Kashmir Calling: End the Bloodshed!

Whatever the government may have claimed or done on the ground, the fact is that Kashmir saw significant violence well into the year 2022. As it has been for several decades, there was still blood spilling in various kinds, and the year that would be over in a few days was no different. Numerous families lost loved ones and witnessed them lying in a pool of blood, which was enough to convince the general public that little has changed in Kashmir. If there had been a change, the bloodshed would have at the very least stopped, and the families would not have lost their loved ones.

The ground reality which is staring right into our eyes makes it clear that the end to bloodshed, pain and agony is still far even though the claims are made otherwise, but even the blind, as well as deaf, would acknowledge the sorry state of affairs in Kashmir where on an almost daily basis, people are losing their lives. There isn’t a particular section of society which is facing the brunt; rather, it is everyone who is at the receiving end, taking a bullet in the chest or head—from point blank.

Those who have picked up arms—militants, especially those who are young and belong to this place, have been killed and scores of them only in 2020; the Kashmiri Pandits continue to face the heat as several individuals from the community took bullets this year in targeted attacks. It did not stop right there, the non-locals who have been working in Kashmir for the last several years, have also faced the brunt of the violence in the Valley and returned home dead. In some cases, their families were compensated, but the majority of cases were handled in a way as if nothing happened.

The truth is that blood is spilled on Kashmir’s streets almost daily, and the year 2022 was no exception. This year witnessed the deaths of innocent people who had no idea why they had been killed, as well as militants and security force members because, at the end of the day, all life has a unique identifier that must be protected at all costs. However, it appears that Kashmir has turned into a place where every life is at risk. This is frightening and will only add to the destruction in Kashmir.

Kashmir is literally crying for peace; it is yearning to have an atmosphere where there is no danger, where human life is held precious and respected; where bloodshed is termed as a grave sin: a sign of divine wrath. This place has seen enough bloodshed which has destroyed scores of families over the years, numerous orphaned. The time has come to ensure peace to sustain and hold its roots in Kashmir. Time is calling out to put an end to the bloodshed which has been bruising the soul of humanity in Kashmir.