TALE OF TWO STATES

It was not something that was unexpected. I mean, the differences among the all party delegation that went to Jammu and Kashmir over the meeting with the avowed separatists and those who owe their allegiance to Pakistan and those who do not want to work within the framework of the Indian Constitution. Expectedly, the communists, for whom patriotism and nationalism are dirty words, took the lead to reach out to the separatists.

The condescending attitude of these interlocutors, as reflected in their body language while meeting the pro-Pakistanis, was too obvious. In fact, Ram Vilas Paswan made no bones of it when he said that he was feeling more comfortable with hawks like Syed Ali Shah Geelani than any other leader in his own country.

But what these self-styled optimists, without exception, said after the meeting with the hardliners was quite candid. The hawks are reported to have said something before the cameras for the consumption of the world at large, particularly their mentors and pay masters in Pakistan, and just the opposite in closed door meetings.

This double speak inspired this columnist to imagine a meeting between Geelani and our own Asaduddin Owaisi of Majlis Ittehadul Muslimeen who had something in common with the pro-Pak hawks, though history and geography placed Owaisi on a different platform. Had there been an one-on-one meeting with Geelani and Owaisi,a la Ram Vilas Paswan, the conversation would have been like this.

Here is an imaginary chat:

Owaisi: Salaam ale ghum

Geelani: Wale ghum salaam

Owaisi: How I wish I could have lent my support openly to your pro-Pakistani stand on Kashmir had our Nizam succeeded either in securing Dominion Status for Hyderabad state or merged with Pakistan.

Geelani: But I believe even now people feel that you still have soft corner for the Land of Purity.

Owaisi: I can’t be so explicit, Jenab. But, you are so fortunate. Inspite of your strong pro-Pak sentiments and refusal to work within the framework of Indian Constitution, the Indian government is scared of touching you and political leaders knock at your door even though you show them the boot. And what is more, they pay obeisance to you in the full gaze of television cameras. However, that is not the case with me.

Geelani: Well, you also turned history on its head when you opposed the celebration of “Telangana Liberation Day”. The Andhra Pradesh government and other mainstream political parties were shitting in their pants because of your numbers and they conveniently called it “Merger Day”. You could rewrite history and it is not a mean achievement.

Owaisi: I don’t consider it an achievement, Geelani sahib. I would have been happy if the Razaakar movement that Jenab Qasim Razvi led with the blessings of the Nizam VII, Osman Ali Khan had succeeded and the then trouble-makers were thrown out of the state to ensure the continuance of Nizam rule. Nizam had contributed so much for the Hyderabad state.

Geelani: Well, we did it with regard to the Pundits here. They have become refugees in their own land. Your Nizam also did his best. It was not an easy job to raise a private army of 200,000 militants to do his bidding, whereas we had to rely on Pakistan to capture Kashmir after the Hindu ruler here signed the accession treaty with India. Of course Pakistan could not complete the job. And, Insha Allah, we are trying to complete the unfinished agenda by creating Intifada like situation here in the Valley.

Owaisi: But we have lost that chance for ever thanks to Sardar Patel and that is why I was so angry when I said it was not correct to celebrate “Telangana Liberation Day”. Indian Army killed so many “Muslims of Qasim Razvi’s militia” in September 1948 in the name of “Police Action” code-named “Operation Polo”.

Geelani: I know. But it is said that on one day Razakars killed 22 persons in cold blood in some village near Warangal because they protested against the Nizam.

Owaisi: No Saab, it was just a “reaction” to the armed struggle by the Communists.

Geelani: But the very same Communists are coming to me uninvited with a deep bow and warm embrace and talk about peace.

Owaisi: Why Communists? Did not obsequious Ram Vilas Paswan come and wait at your doorsteps to be called in. Did you notice his body language? He was cringing. Do you know? He was the one who served as Union Minister in the “communal” BJP led NDA government! After the defeat of NDA, he went around with a look-alike of Osama bin Laden seeking Muslim votes for his one-man party.

Geelani: That apart, did you notice one major difference between the two situations. Here in Kashmir we are making a section of the people (atleast) to revolt against the establishment though the Indian state has granted a special status under Art 370 and pumping funds which no other state in India gets. Whereas people of Hyderabad state, despite Razakar’s action - the locals may brand it “genocide” - and Nizam’s despotic rule, did not revolt and create a difficult situation for the Nizam if you ignore that saffron-robed Sadhu (referring to Swami Ramanand Tirtha). But for “Police Action” you could have asserted your independence or merged with Pakistan. Despite lack of development, poverty, illiteracy, subjugation, the locals were docile (In a hushed tone) Do you know the reason? Kashmir was a Musliam-majority state with a Hindu ruler. It was easy for us to mobilise the extreme elements in the society to revolt and sustain our struggle for 60 years. Your state had Hindu majority under Muslim ruler. You know how Moghuls kept the Hindus subjugated for centuries. They could not rise in revolt and without local support you just can’t do anything. So, the Nizam caved in. That explains everything and especially the role of religion. By the way, do you still have the spirit of Razakars in your party?

Owaisi: Kya Saab! What MIM stands for? It is Majlis Ittehadul Muslimeen. Do you know what Qasim Razvi”s militia known as? It was Ittehadul Muslimeen. We just added some prefixes like All India Majlis. In fact our detractors blame us that our forefathers inherited the legacy of Qasim Razvi when they formed MIM.

Geelani: Lot of these “byte” soldiers are waiting outside and they may even eavesdrop.Let’s stop here. Khuda fiz

Owaisi: Khuda fiz