamp and puppet president who during the course of his dictatorial rule, cared more for the US and Israel than for his own countrymen. Most of the western countries especially the US and its allies who invaded Iraq and Afghanistan on the pretext of democracy have ironically but not surprisingly maintained silence over the happenings in Egypt. This clearly speaks volumes about their double-standards. The entire Egypt taking to streets against Mubarak is in a way a democratic election or referendum whereby people wanted him out of power. Why doesn't the West support this democratic movement? What one gathers by the embattled president's holding on to power for many days after the protests broke out is the fear of 'where to go?'. Would his mentors (read the US and Israel), whose foreign policy has always been 'use and throw, be able to provide him a safe haven? Why the US and Israel wanted him to stay is that the ice-berg they built over the decades in the East and that's feeding the rivers of their interests is in danger. And Egypt could be just the tip of this ice-berg that seems to be melting in Nile.
Sheikh Anjum Husain
Sofipora Pahalgam
anjum.valley@gmail.com
LINK:http://greaterkashmir.com/news/2011/Feb/15/ice-berg-that-is-melting-in-the-nile-16.asp
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