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Why I object to my JNU colleague's statements against Mehbooba Mufti on Pulwama

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Kamal Mitra Chenoy
Kamal Mitra ChenoyFeb 25, 2019 | 11:25

Why I object to my JNU colleague's statements against Mehbooba Mufti on Pulwama

In an environment where all Indians are grieving and some are being unfairly targeted, why are academics who should know much better adding to the chaos, even to hatred?

Many motivated, partisan or confused people are unsure about what exactly is happening in Kashmir — especially after the Jaish-e-Mohammed Pulwama strike.

The Pulwama terrorist strike is condemnable beyond words. Questions have been raised about how the explosives-packed vehicle, driven by a suicide bomber, managed to reach the CRPF convoy. The paramilitary and Army are investigating.

The situation in Kashmir is very complex meanwhile. However, there are many, including civilians, who have not understood the complicated situation, are unable to find the truth in muddy waters, but are stll making ignorant — and very dangerous — statements.

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What we need is for Indians to stand together — not turn against each other.
What we need is for Indians to stand together — not turn against each other. (Photo: PTI)

A recent such remark was reportedly made by Professor Amita Singh of JNU. Singh is a member of the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) and is Chairperson of the Special Centre for Disaster Research at JNU.

On February 14, she aparently tweeted: “The RDX filled vehicle could not be checked as the 3 check barriers were removed by mehbooba mufti. Governor pl. reinstate everything removed by her. Mehbooba Mf. Should now hand over her 40 people for public execution if she really feels hurt for our 40 soldiers.culpability.”

On what basis did Professor Singh make what I feel is such a grossly unfair — and inaccurate — statement?

I have been a Professor in JNU’s School of International Studies and Centre for Comparative Politics and Political Theory for many years — and I know for a fact that while Professor Singh is known for her ‘outspokenness’, she is not known for having any special knowledge about Kashmir.

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Yet, she blamed the former CM of Jammu and Kashmir for an attack as horrific as Pulwama.

The PDP has never been involved with the Jaish. Before making such a grave charge, the professor did not think of putting forward a coherent explanation for her belief that mainstream political parties are apparently involved in terror incidents in Kashmir. 

And what is one to make of her demand of ‘handing over her 40 people for public execution’? The Indian state does not have a policy of ‘public executions’. Whom exactly does the professor want should carry out the ‘executions’?

When asked about her statement, Professor Singh reportedly said she talked of the execution of 40 PDP workers and cadre, so that Mufti “realises what is pain”. 

Our soldiers in Pulwama were killed by Pakistan-backed terrorists. The professor is thus apparently implying that the soldiers were not ‘Mehbooba Mufti’s people’, and PDP workers are not ‘India’s people’? This is ignorant — and shameful. 

It is perhaps important to mention here that in the past, Professor Singh’s statements against minority communities and Dalits have led to the JNU being served notices from the National Commission for Minorities, the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and the Delhi Minorities Commission.

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Her remarks on Pulwama now elicited a reaction from the PDP and from Mehbooba Mufti, and the PDP even spoke of seeking legal action against her.

To this, Professor Singh reportedly responded that the PDP and Mufti were acting under the direction of JNU scholar Shehla Rashid Shora. Now, a young JNU scholar has also needlessly been brought into Professor Singh’s baseless charges, where she will be accused of acts that never occurred.

As if pouring vitriol on Mehbooba Mufti wasn't enough, Professor Singh then targetted a Kashmiri student of her own university.
Do we have to drag even Kashmiri students and youth into the web of conspiracy theories and wild charges? (Photo: PTI/file)

For her extraordinary claim on Mehbooba Mufti, the professor has cited a ‘TV clip of Major General GD Bakshi’ as the basis. “It was openly being discussed on television that it was a PDP man who broke through the first two barriers. He was shot at by the army and died. Those armymen are still languishing in jail.”

Of course, what Professor Singh didn’t realise was that she was describing the Budgam firing incident of 2014, where two men were shot in Chiteram village when they sped past two army checkpoints.

When people attached to eminent institutions make claims steeped in ignorance and even hatred, it is frightening. 

Ordinary Kashmiris across different parts of India have anyway had to bear the brunt of people’s misdirected anger. Indians turning on each other is deeply regrettable. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 23 said: “Our fight is for Kashmir, not against Kashmiris... Kashmiris have suffered the most due to terrorism, and the rest of the country must stand in their support.”

The statement, however, was long overdue — a delay on the part of the PM that will not be forgotten soon, by a people targeted from every direction.

Coming back to Professor Singh, ever since she came out with her shocking tirade, I was urged by many to call her out.

I, for one, am ashamed of her statements. I trust other secular and right-thinking Indians too will counter such claims against Kashmir.

Last updated: February 25, 2019 | 11:25
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